Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-02
REVISING GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES.
The United States Board Issues It's FRS
Bulletin.

REVISING BIOGRAPHICAL NAMES.
The United States Board Issues Its First
| Bulletin.
The United States board Of geographic names
has issued its first bulletin announcing decis-
ions Of the board. This contains q list Of 226
geographical names finally adopted by the
board. The names adopted are printed in
heavy-face type, while the discarded forms are
printed in italics. Among the names adopted
is that Of Anacostia river, the old name, Eastern
branch, being discarded. The board has also
officially adopted the name Of Boring for the
great sea lying between Alaska and Siberia, dis
carding the old names Of Behring, Behring's,
Kamchatka. &c.
THE PRINCIPLES FOLLOWED.
The board announces the following princi-
pies adopted in determining the official form
or rendering Of geographic names:
| /. That spelling and pronunciation which il
sanctioned by local usage should in general be
adopted.
2. Where names have been changed or cor
| rupted, and such changes or corruptions have
become established by local usage, it is not in
general advisable to attempt to restore the
\ original form.
8. In cases where what was evidently origin
ally the same word appears with various SPELL
| ing. sanctioned by local usage, when applied to
different features, these various spellings
should be regarded as in effect different names,
| and. as a rule it is inadvisable to attempt to
/ produce uniformity.
4. Where a choice is offered between two or
| more names for the same place or locality. all
| sanctioned by local usage. that which is most
appropriate and euphonious should be adopted.
D. The possessive form should be avoided
whenever it can be done without destroying
the euphony of the name or changing its de-
scriPtive application.
I 6. Geographic names in countries that use
the Roman characters should be rendered in
the form adopted by the country having juris-
diction. except when there are English equiva-
Tents already fixed by usage. In cases where
! the English equivalent is SO different from the
national form that the identity of the latter
! with the former might not be recognized, both
forms may be given.
2. The spelling of geographic names that re-
! quire transliteration into Roman characters
should represent the principal sounds Of the
word as pronounced in the native tongue, in
/ accordance with the sounds of the letters in the
/ following system:
An approximation only to the true sound is
aimed at in this system. The vowels are to be
pronounced as in Italian and on the continent
Of Europe generally, and the consonants as in
English.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BOARD.
In a preface to the bulletin an explanation is
made of the origin of the board. 1t is well
ment is largely engaged in the discovery and
dissemination of geographical information, and
that several of its bureaus are charged with the
production of charts and maps relating not
only to the United States, but involving in
some instances the geography of the whole
world.
In the several surveys in process of execution
by the government, each having a specific end
In view, duplication of chart and map pro-
ductiOn has been found not only desirable but
necessary, and it has long been known that
considerable differences existed among the va
rious bureaus on the subject of geographic
nomenclature. A closer examination showed
that IN no department or bureau was there any
thing like system Of nomenclature, the
geographical names adopted being rather the
result of accident than otherwise one authority
being accepted In one bureau at one time,
while that of others was entirely different. In
deed there was often lack of harmony in the
publications of a single bureau growing out Of
the influence of varying and uncertain local
traditions. In the winter of 1SS9-90 the matter
became subject of conference among few of
those most closely interested and it was de-
termined to do something in the direction of
removing serious and growing evil In govern
ment publications.
A correspondence with the heads Of depart
ments and chiefs Of bureaus especially con-
cerned in the production of charts. maps and
other geographical publications was under
taken by the superintendent of the coast and
geodetic survey, in which it proposed to
organize board consisting of representatives
from such departments and bureaus, to which
might be referred all questions arising in any
OF them relating to geographic names, the ac-
ton OF such board to be accepted as final, to
the end that uniformity of nomenclature might
be secured in all government publications.
The suggestion received favorable considera-
ton IN all quarters and resulted in the or
gnnization Of the board in April, 1880.
1t was Immediately discovered that there was
plenty OF work for il to do, as questions for it
to consider and determine came pouring in
from all sides. After several meetings, in
which much was done in the way Of determin-
ing methods of procedure and general prin-
ciples of contrOs. well in the actual con-
sideration of over hundred cases. it was
recognized that the importance of the work Of
the board and the difficulties of al administra-
tive character which might be anticipated re-
CURED that Its existence and organization
should be strengthened by something in ad-
dition TO a simple temporary convention among
those most interested. Under the circumstances,
executive authority could alone secure the uni
versal adoption in all government publications
| of the decisions Of the board. The matter was
therefore brought to the attention of the Presi-
/ dent of the United States, who recognized the
desirability of accomplishing the end proposed,
! and on September t. 1880. issued an executive
order formally creating the board.
HOW THE WORK Is DONE.
In disposing Of any question which is
brought 10 the attention Of the board the fol-
lowing plan is pursued: 1t is first referred to
I the executive committee, consisting at present
of Mr.. Henry Gannett Of the U. s. geological
survey, Lieut. Richardson Closer, U.S.N, Navy
Department. and Mr.. Herbert G. Ogden. U. s.
coast and geodetic survey. This committee is
charged with the thorough investigation Of the
/ question and is expected TO consult authorities
and to make use of such assistance as it may
/ tnd anywhere available A resume Of the
| results of such investigation, together with a
recommendation, is made to the board at a
regular meeting, and, after discussion, the de-
cision Is reached by a vote.
Although its functions are purely those Of
government board and its decisions binding on
government officers only, it may not be i'm
proper TO express 4 hope that they may also be
followed by the public in general, especially
the map and textbook publishers, and to this
end copies of the bulletins. which will be used
from time TO time occasion demands, will
be sent, as far possible, to all requesting
them