The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-16
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.


but, on the contrary, is always glad to
print letters supporting views opposed to
its own on questions of public policy; and
1t only requires that they shall be intel
ligently expressed and respectful in tone.
In pursuance of this policy it gives place
with pleasure to communication from
Mr.. Paul Riecker, late assistant state geolo-
gist, on the much talked of matter of the
geological survey; but before there viii be
justification for the hope expressed that it
viii .'fall into line" in support of the
project, there will have to be good deal
better line than now exists and much
better arguments than Mr.. Riecker brings
to bear
The suggestion that suspension of the
survey will wear the look of want of con-
hdence on the part of the state in its
mineral resources is an absurdity. It is
not one of the purposes of state govern
ment to demonstrate public confidence in
the states resources; but if it were, there
is no reason why the mineral resource
should be favored over other interests.
Ii is not required that the state shall go
into the business of experimental farming
in order that confidence" may be shown
in our fields; that it shall promote .'con-
fdence" in fruit culture, hop culture,
general manufacturing or in the fishing
interest. 1t is no business of the state to
''cruise" timber lands for the benefit of
investors, nor is there any reflection upon
the extent or value of our timber
resource because investors are left to hunt
for themselves; and what is true of the
timber interest is equally true of the min
have, as Mr.. Riecker suggests, adopted
different policy, it is their own affair; but
II is just as well to bear in mind that their
geological operations followed rather than
preceded their best mining days. 1t was
not through state surveys that the mines
of California and Colorado became known
to the world.
Mr.. Riecker is panied because through
suspension of this survey the state is
'being deprived of Millions" Now, if
there was assurance of millions, !" or one
million, or the quarter part of one million
in geological survey is 1t reasonable to
believe that the state would be left to do
the work? Anybody who knows anything
about mining business knows very well
that If there were any such prospect, the
mountains would be full of surveyors
representing private parties. The fact
is that there is plenty of money
always ready for promising mining
venture, and if geological surveying was
the best method of mineral discovery the
place of the prospector. But the old
method is still the practical method. If
the state survey has, as Mr.. Riecker
says, led TO the discovery of a
S20o, 900 mine then the continuance of the
work may with perfect safely be left to
private enterprise, but the incident de-
serves to be widely reported since it is
the first of its kind.
We are glad to fully agree with Mr.
Riecker in his estimate of the variety and
value of Washing toms resources, but fail
to understand why one out of so many
| should be singled out for especial promo
| ton by the state. Surely one interest is
as fairly entitled as another to state aid.
and an appeal in behalf of the mining
interest is not entitled to preference over
an appeal for any other. Since the great
mass of our resources must be left to
| private discovery and development then
| let there be no partiality--let mining fare
with the rest And experience has shown
| this to be the best way. No geological
| survey with the one exception of Mr..
Rockers nameless $4,000 find) ever vet
discovered great NINE; and if it shall
ever be demonstrated that surveying is the
best means of prospecting, then the min
| ing men will do the work at their own
cost. The state need not bother about it.
| Mr.. Riecker will find that before the
abandoned survey can be taken up again
it will need to have a stro niger promotion
than an Endorsement by the Seattle
Mining Exchange and the Spokane ex-
changes, even though supported by those
great luminaries, the Kettle Falls Pioneer,
the Tacoma Ledger, the Olympia Tribune
and the Seattle Telegraph. By universal
sentiment the survey has been condemned
as an impractical scheme conceived in
corruption. The Posr-INrEILIGkNcER is
cordially in sympathy with this view and
il fails to find in Mr.. Riecker's letter any
reason TO alter its Judgement
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