The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-27
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

SEATTLE, Feb. "a. 1893.
TO THE EDITOR: In view Of the fact that
MI. Ludden. representing Spokane county.
mas introduced bill in the legislature APP
propriating So, 900 for . geological and
mineraiogical survey it will be in order to
impartiaily and intelligently discuss the
merits and probable benefits such move
ment would bring to the state. and mas
much as the most experienced mining
men agree and have authoritively declared
that the Cascades and the mountain
ranges of Eastern Washington contain in
exhaustible ore bodies containing various
precious minerals, feel that l am doing
no more than my duty if I endeavor to
demonstrate what might be accomplished
II the measure now before the legislature
should become law.
From my own observations feel justi-
fed In saying that the state of Washing
ton 10 not only mining state, but that
the near future will bear me out when
say that it is destined to take the lead as q
mineral producing country; nor will
stop when I say that much, but having
recently and formerly made comparison
with the natural resources of other states
and territories, am safe in challenging
the world to produce another section of
country which can in its magnitude of
natural resources, and in its matchless
variety of possibilities in no matter what
direction the eye may turn, compare with
this state. Where else can you find coal.
timber and iron ore so close to q navlgable
inland sea. which like q mighty octopus,
with it, innumerable deep water branches,
reaches to the very heart of the
land; not even the far-famed Med.
iterranean ocean, for the posses
sion of which the greatest nations
have contended from time immemorial to
the present day, can compare with what
the future will and must bring to the Pu-
get sound and its tributary country, and
every farmer will bear testimony how pro-
lite the soil responds to fair treatment.
The state cannot do too much in calling
the attention of the world to this favored
spot, tor to see the state and examine its
resources means to become convinced that
Washington offers the greatest possibili-
ties for capital and enterprise.
The impression seems to prevail that q
geological survey would only benefit the
miner. How erroneous this is will BE-
seen if the reader will follow me to the
end.
In all the states where precious metals
appear the respective legislatures have en-
couraged geological and neurological sur
veys, with good results. A mining bureau
established and maintained by the state is
. necessity and would be of incalcuiable
benefit to mine owners and investors. Its
duty should consist of not merely investi-
eating our gold. silver. copper and iron
mines, but also building stones, earth,
paints. cements, oils, gas, asphaltum, gyp-
sum. lime. sand for glass making, phos-
phate rocks, mineral fertilizers, medicinal
waters, ETC., should come within the scope
of investigation and would lead to the in
vestment of many millions Of dollars.
A museum could be maintained which
would be visited BY thousands of people
seeking information and, under official
guarantee of correct detail, q geological
survey would serve the greatest purposes
possible, while capitalists would have q
guide to direct their investments
in our direction; the poorest prospector
would be enabled to secure proper
attention, to a meritorious discovery,
equal with the capitalist. The tillers of
the soil who wished to settle in the state,
waiting, would acquire knowledge in this
direction which would teach the farmer
where to locate to obtain the proper soil
for certain products: . knowledge Of the
geological structure Of our state will guide
the prospector to the proper localities in
which to seek for the precious and econo-
mic minerals. and while limiting his field
OF research will give him q more compre-
kro doc Of hal
ence.
Persons all over the state who make
valuable discoveries in the field of mining.
manufacture or agriculture could send
information and specimens of same to be
filed with the mining bureau, while in
vestors and capitalists could be intelli.
gently directed towards localities which
contained the desired deposits; it would
surely result in the establishment of man.
ufacturing plants. would lessen importa-
ton, give employment to many, and
retain thousands of dollars inside our
boundaries.
The many valuable results obtained from
state geological surveys in California,
Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania and other
states which have encouraged the develop
ment Of many valuable mining properties
and the establishment Of immense manu-
featuring plants, bespeaks for itself the i'm
portance such an institution would be for
Washington, and the many instances in
which it has saved the expenditure Of
large sums Of money by intelligent direc-
ton OF scientific Developments. The valu-
able lessons to be taught by scientific
and systematic investigation of the under
ground rock structures. rock compositions
and rock determinations should by no
means be neglected, inasmuch as the ex-
penditure would be comparatively small
and could not possibly enter as reason
able argument against the survey.
The sedimentation, the strata, the fos-
sils and what they teach, together with
geological maps, perspective views and
geological sections. topography, plan and
sections Of underground developments
showing veins. ore bodies and formation.
with complete reports upon exact condi-
tions. the examination of corals and
brachiopodes. natural obstacles, value and
condition OF soil, irrigation problems and
reservoir sites, the study Of our litholog-
ical, structural and formational geology.
the kinds of rocks and their physical con-
ditions. and everything which could be
ascertained about geological agencies from
Eozoic to the present geological age should
form the basis of researches and investi-
cations with recommend atoms for prac-
tical uses.
Some have urged that the United States
is making . geological survey, but how
useful this would be for the present gen.
Grafton is demonstrated best by United
States Senator Wolcott. who in a recent
speech before congress said that at the