Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16
A Great Ground Map Of Our Coun-
try Proposed.
MOUNTAINS ANDVALLEYS REPRODUCED
It May Be Located on the Po-
tomac Flats.
FAV RABLE OPINION

Last Wednesday the Senate passed. with
out division. joint resolution that may re-
suit in giving to this city one Of the greatest
attractions to tourists, as well as one Of the
most novel exhibits known in civiliza ton.
This resolution WAS introduced IN April by
Senator Cannon of Utah, and attracted wide
attention at-once from the fact that it pro-
posed the establishment near this city of a
ground map of the United States, to be
known as Our Country in Miniature" The
most striking feature of the proposition was
the scale suggested by Mr.. Cannon, who
fixed the relation of size between the actual
territory and the reduced representation at
the rate OF square mile to a square yard
This would give giant map, covering over
SIX hundred acres, and at once the idea arose
that such an enormous project could not be
put into execution except at a cost running
Into the hundreds of thousands of dollars
Consequently some attention was paid at
once by those whose interest was aroused
by the novel suggestion to the question Of
finding some suitable place already owned
by the government, and not used for other
purposes, where the map might be located
so as to be convenient to the thousands of
visitors who would certainly be attracted
10 it, and where the plan might be carried
into execution with the least cost The
solution of this apparently unsovable prob
lem has now been reached, and Senator
cannon aid all those who have become in
terested IN his project are satisfied that the
most suitable site for the ground map is
the northern section of the reclaimed Po-
tomac flats, lying between the observatory
grounds and the Long bridge. This land is
now useless aeyer having been improved.
ana 1t has peculiar, almost remarkable, ad-
NantaseS Tor Just such a purpose.
The Resolution Amended.
Senator Cannon therefore amended his
resolution before it was adopted by the
Senate so as to provide for this site, which
would necessitate a reduction of the scale
OF relation, and in the form in which it
went to the House, which is expected to
give speedy concurrence the measure reads
as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
appointment Of a commission of five citi-
ZenS of tine United States is authorized To he
made In the following manner: Three MEM
bers to be selected by the President of the
Inited States, one by the President of the
Senate and one by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives; and for the following
purpose: To examine into and to report tn
congress upon the practicability adyisa NIL
ity and cost of establishing at or near the
United States of America, on a scale OF one
square yard of map surface for each square
mile of actual area. or on such scale az III
may be possible to comprise within the
reclamation of the Potomac flats said
ground map to he as nearly as NAV be our
country in miniature. reproducing in earth
ana other materials. on scale. the bound
aries and the topography, all the natural
and artificial features of the surface show
ing geographical divisions: Also mountains
nils and valleys. forests, lakes and streams
cities and villages; and that said comuis-
sion Is to ser"e without compensation"
1t Is to be noted that this resolution ia
not determinative and does not carry anv
appropriation Therefore its passage does
not bind the government to action even
though the commission provided for shouId
report ldNCrahly to recommend the build
ing OF the map.
senator Cunnon's Explanation
The day after he introduced this resolu-
tiCn Mr.. Cannon addressed the Senate on
the subject of the great map, in a speech
that attracted uncommon attention and
that won for hin. hearty congratulations
from all sides He explained the project so
fully In that discourse that it is here re-
produced. in part. as indicating very clear
ly the SC1ps and character of the man and
the object' for which it might serve This
speech WIS delivered April 81. and in the
course OF it Senator Cannon said:
1T Will be CT Served from a reading of
this resolution that its sole present purpose
is to provide for the creation of a commits
sion to make certain inquiries regarding
what | believe to be a most desirable OBJ
teCt. 1t viii also be observed that no ex-
pense Will be entailed upon the national
treasury If this commission shall be ap-
pointed, except by further specific action
by Congress to that erd.
The purpose / have in view ultimately
by this resolution is to secure the establish
ment at near the capital Of our nation
of ground map of this country, which
shall furnish in general and In detail
comprehensive view of the vast domain
within the boundaries of the United States
proper. To provide so large a map as this
upon the scale proposed there will be re-
CURED 625 acres, upon which would be pro-
jected all the geographical lines, all the