The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-24

yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, IN the
law offices OF Atkinson & Flick, Chap
line street, with all the members of the
board present AS this was the first
meeting since the law creating the
commission was PASSED, the first thing
In order was organization, and consId-
Grafton of other features continued the
session without intermisslen until two
o'clock, when adjournment was taken,
to meet again at the call of the presi-
dent
The members OF the board are mem
bers by virtue OF their offices, and We're
not selected as individuals They are
the governor, G, W. Atkinson state
treasurer, NJ. A. Kendall; president OF
the state university, Dr. j. II. Raymond
director of the West Virginia agricul-
tural experiment station, J, II. Stewart,
and president OF the state board OF ag-
rlculture, Professor T. c. Atkeson. They
effected an organization by electing
Governor Atkinson president; NJ. A,
Kendall treasurer. and T. c, Atkeson,
secretary, After reading the act of the
last legislature, bearing upon the work
before them. steps were taken in con-
formity with its provisions.
The law provides that there shall be
superintendent and assistants for the
survey of the state. The board ap-
pointed the following: Superintendent OF
the survey, Din /. c, White; first as
slstant geologist and curator Of the col
lectIons, Professor s. b. Brown; super
lntendent of biological division, j. fl.
Stewart: executl'e Officer, DR.. :. II.
Raymond.
It was ordered that Professor Brown,
who holds the chair of geology at the
state university, should collect and pre-
pare for publication syI.... sis of all
the works bearing on the geology and
biology OF West Virginia, With this acs
complshed there will be certain
amount of data to start with, and then
the geological survey Of the state will
be carried on as funds will permit, 1t Is
thought the work will take about ten
years. The legislature appropriated
$4,000, and II succ, eding legislatures
continue to appropriate the survey WIN
proceed until complJ'rd 1t is proposed
to cooperate with the United States en-
glneers now In the state. The value to
the state of complete geological sur
vey showing the formation of the state
with reference to Its products and re-
sources Is unquestloned. The real pur-
poses are set forth in the act passed
February %. 1897, creating the surrey
II is as follows:
An act to establish state geological
and economic survey, and TO make proHls-
ion for the preparation aud publication Of
reports and maps TO Illustrate the natural
resources OF the state, together with the
necessary investigations preparatory
Be il enacted by the legislature of West
That there is hereby estabIishedA state
geological and economic survey Whlch
shall be under the direction oil a coininls-
sion composed oil the governor, the treas
urer, the president OF the West Virginia
UnNeTsity, the president OF the state
board OF agriculture, ana the director OF
the West Virginia asrlcultural experiment
station, who shall serve without compen.
Bation, but shall be reimbursed FOR actual
expenses incurred In the performance OF
their official duties, and the SAID commas
6ioners shall have general charge OF the
survey and appoint as superintendent Oh
the same q geologist OF established repu-
tation, and such assistants ana employees
as they may deem necessary; ana they
shall also determine the compensation OF
all persons employed by the survey anu
may remove them at their pleasure
That the survey shall have for It's OBJ
jects: -,--,--, &c.,.
lions Of the state, with special reference 10
their economic products, namely build
ing stones and other. constructive mate
!, rials and resources, clays and Other MIN
eral substances and fuels, the prevention
OF their waste, and the utilization oil by
An Examination and classification of the
soils and a study Of their adaptabllity to
particular crops. A.,
An examination Of the forests and tim
her lands OF the state with reference TO
tho economic utilization OF the same anu
the preservation OF their waste.
An examination OF the physical features
OF the state with reference TO their prac-
tical bearing upon the occupations OF tue
people, the Industrial development ana the
material prosperity Of the several portions
OF the state, having due regard TO thelr
varying resources CONDITIONS aHu ilteu I
The preparation OF special geological
and economic maps to illustrate the re-
sources OF the state.
The preparation Of special reports, with
necessary illustrations ana maps, Wnich
shall embrace both general ana detailed
description OF the geology and natural re-
sources OF the state.
The consideration OF such other scien-
tihc ana economic questions as IN the
Judgment OF the commissioners shall be
deemed OF value to the people OF the STATE,
and the Immediate establishing oil the
proper marking Of the meridian points In
the several county seats oil the state.
That the commissioners shall cause to
be prepared report to the legislature be-
fore each meeting OF the same, showing
the progress and conditions OF the survey,
together with such other Information NJ
they may deem necessary and useful or as
the legislature may require
That the regular and special reports OF
the survey. with proper illustrations ana
maps, shall be printed as the commission;
Al aud M IA
be distributed or sold by the said commits
BlOners In the interests Of the state, the
diffusion OF practical information relating
TO the development OF the state, ana the
advancement OF science may demandi ana
ali moneys obtained by the sale OF the re-
ports shall be paid into the state treasury.
That all materials collected, after hay.
ing served the purpose OF the survey shall
be distributed By tho commissioners TO the
educational Institutions In such manner rs
10 bo Of the greatest advantage to the cd.
vocational interests OF the state or "
deemed advisable. tho whole or part OF
such materials shall be put on permanent
THAT he sum Of 5000 annually, for the
years 1891 and 1885, or SO much thereon as
may be necessary II hereby appropriated
out OF the funds Of tho treasury, not 9th.
crwlse appropriated. for the purpose OF
carrying out the provisions OF this act
Among the business transacted yes
terday the offcts NJ the state unlver-
Blty and experiment station to furnish
free OF charge suitable rooms for the Of
feefs of the survey Eos maps, collec-
lions apparatus, etc, were accepted
The committee r. 10 meet twice n year
and the president was authorized Ia
gay that the friendly aid Of leaders In
the states higher educational lnBtltu-
tlons. and OF all other enlightened Clt.
zcna, Will be appreciated by the COM
mission aud gratefully acknowledged
The headquarters ~ the survey Will be
nj Mofgantown, and within one year