Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-07-03

of harbors and coasts, serving mani |
fold purposes in the construction of |
docks, Notifications, railroads, canals, |
cables, etc. mapping our underground
and submarine wealth of all kinds
That the world is one, let it be
known that all the civilized govern |
ments of Europe are engaged in the
same work
This one particular traps-continen-
tai survey along the 39th parallel be-
gan nearly a generation ago and will
not be finished for several years yet. 1
The principle upon which the length
of a long line is measured is that of
the triangle-two angles and a side
or two sides and an angle being
known the other parts can be COM
puted.
A base line five or ten miles in
length is measured, to begin with
many times, the mean of all measure
ment taken, towers are then built on
the highest points, ten to thirty miles
apart or rather two lines of towers, so
that lines joining those shall form
triangleS, the side of one will form
so on. From every hundred to three
hundred miles a new base is measur-
ed. The angle of difference in eleva-
ton as well as horizontal is observed
and many reading of instruments of
the most careful make and adjust
ment must be made-the mean of all
observations and calculations taken
as the length. Corrections made in
all cases for refraction and curvature
of the earth and elevation of place.
That at last the final line. joining
the east end of the 39th parallel in
New Jersey, with the western end in
California, is known, within a few
feet, possibly inches.
Now the survey taken along the
railroad connects with the towers
wherever it can. and serves as check
or correction on the other especially
in elevation. and it may be of inter-
est to know that Il line from Kansas
City to Wa-keeney will admit of an
error of not over four inches. TO Sc
cure such accuracy self correcting in
StrumentS and observations are used,
sixteen observations or readings taken
at each setting, and three records of
each made. Computations made for
error every few miles. Two indie
pendent lines being run at the same
time on slightly different points, and
connecting every three quarters of a
mile, any error affecting the result may
be located and a new line run over
that part at once. 1t will be three or
four months reaching Denver. The
compilations made during the winter.
and next year go on over the noun
/ tainS.
! From the L. 5. Bulletin and Die
tionary OF Attitudes the elevation of
the rail at depot gives Ellis PIG,
/ Ogallah 1860, Wa-keeney 242S, Coll
yer 25SS feet. These figures will prob
ably be changed IL few feet or inches
/ by the final survey.
Following this in a year or so Will
doubtless be another typographical
and geological survey which will use
all these points now established and
with many more will show the topo-
graphy and geologic formation of
Kansas infinitely. You may then
! know where to look for your salt. oil.
chalk and diamonds. and see by glanc-
ing at Il map where would be the most
practicable routes for YOUR great
north and south railroads and inter
state canals. BY the way, l will add,
that one will always find the United
4 States surveyors genial, obIiging and
i ever ready to impart such knowledge
of their work as may be in shape for
public use. H. III ARLAN
oro,-