Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-22
TOPOGRAPHIC WORK
What the Maine Commission
Has Been Doing.
nestimable Service to Science am
Maine Industries.
Statement Made by Chairman, Prot. L
A. Lee of Bowdoin College.

Co,1eee who is chairman of the State
Topographic Survey Commission, has
compiled the following account OF the
work of the commission.
The Maine Survey Commission was
organized in 1899 by act of the Legls-
lature. The commission was charged
with the considerable task of mapping
the State accurately. Whatever pre-
violrs maps had been made, We're very
incorrect, and in no case, based on trl-
angulation. Many towns were repre-
scented on the best maps of the time a.
being several miles away from then
proper position.
In undertaking this important serV-
ice. the plan was to enter into con-
tract with the National survey for the
construction of the map. The terms OF
agreement provided that the Unlted
States should expend as much as the
State of Maine in field work, ahu
should. moreover, engrave the maps
free of all cost to Maine
Several states had previously entered
into the plan, and, in some cases. the
work is already finished with lnuch
satisfaction. The result is that an
evolution in map making mas taken
place.
For, until very recently, there have
been very few competent map makers.
and this service as a science has not
advanced far
The gentlemen appointed on this
commission by Governor Powers are
Professor Lee. chairman; Hon. William
F,ncel. ex-mayor of Bangor and Hon.
Charles S. Hichborn of Augusta.
The legislature Of 1899 and 1900 APP
propriated $1,000 for the period OF Two
years. The following Legislature dupll-
Gated this appropriation, While TINS last
winter the amount was increased TO
$4,000 for the term of 1903 and 1904, ana
the scope of the commission was en-
larged to include photography ana
geology, as well as topograpy. IL IS TO
be kept in mind that the national gov
eminent makes an equal outlay.
IN to the time of the first approprla-
ton on the part of the state. the United
States government had initiated opera
tions at Kittery and extended the work
along the coast to Boothbay and up the
Kennebec as far as Waterville.
The state commission has prosecuted
the prcess of mapping from Bangor
as the coast and thence along the
shore to Cherrytield.
There are already completed thirty
six sheets of maps. Each map includes
one-four of a square degree measuring
fifteen minutes on a side, and en-
braces an area of about 215 square
miles All natural features are repre-
sentedwith painstaking All differences
in level of twenty feet are denoted by
contour lines, printed in brown. so that
the altitude of any location above the
sea level is given with approximate ex-
actnesS.
These maps render inestimable serV-
ice in laying out roads and in con-
structing both steam and electric rail
ways. A builder or contractor may sit
in his office and plan the general out
line of construction without any par
ticular survey and expense. The maps
are also very useful for laying out
water supply plans for cities and viii
lagos.
Cultural features which depend upon
the settlement of the country by man
are indicated by black. BY this color,
town and county lines are shown, as
well as roads and houses. Consequent
ly, these maps are used to a consider
able extent in the sale of property,
serving very substantially in showing
the natural and artificial advantages
and disadvantages. This season the
mapping is being continued on the
kennebec with Bingham as the head
quarters. A party of six are working
there under the direction of T. Foster
Slaughter, topographer of the United
States Geological survey. The primary
triangulation preliminary to the exact
work of mapping has been extended
north to the region about Moosehead
lake, and the construction of maps Gov
ering that territory will proceed rapid
ly. Several sheets are already in pro-
cess of engraving and will be ready,
next winter.
one of the most interesting and val
liable features of the work this season
is the photographic survey of the Ken
nebec with reference to the availa bill
ity of water power. A company of
three engineers from Washington be
gan at Hallowell at the tide level of the
kennebec and are leveling the river
from there to Moosehead. They de-
termine the exact fall of water at all
pidctS where water power Is HOW
utilized, as we'll as the possibilities for
use for manufacturing purposes at
other falls and rapids not yet de-
veloped.
These three engineers, moreover.
make an exact Typographical survey of
the river banks. with regard to sites
for reservoirs for holding back the ex-
cess of water in time of freshets and
for the construction of mill ponds.
The results of their work will be en-
bodied in a report issued next winter
by the Geological survey at Washing
ton. This will include full data for
using the water power of the Kennebec
to encourage various enterprises of the
future, and will also contain map of
the Kennebec from the mouth to
MOOsehead lake.
This report will be Indispensable to
users of water power. So great need
for such work has been felt that the
national government had been
previously been petitioned to do it for
nothing. These reports will be dis