The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-18
DR.. LEIGHTON REPLIES
SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO WASTE
OF MONEY IN INDIANA.
Less Than $4,000 Spent in Two Years
I'm Investigating the Water Re-
sources of the State.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Nov H-Officials of the
United States Geological Survey are much
interested in the criticism of Indiana pa
pers directed against the policy of the gov
eminent in expanding money to determine
stream measurements in the various States
DR.. M. o. Leighton, of the photographic
division, who has had charge of the inquiry
just concluded in Indiana with a view to
discovering ways and means of preventing
the pollution of Indiana rivers by the dis
charge from manufacturing establishments.
takes occasion TO reply to the criticism
that Indiana newspapers make in this con-
nection. DR.. Leighton asserts that the in
quiries conducted by the survey are COM
paratively inexpensive. and he cites the
cost of the work in Indiana as an example.
Interesting figures have been recently
brought to light during an examination of
the expenditures of the United States Geo.
logical Survey" said DR.. Leighton. ut is
found that during a period of nearly two
years the work which has been accom-
plised in the State of Indiana has cost a
little less than $1,000. This work has con-
sisted Of the determination of stream flow
and an exploitation Of the water resources
of the State. The value of the data will
be more and more apparent as the use Of
1t becomes the means of developing nat
ural resources. and even at the present
time the data has been used by the people
of the State and in a few cases it has re-
suited in the saving of many thousands of
dollars. BY comparison with work which
has been carried on by States in other parts
or the country, 1t appears certain that the
work which the Geological Survey has per-
formed in Indiana could not have been car
rieS out under State supervision for less
than $4,000. These statements are of inter-
est in view of the fact that editorial criti-
cism has been made in Indiana with refer
enee 10 large expenditures and high sal
aried experts employed by the general gov
eminent Far from being an assistance to
private enterprise alone. the value of the
federal work in the State extends along
many lines exclusively OF public interest
and can in no way be compared to the
drilling Of wells for the discovery of gas
or oil. as has been suggested.
The whole question comes down to a de-
cision of whether or not 1t is. profitable.
from a governmental, commercial and So
cial standpoint, to examine the natural re-
sources OF the country continued DR..
Leighton. "A little reflection will show that
during periods in the early authentic his
tory of the world, when no scientific studies
were made, civilization was practically AT
q standstill while, on the other hand, the
prosperity of nations in ell features which
have contributed to enlightenment and com
fort has been attended by the study and
exploitation OF natural resources. If we
admit that such study is of benefit it ought
not TO be difficult to determine who can
best do the work. The experience of CEN
turtles has shown that little can be ex-
pected from private capital, save In the
case OF occasional grants or endowments
and as between federal or state authority
there can be no question If we examine into
the comparative expense or maintenance
The figures with reference to Indiana are
nd mi " thn ffr1ob -.
carrying on work of an Interstate char.
acter under the supervision of Congress
and executive authority"
DR.. Leighton then discussed the question
in a general way. He said: 1.-The cues.
ton OF federal supervision over state mat.
tiers is one which has received great atten.
ton ever since the foundation of the Ameri
can Republic, and there has been wide dis.
agreement between different parties and
authorities with reference to jurisdiction
of federal authority and the propriety with
which government bureaus may enter upoI
Investigations which largely concern tn.
people of a single district. The constitution
and congressional enactment have defined
several lines along which the authority OF
the general government properly extends
But there remains certain class of worl
the propriety OF. which has been subjected
TO wide discussion and those who are bes
Informed with reference to the matter de-
clare that wherever 1T appears that scienti
fc work may be done along the same line:
in a group OF States it should be the duty
of the general government to carry il on
The principal reason for this is that 1t Il
more economical SO to do, and the cost OF
the work distributed over large area be
comes a lighter burden upon those whom
the work is designed to benefit In Other
words, the general government, possessing
the organization machinery and equipment
can, In most cases, carry on at small ex
pense a work which would be extremely
costly were it taken up by a State gov
eminent, or which would probably never
be accomplished were it left to private en-
terpriSes."