Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-01
WOULD PLANT POSTS
ON THE DESERT TO
GUIDE TRAVELLERS
PROTECTOR DISCUSSES INNOVATION
Geo. W. Parsons, Well Known Mining Engineer,
Says Signs Will Prevent Many Deaths and
Much Suffering-Favors Protection
of Water and Better Roads
PROTECTOR DISCUSSES INNOVATIC

VI eoiIV HpSios 70 a. SluBbu VI ItOA Et
w Parsons of Los Angeles.
Mr.. Parsons is the instigator of the
movement for the protection of pros
pectors and travellers on the desert by
way of the preservation and Increase
of good water, the making of good
roads and the erection of guide posts.
In speaking of his work Mr. Parsons
said yesterday:
Four years ago 1 organized a mining
expedition for the purpose of exam
ming the territory along the line of the
then proposed Salt Lake railroad over
the desert | started out, accompanied
by Professor w. l.. Watts, and we spent
the winter in diligent research with
a complete mining outfit.
1t was during this period that the
necessity for good water was especially
demonstrated. We were often up
against it. as the boys say for water
for man and beast. There were many
stories told us that were too true of
agony and death on the desert for lack
of guide posts to direct the travellers
to water. The situation generally was
extremely painful.
Expense Is Small
1T seemed particularly sad to me
when considered that a comparatively
small expense ordered by the state or
county authorities and carried out
might have done so much good, not
only in averting the suffering and
death, but in largely increasing the de-
velopments of the mineral and agri-
cultural resources of the country.
Il was one of the directors of the
Los Angeles chamber of commerce and
chairman of the committe on mines and
mining, and in the cause of huanity l
felt it incubent upon me to do all l
0OtII6 r1nccib1y in official nd q
capacities to have guide posts put up
on the desert pointing to water and also
to have the water kept from pollution.
Il have continued assistance from the
chamber of commerce in this work and
others. State Mineralogist Aubury
Nexerted his, influence in the legislature
in the securing of the appropriation of
$4,000 for the erection of guide posts in
the desert counties of California. 1 also
met with good success in my efforts in
this work in Nevada.
Require Much Urging
1T seems strange that the desert
county officials require urging on
project of such importance to carry
out the intents and purposes of the
appropriation to place guide posts in
the different parts of the desert to
prevent untold suffering and death of
the unfortunate travellers, many of
whom are lured there, perhaps, through
Misrepresentation of the situation.
There appeals to be an urgent ne
oessity of creating strong public SEN
tifnent in favor of this general PROPOSE
ton In the fllfillment of the original
plans and the completion of the work
already begun. The hot weather is
now "a and there is no time to be lost.
II have no desert mining interests
and am only acting on the common
rxc f1,,
good of humanity. This particular
project should be pushed to the ut
most, l think
Efforts Are Untiring
The chamber of commerce has been
untiring in it's labors in the move
ment for the protection of travellers on
the desert. Mr.. Parsons, as a mining
man and well acquainted with the con-
ditions of the desert has been con-
tinually on the alert along these lines.
He is not only putting his own eXpe-
rience and knowledge into execution
but is diligently studying the best
methods obtainable from others who
are also deeply interested in the inn
portant project of the relief of the
prospectors and travellers and the de-
velopment of mining and agricultural
interests of the DESERT
Mr. Parsons after much consideration
in behalf of all who attempt the haz-
ardous trips and the welfare of the
mineral and agricultural development
of the desert drew up a series of reso-
lutions which were adopted by the
chamber of commerce four years ago.
They were also adopted at the I1l Paso
Mining congress and the recent state
miners convention at Grass Valley,
and have elected widespread atten-
tion, The resolutions are as follows:
Adopt Resolutions
Resolved, that the development and
protection of desert water supplies is
of such Importance to the mining
world as to warrant state aid, in view
of the mining and varied industrial
activities which would follow a thor
ough exploration of our vast desert re-
water supplies. -
Resolved that all desert water
should be preserved from pollution, be
properly safeguarded, kept clear of
shifting desert sands and rendered ac-
cessble to the prospeetor and traveller
who might not. be provided with means
for raising water from great depths.
Resolved that wells should be sunk
at central points on the desert, their
locations to be determined by the
county board of supervisors in whose
jurisdictions such locations may lie.
Resolved that metal guide posts
should be erected directing to said
water supplies and that any tampering
with or defacing of said guide posts
to constitute penitentiary offense.
Asks Federal Aid
.Resolved that the photographic
branch of the United States geological
survey be asked to lend its valuab BILE
aid for the benefit of our desert water
supplies, giving special attention toI
their survey development, mainten
ance and mapping, and doing whatever
else may be deemed best in the judg-
nlent of the department for dissemin-
ating general Information and all work
done to be officially reported.
"Resoved, that the county board of
supervisors should be empowered to
carry into effect the purposes of these
resolutions"
ceologst Expresses Sympathy
In conformity TO the work of Mr..
Parsons on the desert he recently re-
ceived a letter from w. G. Mendenhall
geologist of the department of the in
terror, United states geological survey,
q synopsis Of which Is as follows
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