The Mena weekly star., 1907-05-16
GOVERN MENT SUR-
 VEYOF SLATELANDS
Measure Providing for an Appropriation bv Arkansas to Assist the United States Geological Survey Has
 Been Passed.

inc important measures 10 West
 .,, Arkansas discussed before
 .he House of Representatives was
 erally acted upon yesterday
 afternoon when Senate Bill No.
 ,o6 by Senator George Legate,
 of Mena, passed the house with
 mi a single dissenting vote. This
 h;u ;s one which will work untold
 rood to the state of Arkansas,
 ard will do more to bring the re-
 seurces of this state to the favor-
 able consideration of the world
 than almost any bill put through
 the legislature this session. The
 bill is to appropriate Sl 800 10 aid
 ,u defraying the expenses of the
 work of a geological survey of
 ,he slate bearing lands of the state, There are enormous slate deoosits in number of counties in this state, including Polk, Montgomery, Howard, Pulaski,
 Pike. and Scott. The two first named carry the largest and most extensive deposits, 1t is claimed, and the work of this survey will be to definitely determine the ex- tent of these deposits and their value. The United States gov erument proposes to furnish three 6fths of the needed money to carry on the survey, leaving ouly two. fifths for Arkansas to fur nish. Senate Legate in the sen ate had little trouble in passing the bill in that branch ot the legislature, and when 1t came to the house Hon. Jobn II. Hamil- ton of Meua, and Hon. Jerry Witt of Montgomery county took the matter in charge and yesterday afternoon the bill passed, and is now ready for the signature of the governor as soon as 1t can be enrolled.
 Prof. A. w. Perdue of the University of Arkansas recently went to Washington, D. C., to talk the matter over with Direct or Charles w. Walcott, of the United States Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior and shortly afterwards he re- ceived the following letter, which sets out the work of the depart ment:
 "These slate deposits are of great economic importance by reason of their quality and loca. ton, but the benefits to the state of Arkansas from carefully pre- pared report would be so great that the state might very proper ly contribute toward the expense of the work" Then follows the cost of making the survey, aud he letter closes with the follow ing conditions laid down:
 The United States geological survey will retain the right to publish the results of the work u auy form that is considered advisable. The full and com nlete results shall be available 'or the publication of a state re- port which will be left wholly with the state.
 "The expense of the office work md the publication of the reports will be borne by the United States geological survey.
 "The physical tests, chemical lnalysis and microscopic work | IS is deemed advisable will be lone in the laboratories of the de- 'artment at Washington, with 'ut cost to the state.
 "Such horses, tents and other ,qulEment, etc, belonging to the department available, would be lsea by the party doing this
 It IS pointed out that while nere IS practically nothing known 'l the slate fields of Arkansas 'normous sales have been made | llready, and in one case deal or $500, coo has been pulled off n Montgomery county, just over ne Polk county lines.
 ln the senate Mir. Legate worked well to pass to the b,ll. | was drawn by Mir. Hamilton, 'uu MT. Legate started it in the enate. Senator Legate occupies
 peculiar position in the Arkan- as legislature. Representing district he is a Re. but his personal stand ug ln the senate is so high that 'o','ics Is lost sight of and he is uaoled to do business for his ',eopie. There is no doubt that governor Moore will sign the measure.