The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

distribution of the reports of the var
ious Investigations, geologic, geo
graphic, photographic and technolo-
gic, by the engraving and printing OF
the maps representing the surveys,
and by the distribution of ul :
letins issued weekly for use by the
newspapers of the country. This
news service deserves a further word
lnasmuch as II represents the Sur
Vey's point of direct contact with the
most efficient agency Of publicity, the
newspaper. Advance notices of Sur
vey publications, summaries of re-
ports OF special interest, preliminary
statements of the statistics of miner
al production and news items regard
Ing work in progress in the different
branches of the Survey constitute the
subject matter of these press bulle-
tins. In short not only must the sci.
entific economic investigations of the
Survey be made to yield authorita-
tive results, but these results must be
given to the public. Whatever form
of publication secures the greatest
publicity without affecting the int
gritty of the statement of these re-
suits, that form best serves the pub
lie.
The geologic and Topographic maps
issued by the Survey not only repre-
sent original field surveys by mem
bers of the staff, but the engraving
and printing is done at the survey
plant. 1t is thus possible for these
maps to possess the highest grade of
excellence in mechanical execution.
After this review of the different
phases of the work of the United
States Geological Survey it may be
appropriate to speak of the policy
governing this branch of the public
service. / have said that the Survey
had it's origin in an appreciation of
the Importance to the nation of its
mineral resources. In 1879 the trea-
sure house of the country had barely
been opened: the value of last years
mineral output was approximately
six times that of the product of 1850.
This phenomenal growth of the
mineral industry during the life of
the Survey has emphasized the in
dustrial dependence of the country
upon its mineral wealth, and the
present year has seen nation awak-
ening to a realization of its future
needs. Thus it is that the Surveys
duty to the people has caused its role
to change in these 80 years from that
of the promoter of the development
of the mineral industry to that of the
conserver of these sources of wealth.
The nation, under the lead of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, has begun to take
thought of the morrow, and it has
turned to its scientific bureaus for au-
thoritative information.
The problem before the American
people today is the extension of the
life of it's natural resources. 1t is
fortunate that the explorations and
Investigations of the Geological Sur
vey not only have contributed to the
development of these resources but
also have furnished cumulative data
that are available at this time of pop
ular awakening to the needs of ma
tional conservation. The practical
value of the Surveys scientific work
has thus won popular recognition and
appreciation, so that the bureau can
realize more fully it's purpose of pro-
noting the economic development of
the country along proper lines.
Conservation as applied to mineral
resources means the meeting of pres
ent day needs with an eye open to
the requirements of the morrow. To
this end, an inventory of the country's
present supply of the essential ma
terials is the first step and for a per-
iod of years the Survey has been en-
gagged in stock taking. The Survey
geologist has measured the coal and
iron reserves, the Survey hydrogra-
pher has gagged the streams of the
country, determining their flow and
calculating the available power, the
Survey topographer has explored and
mapped the little known areas, fur
nishing us with reliable data from
which may be determined the feast =
bility of reclamation by irrigation or
by drainage, and the Survey statisti-
clans have determined and recorded
the increasing rate of production and
consumption of mineral products.
With this information already at
hand, the greatest incentive to econ
omy is provided. The phenomenal
industrial growth of the past few
years cannot continue without en-
dangering the future unless wasteful
methods are stopped.
The campaign for conservation
must be one of education. In this
educational service, the Geological
Survey like the other scientific bu-
reaus long since enlisted. Its policy
has been to better economic condi-
tions by the investigation of the ma
tions natural resources. Through
such Investigations by the Geological
/ Survey the Forest Service and the
Reclamation Service both originated,
the older bureau by it's preliminary
/ ~ r. ntrf fha G4ll e
open for the larger activities of the
younger organizations. In the sub
jects other than forestry and irriga-
ton, the Survey has continued its
work and today is presenting to the
public facts that constitute most
forcible arguments for national con
servation.
The subject of our mineral fuels is
one of intense interest to the Ameri-
can who desires his country's future
to be no less brilliant than its present
I On the eve of the Governors Confer
ence at the White House, the Survey
issued map of the coal fields of the
i United States. This showed both
graphically and statistically the ex
tent of the nations coal reserves
but great as are these stores of fuel
at the present RITE of increase in con.
sumption, these statistics indicate
that the supply of easily mined Goa
will be exhausted before the middle
of the next century. Cheap coal has
given this country it's industrial su-
premacy and it is we'll to take thi,
account of stock.
The very abundance of our minera
fuels and ores of the important met
ais has discouraged economy. so thai