Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-06-21

ticularly fitting that the citizens of
the state should at this time have
reviewed to them the work Of the
survey, that it has accomplished.
and Of what use it has been to the
state. The survey has done in the.
past highly commendable work,
and has done this on small amount
OF money, $1,000 per year. AS COM
pared with the surveys of other
states, this amount of money has
been sigularly small; in fact, it is
the smallest amount Of money re-
ceived by any state survey. It is
hoped that in the future the North
Dakota Geological survey will be
enabled to continue its past good
work, to enlarge its field Of action,
and to make itself even more use
full to the state; and in furtherance
Of this it is extremely desirable that
larger appropriation should be
given this work.
The prime purpose Of the survey
is to investigate, and to make pub
lie reports on the natural resources
Of the state. Among natural re
sources are included the various met
alic ores, coal, oil and gas, cement,
clays, and building and construc-
ton materials. Besides this, the SUR
vey maps the distribution of the
various rock formations throughout
the state and indicates of what econ
omic use they are. A very import
ant natural resource in North Da-
kota is underground water, concern
ing which considerable amount of
data has been collected, and it is
hoped that the results may be pub
lished in the near future for the
benefit of the citizens of the state.
Besides fulfilling its chief func-
ton, the investigation Of natural re-
sources, the survey also does relat-
ed work, which is Of the greatest
practical value to the state. Three
b principal duties which the survey
performs are, to advertise the
state; to prevent the waste Of money
in futile prospecting; and to circu-
late educational reports and informa-
! tion, which are Of greatest bene-
fit to the schools of the state. Be
sides these the survey is called upon
to perform many functions OF q min
or sort. These are mostly along the
line Of inquiries. a state survey oft
en- has to answer inquiries In regard
to certain lands which are to be
transferred, in order that the parties
to the transaction be satisfied that
he lands are as represented. There
are also many inquiries from with.
out the state IN regard to the re
sources OF the state, ad more often
in regard to the character and re
sources Of particular parts Of the
state, where the inquirer is consid'
ering the Purchase Of land. Then
too, there are received many inquir-
4 les from citizens and teachers, who
desire to be better informed in re
gard to their commonwealth, and
! who wish to know usually abou,
the locality in which they are liv.
ing. Inquiries are received also from
core and well drillers in regard tx
the formations which they may ex
pect to encounter in drilling certain
wells. These firms are practica
men and they appreciate to the full
the practical value Of q state geolog
ical survey. All Of the foregoing
are practical things which are &C
complished, and which would justi
" the existence Of a state geological
survey, even IL the prime purpos,
OF the survey, the investigation o.
natural resources, did not exist.
One OF the greatest and most i'm
portant services performed by STATE
h geological survey is that done ii
advertising the resources of tn,
state, In furnishing information
which Will encourage and stimulate
new industries, and which will con
sequent1y Increase the population
and material prosperity Of the who's
community. One of the most strik
Ing Instances Of this was in the cas-,
Of Illinois. Six months after TIL
first report Of the survey wa
published. some $4,000 to 1000,
more persons were employed thar
previously, due wholly, 1t is said
to the rapid development of resour
ces brought to light by that one re
port. That such an increase Of pop
ulation and such development o
various industries Is OF greatest val
ne to the state. goes without saying
for 1t enables the commonwealth Il
become self-supporting and indie
pendent community. which does no
have to look to outside sources fol
necessities. In doing such adver
Using and bringing about such de
velopment, survey is performing |
duty of greatest value to the state