Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-04
CONFERENCE OF RAILWAY
MEN HAS BEEN CALLED

"AStlNGlON, OCt. S-DhcSoi
George Otis Smith. the United
Estates Geological Survey, has invited
officers OF the leading railroads OF
1.-THE country to a conference on a CO
Operative plan by which 1t is expected
the railroads will be able to save
thousands Of dollars a year. The plan
also contemplates NOS; effective as
sistance to the Government on the
part of railroads. The time anu
place of the proposed Conference is
to be agreed on later.
The scheme. which has already
ireen approved by number OF the
engineers of the big lines, is one for
the gathering Of facts as to the
amount Of water flowing In the rivers
of the country under certain condit-
Ions and in different periods OF the
year. Naturally, the railroads have
been chief sufferers from GOODS in
1.-THE basins where their tracks lie.
They have suffered not only from
damage to their own property but they
have been sued by otter corporations
and private citizens On the ground
that their bridges and culverts were
the causes Of flood damages. The
railroad authorities have felt that
many judgments against the ROADS
might not have been rendered II they
had been able to produce authentic
figures on floods. But they have not
been able to do this. The National
Conservation Commission has been ad-
yised of the proposed plan and what
ever results come from it will I'M
doubtedly be considered by the Com
mission at its joint meeting with the
Governors of the States, or their re-
representatives., here next December
The Survey suggests that the rail-
road companies establish cages on
their bridges and culverts and ap-
point some of their employees to take
daily readings. The Survey agrees
to have its experts make frequent
Visits to these stations and take act
lual current meter measurements So
that a rating table Of each channel
Twill be available.
For many years the Survey has
been studying the difference In the
flow of rivers in various basins IN
the country. At present It Is en-
gagged in putting the Information
gained by its study into shape lot
juse of the National Conservation
Commisson, together with other In
formation which it is gathering es-
tpecially for the inventory Of the
jcountrys natural resources that the
Commission is preparing.
| The Survey has been unable to ex-
Itend its observations to many regions
where the information would be OF
Vital Importance because it lacks
funds. The cooperation of the rail-
roads would permit the Survey to Gov
er many other regions.
The expense to the railroads under
This ARRANGEMENT would be trifiing'
Iths survey authorities say, because
1.-THE roads could designate men al
tready on their pay-rolls such as draw
TENDERS, tank men. or water STATION
leugineers to take the daily readings.
On the other hand, II the Survey couio
be relieved of the cost Of daily super
vision of the cages, 1t would De
able to carry on the more tecnnica'
lparts Of the undertaking.
The information which the railroads
will obtain IL this plan is put into
|operation is of immense value te
them.
The Surveys figures on floods have
always D,en accepted by the courts
las prima facie evidence. II the De
lief of the railroad authorities u
we'll. founded, their cooperation wtf
1.-THE Survey enabling it to extend ma
'joperations to their fields will resun
lin big savings to them.
The idea Of cooperation as TO iioous
loriginated with the engineering oe
partment Of the railroad themselves
Representatives Of these department
Iof a number Of roads held con
Terence with representatives, Of TN
iSurvey, in Chicago last June, and a
That time the Survey agreed to inter
.lv,ew the proper railroad authorizes
lcoucerninS a basis of cooperation.
The Survey has further suggested
Ito the railroads that they supply
tv;,b all information they may nav
lon hand concerning the character o
1.-The various drainange areas aooS'
their bridges. Some Of the roads nav
Ico,lected. At great expense. a arg
, .mount pf valuable snprmation
, lcou,d be made Of high value 10 all IN
/ railroads II II were gathered ose.n
tier. and compiled. This ma'e.,'
would also contribute largely TO IN
! general study Of the water resosISe
I Iof the country which the Survey ma
ilbecn carrying out To- numher .
wears and upou which Il Is p'r''cp'a'
.!iv busy inst nov In the com st:';''oa
iaI, available information along thss
l,ioe, for the use q the National Con
iscrvatioa Commission.
A. the peoso0.
nj TT must have Sesn . very teno.'
. hearted butcher who killed this lsmo.
~S-.-s,.. t<sios naming in tn