El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-29
THE increased interest in geo.
graphical research in America


graphical research in America
makes the annual convention of
the Association of American Geograph-
erS, to be held in Pittsburg Dec. 29 to
81 an event of great Importance. This
association is composed entirely of
scientific experts and the result of
their deliberations will materially af-
feet the geographical progress of the
world. An important matter to be con-
sidered is the election of delegates to
attend the tenth international geo
graphical congress which will meet in
Rome next October Among the dele
gates likely to be sent are professor
Henry c. Cowles of the Chicago univer-
sity and professor R. S. Tarr of Michi-
gan Professor Cowles is the president
Of the American Association of Geo
eraphers, and professor Tarr was the
leader of the first expedition sent out
by the National Geographical society
for the study of glaciers in Alaska
There is no country in the world
where greater interest has been mani
Tested In geographical research and the
exploration Of unknown territory dur
ing the past year than in the United
States. American money generously
placed at the disposal of scientists has
provided the means for expeditions to
all parts of the earth The enormous
year for this purpose cannot even be
appropriated, coming as they do
through so many channels. Most of
important research by Americans, how
ever, is being done either under the
auspices, or by those affiliated with,
the National Geographic society This
great body of Americans with scientific
interests now numbers over $1,000
members and the increasing interest in
fTc-
practical manner than by the addition
of 1000 new members per week, which
has been the average rate during the
past month.
Fruitful Year for Explorers.
This year has been the most fruitful
ever known to American explorers. It
began with the official recognition of
Peary's achievement in the conquest of
the north pole. 1t derived additional
laurels from the prowess of Col. Roose-
Welt in Africa and from the remarkable
work accomplished in terrestrial mag
netic investigation. especially that
made by the non-ma ghetto vessel Car
negie' under the direction of the Car
negie institution of Washington
At the November meeting of the Ma
tlonal Geographic society, resolutions |
were passed expressing the apprecia- |
ton Of the society Of the results of Col |
Roosevelts trip and recognizing ii as |
an expedition of great scientific value. |
The collection of natural history speci- |
mems secured by him and placed at (
the disposal of the National Museum /
has made that Institution superior in /
its equipment in this respect to any
other in the world Many of the fauna
secured by Col Roosevelt are now al
most extinct so that the value of the /
specimens will increase in the future.
Since much of this expedition was made
into comparatively new territory, it's
geographic Importance is hardly Sec
ondary in scientific value to that of
the remarkable collection of natural
history specimens secured.
For Magnetic Survey. l
The Carnegie" built for terrestrial
magnetic research is the only boat of
any size ever built of absolutely non (
magnetic material The Carnegie insti-
ution has undertaken a complete and
systematic survey of the world Dur
ng the past year the entire survey of
he magnetic conditions of the Pacific
coast has been completed. The Car
legfe" and its staff of explorers is now
Engaged in a similar survey of the
Atlantic ocean While a better under
of the powers of the terres-
rial magno force upon the ocean is of
prime Importance because of it's direct
Fearing upon the courses OF navigation.
he research survey is being carried
,ver the land as well. a party from
he Carnegie crossed Africa within
he past few months and established
SYSTEMATIC chain of terrestrial magno
tations through hitherto unknown ter
itories. The same course has been
pursued in parts of South America,
asia Minor and other localities. The
information thus secured
will be of interest when placed at pub
ic disposal through the next printed
eports.
Studying Glaciers
The National Geographic society's
asst expedition to Alaska for the study
f glacial conditions, made under the
of professor Lawrence Mar
in, has returned after several months
esearch in this difficult field. The
Alaska glaciers make those of the
lips seem insignificant in comparison.
heir immense height. the vast terri
DRY they cover, and their capability of
ischarging huge icebergs into the
'acific ocean, render them an i'm
ortant factor to be reckoned with in
laska. These huge ice fields. which
t places rise to the height of great
and one of which covers an
rea equal to that OF Rhode Island are
onstantly changing. The causes for
heir movements. their probability Of
optinuance and the results to be ex-
ected from them are important mat
srs in connection with the geograph-
al conditions of the country
That these glaciers are affected by
arthquakes and volcanic disturbances
as been indisputably settled. but to
hat extent has not been yet satisfac-
)rily determined. There are some
laciers which have an advance move
lent amounting to a mile within a
wv months while others move SO
lightly as to seem almost stationary
,r years When it is considered that |
lilroads are being built which will
ross directly over some of these /!
laciers the practical value of glacial l
on study becomes apparent.
Searching for South Pole.
A well equipped ship in command of
lptain Scott. under the auspices of the e
oval Geographical society of Great
ritain. started from New Zealand for
lie Antarctic regions, last month.
lille the discovery of the south pole S
as formerly considered of small mo- r
ent, it's discovery has now assumed 1
lramount Importance and the differ n
It nations of the world are Viefn0 8