The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-19

give way on future occasions. The
rocks throughout are under strain.
which is evidenced by frequent minor
movements, and, when the stress reaches
a certain point, something on a large
scale has to go.
SO long as movements Of the land. as
recorded by fixed monuments and by oh
serving stations. did not exceed A Ger.
tain amount. people might enjoy free
dom from anxiety on the subject. On
the other hand, If serious ea-th-
quake was announced as imminent, thev
'ouId store their valuables in safe
places. adopt special precautions against
fire (always the greatest destroying
where to escape the threatened calamity.
Earthquake Laboratory.
The plan now contemplated is TO
establish an carthauake laboratory at
the Smithsonian institution. in Washing
ton, 20 be charged with ''the study and
investigation Of earthquake regions in
North America. and with the organiza
tion of special parties for the investiga
tion of special earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions in any part of the world, y
The quotation is from paragraph in
the sundry civic appropriation bill,
setting aside $4,000 for the purpose.
Guate for the carrying out of so large a
project.
Prof. Willis L. Moore. chief of the
weather bureau. suggests that at least
twenty permanent observing stations
should be established for the purpose of
keeping watch on movements Of the
earth's crust. Inasmuch as the
weathe bureau has about eighty OBJ
servatory buildings of its own IN various
parts of the country, and employs n
large number OF trained scientists who
could be utilized TO study the earth
quake problem, it is suggested that an
earthquake division be established in
the weather bureau. and that the build
ings and grounds now owned by the
bireau be utilized for the installation of
the requisite. instruments. Such plan.
| If adopted, would be comparatively
cheap.
Supposinp that this should be done,
other government bureaus might co
operate advantageously. Thus the coast
| survey could determine the exact po-
sition of monuments or other marks set
up in earthquake regions to detect
earth movements. The geological sur
vey would map these regions. make a
special study of the relation between
! geologic structure and earthquake phe'
nomena. and find out everything pos
sihle about effects of earthquakes on
| GulldlngSs lncldeutillN inc puIcau VI
standards might devise special lnstru
ments of great exactness for the obser
vation of earthquakes.
View of a Scientist.
Prof. Charles D. Walcott, secretary Of
the Smithsonian institution, says: 1.-The
immense destruction of life and prop
crty by large earthquakes emphasize:
the importance of Investigations, which
may lead to a reduction of The damage
of future earthquakes. 1t Is not gen
orally realized that the great earth
quake in California in 1906 was due
to forces set up by slow movements o.
the land. which had probably been go
ing on for 100 years We have learned
that slow movements of the land mus
prccede many large earthquakes, an!
monuments are now being set up IN Cali
fornia TO enable us to discover future
movements of the land, and thus TO an
ticipate future earthquakes. This,
think, is the most important step so ia
taken toward the prediction of earth
uuakes
"The various departments Of the gov
ernment could offer material help. Th'
weather bureau could furnish lnforma
tion regarding felt shocks, and coulC
} maintain seismographs at some OF 1T
; stations. Posumasters throughout TIN
country could also report felt earth
quakes. The coast survey could main
tain instruments and adapt its survey
and tidal observations TO the detection
of slow earth movements, The arm,
could give information regarding earth
auakes felt at it's outlying posts, tn
! navy. regarding earthquakes felt n
sea. -
What Is Proposed,
: The earthquake laboratory, under tn
: direction Of the Smithsonian institu
tiou. will collect and study all this m
q formation. and viii cooperate with tn
i offices maintained by many foreign GOV
lcrnments for the study of earthquakes