El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-06-18
RENE BACHES BUDGET
ARE PREDICTING EARTHQUAKES
SERIES OF STATIONS WILL BE ESTABLI
FOR THE PURPOSE
Work to Be Under the Direction of the Smithsonian In
stitution Monuments Being Set Up to Show the
Earth Movements Stations of the Weather
Bureau May Be Used for Observations

up in earthquake regions to detect
I earth movements. The Geological Sur
vey would map these regions, make
special study Of the relation between
geologic structure and earthquake
phenomena and find out everything
possible about the effects of earth
quakes on buildings Incidentally the
Bureau of Standards might devise
special instruments Of great eXactness
for the observation of earthquakes.
Prof Charles D. WalcOtt, secretary
OF the Smithsonian Institution, says:
The immense destruction of life and
property by large earthquakes empha-
sizes the Importance Of Investigations
which may lead TO a reduction Of the
damage Of future earthquakes. 1t is
not generally realized that the earth
quake in California, in 1905, was due to
forces set up by slow movements or
the land which had probably been going
on for 100 years. We have learned that
slow movements of the land must pre-
cede many large earthquakes, and
monuments are now being set~up in
California to enable US to discover
future movements Of the land. and thus
to anticipate future earthquakes. This.
I think, is the most important step so
far taken toward the prediction OF
earthquakes
All Departments to Help.
THE various departments of the
government could offer material help
The Weather Bureau could furnish in
formation regarding felt shocks, and
could maintain seismographs at some of
its stations. POstmasters throughout
the 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 Army
could give information regarding earth
quakes felt at its outlying posts; the
Navy, regarding earthquakes felt at
sea-"
The earthquake laboratory under the
direction of the Smithsonian Institu
ton will collect and study all this in
formation, and Will cooperate with the
offices maintained by many foreign
governments for the study of earth
quakes. Even Mexico and Chile have
recently esta 5lished such earthquake
bureaus The laboratory purposes:
The Purposes.
l. To collect all information in re-
gard to earthquakes in tie United
States and its possessions
2. To prepare maps showing the dis
tribution of earthquakes and their re-
lation to geologic structure
8. To make a special study of regions
subject to frequent earthquakes, with
a view to finding out where future
are likely to occur.
4. To study the origin OF earthquakes
occurring under the neighboring oceans.
5. To organize parties to study in
the field the effects produced by large
earthquakes.
6. To study the best. methods of
building in regions subject to earth
quakes This will involve elaborate ex-
periments.
Quake-ProOf Structure
Now. this matter OF acknowledgement |
is on of immense Importance. [
In Japan and other countries new |
on this subject is being ex- !
tensively applied In the construction of |
tall chimneys, piers for bridges, res
ervOirs, walls and dwellings,. These |
new types of structures have already |
proved their value by withstanding /
violent earth shakings. In California !
he merits of reinforced concrete for |
earthquakes have come to be so we'll |
recognized that San Francisco is be- !
ng rebuilt OF that material
The most Important instrument for !
observing earthquakes is the "seis-
nograph", which automatically re- /
cords even the smallest movements +
It has several forms. The one at the
weather bureau In Washington con
,ists OF a long rod thrust vertically in