The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-05-09
Work of Geological Surrey

In a recent issue of the Mining and Scientific Press, F. Soner
Schmidt contributed a communication on prospecting and Government
Aid in which he made a plea for more scouting work by the govern
ment biologists and the maintenance of closer touch between them and
current conditions in those mining districts on which reports have al
ready been published Nj. Schmidts communication brought forth a
reply from Mr.. +. L. Ransome of the geological survey, who is well
and favoraby known in the Goldfeld mining district.
In regard" to hr. Schmidts contentious along the line above named,
Mr.. Ransome, in his communication in the current issue of the Mining
and Scientific Press, says he is in hearty sympathy with them. although
he (Schmidt) perhaps does not fully appreciate the variety and broad
value of certain Of the other kinds of work in which the geological
survey is engaged, and is apparently not aware that some progress has
already been made along the lines which he advocates.
Continuing his discussion, Mr.. Ransome says: For example,
during the past year or two a special effort has been made to cover in
. a reconnaissance way, and to issue brief reports on, those metal mining
districts in the western states for which no geologic information was
available. 1t is intended not only to present this information promptly,
in brief reports, but to utilize it in general summary volumes on the
geology and ore deposits of each state. Such a summary has been pub
|ished for New Mexico, and others for Utah, Idaho and Arizona re in
various stages of preparation. The new district of Rochester, in Ne
vada, was visited by a geologist within a few weeks of its discovery
and a brief account of the geology and of the character of the deposits
was furnished to the press before the geoogist returned from the
field. His full report is now ready for publication.
Requests for geologic information from groups of prospectors
working in undeveoped districts arr receiving special consideration,
and whenever possible a geoogist is sent to examine and report on their
district. Such a request was received from Arizona only a few weeks
ago, and a geologst is already on the ground. * *
THE great difficulty, of course, which confronts the survey in
attempting to do all that is expected of it, is want Of sufficient funds
The geology of metaliferous districts embraces only a part of the
v9ried activities of the organization, and the territory to be covered
is 81 vast that it is impossible with the present appropriations and staff
for the geological survey to keep in close touch with all that is being
done in the mining districts of the west.
In conclusion, let me heartily subscribe to Mr.. Schmidts belief
that the survey will work in closer touch with the mining men as time
goes on. The members of that organization would soon cease to be
useful il they lost their capacity for learning any lesson that may make
for increased efficiency in the service of the people. Neither they nor
mining engineers should forget, however, that N great factor in such
usefulness is the opportunity to carry out thorough and comprehensive
scientific Investigations. When that opportunity is denied and the spirit
OF scientific research quenched, then the type of men who can be retain
ed in the government service will no longer be such as the geological
survey has hitherto been able to command. The sound practical applca-
ton OF geology to mining must rest upon a solid Substratum of scientific
research, and demands such training as rigorous scientific n,esiga-
ton can alone supply