The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-12-23

Acts AS Co. Between.
This new function as acting as the
central to the mineral industry
proved popular, large volume of spe-
cial correspondence developed. and a
gratifying use was made of the geo.
logical surveys list of mineral pro-
ducers and of the specific information
in the possession of the federal geol-
ogists regarding practically every type
of mineral deposit in the country. 1t
is believed that this correspondence
has been of material advantage to
consumers and producers alike-the
users of mineral products who were
formerly dependent upon foreign
sources of supply and the mine oper-
ators who have learned of new mar
kets for their output,
Want Geological Investigations.
Especially noteworthy among the
features of the years workais the great
| increase in the demands made on the
| federal biologists for specific investi-
cations of an economic nature. The
requests have touched all lines in the
geologic province, but most of them
ask for the examination of reported
discoveries Of potash or nitrate Salts
for the study of the ore deposits in
metal mining districts, newly discov-
cred or old or for the investigation
of the geologic structure in many re-
gions, with a view to the discovery of
areas that may be regarded as struct-
urally favorable for the occurrence of
oil or gas pools.
The calls from many states for ex-
aminations as to possibilities of find
ing oil in INFESTED regions have been
nearly as numerous as all others COM
bined, applications for classification of
of applied geology especially the U. S,
geological survey Is coming more and
more to be regarded as the Consult
ing geologist" for the public. Many Of
the great oil companies, recognizing
the paramount value of knowledge
of the geologic structure in the guild
ance of oil exploration and develop
ment, have secured the exclusive SER
vices of biologists trained in oil geol
ogy, These strong corporations, most
of which have lured away from the
survey number of It's best men, are
able to organize geologic corps for
haf sol 90 f,.n
ly great areas of Unbiased and I'M
tested lands In order more certainly
to select the sections in which, other
things being equal, the prospects for
pools are most favorable and the haz-
ards of dry holes the least. But these
corporations rarely publish the orig
inal information gained by their geol-
ogists, and, whether or not the COM
pany is able to obtain all the lands 1t
desires, the public is seldom much the
wiser for these Investigations at pri-
vate expense.
Demand From Many Sources.
The appeals to the survey come
mainly from citizens and landowners
singly and in groups, from chambers
of commerce, and from delegations
and communities. The geological sur
vey is, by its organic act, forbidden
to make and therefore does not make
examinations of private lands primar-
lily in behalf of their owners, whether
the owners are individuals or corpor-
ations It's examinations are regional
in extent, without regard to ownership,
and when confined to small areas they
are conducted without reference to
property lines and with regard only
to the geologic problems in hand and
to the interests Of the community and
the nation in development of the min
eral resources In the vicinity or dis
trict. In strict conformity with this
principle, the results of all examina-
tons and investigations are withheld
until they are printed, either as press
notices or as more formal reports, and
in these forms they are simultaneous
ly given out to all who ask for them.