The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-05
A. BRAND HEADS
GEOGRAPHIC BOARD

Andrew Brand, OF the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey. was re-
elected president of the Geographic
Board Of the United States at a meat
ing of the board last night. Charles
s. Sloan was Reelected secretary.
ton composed OF representatives from
various departments Of the Govern
ment which have to do with surveys,
and has as a duty the choosing OF &
the United States and abroad.
In connection with the meeting the
boards fourth report was issued and
many matters relating to names OF To-
or considerable local interest In the
naming of the highest poin I on Massive
mountain, Colorado, after the late
Henry Gannett. Of this city. Mr.; Gan;
sst was OF h ns sS pFes
dent of the Geographic Board prior to
his death. Out OF respect to his MEM
Dry the highest point in the Massive
and Is now known officially over the
world as Gannett Point.
Final Arbiter of Names.
The report covers the work Of the
board since Its organization in 800. and
takes In names OF places the world
over. 1t Is the function Of the board
to determine the official spelling OF all
names OF places In the United States.
Sometimes two or more places try to
character cama up this year. when two
New Hampshire mountains were put
forward as the authentic "Kersearge"
mountain. Senators and Representa-
tives from that State were divided as
to which should have the honor OF bear
Ing that name. 1t meant something to
the residents of the mountains. as they
are prominent resort centers, and the
possession of the name Kerseargs
meant the keeping Of prestige.
ator Gallinger brought the matter be-
fore the Senate and had Congress
sional document printed on II.
Members OF the board recalled that a
conflict when the board tried to deprive
her of the Anal III on her name.
There were four or FIVE hearings. ana
the entire Pennsylvania delegation was
No matter what be done to the consti-
tuition. don't tamper with Pittsburgn's
final h, they plead. The board finally
alloked their pleas. and the Smoky. city
can be spelled with an H." though the
preferred way Is without.
Many curios facts are contained In the
report of the board. The State OF
Colorado. which is dry" has a snort
range OF mountains named Wet. The
Prohibitionists have to swallow this.
has named II so officially. Yes Is found
to mean more than an affirmative an
swer to question. In Alaska u is the
official name Of a bay and q village on
| the mainland.
Maryland seems to run to animal
| names, for 1t calls one Of Its points
Goose. This is a point on the Chinco-
league bay: Hog Is an island IN the
| same State. The report also gives the
| Information that Cartoogechaye Is the
| proper spelling Of a creek In Macon
| county, n. c.. and that both Cartoo-
gayle and Cartoogatay are Incorrect.
"U" the Shortest Name.
II also shows the shortest name In the
world. For long time the river Pc. In
| Italy, was known as such. but the new
report beats II by one letter. Although
| the island " Is not very well known. II
Is yet of the Quelpart islands. a little
| to the east and near the southern coast
Of Chosen. which once was Korea. II
bears the distinction OF being the short
est name In the world.
| The capital Of Russia is officially
| PStrograd. according to the report
which correct any idea that II may bt
| st. Petersburg. The war has rung a
| great many other changes in the names
OF places In the belligerent nations. The
report OF the geographic board Is inter
esting In more ways than one.
One OF the most important features
| OF the boards work Is the unificatior
| of symbols on the maps Of the various
nations. The United States works witt
| foreign governments In this, and Il
\ attempting to get the maps of various
| countries so legended that there will b,
no difficulty in their Interpretation By
the amateur.
John s. Mills. OF the Treasury De,
Treasury on the board. Is enthuiastiC
| nvar this nhaRa of the work