Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-09

1AsHINGToN D. c. June 5.-The summer vaca-
M ton Is Motorists are pIahnlhs
w pleasure trips across country tourists unwel-
come in Europe, contemplating journeys throush
the national parks diligently search
ing pamphlets advertisements In an enort 10 nho
the ideal camping site with plenty or fish, In tnese
nrainarv investigations topographic maps of the
geological survey Of great assistance over forty
per cent of the of the United states mas Oeeh
sketched by the government topographic engineers IN
Guiding roads, streamets mosquito districts
valleys rivers mountains A glance at the select
ed camp site a topographic map Immediately tells
the prospective vacationist the most intimate ue'aS
of its physography often carefully ignored by the rail-
road pamphlet.
1t is the purpose Of the geological survey gradually
TO man the entire United States well as
Alaska Hawaii Porto Rico and the Philippines-worK
which, when completed and the sections Joined to-
gether, will over an acre OF ground. Bach sec
ton is sketched sheet about eighteen inches
square, the preparation of which costs the government
from three to FIVE thousand dollars On the back Of it
is printed complete description of the physical fea
lures of the district, which has made the maps ex-
tremely popular. One who toured the Crater Lake
National Park, the Grand Canyon and the Delaware
Water Gap with the aid of the survey maps said that
he did not he had got along without them
But their value to the vacationis is compared
to their economic and military values. In modern war
the topography the country is important FACTOR
and the which has the best detailed maps has
distinct advantage 1t is the topographic map which
marked by the aeronaut as he flies over the enemy
on scouting duty it is the topographic map which aids
in directing the firing since the marksmen cannot see
the target and this map, in fact, which consti-
tutes the which the military authorities
play the game been said that many battles
would have been left unfought II there
had been adequate topographic system at that
time. AS was, the need was so apparent that con-
gress authorized the first Of topographic en-
gineers in 1851.
One author points that the facility with which
the Japanese Arthur in the Russo-Japanese
war was due fact that for months before Jap
anese spies disguised coolies had been quietly
ping the topography of the country When the night
of attack came easy matter for the Japanese
to disable the giant Russian searchghts illuminating
the port their guns the hill marked the
map as the position of apparatus, thus throwing
the Russian forces into confusion.
The increasing of the topographic map in this
country prepared by the geological has made
the land swindle almost extinct practice 1t is i'm
possible, example, to sell certain grove Of
oranges in Florida when he has topographic map be-
fore him, showing that the alleged grove is covered
with several feet of swamp and water. Neither is 1t
easy convince that piece of land In the
southwest contains vein Of silver IL the topographic
map fails show the presence of orelbearing rocks.
So nfaibe that life insurance companies
lend money farm lands upon their recommends