The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-07-12
VALUE OF TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS.
Used in Determining the Limits of Drain
age Areas, Etc.

- sfANoSt s~hNs
II has been said that many of the bat
ties of the Civil war would never have
been fought had there been topographic
maps, for if those in command could have
studied a Topographic map of the country
about them they would never have sub.
jected their men to such marches as were
made and then expected the men to fight
But topography in its general sense and
as it is shown to-day on the maps made
by the United States geological survey
of the interior department was little
known in the sixties The engineer corps
of the army was highly efficient, but
the topographic engineer did not appear
in the American army until Aug g. 1861
when an act of Congress authorized the
enlistment of one company OF topograph-
ic engineers. This company was after
ward merged into the corps OF engineers.
To-day within the wide boundaries of
our country, which embraces more than
100000 square miles, there are 100000
600 people. They live in farms. in viii
lagos and in towns and cities. Their
dwelling places may be separated by
broad rivers and rugged mountains, but
the use OF the topographic map is grad
ually knitting them Systematically to-
gether, and at any time that this wide
spread population may be required ia
move in concerted action for common
cause the topographic map will give the
leaders comprehensive view of its geo.
graphic relations, SO that the problem of
moving can be solved more quickly and
with good judgment. The topographic
map, like the telephone and the type
writer, has become a necessity; and we
wonder now how we have ever done
without it.
The man in the street" may have
thought little OF the value of the work of
the topographic engineer, and to him and
Others who have not considered the inn
portance of that work some illustrations
of its value might be interesting.
A well known author. soldier and topo-
graphic engineer found the topographic
maps of the geological survey indispen-
sable in every branch of his work. BY
studying a country before going into it
he became so familiar with the details
of many interesting features OF which
the natives had never heard that his
stories acquired realism that could not !
have been infused into them had he dwelt |
in the country a lifetime.
A party of Ohioans who expected to |
make winter trip by automobile to
California consulted the topographic |
maps of the survey and planned their
itinerary for the trip with the most sat. |
and economical results. Realiz- |
ing from the maps that they would |
travel at high attitudes and would con
encounter low temperatures, |
they made detailed provision to meet
every emergency, They selected roads
that followed the longest levels, thereby
saving "trouble" and gasoline, not to
mention racking delays.
Again. the topographic map was CON
suited by New York business man
who wanted to hunt bear and big game
N the wilds of New Mexico, and who
.hus arranged his plans, with the aid of
,ome correspondence, at a distance of
,ver 2.ee0 miles. The arrangements in
.luded even the details of the expenses
or the necessary pack train for trans
PORTING his party and supplies into a
ountry where the nearest postmaster to
ome points is As miles distant.
Io ]
nent Topographic map to find trails
whereby his "freguards" may reach their
lookouts" in the season when lightning
cts fire to the highly inhsmmsble pines
nd causes immense monetary losses to
he government. With the map also he
avs out his telephone lines and draws
is permits for leases TO the cattlemen.
A lumberman of New Mexico saved
eyeral hundred dollars by purchasing a
0-eent map Of the country in his vicin-
" and using it to check up the areas
e held under lease. The copper miner
nd the owner Of turquoise mine made
resh discoveries by studying a lO-cent
map issued by the geological
nrvey.
The war department saved much time
nd expense by using a survey map when
hose in charge of = government hospital
,r tuberculosis in the Southwest desired
, enlarge the water supply. The use
+ the detailed Topographic map wss alb
,lutely necessary in determining the
mits Of the drainage area, in deciding
hat properties to purchase in order 70
.ciude the best and strongest springs.
I'd in locating sites for dams and ressr-
,irs. This work. done b q trained
ipographer with the methods now EN-
Owed By the geological survey, reduced
ls cost very materially.
Fiftesn osnts spent BY = reclamation