The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-09-27
]. S. TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
USE IN WAR AND PEACE
COMPILED BY GEOLOGICAL SUR.
vEY AND GREAT VALUE
EXPLAINED.

1t has been said that many of The
battles of the Civil war would nevel
have been fought had there been to-
geographic maps, for II those in com
mand could have studied a topograph
ic map Of the country about them they
would never have subjected Sheir mer
to such marches as were made ano
then have expected the men to fight
But topography in its general sense
and as 1t ds shown today on the maps
made by the United States geological
survey of the interior department was
little known in the sixties. The en-
gineer CORPS of the army was highly
efficient, but the topographic engineer
did not appear in the American army
until August 6, 1881, when an act OF
congress authorized the enlistment OF
one company Of topographic engineers
This company was afterward merged
into the corps of engineers.
Covers the Country.
Today within the wide boundaries of
our country, which embraces more
than three million square miles
there are hundred million people.
They live on farms, in villages, 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
Init fioa l1xy
together and at any time that this
widespread population may be requir-
ed to move in concerted action for
common cause the topographic map
will give the leaders comprehensive
view of its geographic relations, so
that the problem of moving can be
solved more quickly and with good
Judgment. The topographic map like
the telephone and the typewriter, has
become a necessity. and we wonder
now how we have ever done without
1t.
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 consid-
cred the importance of that work
some illustrations of its value might
be interesting.
Its Great Value.
A well known author, soldier, and
Topographic engineer found the topo-
graphic maps of the geological survey
indispensable 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 lifetime
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
satisfactory and economical results.
Realizing from the maps that they
would travel at high attitudes and
would consequently encounter low
temperatures, they made detailed pro-
vision to meet every emergency. They
selected roads that followed the long
est levels. thereby saving trouble"
and gasoline, not to mention racking
delays.
Again, the topographic map was
consulted by New York business
man who wanted to hunt bear and
big game in the wilds of New Mexico,
and who thus arranged his plans, with
the aid of some correspondence, at a
distance of over 1000 miles. The ar
rangements included even the details |
of the expense for the necessary pack
train for transporting his party and
supplies into country where the
nearest postmaster to some points is
45 miles distant.
Foresters Use II. 49,.
The forester depends on the gov
eminent topographic map to find trails
whereby his fire guards" may reach |
their "lookouts" in the season when
Tightening sets fire to the highly In |
flammabe pines and causes immense
losses to the government.
With the map also he lays out his |
telephone lines and draws his permits
for leases to the cattlemen.
A lumberman of New Mexico saved
several hundred dollars by purchas-
Ing Decent map of the country in
his vicinity and using it to check up
the areas he held under lease. The
copper miner and the owner of tur-
luoise mine made fresh discoveries by
a 10-cent Topographic map /,
ssued by the geological survey
The war department saved much
ime and expense by using a survey
nap when those in charge of gov
hospital Cor tuberculosis in
he southwest desired to enlarge the
water supply. The use of the detailed
geographic map was absolutely nee {
ssary in determining the limits of {
he drainage area, in deciding what I
properties to purchase in order to in c
Jude the best and strongest springs, !
nd in locating sites for dams and F,
eservoirs. This work, done by y
rained topographer with the methods |
Ow EMPLOYED by the geological Sur- 7