The Pulaskian. (Pulaski Heights [Little Rock], Ark.) 1915-1929, 1919-02-14
NEED A GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

history Of Arkansas when it needed
the assistance of the geoIogist more
than it does today.
Arkansas resources are but little
developed. It's soils, clays, coal, zinc,
lead, iron, petroleum, gas and other
resources need the hand and mind of
educated and practical biologists as
never before.
DR.. John C. Branner's short term
as State Geologist in the SOS brought
millions of dollars into the state and
is bringing more into the state every
day.
Geologist Owens in the SOS did a
work that assisted, and is assisting,
but the work of those men has been
but an appetizer, causing US to wish
to know more of Arkansas great and
unbounded resources.
The demand is for that knowledge
that only the scientific and learned
geologist can give. The United
States has made from time to time
special geological surveys since 1890,
but these are of little general value
to the public since they are not in ac-
cessible form.
What we need is genuine geolo-
gical survey made at home, made by
honest, scientific men who know how
to eat corn bread, hog-jowls and
green's. The reports of DR.. Branner
SO far as made are equal in learning
to any that can be found in the Ii
braries of the country. They are
written in such language that they
can be read and understood even by
the laymen.s
What Arkansas and the world now
needs is more geological work and
this is an immediate need.
There is pending proposition in
the Legislature for the creating OF
the office of State Geologist, and we
believe there are enough progressive
members of that body to see the adj
vantages thai will accrue to the state
and put this thing over. These mer
are not only willing that it be done
but they will insist that a learned
competent, and thoroughly efficient
geologist be appointed.
The Bureau of Mines, Manufactures
and Agriculture endorses the idea
and it has always had its ear to the
ground to determine popular opinion
The majority of the people of the
state intelligently endorses all that
has been said in favor of it. They
will give the glad hand of approba.
ton to every legislator who votes fol-
geological survey, because they
know that the few dollars spent in
the Branner survey has been an in
vestment that has yielded many fold
returns, and they know further that
such a survey in the light of modern
development will be worth millions
to the men and women who earn their
living by the sweat of their brow.
These views are supported by John
C. Small, chief deputy Commissioner
who said that he believed, if the mat
ter were brought properly before the
Legislature, hiatt body would act pro
perly.
DR.. Branner, now President Emori-
us of Leland Stanford University, in
California, is twenty-five years older
than when he made the original sur
vey. Yet he maintains for Arkan-
sas love and buoyancy for the great
state that one is reminded that the
waters of the thousand springs flow
ing from its hill-sides gave him the
perpetual youth from which flows
this exuberanee.
The Little Rock Daily News took
up the matter with DR. Branner, not
expecting him to do the field work
but thinking that he would make 9
most valuable President Emeritus fol
the new survey. DR.. Branner's reply
dated Feb. 8, 1919, follows:
at is not possible for me to an
swer questions before they are asked
But / am sure the people of Arkansas
with the possible exception of two
or three grafters who were unable te
use me and through me the state fol
their private ends) know that car
always be counted on to serve then
interests wherever | can do so"
1t was not expected that, under the
circumstances, DR.. Branner could say
less, but he could not say more to ex-
press his love for Arkansas, which
is only second to his love for his ma,
tive state of Tennessee.
What a splendid ally for the new
geological survey of Arkansas! What
loyal friend Arkansas has in this
great, honest and learned geologist!