South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-07
GEOLOGY DIVISION
ASKS MORE FUNDS
TO PROMOTE WORK
Reports Public Loses Thou
sands of Dollars by Mi
serly Policy

/ INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 6.-Appro-
: priations which will enable the divi-
sion Of geology of the state depart
ment of conservation TO place the re-
suits of its Investigations? into? In
diana's mineral sources before the
public will be asked Of the general
: assembly at the coming session.
AS an instance Of the loss that may
be caused through a misery policy"
toward this bureau DIR. w. y. Logan,
state geologist, cites a report on oil
and gas which remained unpublished
( for some time because of lack of
funds and during this time prospec-
tive oil wells were being drilled at an
/ expense Of thousands of dollars on
/ land which thsi report showed Of
fered not the slightest promise for
oil or gas.
DR.. Logan has prepared the follow
ing summary OF work undertaken
and in contemplation by the division
of geOloEY and also a summary of
legislation needed to promote work
Of the department:
/. A complete survey Of the coal
resources Cf Indiana. The high price
paid for coal the past few years has
greatly increased the interest of the
public In the coal industry and as a
result the division has been impor-
TUNED by many for more definite in
formation regarding this resource.
some work on such a survey has al
ready been accomplished but much
remains to be done before the survey
Is complete. 1t Will be pushed as
rapidly as available funds viii per
NIT.
/ Study OiI-Bearing Shalcs.
4 ct ON "A q ~ al al
bearing rocks of Indiana with a view
of determining the crude oil content,
by-products. distribution and avail
ability. Realizing the desirability of
finding sources other than petroleum
for fuel and lUbriCating oils, the div
sion Of geology has started an in
+ vestiga ton OF the Oil-bearing shales
Of Indiana with a view 10 determin-
ing their possible utilization 70 aug
! ment the diminishing supply OF pc
trOleum products. These invesiga-
lions VIII require a great deal of
work in the field and laboratory but
an excellent beginning has been
made.
3. To protect the rights Of In
diana in the coal underlying the nav
igable rivers. the Wabash and the
. Ohio. a survey should be made TO de-
termine the amount of minable coal
underlying the Wa bash and belong
ing to the state in Sullivan, Knox and
} Posey counties ard under the Ohio in
! POsey, VanderburEh, Warrick and
Spencer counties. The minable coal
under the Wabash in Vigo county.
belonging TO the state. was estimated
at nine million tons.
L. A survey Of the principal build
ing stone quarrying districts OF the
state, in order 20 be of service 10 one
Of the states leading industries This
district produces more than seventy
rer cent Of the limestone used in the
United States for building purpose
and such a producer is entitled 20
II the aid the state can render. Be
fore the geological survey Of this dis
trict can be completed satisfactorily.
he topographic survey which was
abandoned for lack OF funds must be
completed.
Urges Ceramic Survey.
3. a compete survey and labor
atory investigation of the ceram mis-
materials Of Indiana. Our ceramic
materials are not utilized 20 the eX-
tent that the quantity and quality
warrant. The interest of the clay
working industry should be aroused
to this fact
b. 10 llplellOu OF 2 structural
map Of the state showing the lOca-
ton OF all structures favorable 70
The accumulation Of oil and gas
such a map would serve 20 show the
oil prospector whore not TO drill and
hence thousands If dollars would be
saved the citizens OF the state.
:. Investigation Of other mineral
resources such as peat mari. CO.
r1ent materials lime materials
n gliding sands, road materials and
mineral waters.
gram cannot be carried out unless
the funds are available for ueetine
necessary expenses Of such investiga
tions. AMI such funds should be pro-
yided by legislation.