Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-10
MAINE GEOLOGY
AND MINERALOGY

Freeman r. Burr Trying to Form an
Association of Maine Biologists
with View to Establishing State
Geological Survey and Formulating
Plan
The following letter is self-explan-
atory and the Journal is informed
that the replies already received by
Mr.. Burr encourage him to believe
that such an association soon will
be formed.
Augusta, Me. March II. 1922.
Dear Sir:
You have doubtless felt the need,
as / have, of closer cooperation
among those Of us who are interest
ed in the geology and mineralogy of
Maine. We have been working.
some of US for many years. if not
exactly at cross purposes. at least
with little or no cooperation of eff
fort. and with practically no knowl-
edge of, or sympathy with. each
others work. In other words. we
have been acting as so many COM
pletely isolated individuals. with en-
tire lack of teamwork. and with
consequent failure to accomplish
much that is worth while. or to inn
press others with the value Of the
sort of work we do.
My object in writing this letter is
to place before you a tentative plan
for organizing the biologists and
mineralogists of Maine, both pro-
fessional and amateur, in such a
way as to promote most effectually
the systematic study of our rocks
and minerals. The following outline
is intended as a working basis: 1t is
presented in the hope that you will
give it your careful and serious at
tention: will concur with me in the
general idea: and will help the plan
along. first by expressing your APP
probation Of the desirability of
| forming such an organization, and
second by giving me the benefit of
such constructive criticism as may.
upon due reflection, occur to you.
| l.-Name:, Association of Maine
| Biologists.
Purposes: ta) Closer co-ordi-
nation of the work Of individual ge-
ologists. with view to giving more
| e.ectual end and aim to such work;
(b) Accumulation and compilation
| of the records Of such geologic work
as has already been done, with a
view to placing satisfactory Informal
! ton in the hands Of individual work
ers, in order that they may be guided
in future investigation and enabled
| to avoid unnecessary duplication of
effort;
! (c) Promotion Of systematic work
among those interested in studying
| our rocks and minerals, with a view
to laying the foundation for a we'll
ordered survey Of Maine;
(d) Prom otion of q more sympa-
thetic attitude, on the part of the
general public, toward scientific
work in general, toward geology and
mineraiogy in particular:
(e) Accumulation of collection.
or of collections, of rock and min
| eral specimens; such collection. or
! collections, to be SO placed as to be
convenient for reference;
CD Preparation Of educational
sets Of Maine rocks and minerals. TO
/ be placed in such schools and other
! institutions as will use them for
the purpose of arousing an interest
| in the study of our mineral resources.
co Publication; in newspapers
and such other media as may be
/ available, of Information and data
of interest to the general public:
(h) Publication, in scientific jour
nails. of technical papers on the &C.
ology and mineralogy Of Maine:
! Cd Collection of economic data on
, our mineral resources, in order that
those interested in developing them
may be furnished with accurate and
authoritative information:
! Cd Investigation Of doubtful min
eral enterprises, for the purpose OF
| furnishing both the promoters and
the public with such facts as should
be known.
| (k) Promotion of legislation IA
yorable to the establishment of a
State Geological Survey
FREEMAN +. BURR,
Temporary Secretary.