The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-23
Of j. S.
IS URGED IN
CONGRESS
Far Behind European Nations
in This important Work.
Says H. w. Temple.
BY HI. X. REYNOLDS,
International News Service.


Ever since Capt. John Smith
charted Chesapeake bay, 800 years
ago, surveys and maps have been
made in the United States.
But 1t is only in comparatively
recent years, according to Con.
gresham Henry w. Temple, of
Pennsylvania, that the need OF &C.
curate maps has been felt keenly
by those engaged In the Industrial
and commercial development OF
the country.
Temple introduced bill in the
House in the last Congress to
authorize the President to complete
g. Typographical survey OF the United
years. Steps will be taken early
in the new Congress to put this
bill through.
It was about fifty years ago that
the Government first realized the
Necessity Ola more systematic plan
OF map making, after expeditions
were sent to explore the country
west Of. the Mississippi. In 1873
Congress- established the United
States Geological Survey.
Physical Maps Needed.
Soon afteYward Congress recog.
nized that geological survey must
be based on typographical maps, so
each year since 1883 it has made
specific appropriations for such
surveys.
Despite these appropriations, how
ever, only about 4S per cent Of con-
tinental United States, exclusive Of
Alaska, has been mapped. Some
Of these maps, made more than q
quarter OF century ago, are now
classed as reconnaissance maps, and
officials of the Geological Survey
estimate that only about 35 per
cent OF the country is adequately
mapped.
Most of the foremost countrieE
of the world have long considered
the surveying and mapping OF their
arema one of their major govern
mental functions" said Congress.
man Temple in discussing his bill.
THE nations of Europe have been
far more progressive in this mat.
ter than the nations of America.
The British Isles have been entirely
surveyed. Maps of all OF France
and Belgium are available on sew
eral scales. All of Germany has
been mapped Switzerland is the
best-mapped country in the world
I'm Asia, Japan has completed q
reconnaissance survey Of its entire
area and is now carrying out q
systematic program of detailed
Typographical mapping. China. how.
ever, has Jagged behind.
CANADA PROGRESSIVE.
''In America. Canada has adopted
q progressive mapping program,
although she has large areas stiIl
unsurveyed. Mexico Is not well
surveyed. Several OF the large
countries of South America, notably
Chile, Brazil and Argentina, have
surveyed most OF their ind6strially
important areas.
In knowledge OF it's physical
geography, the United States, Tenn.
pie declared, Is behind all the coun-
tries he mentioned, except Mexico
and China.
Although a large part of the
area Of the public land States has
been subdivided into sections the
surveys have been made with the
single purpose Of marking on the
ground the boundaries of the pub
lie land divisions, so that settlers
could be placed on the lands. The
township plats do not show eIeva-
tons.
A topographic may is a relief
map, which not only shows the
shapes and elevations OF land and
water features by contour lines, but
also pictures the. artificial features,
such as railroads, highways and
buildings.
Representative Temple said that
the cost Of one battleship-about
$50 zoo, 900 would complete the
mapping of the country in twenty
years IL it were invested now and
interest were allowed on unexpend
ed balances.