Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-25
Washington as an Engineering Center

Here we have as the research organization the
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
concentrating the best thought of the leading
aeronautical engineers. Here have the
War; Navy and Commerce Departments, dig.
nifying the comparatively new science Of flight,
each with an assistant secretary in charge
Thus we have the vision and development of
aeronautical science and the regulation Of fly.
ing centered in Washington.
Similarly with the new science Of radio
communication, we have Federal regulatory
board, which licenses all stations, lodged in
the Department of Commerce.
All mining finds its guidance in the Ma
tional Capital. 1t was emphasized during the
recent war days that the product Of these
mines was the basic need Of self sustained
nation. In mineral and coal mining a great
part of the scientific development and the regu-
lation Of operation is in charge of the Federal
Bureau OF Mines, which was recently trans.
ferred from the Department Of the Interior to
the Department of Commerce.
The Geological Survey co-operates with the
Bureau of Mines in the vast problem Of de.
velopment of petroleum resources so essential
in this automotive age. Battering down the
monopoly Of nitrates held by Chile during the
World War, the Geological Survey now has
exploration work in progress in New Mexico ana
Texas, with the probability Of developing our
own source Of supply for explosives and fer.
tilizer.
All the DaSlc lntOrmatlon regarding water
resources is obtained by the Geological Survey
and the data it gathers shows whether it is
economically and engineeringly possible to tap
such resources. 1t shows the proper sites on
which to erect water supply and water.power
projects.
The Geological Survey and the Coast and
Geodetic Survey furnish all the ba sic data for
our maps. and particularly Typographical maps,
which show where to put railroads streets
public roads, etc. Surveys and maps have been
made in this country ever since Capt John
Smith mapped Chesapeake Bay. some 800 years
ago. and In resent years those engaged In in.
dustrial and commercial development have been
most insistent in demanding extremely &C.
curate maps. Topographic maps serve as a
base on which problems affecting human &C.
tivities may be studied and investigated and
plans made for their solution. Possession Of
such maps fnsures the economical planning OF
improvements and reveals possibilities for the
development or resources that otherwise would
remain unknown. They are needed for nuhlic
utilities, for industrial development because It
Is impossible to inventory intelligently our ma.
tional resources without adequate mans on
which to plot their location and extent: for
highway construction on which Federal and
State governments are comparatively spending
hundreds Of millions OF dollars annually. for
transportation needs. for the use Of water re.
sources, Tor drainage projects, for agricultural
development and the development of mineral
resources. for utilization of timber resources
or grazing resources and in the study Of phys
cal geography in our schools and colleges, for
statistical uses and as a prime requisite for
military preparedness and for national defense
X X
The Federal Power Commission, composed
OF three members of the cabinet, Is In control
Of all hydroeectric development throughout the
United States, with the Boulder Dam, Muscle
Shoals and the Great Falls on the Potomac
projects engaging immediate attention.
The Interstate Commerce Commission con.
siders transportation problems, both those af
fecting railroads and water-borne commerce.
The Patent Once is the very foundation Of
all industrial development.
The War Department has as one of it's
major functions to plan for industrial prepared.
ness. The Army War College in its work de.
ponds upon engineering data. The Ordnance
Bureau Of the War Department calls for most
skilled engineering.