Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
WEAK EARTH CRUST
IS FOUND IN CITIES
Slight Earthquakes Lead to
Discovery of Weakness by
Arthur Keith.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

The existence of weak lines in the
crust of the earth through the great
cities of New York and Boston, where
slipht earthquakes have been frequent
during the past 10 years, Is receiving
concentrated scientific attention from
the division Of geology and geography
of the National Research Council, OF
which DR.. Arthur Keith is director.
The weakness is not, a cause for any
alarm, and, in fact, the occurrence OF
numerous slight earthquakes on these
lines during the period has probably
had the effect Of relaxing the earth
surface and diminishing the chances
of a sudden big break, according to
DR.. Keith.
Years Of study and experience IN
The field have made DR.. Keith some
thing of an expert on earthquakes. He
awaits news of fresh earth shocks with
the eagerneSs associated with the bib
Tonhile who hears Of the finding Of
a rare manuscript or first edition. He
goes into the field, with associates from
the research council, and gathers up
every likely fact as a starting point
for scientific inquiries into the reasons
for earth shocks In any particular
place.
Quakes Lessening.
Business is not what it used to be.
DIR. Keith reports, as the number OF
earthquakes in the Northeastern part
of the United States has declined from
400 in 1925 to II so far this year. An
organization of scientific observers,
placed at points where earthquakes are
relatively common, reports the phys
zeal facts relative to each shock to the
headquarters here, where they are SUD-
mitted to scientific scrutiny. The weak
lines. or "epicenters" in the technical
jarEon, cross the cities mentioned IN
q north and south direction.
DIR, Keith, besides keeping an eye on
earthquakes, is also busy perfecting an
organization of volunteer scientists in
the Mississippi Valley, who report to
him finds of geological specimens
turned up by excavators preparing
ground for building foundations, road
ways and the like. The geological sec
ton of the council is on the trail OF
evidence OF the existence OF man In Ine
valley hnfore the Glacial epoch. The
collactioM Of such specimens Is ex-
tremely difficult, as so many Of them
have been so disturbed before being
seen by scientists that their evidential
value is either entirely destroyed or
greatly lessened.
Urges Care Of Specimens.
II DR.. Keith's plans succeed, work.
men turning up geological evidence will
treat it as carefully as q detective
treats a flngerprint, and not allow it
to be disturbed until 1t has been ex-
0unfnad nv n scientist
DR.. Keith, in spite of his studious
interests, is an outdoor man, who rowed
in the Harvard eight when In college,
played foot ball. was a heavyweight
wrestler, and designed and sailed boats
in competition with Charles Francis
Adams, now Secretary of the Navy. He
was a Harvard graduate cum laude"
at 20, and kept on With postgraduate
work afterward. He Is member OF
formidable string Of learned and scien-
tific societies, and his articles and
monographs on his speciality have at
tracted Wide attention.
His Ereat-grandfather was the first
child born in Milford. N. H. His
mother and father were graduated in
the same year, 1859, from Antioch Col
iege, during the presidency Of Horace
Mann. This class was the first in
which a woman completed the full col
lege course.
Remembering his own financial diff
fsculties in securing a college education
DR.. Keith Is extremely interested in
helping out youths similarly situated,
and has been instrumental in securing
funds for fellowships for gifted students.