Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-28
Biggest Surveying Job
In History Under Way
Army Engineers Helping
Motions Nap Hemisphere
BY THOMAS r. HENRY

b1 1dOmAS II. HENRY
PANAMA.-Army engineers are en-
gagged in the biggest surveying and ex-
ploring job in history.
They are mapping IL million square
miles of the earth's surface-essentially
the South American continent, Central
America and Mexico. They are scaling
some of the worlds highest mountains.
penetrating regions of desert and jungle
seldom before penetrated by white men.
contracting and making friends with
some of earth's least known people.
Only few weeks ago came reports
that one man had frozen to death in the
high Andes and another had died of
thirst in an UNEMPLOYED desert within
a few days of each other.
The organization is the Inter-Amer-
lean Geodetic Survey, operating as part
of Maj. Gen. Lionel c. McGarr's Carib-
bean Army Command. From its head
quarters in the Canaf Zone the IAGS
controls operations over an area ex-
tending 5000 miles from north to south.
They have, as yet, made only fair
them. The start, however. includes
establishment of over 10000 miles of
high precision triangulation, $4,000
miles of first order levels, completion
of observations at 1000 geophysical
stations, and observations at 215 astfo-
nomic stations.
All But Nations Involved
The engineers are the directing agency
of cooperative job on the part OF all
the governments whose territory is in
volved except Argentina, Uruguay and
Paraguay. British, French and Meth
erlands governments are engaged in
the program as it affects their own
Central and South American territories.
The collaborative effort is carried out
under diplomatic agreements negoti-
ated by the State Department.
The detectives. as stated by the Car
ibbean Army Command, are "estab-
lishment through jungles and over
19,000-foot mountain ranges of $1,000
miles of primary triangulation arcs,
running of $4,000 miles of primary
level lines, installation of 200 tide
gauges, $50 astronomic stations and
$500 geophysical stations for gravity
and magnetic observations. This is the
preliminary phase of the program. To
obtain the ultimate goal, topographic
maps, this must be followed by the
taking of thousands of aerial photo
graphs from $4,000 feet in the air,
establishment of millions of square
miles of low order mapping control.
compilation of thousands of maps and
printing of millions"
Each Government Active
The IAGS is on an annual budget
which runs around SO million. The
collaborating governments contribute
five to six times this amount. So far
as possible the work is carried out by
the governments concerned. The sur
vey loans equipment, trains personnel
gives technical advice and assistance
and. wherever necessary, carries out
all phases of the work.
While it is an Army organiza-
ton, many of the technical personnel
are civilians. The organization consists
of Is United States Engineer officers,
II warrant officers and 80 enlisted men,
together with the 937th Engineer Avia-
ton company with Sc officers and 10l
enlisted men. This unit has "a light
aircraft and 20 helicopters used to sup
port the mapping operations. In addi-
ton about 300 natives are employed
each day as guides, pack carriers and
brush cutters. The collaborating gov
ernments employ about 5000 indivdu-
ais in all categorieS The field organiza-
ton in each country consists normally
of an officer in charge. five to ten geo.
detic engineers, and one to four mill
tary pilots. Most of the actual work
is carried out by the collaborating
agencies.
Many Inaccuracies Found.
The benefit to all the countries in
volved has been demonstrated many
times. Surveys already completed have
shown amazing inaccuracies in the few
existing maps. Hitherto unknown
mountain ranges have been discovered.
Throughout South America many major
rivers are 80 to 40 miles out of position
on existing maps and some mountain
peaks not only are far out of position
but as much as 5000 feet in error in
elevation. The triangulation already
completed ties into similar work in the
United States, Canada and Alaska.
1liuo III ChLeIluo, dltOScLlltE, ABOUT H.
900 miles from north to south. Two
years hence it will be extended to some
extent to the unknown ice desert, the
Antarctic Continent under the program
Of the international Geophysical year.
The work will be used to determine
more accurately the shape and size of
the earth.
A secondary but very important OBJ
Jective of the organization is the build
ing up of good will 1t already has
weathered 81 revolutions and still re-
tanned it position with each new govern
ment. The work is regarded as SO i'm
portant that in several countries the
president personally makes decisions
concerning the program. The key per-
sonnet are accorded privileges normally
reserved for diplomats.
The ultimate objective will be a CO.
ordinated map of the Western Hemis-
phere. This, of course, will include the
United States. only about Is per cent
OF which now is mapped with sufficient
accuracy for precision maps.
The entire program, so far as the
Latin American countries is concerned.
is co-ordinated by the worlds most ex-
tenSiVe radio network There can be
daily communication with the officer
in charge in any country.