6o6 SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS 



The conference reached the general conclusion "that there is little 

 actual duplication of effort materially affecting the progress of map- 

 ping the United States. The U. S. Geological Survey is charged with 

 the preparation of a topographic map of the United States, which, 

 with certain minor modifications, will adequately meet the needs for 

 a general utility map. The work of that bureau is progressing as 

 rapidly as the available funds will permit. Approximately one- third 

 of the area of the continental United States, exclusive of Alaska, is 

 now covered by satisfactory maps of this class. The U. S. Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey, in addition to its other work, is engaged in the execu- 

 tion of the primary control in the interior of our country. A basic 

 horizontal and vertical control which will permanently establish some 

 geographic position and elevation within about 50 miles of any point 

 in the United States has been approximately 50 per cent completed. 

 Close cooperation exists between the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey 

 and the U. S. Geological Survey so that there is no duplication in 

 carrying out the work necessary for the standard topographic map." 



The report also shows that certain map needs of various other bureaus 

 are met by the standard topographic map of the Geological Survey. 

 In addition, they all require certain special maps, some of which demand 

 more detailed surveys than those necessary for the standard map, 

 and others of which require the collection of entirely different kinds 

 of data. Some of the organizations concerned (for instance, the Inter- 

 national Boundary Commission) are conducting specialized surveys, 

 and while they would be benefited in some degree by the early comple- 

 tion of the standard map in the areas in which they operate, still this 

 map would not obviate the need of the special surveys. The work of 

 the Hydrographic Office is entirely outside the continental limits of 

 the United States. 



The conference adopted the following recommendation: "It is 

 recommended that the present procedure be continued, under which 

 the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey executes the primary control of 

 the area of the United States and U. S. Geological Survey prepares, 

 publishes, and distributes the standard topographic map and that 

 Congress be asked to make larger appropriations for these purposes 

 in order that the complete map may be available at an early date. 

 ***** It is further recommended that this general project be 

 approved and placed before Congress with the request that Congress 

 adopt the project for execution by successive annual appropriations 

 for these two bureaus. Under this general plan it is assumed that a 

 large number of States will continue to cooperate in topographic map- 

 ping by making specific appropriations for that work." 



The conference also recommended: (i) that a permanent Board of 

 Sur\^eys and Maps be appointed to act as an advisory body; (2) that 

 a central information office be established, preferably in the U. S. Geo- 

 logical Survey, but under the general supervision of the Board of 

 Surveys and Maps; (3) that the copyright laws be so amended as to 

 provide that a copy of every map presented for copyright be trans- 



