RANSOME: NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Id 



own topographic base maps. In a new country, where explora- 

 tion is still in progress, the geological survey may have to make 

 its own topographic surveys. The main point, as I see it, is 

 that the geological survey must have maps of the standard 

 required by it with the least possible delay, but should not under- 

 take to make them itself if other organizations that can and will 

 provide the maps needed are already in the field. 



We have seen that there is at least a very close connection be- 

 tween topographic and geologic mapping and that in this rela- 

 tion may he a sufficient reason why both kinds of work should 

 be undertaken by the same organization. Is there as good a 

 reason why the study of geology and the collection of statistics 

 of mineral production should be united? 



STATISTICS OF MINERAL PRODUCTION 



When shortly after the organization of the U. S. Geological 

 Siurvey the collection of statistics was begun, those geologists 

 who were most influential in urging that the Survey should 

 undertake statistical work adduced as the principal reason that 

 the people desired such figures and if the Geological Survey did the 

 work it would be able to secure larger appropriations than if the 

 task were left for others. It does not appear to have been thought 

 at that time that geologists were the only men who could satis- 

 factorily do statistical work or that it was necessary to impose 

 this task on them. Subsequently, however, the work was ap- 

 portioned among the geologists. The reasons for this step ap- 

 pear to have been, first, that the results of having the statistical 

 reports prepared under contract by specialists who were not on 

 the regular staff of the organization had proved unsatisfactory; 

 second, that by apportioning the work among the geologists 

 already on the staff not only would the apparent cost in money 

 be less than under the former arrangement, but it would, in a 

 bookkeeping sense, be very much cheaper than taking on new 

 men for this particular work ; finally, it was argued that geologists 

 could apply their knowledge of the field relations of ore deposits 

 to improve the character of statistical reports and would them- 

 selves benefit by additional opportunities to visit and examine 

 many deposits that they might not otherwise see. 



