FIFTH REPORT 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE BOARD. 



The United States Board on Geographic Names was created by an 

 Executive order issued by President Harrison September 4, 1890. 

 Prior to that date there was an unofficial organization, composed of 

 10 persons, all employed in the public service, all engaged in geo- 

 graphic work, and all keenly sensitive to the confusion and contradic- 

 tions in geographic names as used in Government publications. 



Originally the Board was composed of 10 members. Its present 

 membership is 14. The membership, past and present, together with 

 departments, bureaus, offices,-and institutions represented, is set forth 

 in the following table : 



1 Formerly in the Treasury Department. 



11 



