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ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



bers who are not themselves geologists or mining engineers. 

 It is my plan to mention the important agencies engaged in 

 investigation, and then to review the kind and scope of the 

 various lines of work. 



Among the important investigators may be mentioned those 

 of the federal government, those of states, and those of private 

 agencies. 



Figure 2. Relative value of United States Mineral Products. 

 FEDERAL BUREAUS 



The U. S. Geological Survey was created in 1879 and has 

 a record of service covering 34 years. During 1913 the work 

 included geologic mapping in 45 states ; topographic mapping 

 in 26 ; stream gaging in 42 ; underground water studies in 19. 

 Nearly 400 field men of the regular staff, besides numerous 

 temporary assistants, were employed. The appropriations 

 for the fiscal year exceed one and one-half million dollars. 



As an off-shoot from the Geological Survey, the U. S. 

 Bureau of Mines was created in 1910 to conduct investigations 

 into safety and efficiency of the mineral industry. More than 

 150 technical men were employed in 1913. The Bureau main- 

 tained offices or laboratories in three cities outside Washington 

 and operated six mine-safety stations and seven mine-rescue 

 cars. 



Another governmental office, the Bureau of Standards, 

 conducts tests of clay and concrete materials, and investigates 

 the use of electricity and other substances in mining. 



STATE AGENCIES 



Among the state agencies of mineral research should be 

 mentioned first the geological surveys. Many of them came 

 into existence between 1830 and 1840, and most of them have 

 enjoyed long, though intermittent periods of usefulness. The 

 present surveys range in age from 6 to 50 years and average 



