HISTORY 13 



sentatives with various governmental and private exploring 

 expeditions with a view to gathering geological data. It first 

 became possible, however, to undertake comprehensive work 

 in Alaska in 1895, when Congress appropriated $5,000 for the 

 investigation of the gold and coal resources of Alaska, and 

 this amount was again appropriated in 1896 and 1897. Early 

 in 1898, after rich gold deposits had been found in the Klon- 

 dike region, in Canadian territory, the appropriation was in- 

 creased to $25,000. In 190I the scope of the surveys in Alaska 

 was extended to cover all mineral resources and the annual ap- 

 propriation was increased to $60,000. In 1905 it was in- 

 creased to $80,000, in 1909 to $90,000, and in 191 2 and later 

 years to $100,000. A total of over one and a half million dol- 

 lars has thus been expended by the Survey on Alaskan surveys 

 and investigations. Before the Survey entered Alaska only 

 the most meager information was available not only as to its 

 resources but even as to the major features of its geography. 

 In thirty years the Survey has mapped topographically over 

 one-third of its surface and has made geologic explorations, 

 in greater or less detail, over almost the whole of this part of 

 its area. 



Even prior to their acquisition by the United States, the 

 Survey had from time to time made geologic researches in 

 Hawaii, Cuba and Porto Rico. In 1899 Congress by resolu- 

 tion called upon the Survey for information as to existing sur- 

 veys of our insular possessions, and for estimates of the cost 

 of further surveys. No action was taken by Congress on the 

 report presented, however, nor has any express authority ever 

 been granted to the Survey to extend its operations to those 

 possessions. In 1910, however, the Survey entered into a co- 

 operative agreement with the territorial government of Hawaii 

 for the topographic survey of the territory which had already 

 been begun by the territorial government, and work under 

 similar agreements has since been steadily prosecuted. Simi- 

 larly, in 1 91 2, an agreement was entered into by the Survey 



