administrative: report 
15 
manently established state institutions. Since its organization in 1907, 
the Florida Geological Survey has functioned, without any change or 
amendment, under the law which created it. The total annual appro¬ 
priation for its maintenance is $7,500. Of this amount $2,500 is speci¬ 
fied as the salary of the State Geologist, and $5,000 for the contingent 
expenses, which include the salary of any assistants, traveling expenses, 
field equipment, office and museum supplies, transportation charges on 
collections and other materials, printing of reports, engraving maps and 
halftones for illustrating reports, postage and all other expenditures 
incident to the work of the Department. 
During these years, in which the appropriation has remained station¬ 
ary, there have been decided upward trends in all commodities, the dollar 
today being worth only about one-half what it was in 1907, the year in 
which the Survey was established. With this monetary shrinkage have 
come greater demands upon the Survey for information on the state’s 
resources. The work of the Department has grown, and, in order to 
render a service commensurate with the demands and the natural 
resource possibilities of the state, it is imperative that an increase be made 
in the amount now allotted, which has long been totally inadequate. I 
urgently suggest that this matter be given consideration, for it is vitally 
important to the future work of this Department. The appropriation 
should be at least twice the amount now available. With an annual allot¬ 
ment of $15,000 the Survey could more effectively assist in the develop¬ 
ment of the varied natural resources of the state. 
