n^ The Ann rial n ( tidI nijisl . Jiimiiiry. IHOS 
wliOHt' duties wciv. however, fully (lelined in its oigtiiiic law. It wjih 
iin nt'ter-thought that caused the Geological Survey to enter upon 
topographioal work — and more especially so in the eastern states. 
P. 28S. Prof, (leorge Davidson testified that the work of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey is now (1.S84), "the very work which 
is suitable^ foi' the topographictul map. or for geological purposes, " 
though more nccuvnte tluin thnt done Ity the United Stntes Geolo- 
gical Survey. 
1*. :!(i7. Pi-of. migni.I stales. 
l>y a proper co-oi'diiiiition of plall^^ tlic work for any part (jf tlie 
country, or for tlie Geologictd Survey, may hi' executed in conformity 
with the jijeneral jilan. 
The foregoing is sutKcient to show that the Coast ami Geode- 
tic Survey was engaged (in 1SS2) in systemalii- triangulation of 
the older states with a view to a complete topographical niaj) of 
the United States, and had executed a por tion of such topograph- 
ical map in Maryland and Virginia, an d was linked, under a 
law of Congress, with eleven of the States in preliminary work for 
topographical maps of those states, and had a reasonable expec- 
tation of continuance in that work to its completion. 
4. It will next l)e necessary to consider another of Mr. Gan- 
nett's views as to the relation of his work to the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey. We stated in our editorial in the November 
Gkolocust that there came to Ije rumors of clashing of official 
functions, and of duplication of work, resulting in the appoint- 
ment of a joint commission from the Senate and the House of 
Representatives, to consider the organization of these and other 
Ibureaus. .Mr. Gannett says, "this statement is entirely without 
i'oundation.'' Ft is only necessary to refer Mr. Gannett and the 
reader to the following statements. We take tirst the statement 
of Mr. Theodo]'i> Lyman in notifying the National Acadeni}' of 
.Science of theii- appointment and asking its aid. 
These imj)ortant branches of our Government have grown rapidly 
;and have i-eached a position where they in some respects impinge one 
on another in such a way as to threaten in certain cases, a duplica- 
tion of work, and perhaps some waste and confusion, p. *2. 
The committee of the National Academy of Science themselves 
state-. 
Tlie work of these four organizations should be inore thoroughly co- 
ordinated tliaji it is now. p. *2. 
