Conference Of Representatives Of Federal Map-Making Organizations

Following the suggestion of Engineering Council and at the direction of, the President, representatives from each of the Federal Government bureaus interested in map-making were called into a conference for the purpose of coordinating all of the Government's map-making activities. This conference has now reported back to the President the results of its findings, which indicate that Engineering Council's recommendation in this matter was well founded. While the conference report states that its members were of the opinion that little duplication of effort existed, it recommends the formation of a permanent Board of Surveys and Maps. An extended review of the map-making activities, which is given as an appendix to the report, indicates that this recommendation is a logical step. The conference recommendations concerning this Board of Surveys and Maps are as follows: (1) the Board is to he com-posed of representatives of mapping bureaus to be assisted by outside engineering organizations, which have been named above; (2) the estab-lishment of an information office in one of the Government bureaus, preferably the Geological Survey, which is to be under the supervision of the Board and is to be a mapping information clearing house for the Government and outside engineering organizations; (3) copyright laws are to be so changed that copies of all. maps made in the United States and with Governmental authority, will go to the central information office; (4) the Government departments are to receive orders to cooperate, with the Board; (5) future topographic maps of all kinds are to conform with specifications for the standard topographic map; (6) the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey to have supervision of final adjustment of all important control data under specifications approved by Board of Surveys and Maps; (7) surveys in the form of maps and publications are to be issued as soon as possible after field work has been completed; (8) program of the Interdepartmental Committee on Aerial Surveying was approved. Outside technical and scientific organizations that are called in for consultation are to operate in an advisory capacity only, responsibility for action on Governmental work is. to rest solely with the Governmental agencies.