Chap. 75.—An ACT to establish a State geological survey and to make pro-
vision for the preparation and publication of reports and maps to illustrate
the natural resources of the State, together with the necessary investigation
preparatory thereto.

Approved February 25, 1908.

81. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That there be,
and is hereby, created and established at the University of Virginia
a bureau, to be known as a State geological survey, which shall be under
the direction of a commission, to be known as a State geological com-
mission, composed of the governor (who shall be ex-officio chairman of
said commission), the president of the University of Virginia, the
president of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, the superintendent of
the Virginia Military Institute, and one citizen from the State at large,
who shall be appointed by the governor, each for a period of four years,
from June first, nineteen hundred and eight. The geological com-
mission shall meet twice each year, once in January and once in June,
in the city of Richmond, on the call of the governor; except that the
commission may change the time and place of meeting as circum-
stances may require, and said commission may appoint a clerk to keep
a record of its proceedings.

The said commissioners shall serve without compensation, but shall
be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of
their official duties; and the said commissioners shall have general
charge of the survey, and shall appoint as director a geologist of es-
tablished reputation, who may, with the approval of the commission,
appoint such assistants and employees as may be necessary to enable
him to carry out successfully and speedily the work of the survey.
The director appointed under the provision of this act, and the assistants
and employees appointed by him, shall receive such compensation as
may be determined by the commission.

§2. The survey shall have for its objects and duties the following:

(1) An examination of the geological formations of the State, with
special reference to their economic products—namely, building stones,
coals, ores, clays, soils, cement, materials suitable for use in the con-
struction of roads, mineral and artesian waters, and other mineral
substances.

(2) An examination of the road building materials and the best
methods of utilizing the same.

(8) An examination and classification of the soils and study of
their adaptability to particular crops.

(4) An examination of the streams and water powers of the State
with special reference to their development for manufacturing enter-
prises.

' (5), An examination of the water supplies of the State with special
reference to the sinking of deep or artesian wells. ,

(6) An examination of the physical features of the State with
reference to their practical bearing upon the occupation of the people.

(7) The preparation of special geological and economic maps to illus-
trate the resources of the State.

(8) The preparation of special reports, with necessary illustrations
and maps, which shall embrace both a general and detailed description
of the geology and natural resources of the State.

(9) The consideration of such other scientific and economic questions
as in the judgment of the State geological commission shall be deemed
of value to the people of the State.

(10) The said. commission is hereby authorized to arrange with the
director or the representatives of the United States geological survey
in regard to co-operation between the said United States geological
survey and the said State geological commission in topographic, geo-
logic, and hydrographic work in such instances as may be deemed
necessary and of advantage to the State; provided, that in all co-opera-
tive work a sum of money shall be expended by the said United States
geological survey equivalent to that expended by the said State geo-
logical survey; and that the said commission may accept or reject the
work of the said United States geological survey.

§3. The commission shall cause to be prepared a report to the legis-
lature before each meeting of the same, showing the progress and con-
dition of the survey, together with such other information as it may
deem necessary and useful or as the legislature may require.

§4. The regular and special reports of the survey, with proper illus-
trations and maps, shall be printed as the commission may direct, and
that the reports shall be distributed by the said commission as the in-
terests of the State and of science may demand.

§5. All materials collected, after having served the purposes of the
survey, shall be distributed by the director to the educational institu-
tions of the State, in such manner as the commission may determine to
be of the greatest advantage to the educational interests of the State.

§6. The sum of ten thousand dollars annually, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds of the treas-
ury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out the
provision of this act, to be paid out by the treasurer, upon the warrant
of the auditor of public accounts, which shall be drawn upon the cer-
tificate of the chairman of said commission.