Wise Words to Boundary Surveyors from A. C. Mulford

Here are some wise words to boundary surveyors provided by A. C. Mulford in his book, Boundaries and Landmarks, A Practical Manual, dated 1912 (pages 87-88):

"For the solution of these problems [of boundary location] no general rules can be laid down; each man must work out his own salvation."

"The problems of boundary lie at the foundation of all surveying, for one must know where a line is before he can measure it, and the solution of these problems calls for the same powers of accurate observation and of consecutive and logical thought that are demanded for successful work in any branch of modern science.  It is needless to say that the successful surveyor must be accurate in his instrument work and in his computation; yet, if he would really succeed, he must go beyond this.  He must add to this the patience to collect all the evidence which can be found bearing upon the case in hand, together with the ability to weigh this evidence to a nicety and to determine clearly the course pointed out by the balance of probability."

And from page 3:

"... when it comes to a question of the stability of property and the peace of the community, it is far more important to have a somewhat faulty measurement of the spot where the line truly exists than it is to have an extremely accurate measurement of the place where the line does not exist at all."

September 9, 1971 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

September 9, 1971

     The meeting of the Missouri State Land Survey Authority was called to order by Chairman Kennedy at 9:15 a.m., September 9, 1971, at the Land Survey Building, Rolla, Missouri.  Other Authority members present were James Anderson, Willard Eckhardt and Wallace Howe.  Also present was Robert Myers, State Land Surveyor.

     The minutes of the August 31, 1971 meeting were reviewed and after suggested corrections made, were approved.

     Mr. Eckhardt gave a brief report on the meeting in Jefferson City, September 1, with Jerry Yarrington, Doc Simcoe, Stan Diemler, Larry Baker, and Bill Moon.  Mr. Myers was also present at the meeting.  As approval for shifting of funds from Additons to Repair & Replacement could not be given, it was recommended that an attempt be made to obtain funds for Repair & Replacement from the Governor's Emergency Fund.  A letter drafted by Mr. Myers to Governor Hearnes requesting $3,000.00 from the Fund was reveiwed and after minor change was approved.

     Mr. Kennedy suggested that a committee of three men be contracted on a part-time basis to assist with standards revision and research work.

     Mr. Eckhardt made a motion that the 1972-73 budget have a built in line for appropriate position (Deputy Land Surveyor) for approximately $15,000.00 per year.  Authority members agreed to this position.

     Mr. Myers reported on the following:

          1) 1970-71 Collection of User Fee

          2) Contractural work being done by Julian Frazier

          3) Myer's trip to Kansas City

          4) Work on base map study

          5) Work on Plat Act

     Mr. Anderson brought to Authority members attention an article concerning use of the Missouri State Plane Coordinate System in Kansas City.

     Adjourned for lunch.

     The Authority met in executive session from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

     The following recommendations were submitted by the Authority:

          1) Salary for Chief of Repository Section be entered
             in the 1972-73 budget at $12,300.00.

          2) Contact Representative Smallwood about sponsoring the
             State Coordinate Statute amendment in the General
             Assembly.

          3) Contract personnel to assist in standards revision.

     The reports on Standards Classification and the 1970-71 User Fee Collection as prepared by Mr. Myers were reviewed and discussed briefly.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible