Page:Graphic methods for presenting facts (1914).djvu/228



MAP PRESENTATIONS

Maps marked, colored, or shaded in different ways, or used in conjunction with pins or other signals, form one of the most convenient means of conveying information. Such maps may be used to advantage in a surprising variety of ways, only a few of which can be mentioned here.

Engineers who have with great labor prepared complete plans, specifications, and estimates for some proposed improvement are frequently disappointed that they cannot arouse enough enthusiasm in the proposed scheme to obtain the approval of the government or municipal officials, or members of a corporation board of directors, who must vote in favor of the plan and appropriate the money necessary to carry it into effect. It is always difficult to get non-technical persons to take an interest in proposals which are shown only by blue prints and ordinary maps. Architects realize this so well that it is common practice among them to submit carefully prepared wash-drawings to show the appearance of the building for which they are submitting plans. Most engineering work cannot be easily represented by wash-drawings, and the engineer is accordingly somewhat handicapped as compared with the architect in arousing interest in his project.

Fig. 168 shows a picture developed by H. W. Holmes, Chief of the Bureau of Highways and Bridges, of the city of Portland, Oregon, to present his plans advantageously to the common council and the tax-*payers to obtain their approval for the expenditure. A photograph of the actual site of the bridge was made, and then the picture of the bridge was drawn in by hand on the photograph. Most engineers submitting plans for an improvement of this kind would send only a set of blue prints and perhaps a map marked to show the location of the proposed bridge. A picture like Fig. 168 can be used in conjunction with a map if desired. Certainly a proposition carefully worked