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lization and termino-
srstanding among the
: by all.
one of the most out-
NATO defense pro-
lich initially appeared
w your Governments
rnment does the same.
:ontinue to do well in
; for their outstanding
nd mapping fields. As
t existing between the
6. The U.S. portion of
gineers with the Inter-
f the prime objectives
nent and specifications
the efficient and eco-
ch country concerned.
:h of the collaborating
lC requirements. In the
>od will and fostering
of maps to the Armed
at maps are one of the
t to say that maps are
; and operations — all
echelon to the indivi-
s much more than the
eiated with the strength
>ur resources. These, in
dequate mapping,
transportation or com-
rst preparing a detailed
ire prepared today thru
een felt in almost every
lS self-evident that such
/igation projects, water
ilroad construction, are
an. By strengthening its
1 making its areas more
ability to defend itself,
photogrammetry in the
countries have success-
rs. We have sorely felt
irs since World War II
> field. The great Euro-
pean contributions to the development of precise stereo plotting and triangula
tion instruments will undoubtedly stand out for years to come as major achie
vements in the field. American contributions of recent years lie in improvement
in techniques of application, in the quality and procurement of aerial photo
graphy, and in the use of photogrammetric methods on a massive scale to over
come the overall deficiency in adequate mapping.
To my mind, the use of the full potential of the photogrammetric method
has not yet been realized. We are still too reliant on field engineering to supple
ment the office technique. This is not true simply in the problem of geodetic
control but in a much greater sense in the realm of photo identification or
interpretation. We must strive to minimize, and eventually to eliminate, our
need for field inspection. You specialists in photogrammetry are far better
qualified than I to seek the solutions to these problems, but I point them out as
being of significance.
They are of particular importance to the military. It is rare indeed that in
time of conflict we have a chance to do ground reconnaissance in enemy terri
tory. Rather, we often consider ourselves fortunate if we secure adequate aerial
photographic coverage of the area involved. It is because of this condition that
we must develop more accurate methods of determining both the horizontal
and vertical positions of the air camera at the time of exposure with little or
no recourse to ground control. We must also learn to make positive identifi
cation from the photographs not only of all the works of man, but also of the
unusual natural features.
This Seventh International Congress of Photogrammetry presents a won
derful opportunity to examine the status and direction of our combined photo
grammetric efforts. We are at an interesting stage in the development of equip
ment and technique. Part of the European emphasis still seems to be in the
development of more precise stereo plotting instruments. This is an admirable
undertaking and of unquestionable benefit in the future. The American accent
has been on the utilization and modification, with developmental improve
ments, of the existing instruments, in a program aimed at increasing the cove
rage of adequate mapping.
I, myself, am not a photogrammetrist but I fully realize that any major
military operation is severely handicapped without advance photogrammetric
intelligence. Consequently, the perfection of the photogrammetric equipment
and techniques of the free nations of the world — the objective of this Con
gress — is of the highest importance.
Each delegate here is free to offer his scientific opinions and equally free
to criticize in a truly scientific spirit the opinions and work of his international
colleagues. Out of these many divergent views a more complete and accurate
view will result, leading to the development of many more ideas and resources.
It is not my intent, in emphasizing the role of the photogrammetrist in
direct map preparation, to ignore the countless other tasks accomplished thru
photogrammetry. I fully realize and appreciate the vital importance of the
photogrammetrists who compile from photography the military intelligence
data relating to structures, transportation and communication routes, port faci
lities and landing beach sites, to mention but a few; or who survey forest and
timber reserves or prepare farm crop reports. All of these individuals, and the