Scott was not given much to praising Democrats. This editorial is all the more significant on that account.
When we consider the environment and background provided by parents and grandparents such as these, it is little wonder that Tam would be interested in appraising facts, in topography, in the history of Oregon. And Tam was not just interested in those subjects, he possessed an active desire to accomplish something toward those ends.
At an early age Tam moved with his family from The Dalles to a farm near Rickreall in Polk County and then to Portland. With a neighbor boy, Maxwell Wood, Tam published a little newspaper which they called, "The Bee." There is no record that this paper had any sting, but it is said that The Bee was sharp and alert and reflected the activity of two youthful minds. He attended the primary grades and preparatory department of Portland Academy. After graduation Tam worked on the Oregonian for Harvey W. Scott, an editor he admired. He entered the University of California in 1903 and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1908. For two years he was employed as a ticket agent and telegraph operator of the Oregon Electric Railway Company at its Jefferson Street station in Portland. Following that he filled various executive positions with the Pacific Power and Light Company until his retirement in 1948.
From Tam's youngest days he had a passion for accuracy in each of the many fields of interest that engaged his active mind. One of his goals was the completion of the topographic map of Oregon, and he did much toward that end. He originated a new form of atlas sheet layout for the national forests in Oregon and Washington. This was adopted by the national government and is still in use.
He was instrumental in securing an annual state appropriation of $20,000 for topographic maps and stream measurements by writing the original bill and personally appearing be fore committees of the Oregon Legislative Assembly in 1911.
He secured the state cooperative fund for the completion of the Troutdale, the Bend, and the Hood River, Oregon, topographic maps when the states involved had decided to spend their funds elsewhere.
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