Surveyor’s Pay and Tools. The earliest Kansas surveyors were paid per surveyed mile. Their compensation was $12 for standard lines, $7 for exterior lines of townships, and $5 for interior subdivisions. Surveyor’s basic tools were the chain, the compass, the transit and the level. Normally 66′ long with 100 links, the chain is used to measure distances. The compass determines the direction of the line being surveyed. The compass needle points to the magnetic north pole. By turning in the direction of the line being surveyed, the direction is established. The transit is used to measure both horizontal and vertical angles. The level is used to determine elevations. Photo: HCHM Collection.