168 GROVE KARL GILBERT— DAVIS '"""""'vo™ 1 ; 



Powell announced his action in the matter in the tenth annual report of the survey. He 

 there stated that the director found it impossible to give the necessary time to problems of 

 a strictly geological nature, and so — 



determined to delegate a portion of his administrative supervision. Questions arising in connection with the 

 work in geology, paleontology, topography, etc., were referred from time to time for consideration and determina- 

 tion to chiefs of divisions and other officers of the survey, and especially to Mr. G. K. Gilbert, geologist in 

 charge of the Appalachian division and of the division of geological correlation. In order to give Mr. Gilbert 

 more time for such duties he was relieved from charge of the Appalachian division, and it was finally determined 

 ... to place under his charge all of the divisions (12 in number) constituted for purposes of geologic research. 



Thus after serving as Powell's most trusted counsellor since 1881, and after practically 

 acting as chief geologist from the beginning of 1889, Gilbert was officially given that title in 

 the following July, and thereupon became essentially the director of the geologic branch. The 

 appointment had the appearance of a promotion, but scientifically it was a demotion. To 

 assign a man of Gilbert's exceptional originality in investigation to administrative tasks was, 

 as a noted educator said when a preacher of remarkable power was "promoted" to be the 

 bishop of his diocese, "like caging an eagle." For the following three years Gfibert did com- 

 paratively little work of his own; the nature of the work that he did for the survey may be 

 gathered from the following paragraphs. 



THE LARGER DUTIES OF A CHIEF GEOLOGIST 



It was for the chief geologist in consultation with the divisional geologists to determine 

 problems and areas for field study, to consider plans and to advise in the choice of men to 

 conduct the studies, to settle the amount of money to be allotted to each problem as well as 

 the reallotment of unexpended balances, and to know the quality and quantity of the results 

 so closely that he could either hold the slower workers to the completion of their undertakings, 

 or make just proposals for the promotion of the more active and successful workers as their 

 tasks advanced. He had also to consider applications for positions in the geologic branch 

 of the survey, and all letters of commendation were therefore first submitted to his examina- 

 tion. One such letter seems to have amused him, for he wrote to its author: 



Your recommendation of Mr. is couched in such glowing terms that' I tremble for him, it sounds 



so much like an obituary notice. 



It is not to be doubted that many a geologist who is now some 30 years older than when 

 his fate rested largely in Gilbert's hands would enjoy, or profit by, reading what was then said 

 of him. 



Here, for example, is a delightful illustration of the critical and cordial way in which the 

 chief geologist advised the director of the survey regarding the increase of an assistant geologist's 

 salary : 



Mr. gives but a small portion of his time to the work of the Survey and receives compensation only 



for the time thus given. His geological work is of the first quality, and such administrative work as he has 

 executed for the Survey has been eminently efficient. He has employed with signal economy the small amount 

 of money allotted for the investigation placed in his charge and has so directed the work of a corps composed 

 chiefly of young men that it has been productive of a large body of valuable results. 



If the subject of this commendation can identify himself in it, he may reasonably wish 

 to have it included in his own biography when the time for that writing arrives. 



Two of the most important tasks of the chief geologist concerned geological maps and 

 correlation papers, both of which are treated in special sections below. It was also his duty 

 to confer with the heads of State surveys and to advise the director of the national survey on 

 the delicate business of cooperating with them. In one case where Gilbert deemed such co- 

 operation inexpedient, he frankly explained his opinion in the matter to the geologist of the 

 State concerned, as follows: 



With a strong desire to assist you, and to do it in your own way if possible, we find that our ways are so 

 different that we cannot fall into yours without so far deranging our plans that the assistance would not be 

 really cooperation. 



