JOHN WESLEY POWELL II3 



POWELL AS A GEOLOGIST. 



Mr. Gilbert said : 



In this city of Washington, which was the home of Major 

 Powell, and in the national Geological Survey, whose labors he 

 guided for so many years, it is not easy to reach an impartial 

 estimate of his contribution to geology. The glow of his en- 

 thusiasm, the illumination of his broad philosophy, the warmth 

 of his friendship, are still with us, and we should be either more 

 or less than human to divest ourselves so soon of the influence 

 of his inspiring personality. 



It was through this personality, too, that he accomplished 

 much of his work for science. Gathering about him the ablest 

 men he could secure, he was yet always the intellectual leader, 

 and few of his colleagues could withstand the influence of his 

 master mind. Phenomenally fertile in ideas, he was absolutely 

 free in their communication, with the result that many of his 

 suggestions — a number which never can be known — were 

 unconsciously appropriated by his associates and incorporated in 

 their published results. I have elsewhere expressed the opinion 

 that the scientific product which he directly and indirectly in- 

 spired may equal or even exceed that which stands in his own 

 name. 



Geology is indebted to him also for important services in 

 organization and administration. In an epoch of transition, 

 while reconnaissance of our western territories was being trans- 

 formed into systematic survey, there developed three organiza- 

 tions with similar and equally comprehensive ambitions. Their 

 actual work overlapped ; rivalries and animosities arose ; and 

 the discontinuance of Congressional appropriations was seri- 

 ously threatened. Powell, being at the head of one of the sur- 

 veys, strove first to reach an adjustment by mutual agreement, 

 and failing in that, boldly advocated a complete reorganization. 

 At his suggestion Congress called on the National Academv of 

 Sciences for advice, and the Academy appointed a committee to 

 make a study of the subject. The committee gave careful con- 

 sideration, listened to all interested parties and to all who had 

 counsel to offer, and eventually reported a plan which had been 



Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci.,July, 1903. 



