68 JOHN WESLEY POWELL. 



but to a greater extent by suggestion, he furnished hypotheses to 

 younger men, and thus guided their work. 



The financial, clerical, and other accessory work of the Survey 

 was as thoroughly organised as the scientific work, and its business 

 methods contributed greatly to the confidence of legislators in its 

 chief. In his endeavors to secure desired legislation in regard to 

 scientific research he was brought in constant relation with Mem- 

 bers of Congress, and their reliance on his judgment and resources 

 was attested by frequent official requests for information on subjects 

 not intimately related to the Survey work. Powell's communica- 

 tions in response to such inquiries and his testimony before com- 

 mittees of investigation constitute a body of literature comparable 

 in bulk with his scientific writings. Though it is the business of 

 Congress to enact only general laws, it is nevertheless its practice 

 to diminish the functions of ill-conducted bureaus and increase the 

 powers of efficient bureau officers. During Powell's administration 

 the field of work of the Geological Survey, at first restricted to the 

 Western Territories, was extended to the entire United States, and 

 the amount of money appropriated for the conduct of its operations 

 was increased from $150,000 in 1881 to $500,000 in 1894. 



Yet another institution of Washington is partially indebted to 

 Powell for its existence. He was one of the first to suggest and 

 advocate the foundation of a social club for the use of the scientific 

 men, and the preliminary meetings were held at his residence. 

 The reorganisation of western surveys was then in progress, the 

 jealousies of rival factions being at their height, and there were 

 some who held aloof, suspicious of a deep-laid plot. But the club 

 was born, grew, and prospered nevertheless, and by affording 

 Washington scientists an opportunity for frequent intercourse 

 under pleasant auspices, has contributed greatly to the abolition of 

 jealousy and suspicion and the promotion of harmony and coopera- 

 tion. Washington is as truly the scientific center of the United 

 States as it is the political center, though in a different sense, and 

 the solidarity of its scientific community is of great value as an aid 

 in securing the generous endowment and the wise administration 

 of such departments of research as may legitimately be undertaken 

 by the Government. 



It is customary for biographers of scientific men to recite by 

 way of peroration the learned societies to whose offices or mem-, 

 bership they have been elected, the academic degrees conferred on 

 them, and the various testimonials and honors by which their sci- 

 entific rank has been acknowledged. Powell has not been neg- 



