278 LEADING AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE 



work is related by Miss Baird. Baird and Goode had been work- 

 ing along some identical line in the museum in which both were 

 interested. Baird in making a report upon it gave Goode the 

 credit. Goode resented the implication and retorted with a mi- 

 nority report insisting that the credit belonged to his chief. This 

 perhaps is the only instance where Goode was even suspected of 

 insubordination, or where the distinguished master of science was 

 known to be unjust, in trying to shirk credit that doubtless be- 

 longed to himself, or at least in part. A more speaking commen- 

 tary on the fine sense of honor possessed by these two American 

 gentlemen could not be imagined, for which I am indebted to 

 T. D. A. CockerelFs life of Baird, in The Popular Science Monthly. 

 In Washington Professor Baird's home was the rendevous of men 

 of science throughout the city and country and the Sunday nights 

 there were looked forward to by many with the greatest pleasure. 

 The splendid building of the National Museum is a result of 

 Professor Baird's business methods. Dr. Hall tells the story. An 

 attempt had been made to induce Congress to appropriate money 

 to build it without result, but finally the government consented to 

 make an appropriation for the Centennial at Philadelphia. It 

 was not believed possible in Congress for Philadelphia to return 

 this money, it was not believed that so vast an exhibit could be 

 made a financial success, hence Congress in reply to the importu- 

 nities of Professor Baird said, that if Philadelphia returned the 

 loan, he could have half of it for the much desired and needed 

 building. This was enough for the energetic secretary, and he 

 called a meeting of his subordinates and explained the situation. 

 They must lend all their efforts to make the exhibition one that 

 would redound to their credit, please the people and Congress. 

 This was carried out. Philadelphia repaid the loan, and Congress 

 in 1879 voted the appropriation and the new building was occu- 

 pied in 1882; hence it is very evident that Professor Baird was the 

 father of the National Museum. 



Professor Baird was a notable figure among the men of science 

 of his time, and the world did not fail to recognize his signal ability, 

 and the fact that he stood at the head of American naturalists. 



