20 McGEE MEMORIAL MEETING 



I remember that in the summer of 1907, Pinchot, McGee, and I 

 were out in the southern Sierra Mountains in California, supposedly 

 resting. It was during that time that many of the Conservation plans, 

 which have disturbed somewhat the even tenor of our ways, were 

 formulated. I was a listener, and a good rester. They made the 

 plans. One of the things that occurred was that when we passed 

 over the mountains, we went over formations Me Gee had visited fif- 

 teen years before. Me Gee would tell me time after time with great 

 detail what I was going to see when we came to a certain bluff, and 

 I would see just what Me Gee had told me. 



One of the things in connection with the St. Louis Exposition work 

 illustrates McGee's life as an administrative officer. He went to the 

 Exposition under exceedingly trying conditions. There was little in 

 the way of funds at his disposal and rather an unsympathetic ad- 

 ministration. But with all these discouragements McGee went for- 

 ward and brought together an exhibit representing all the different 

 races of mankind such as we have never had in this country before 

 or since, and there he showed an infinite tact in getting along with 

 people under exceedingly difficult conditions. One of the secrets of 

 that was that McGee always had a good word to say for the other 

 fellow. People got tired of not doing the things McGee wanted them 

 to do simply because he was such a good fellow. It was a great privi- 

 lege to be with him and work with him. He gave the most helpful 

 sort of help I have ever had. 



The last speaker was Mr. Gifford Pinchot. 



Mr. Pinchot said: 



My real knowledge of Doctor W J McGee began when I came to 

 Washington to take charge of the old Division of Forestry in the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. As a beginner in the work 

 of organization, and with little experience of governmental affairs, 

 McGee's helpfulness made an enormous difference to me at the start. 

 It was not only that he put his great experience and wide knowledge 

 at my service. That did very much, but what I think did even more 

 was his consideration for the beginner and the feeling he gave me 

 that in his view as an older man my work and I were both worth 

 while. 



