WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 29 



Doctor McGee lost no opportunity to promote and broaden the 

 public mind respecting sound economic principles in the development 

 of our water resources, and he was a persistent attendant and partici- 

 pant at Waterway and Conservation conventions. 



He was an ardent promoter of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Water- 

 way project, and joined in the formation of a program for the largest 

 possible development as a transportation route, coupled with recla- 

 mation of alluvial lands, the development of water power, and the 

 solution of problems of the public health. He always had a working 

 part in our conventions, and was an untitled but welcome member 

 in our Counsel Board. 



The annual convention of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway 

 Association, held at Little Rock, Arkansas, September, 19 12, expressed 

 its regret at the untimely passing of Doctor McGee by resolution 

 hereto appended. 



The spirit of Doctor McGee will go forward to the full fruition of 

 his work, but the loss of a friend and colleague clear of brain and 

 with persistent purpose and courage, in the pioneer period of a great 

 enterprise cannot be replaced. 



From the Seventh Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterways Convention: 



We, the delegates of this Seventh Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Water- 

 ways Convention duly assembled, in appreciation and recognition of 

 our own great loss and of the loss to our cause by reason of the recent 

 taking by death of Doctor W J McGee, and in feeble recognition of 

 his services as a friend and scientist, do declare: 



That the services of Doctor W J McGee to science, to progress, 

 and to the enlightenment and welfare of humanity have rightly earned 

 for him the respect and gratitude of his fellow-men. 



In particular we recognize his stimulating and broadening influence 

 in the establishment of a sound and comprehensive ideal for the treat- 

 ment of our waterways, and in formulating and securing public recog- 

 nition for the fundamental truth that "every river is a unit from its 

 source to its mouth." 



We recognize also his vital part in the establishment of the Inland 

 Waterways Commission, as secretary of which he was instrumental 

 in laying down principles and policies that will guide and control the 



