10 McGEE MEMORIAL MEETING 



knowledge in geology in various parts of the United States, and in 

 other allied sciences, but he was a compendium of information along 

 a great many other lines. He was indefatigable and unselfish in the 

 search for facts and for their promulgation in advantageous manner. 

 His genius for obtaining information and his unusual ability as a 

 writer and speaker are well known to you. 



I wish to say a few words as to his very great influence in the 

 United States Geological Survey in the early days of its organization. 

 I know how very intimately he was associated with Major Powell, 

 and how effectively he assisted in shaping the policy and characteris- 

 tics of that great organization. It was a labor of love with him, and 

 he showed great skill in developing methods and conducting many 

 of the affairs of the Survey in those days. 



Personally, McGee was known to so many of you that I need 

 hardly refer to his many fine characteristics. He was dear to all of 

 us, I am sure. He was especially so to me. 



The next speaker was Doctor Franz Boas. 



Doctor Boas said: 



I have been asked to speak of McGee's work as an anthropologist; 

 but since he was one of the men whose scientific work was an expres- 

 sion of a powerful personality, an attempt to do justice to the scientist 

 must include a consideration of the man. 



I am probably not mistaken if I assume that McGee's interest in 

 anthropology arose from his close association with Major Powell, for 

 so long a time a dominant figure in the scientific life of our country, 

 especially of Washington. When Powell withdrew from the Geologi- 

 cal Survey, which he had so successfully directed for many years, and 

 assumed the position as Director of the Bureau of Ethnology, McGee 

 left the Survey with him. Owing to Major Powell's failing health, 

 the administration of the Bureau of Ethnology fell more and more 

 on McGee's shoulders. This was the period in which his anthropo- 

 logical work was done. With rare tact and unswerving loyalty to 

 his friend, Major Powell, he conducted the affairs of the Bureau, so 

 far as his position allowed him a free hand. 



My own acquaintance with McGee dates back to this time. Im- 



