jonx \VKSI.KY i-o\\ i;i,i, DAVIS 



Major," felt a deep personal solicitude for the welfare of his 

 fellow-workers, as if they were members of his family. 



The internal organization of a scientific bureau is, as com- 

 pared to this external responsibility, an enjoyable pastime to 

 an able Director surrounded by loyal associates. One can, 

 indeed, feel when looking over the annual administrative re- 

 ports of the Geological Survey that Powell had a lively pleas- 

 ure in the internal part of his work, and the same impression 

 was given to visitors who, from time to time, heard him hum- 

 ming a tune as he made his way through the corridors of the 

 Survey building to look at the work of some of his staff. If 

 one may judge by the years of the rapidly ascending develop- 

 ment of the Survey from 1881 to 1892, when Powell's staunch 

 friends in Congress acted so heartily upon his suggestions and 

 gave him practically every opportunity that he asked for, he 

 had during that notable period as small a share of external 

 anxiety as the head of a great bureau can expect ; yet it must 

 not be overlooked that during this famous decade of geological 

 evolution no small amount of Powell's time was demanded in 

 presenting his plans even to the more friendly members of 

 Congressional committees, and no small measure of skill and 

 patience was needed in winning the support of the less friendly 

 members. But Powell was master here, as well as in a boat 

 trip down the Colorado ; he had enthusiasm for the work to be 

 accomplished; he was deeply impressed with its great im- 

 portance in the development of the country ; he was honest in 

 his presentation of its merits ; moreover, he understood human 

 nature pretty well, and knew how to deal with men of many 

 kinds ; and he had so full command of all pertinent facts that 

 his opponents in Congressional committees were often left 

 with nothing but their opposition to stand on. He doubtless 

 deserved the reputation gained in the minds of persons long 

 acquainted with Washington affairs, of being for the first ten 

 years of his directorate eminently successful in accomplishing 

 what he set out to accomplish, and in securing such Con- 

 gressional enactments and appropriations as he wished to 

 secure. 



Naturally, therefore, I the growth of the Geological Survey 

 was phenomenal. It began with an appropriation of $100,000 



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