TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 
OF THE 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
W. H. Hotmes, CHIEF 
INTRODUCTION 
The operations of this Bureau during the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1903, conducted in accordance with the 
act of Congress making provision for continuing 
researches relating to the American Indians, under the 
direction of the Smithsonian Institution, have been ecar- 
ried out, in the main, in accordance with the plan sub- 
mitted by Director Powell on May 20, 1902, and approved 
by the Secretary on May 238, 1902. 
The death of Major J. W. Powell, Director of the 
Bureau, occurred at Haven, Me., on September 23, 1902. 
This event profoundly affected the interests of the 
Bureau, and closed an epoch in the history of the science 
of man. The wisdom of the foundation laid by Director 
Powell is everywhere recognized, and the impetus given 
to anthropological studies by his work must continue 
to be felt long after the present initial stage of the 
science has ripened into knowledge which shall help to 
regulate and direct the future development of the human 
race. 
During the period of Director Powell’s illness the admin - 
istrative work of the Bureau devolved upon Mr W J Me- 
Gee, ethnologist in charge, who was Acting Director at 
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