624 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



As early as 1874 the question of the advisability of consolidating 

 the various geological and geographical surveys west of the Mississippi 

 was considered by a committee of the public lands, to which Congress 



had referred a message of the President of the United 

 the Geological States relating to the matter. The committee made 



exhaustive investigations, receiving testimony from 

 many interested parties, and undoubtedly a strong effort was. made to 

 have the surveys conducted under the direction of the United States 

 Army. In opposition to this was successfully arrayed almost the 

 unanimous opinion of the scientific and professional men of the 

 countiy. In 1878 the matter was again brought up, with the result 

 of consolidating all of the various surveys under the U. S. Geologi- 

 cal Survey, of which Clarence King was appointed director in 1879. 

 Mr. King, however, held the office but a single year, resigning in 

 favor of Maj. J. W. Powell. 



Fig. 120.— Packing flour. 



