Objects of the Society. 107 



Voluntary in its methods of action, it may move with all the free- 

 dom consistent with good reason. It has before it as its objects, 

 (1) The perfection of geography itself; (2) The dissemination 

 of the data of geographj'- ; (3) The selection of the data and -their 

 adaptation to other subjects of instruction and to the best results 

 in teaching; (4) The training of all teachers in the right knowl- 

 edge of the subjects and in the best methods of teaching them 

 for pupils in all grades ; and (5) The devising and use of all 

 objects, graphics or stereoptics, and other aids in illustration 

 to make most effective the presentation of places, persons, events, 

 and their relations. Thus, travel will unite instruction with 

 diversion. For the student, man, races, nations will arise and 

 take their places on the stage of action in their true relation and 

 character. 



The National Geographic Society, voluntary in its character 

 as we have noticed, in promoting its great ends by improving 

 the methods of education, may ally itself with .all cooperative 

 official agencies. Its purposes are most strictly in accord with 

 the statutes regulating that great disseminating agency, the 

 United States Bureau of Education, now so ably and efficiently 

 administered by its Commissioner, the Honorable W. T. Harris. 

 By the aid of the facilities of that Bureau and the great confi- 

 dence reposed in it, the Society may bring its helpful service, by 

 its leadership, prizes, lectures and publications, to the aid of 

 CA^ery teacher and school in the land ; other nations, too, may 

 gain its cooperation ; and thus it may accomplish the great and 

 beneficent purpose of its honored president and his collaborators. 



Following General Eaton's address the Chairman announced : 

 We have with us to-day a friend who promised to speak pro- 

 vided his name was not placed on the program. He will now 

 address you; Major J. W. Powell, Director of the United States 

 Geological Survey. 



Major Powell addressed the Conference as folloAvs : 



Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen; The occasion on 

 which we meet, the anniversary of the discovery of America by 

 Columbus, notes a great geographic event, the greatest event of 

 human history. It had a Avonderful influence on the world, 

 this discovery of America of which you have heard so much 

 during the past year ; and it had an influence in a direction 

 which perhaps you have not considered. 



