178 W. CROSS GEOLOGY IN THE AVORLD AVAR AND AFTER 



features of areas of possible future military operations has not been satis- 

 factorily developed. 



The work of the Division of Geology and Geography has been to pro- 

 mote by all practical and appropriate means the application of the ex- 

 perience and special knowledge of the geologists and geographers of the 

 country to the problems of the war. Our particular line of effort has 

 been in attempting to secure an adequate place for the earth sciences in 

 the curriculum laid out for training the thousands of new officers for 

 military duty. It has seemed evident that instruction to the vital sig- 

 nificance of natural features of the battle terrain should accompany drill 

 in many other directions. 



Some details of the work of the division, mainly during the past year, 

 will now be presented under appropriate heads : 



ENDEAVOR TO PROMOTE THE USE OF GEOLOGISTS IX THE ARMY 



The Geology Committee, early realizing that the advice of geologists 

 should be available for our growing army at the front, presented a mem- 

 orandum on the subject, Avith a recommendation to the Secretary of War, 

 in May, 1917. This memorandum recited many lines in which geological 

 information as to the battle terrain would be of value, referred to the 

 known development of the German geological service, and offered the 

 assistance of the Eesearch Council. Some months later Secretary Baker 

 replied that no increase in the geological service was contemplated at that 

 time, but he suggested that a list of geologists eligible for such duty 

 should be maintained. This was done. 



Soon after the first troops of our expeditionary force were sent to 

 France, Major Alfred H. Brooks was assigned to duty at general head- 

 quarters as geologist. We know little as yet of the conditions under 

 which the geological service has developed, but it certainly was not rapid. 

 The matter was constantly before the division, and as the hoped-for ex- 

 pansion of the geological work with the American Expeditionary Force 

 did not take place, the subject was once more brought to the attention of 

 army officers and of the Secretary of War in July, 1918, with a revised 

 special statement of the German use of geologists. This Avas followed by 

 complete translations, made by W. D. Matthew for the purpose, of many 

 German articles on the applications of geology in war. An urgent rec- 

 ommendation was made to the War Department that the American army 

 should be provided with a well organized and equipped force of trained 

 field geologists. The cooperation of the division in securing a qualified 

 personnel was offered. 



At about the same time that this recommendation was made the value 



