GEOLOGY AND PUBLIC SERVICE 1 



BY GEORGE OTIS SMITH 



Director of the United States Geological Survey 



The subject on which I have been asked to speak presupposes a 

 science that is practical — one that serves others than its devotees. 

 It is only utilitarian geology that I shall discuss — that side of the 

 science by some termed economic geology, by others applied geology, 

 but for utilitarian I shall take the definition credited to Tolstoi — 

 solely what can make man better. This human side of scientific 

 work is simply part and parcel of its wider purposes, and to 

 recognize its utility is to ennoble Science rather than to degrade it. 



Five years ago, in the presidential address of the Geological Society 

 of Washington, Mr Brooks gave some quantitative expressions of 

 the marked tendency in geology toward practical problems. This 

 growth in the utility of our science during the last quarter of a 

 century was measured by the activities of state geological surveys 

 and of universities, as well as of the federal survey. Further, as 

 Mr Brooks pointed out, the trend that has made applied geology 

 the dominating element in our science has not been limited to the 

 North American continent ; it has been worldwide. 



The United States Geological Survey was created for public 

 service in the widest sense. Congress intended it to be a large factor 

 in placing " the work of national development and the elements of 

 future prosperity upon the firm and enduring basis of truth and 

 knowledge." To quote further the language used in the debate of 

 thirty-eight years ago, " the institution and continuance of an 

 effective geological survey " was then regarded as a measure such 

 " as will prevent the waste of natural resources, clear the way of 

 progress, and promote the triumphs of civilization." Such a declara- 

 tion of purpose, though more eloquent, was in full accord with the 

 report of the National Academy of Sciences and surely leaves the 

 federal geologist free to devote his science to public service without 

 fear of just criticism. 



The present status of our science forecasts an even larger use- 

 fulness in the future. In oil geology alone the profession has won 

 a place in the business world undreamed of ten or even five years 

 ago. When we see single corporations having in the field more oil 



1 Delivered at the Albany meeting of the Geological Society of America, 

 December 1916. 



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