110 PROCEEDIl^GS OF THE ALBANY MEETING 



ditions never permitted his putting on record the results of his researches 

 on the geology of petroleum, which occupied him for much of his time 

 during the last fifteen years of his life. 



Chief Geologist 



Hayes's executive ability was first recognized by the National Survey 

 in 1896, when a plan for a reorganization of the topographic branch was 

 considered which contemplated his being made Chief Geographer. Prob- 

 ably fortunately for geology, this plan was not carried into effect, though 

 had it been, physiography would undoubtedly have been the gainer. As 

 already stated, in 1900 he was placed in charge of the Survey's work in 

 certain economic fields. Two years later he was given full charge of all 

 the geologic work of the National Survey in the United States. This 

 was followed in 1905 by putting under his administrative control the 

 geologic branch, including the divisions of Geology, Mineral Eesources, 

 Chemical and Physical Research, and Alaskan Mineral Resources. 

 Though he was then in fact, though not in name, the Chief Geologist, 

 this office, previously held by Mr. Gilbert, was not revived until 1907. 



The heavy duties as administrator of the geologic branch left him little 

 time for his own researches. Though he never complained, the relin- 

 quishment of his own scientific work was always a matter of great regret. 

 He writes on this subject : 



"I fully appreciate your feelings iii regard to giving up field-work, but that 

 is one inevitable consequence of accepting an administrative position." 



One important compensation was the opportunity the new position 

 afforded to see something of the West. Previous to 1902, except for the 

 Alaska journey and the Central American work, his investigations had 

 been entirely confined to the eastern half of the continent. Of his first 

 journey to the West he writes : 



"I was exceedingly interested in what I saw of California and the South- 

 west. It was all new to me, a genuine revelation, particularly the desert to- 

 pography. ... I think it will put me in a position to plan work in various 

 parts of the West much more intelligently than heretofore." 



Having accepted the responsibilities of the geologic field-work, he 

 threw himself into it wholeheartedly and regarded it as his principal duty 

 to help others. On one of his journeys to the West he writes: 



"I had several objects in coming out here ; among others, to learn something 

 of the geologic problems involved, to get better acquainted with the men, and 

 to see how the work is actually being done in the field. ... I feel that I 



