100 C. D. WALCOTT — OUTLOOK OF THE GEOLOGIST IN AMERICA 



I am often asked by young men, " What are the prospects for me if I 

 take up geology as a profession? Is there work to be done and mone}^ 

 to pay for it ? " These questions have led me to make inquiries among 

 active workers in American geology * 



The Past 



geologic work in 1901 



Method of treatment adopted. — Let us first note what has been done 

 during the year just closed. It is impossible to characterize adequately 

 the scope and quantity of this work without a larger draft on your time 

 than I feel at liberty to make, but the examination of its units will 

 show its great variety of theme and the breadth of its distribution. I 

 shall attempt to include only what may be called profession work — the 

 work of geologic surveys and museums, and of men whose researches 

 are sustained, in whole or in part, by the funds of educational and other 

 institutions. -The labors of amateurs are by no means unworthy of 

 mention • indeed, their contributions to geology are often of great im- 

 portance ; but the fact that their researches are usually private, becoming 

 known only through publication, makes it impossible to list them for 

 the year 1901 with any approach to completeness, and they have only 

 indirect bearing on our primary question — the status and prospects of 

 the professional geologist. 



National organizations. — Foremost among the organizations and insti- 

 tutions which have sustained professional work are the national and 

 state geologic surveys. The United States Geological Survey, includ- 

 ing in its purview the whole country, gave continuous employment last 

 year to thirty-six geologists and paleontologists, and availed itself tem- 

 porarily of the services of about fifty geologists, paleontologists, and 

 mining engineers. For the services and direct expenses of these officers 

 and collaborators it expended the sum of $175,000. A still larger 

 amount was devoted to accessor}^ work of various kinds — chemical 

 analyses of rocks, chemical and physical researches bearing on geo- 

 logic problems, the making of topographic maps on which to delineate 

 geologic boundaries, clerical and other aid connected with the indoor 

 work and business management of the organization, and publication of 

 reports and maps. The organization was also charged with the admin- 

 istration of investigations not regarded as auxiliary to geologic work, 

 but rather as involving the practical application of geologic data, the 



*Iti the preparation of this address I have received most valuable assistance from Mr G. K. 

 Gilbert and Mr F. B. Weeks, and many geologists and paleontologists have furnished important 

 data. 



