NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



Thus their work often overlapped and was duplicated, and their 

 rivalry finally became so intense that the influence of one party 

 with Congress was used to curtail the appropriation allotted to 

 the other. As a final result of this rivalry there was serious 

 danger of a reaction in the feeling of Congress toward such sur- 

 veys that would result in cutting off all government aid to geo- 

 logical work. 



In this crisis King was appealed to as a disinterested party, 

 and it was mainly through his influence with the leading scien- 

 tific men of the country and his tactful management of affairs 

 in Congress that the danger was averted. Congress was induced 

 to call upon the National Academy of Sciences for its advice as 

 to the best methods of carrying on the various scientific surveys 

 which were then being conducted under different departments. 

 Although a member of the Academy since 1876, King was not 

 appointed on the committee to whom this question was referred, 

 but was freely consulted by its members in making up their 

 report. 



By the law of March 3, 1879, the present United States Geo- 

 logical Survey was established as a bureau of the Interior De- 

 partment, the exact language of the Academy's report being 

 adopted so far as it related to geological surveys, and the previous 

 organizations were thereby discontinued. 



President Hayes, after consultation with the best scientists of 

 the country, appointed Clarence King as the first director of the 

 new Bureau. King accepted the appointment with the distinct 

 understanding that he should remain at its head only long 

 enough to appoint its staff, organize its work, and guide its forces 

 into full activity. At the close of Hayes' term he offered his 

 resignation, but at the President's request he held over until 

 after the inauguration of Garfield. The latter accepted it on 

 March 12, 1881, in an autograph letter expressing in the warmest 

 terms his appreciation of the efficiency of King's service and his 

 regret that he did not find it possible to remain longer in charge 

 of the Geological Bureau. 



Brief as was the duration of his administration, his influence 

 being exercised at the critical period of the Survey's existence, 

 left a lasting impress upon it. He outlined the broad, general 

 principles upon which its work should be conducted, and its 



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