THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 



IN WAR TIME 



By Major-General A. W. Greely, U. S. Army 



THE year 191 7 was one of broad- 

 ened activities and of increased 

 usefulness for the National Geo- 

 graphic Society. Its splendid record of 

 an unparalleled increase in membership 

 to 650,000 is the surest proof of the suc- 

 cess which continues to attend its efforts 

 to stimulate a national popular interest 

 in the science of geography. 



In its field-work, as well as in its ac- 

 tivities for the diffusion of geographic 

 knowledge, the past 12 months have been 

 particularly fruitful, and its expeditions, 

 especially the one to Mt. Katmai, the 

 world's greatest volcano, and the Valley 

 of Ten Thousand Smokes, have been 

 crowned with signal success. 



As an evidence of the Society's desire 

 still further to enlarge its field of serv- 

 ice and its sphere of helpful influence, 

 the Board of Managers was unanimous 

 in the wish to extend to President Wil- 

 son the invitation of Honorary Mem- 

 bership, the highest distinction within 

 the gift of the organization. 



It was recognized by the Board that 

 the unexampled responsibilities of the 

 present crisis in world history leave the 

 President small opportunity for interests 

 not immediately related to his executive 

 duties, and his acceptances of honorary 

 distinctions have been extremely rare. 

 It was hoped, however, that the activities 

 of the National Geographic Society along 

 patriotic lines might have an especial ap- 

 peal to the head of the government. 



Happily, the President did appreciate 

 and approve the numerous productive 

 war-time activities of the Society, as well 

 as its normal undertakings in the in- 

 terest of the increase and diffusion of 

 geographic knowledge. He cordially ac- 

 cepted the proffered honorary member- 

 ship, which was presented to him in the 

 White House on December 19, 191 7, by 

 a committee from the Board of Managers 

 consisting of Hon. Franklin K. Lane, 



Secretary of the Interior ; Brigadier Gen- 

 eral John M. Wilson, U. S. A. ; Rear Ad- 

 miral John E. Pillsbury, U. S. N. ; O. H. 

 Tittmann, President of the Society ; Gil- 

 bert Grosvenor, Director and Editor ; 

 John Oliver Ea Gorce, Associate Editor ; 

 Hon. Henry White, John Joy Edson, 

 Grant Squires, and the writer. 



UPHOLDING THE HANDS OF THOSE IN 

 AUTHORITY 



President Wilson expressed his pleas- 

 ure at the honor conferred and declared 

 that his interest in scientific research had 

 not waned, even though it had been di- 

 verted by the critical problems of the 

 hour. He expressed the hope that in the 

 happier days which lie before the nation 

 he might resume his active participa- 

 tion in the researches of scientists and 

 scholars. 



In answer to an inquiry as to the best 

 way in which the Society, through its 

 650,000 members and the millions of 

 Americans whom it reaches regularly 

 through its official organ, the National 

 Geographic Magazine, could uphold 

 the hands of those in authority during 

 the war, the President clearly designated 

 certain lines along which the diffusion of 

 accurate geographic data would enlighten 

 the American people and ultimately prove 

 of concrete advantage to the whole world. 



These suggestions, involving problems 

 of a difficult and complicated nature, 

 have impressed the Board of Managers 

 as of special importance. 



In determining the best methods of ac- 

 complishing these patriotic ends, as well 

 as in carrying forward its regular work, 

 the Society is fortunate in having the ad- 

 vice and assistance of many able and dis- 

 tinguished Federal officials charged with 

 duties of the highest importance. Espe- 

 cially valuable to the Board of Managers 

 is the active cooperation of the Secretary 

 of the Interior, Hon. Franklin K. Lane. 



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