PAN-AMERICAN GEOLOGIST 
49 
EDITORIAL 
Return of an American Geologist 
After a rather protracted vacation it is with renewed strength 
and revived energy for strenuous effort that an American Geolo¬ 
gist returns to his field of duties, which for a period of twenty 
years he so faithfully ministered seemingly to the full satisfaction 
of his confreres throughout the world. In times like these when 
universally the blighting effects of after-war conditions are so 
sorely trying, and scientific endeavor is so severely strained, cur¬ 
tailed, and often actually suspended, encouragement, however 
small, of intellectual reconstruction in counteraction appears es¬ 
pecially opportune. 
Publication is made possible at this time mainly through en¬ 
lightened sentiment emanating from certain college influences in 
Iowa. It is an example worthy of wider emulation and further 
adaptation. By a singular, and it may be said almost accidental, 
combination of circumstances a small but congenial coterie of 
university men met on an evening not so very long ago in one of 
the Des Moines clubs. As they gathered before the fire-place 
conversation chanced to turn upon the topic of how best one might 
be of some small practical service in the reconstruction of the 
global intellectual disturbance occasioned by the World War. 
Financial aid in the dissemination of knowledge appeared urgent, 
and the satisfaction of this desideratum seemed to occupy a neg¬ 
lected field. First entrance into journalistic demesnes was brought 
about in happy manner. 
By curious coincidence there were present in this little fire-side 
company old students of the Winchells, Shaler, Le Conte, Wil¬ 
liams and Calvin. Blows from a geologist’s hammer soon struck 
sparks. It was proposed, as a sort of memorial to the founders 
of the American Geologist that this journal be revived. Subse¬ 
quently loyal alumni of several universities congregated and five 
