GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND STATE 
165 
legislative assemblies. Strenuous effort on the part of many legis¬ 
lators, who play to political galleries, under the misapprehension 
that this is real statesmanship, is made to wave on high the flag 
of economy. In accomplishing this, scant consideration is given 
to merit or necessity. Anything goes. As in the jungle, only they 
who survive are fittest. 
Under such untoward conditions it behooves every educational 
and scientific organization to trim its sails to meet the oncoming 
storm. Our geological surveys are likely first to feel the chilling 
blast and learn of the natural consequences of national deflation. 
Trouble already brews in many quarters. Adequate precaution 
cannot be taken too early if science is to be properly subserved. 
Iowa is the first state, perhaps, to feel the new conditions; and 
she probably will be the first to overcome them. Fair introduction 
to the modus operandi is at this very moment before the scientific 
people of this state, although the meeting of the Legislature is still 
a full twelvemonth off. In this community the farmers’ organiza¬ 
tions have a permanent committee called the Legislative Council. 
During several past legislatures no important bill introduced was 
enacted into a law without this Council’s endorsement. The polit¬ 
ical power of this protective Council is measured somewhat by the 
fact that it k composed of representatives from 35 strong state 
organizations embracing over 100,000 members. The Thresher- 
men’s Association alone contains a membership of 7000, and repre¬ 
sents a backing capital of more than $200,000,000. In many other 
states similar organizations also exist. 
■ Now, for several years, the Farmers’ Legislative Council, after 
careful investigations of conditions, has not been satisfied with the 
running of not a few of the state institutions and state bureaus. 
The Geological Survey is only one out of a large number which 
has been passed in review, and by it found wanting. But the 
Council waits not for the convening of the Legislature in all cases. 
It sometimes goes directly to the governing boards and presents its 
findings and its recommendations. A short while ago it had the 
Governor of the State call the members of the Geological Board 
together to consider in public hearing the objections to the present 
conduct and alleged shortcomings of the Survey. It is reported 
in the press or verbally, and seemingly authentically, that nearly 
one hundred charges had been previously filed with the Governor, 
and that Professor Kay, the State Geologist, with small show at 
