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H E A R IN G

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON

INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS 

UNITED STATES SENATE

EIGH TY -N IN TH CONGRESS

FIR ST SESSION

ON

THE NOMINATION OF DR. WILLIA M T. PECORA TO BE 

DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN TH E 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INT ERIOR

<tx

SEPT EMBER 20, 1905

Printed for the use of the 

Committee on Interior and I nsular Affairs

M-243

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1965
X

♦

COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULA R AFFAIRS

HE NR Y M. JACKSON, Washington, Chairman

CLINTON P. ANDERSON, New Mexico 

ALAN BIBLE, Nevada 

FRANK CHURCH, Idaho 

ERN EST QR UEN INO, Alaska 

FRANK E. MOSS, Utah

QUENTIN N. BURDICK , North Dakota 

CARL HA YDEN, Arizona 

GEORGE McOOVERN, South Dakota 

GAYLORD NELSON, Wisconsin 

LEE METCALF, Montana

THOMAS II. KUC HEL, California 

GORDON AL LOTT, Colorado 

LEN B. JORDAN , Idaho 

MIL WARD L. SIM PSON, Wyoming 

PAUL J. FAN NIN, Arizona

J erry T. Verkler, St af f Directo r

Stewart F rench, Ch ief Counsel

II
NOMIN ATION OF DR. WILLIAM T. PECO RA TO BE

DIR ECT OR OF THE U.S . GEOLOGICAL SURV EY IN

THE DEPARTME NT OF TH E INT ERIOR

M OND AY , S E P T E M B E R 20 , 19 65

U.S. Senate,

Committee on I nterior and Insular Affairs,

Washington, D.C.

The committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:15 a.m., in room 3110, 

New Senate Office Building, Senator Henry M. Jackson (chairman 

of the committee) presiding.

Present: Senators Henry M. Jackson (Washington), Alan Bible 

(Nevada), Frank E. Moss (Utah), Carl Hayden (Arizona), Lee 

Metcalf (Montana), Gordon Allott (Colorado), Len B. Jordan (Idaho), 

and Paul J. Fannin (Arizona).

Also present: Jerry T. Verkler, staff director; Stewart French, chief 

counsel; Roy M. Whitacre, professional staff member; and Richard 

N. Little, minority counsel.

The Chairman. The committee will come to order. This is an 

open, public hearing on the nomination of Dr. William T. Pecora 

to be the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey in the Department 

of the Interior.

Dr. Pecora’s nomination is another example of a career public 

servant who has demonstrated the capacity and talent to administer 

a policymaking position in our Government.

I believe his appointment will serve as an incentive to our career 

civil servants, and based on his background, I know he will be a 

credit to those who recommended him for this position.

At-this point in the record, I will place Dr. Pecora’s biographical 

material.

(The data referred to follows:)

W il lia m T hom as P ec ora

Born.— Belleville, N.J., Feb ruary 1, 1913 (age 52).

Education.— Primary and secondary schools, Newark, N.J. B.S., geology, 

1933, Princeton University (scholarship). Ph. D., geology, 1940, Ha rvard 

University (Woodworth fellow).

Family.— Paren ts deceased. Married, April 7, 1947, Ethelwyn Elizab eth 

Carter of jFranklin County, Ky. Two children; son, William C., age 16, 

stu dent at Lawrenceville (New Jersey) Prepar atory School; daughter, Ann S., 

age 12, stu dent at National Cathed ral School for Girls. Residence; 4572 Indian 

Rock Terrace NW., Washington, D.C., 20007.

Positions.— 1937-39, instructor in geology, IIarva rd_ University. 1939, 

ente red as research geologist, U.S. Geological Survey; 1957, appointed bra nch 

chief; 1964, appointed Chief Geologist; 1965, n ominated for Director.

Extra curricular.— Member and board of managem ent, Cosmos Club. U.S. 

intercollegiate fencing champion, 1933: U.S. Olympic team , 1936. Early h obbies 

in gemology, minerals, and coins. Recent hobby in hor ticu lture of azaleas 

and camellias.

1
2 INTERIOR NOMINATION

PARTICI PATION IN PRO FES SIONAL ACTIVITIES

Experience.— Field and laboratory investigations in Western Hemisphere’ including: nickel deposits in United States, Alaska, Brazil, an d Venezuela (1936-42); 

mica and rela ted pegmatite mineral deposits of Brazil and Colombia (1943-46); 

rare mineral deposits in alkalic igneous rocks and carbon atit e complexes; phosphate mineralogy; geologic field mapping and mineral evaluations; published 

more than 40 scientific a nd technical papers.

Advisory committees.— National Science Fou nda tion ; Educational Testing 

Service; Princeton and Harva rd Universities; National Research Council; U.S. 

Civil Service Commission Board of Exam iners; President’s Office of Science and 

Technology; Scientific Societies.

Geological Society of America.— 1946, election to fellow. 1950-52, membership comm ittee. 1953, comm ittee on annual meetings. 1955, nominations committee. 1957-59, councilor. 1957, chairm an, Day Medal Committee. 1957, 

toastm aster, annual banquet, Atlantic City. 1958, chairman, Penrose Medal 

Committee. 1958, Penrose Medal Citation for James Gilluly, St. Louis.

Mineralogical Society of America.— 1943, election to fellow. 1953, Roebling Medal Committee. 1955, chairman, nominations committee. 1960 to prese nt, 

finance committee. 1961-62, award committee.

Geochemical Society.— 1956, founding member. 1956-57, councilor. 1959, 

chairman, nominations committee.

American Geological Institute.— 1950, personnel committee. 1952-53, board of directors. 1954, selection comm ittee for executive director.

National Research Council for the NA S. 1953, Pred octoral Fellowship Com­ mittee for NSF. 1960-63, Advisory Board for Critical Tables. 1962-65, Executive Committee, Division of E arth Science's.

Editorial.— 1960 to present, advisory board, Journal of Petrology. 1962-65, 

Associate editor for geochemistry, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer.

Scientific personnel and training.— 1947 to present, U.S. Civil Service Board of Examiners for the U.S. Geological Survey; Chairman since 1957. 1949-53,

Panel on Policy, Subcommittee on Scientific and Technical Personnel, Interdep artm ental Committee on Scientific. Research and Development. 1950-57, 

teaching staff (geology), Department of Agriculture Gradu ate School. 1950 to 

prese nt, Advisory Committee for Geology, Gra duate Records Examination, 

Edu cational Testing Service. 1956-61, Chief, Branch of Geochemistry and 

Petrology Geologic Division, U.S. Geological Survey.

Miscellaneous.— 1948 to present, advisory council to Dep artm ent of Geology, 

Prin ceton University; chairman since 1957. 1953-57, Advisory Panel for Ea rth

Sciences, National Science Fou nda tion ; Vice Chairman, 1956-59. 1961 to present, Panel for Scientific Objectives, AMSOC Committee of NAS-NRC.

Honors.—Elected Member National Academy of Sciences (1964); fellow, 

American Academy of Arts and Sciences: fellow and councilor, Geological Society 

of America; fellow and councilor, Mineralogical Society of America; president, 

1964, Geological Society of Washington; Freque nt guest speaker at universities, 

civic clubs, professional, and public gatherings.

Bibliography of W. T . Pecora (E xclusive of Abstracts and Book Reviews)

1. 1941. Structure and petrology of the Boxelder laccolith: Bull. Geol. Soc. of

America, 52, p. 817-53.

2. 1941 (with S. W. Hobbs). Nickel-gold deposit near Mt. Vernon, Wash.:

U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 931-D, p. 57-78.

3. 1942 (and S. W. Hobbs). Nickel deposit nea r Riddle, Oreg.: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 931-I,p. 205-26.

4. 1942. Nepheline syenite pegmatites, Rocky Boy Stock, Bearpaw Mts., Mont.:

Amer. Mineralogist, 27, p. 397-424.

5. 1942. Nickel-copper deposits on the west coast of Chichagof Island, Alaska:

U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 936-1, p. 221-243.

6. 1944. Nickel silicate and associated nickel-cobalt-manganese deposits near

Sao Jose do Tocantin s, Goiaz, Brazil: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 935-E, p. 

247-305.

7. 1945 (and A. L. Barbosa). Bananal mica mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Div.

De Fomento do Prod. Mineral (Brasil), Avulso No. 67, 32 pp.

8. 1945 (and A. L. Barbosa). Mica in the Serra dos Lourencos, Mines Gerais:

Div. de Fomento do Prod. Mineral (Brasil), Avulso No. 68, 42 pp.

9. 1946 (and Bernard Fisher). Drusy vugs in a monzonite dike, Bearpaw Mts.,

Mon t.: Amer. Mineral., 31, p. 370-385.
INTERIOR NOMINATION 3

10. 1949 (and S. W. Hobbs and K. J. Mn rata). Variations in garn ierite from

the Nickel deposit near Riddle, Oreg.: Econ. Geology, 44, P- 13-23.

11. 1949 (and J. J. Fahey). The Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil:

Scorzalite and Sonzalite, two new pho sphate minerals: Amer. Mineral., 

34, p. 83-93.

12. 1949 (with R. W. Brown). Paleocene and Eocene s trata in th e Bearpaw M ts.,

Mon t.: Science, 109, p. 487-89.

13. 1949 (and J. J. Fahey). Scorzalite from Sou th Dak ota, a new occurrence:

Amer. Mineral., 34, p. 685-87.

14. 1950 (and J. J. Fahey). The lazulite-scorzalite isomorphous series: Amer.

Mineral., 34, p. 1—18.

15. 1950 (with H. M. Ban nerman). Tra ining geologists: A United State s Geological Survey Viewpoint: U.S. Geol. Surv ey Circ ular 73, 6 pp.

16. 1950 (and M. R. Klepper, D. M. L arrabee, A. L. Barbosa, and Resk Fra yha).

Mica Deposits in Minas Gerais, Brazil: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 964-C, 

p. 105-205.

17. 1950 (and George Switzer, A. L. Barbosa, and A. T. Alycrs). Str uctur e and

mineralogy of the Golconda peg matite, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Amer. 

Mineral., 35, p. 888-901.

18. 1953 (and J. II. Kerr). Burbankite and calkinsite, two new carbon ate

minerals from Mo nta na: Amer. Mineral., 38, p. 1169-1183.

19. 1953 (with M. L. Lindberg and A. L. Barbosa ). Moraesite, a new hydrous

beryllium pho sphate from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Amer. Mineral., 38,

p . 1126-1133.

20. 1954 (and J . H. Kerr). Whewellite from a sep tarian limestone concretion in

marine shale near H avre, Mo ntana: Amer. Mineral., 39, p. 208-124.

21. 1954 (with M. L. Lindberg). Tav orite and barb osalite, two new pho sphate

minerals from Minas, Gerais, Brazil: Science, 119, p. 739 (a preliminary 

summary of la ter article).

22. 1954 (and R. E. VanAlstine). Results of recent nationwide geology exa minations offered by the U.S. Civil Service Commission: Bull. Amer. Assoc. 

Petroleum Geologists, 38, p. 2011-2016.

23. 1954 (with M. L. Lindberg). Avelinoite, a new hydrous sodium ferric phosphate from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Science, 120, p. 1074-1075.

24. 1955 (with M. L. Lindberg). Tav orite and barb osalite, two new phosphate

minerals from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Amer. Mineral., 40, p. 952-966.

25. 1956 Carbonatites, A Review: Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 67, p. 1537-1556.

26. 1957 (and I. J. Witkind and D. B. Stewart). Preliminary geologic map of

the Laredo 15-minute quadrangle, Bearpaw Mts., Mont.: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Misc. Geol. Inv est. Map 1-234. (Text by W. T. Pecora).

27. 1957 (with D. B. S tewart, 1). B. Engstrom, and IT. R. Dixon). Preliminary

geologic map of th e Cen tenn ial 15-minute Mountain quadrangle, Bearp aw 

Mts., Mont.: U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Geol. Inv est. Map 1-235. (Text 

by W. T. Pecora and D. B. Stewart).

28. 1957 (with J. II. Kerr, D. B. Stewart, and H. R. Dixon). Preliminary geologic

map of the Shambo 15-ininutc quadrangle, Bearpaw Mts., Mo nt.: U.S. 

Geol. Survey Misc. Geol. Invest. Map 1-236. (Text by W. T. Pecora).

29. 1957 (and others). Preliminary geologic map of the Warrick 15-minute

quadrangle, Bearpaw Mts., Mont.: U.S. Geol. Survey, Misc. Geol. Invest. 

Map 1-237. (Text by W. T. Pecora).

30. 1958 (with M. L. Lindberg). Phosphate minerals from the Sapu caia pegmatite mine, Minas Gerais: Bull. Soc. Bras. Geol., 7, 14 pp.

31. 1960. Coesite crate rs and space geology: Geotimes, 5, No. 2, p. 16-19.

32. 1960 (with Bruce Bry ant, and R. G. Schmidt). Geology of the Mad dux

15-minute quadrangle, Bearpaw Mts., Mont.: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

1081-C, p. 91-116 (with geologic map).

33. 1961 (with R. G. Schm idt, Bruce Bry ant, and W. G. Ernst ). Geology of

the Lloyd 15-minute quadrangle, Bearp aw Mts., Mo nt.: U.S. Geol. Survey 

Bull. 1081-E, p. 159-188 (with geologic map).

34. 1962. Memorial to Esper Signius Larsen, Jr.: Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 73,

p. P 27-29.

35. 1962 (and B. C. Hearn, Jr., and Charles Milton). Origin of sphe rulitic

phosphate nodules in basa l Colorado Shale, Bearpaw Mountains, Mo nt.: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 450-B, Art. 12, p. 30-35.

36. 1962. Memorial to Esper Signius Larsen, 3d.: Amer. Mineralogist, 47, p.

460-463.
4 INTERIOR NOMINATION

37. 1962. Review of Geology, 1961: Funk a nd Wagnalls 1961 Year Book, p. 175- 

i J 177, New York.

38. 1962. Carbonatite problem in the Bearpaw Mountains, Mo nt.: Geol. Soc.

Amer. (Buddington Volume), p. 83-104.

39. 1962 (with R. G. Schm idt and B. C. Hearn, Jr.). Geology of the Cleveland

15-minute quadrangle, Bearp aw Mountains, Blaine Cou nty, Mo nt.: U.S. 

Geol. Survey Bull. 1141-P, 26 pages.

40. 1963 (with B. C. Hearn, Jr., and W. C. Swadley). Geology of the Ra ttlesnake 15-minute quadrangle, Bearpaw Mou ntain s, Blaine Cou nty, Mont.: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1181-B, 66 pages.

41. 1963. Geology—1962: Fun k and Wagnalls Year Book, 1962 (in press).

42. 1965. Current Scientific Research as a Guide for Futur e Mineral Exploration:

IM C Minerals Day, February 1965.

The Chairman. I would like at this time to read the state ment of 

Senator Harrison A. Williams of New Jersey in support of this nomination. It is very short.

Statement of Hon. Harrison A. Williams, Jr., in Suppor t of the

Nomination of Dr. William T. Pecora

Mr. Chairman, I am hap py to sta te my enthusiastic en dorsement and approval 

for the nomination of Mr. William T. Pecora to be Director of the Geological 

Survey. It is always gratifying to note the success of a man born and educ ated 

in the Sta te of New Jersey. Mr. Pecora comes before your committee with the 

most distinguished qualifications for his new assignm ent.

The Presiden t has wisely followed a policy of appointing career men at positions of high responsibility. Mr. Pecora’s distinguished career as a geologist as 

well as his long experience in Governm ent will enable him to lead the geological 

survey ably and well. The Geological Survey has an important role to play in 

our continuing study of our nat ura l resources. I know th at the survey will continu e its line work and progress under the experienced direc tion of Mr. Pecora.

The Chairman. The Chair wishes also to state that in accordance 

with the practice of the committee, the nominee has submitted a 

statement of his financial holdings, which is available to all the members of the committee. Wc will have a chance to question Mr. Pecora 

concerning these holdings in executive session of the committee, which 

will follow immediately after this public hearing.

Dr. Pecora, we are pleased to welcome you before the committee. 

I think it would be helpful if you would give a brief resume of your 

career, and some of your thoughts and ideas about the work of the 

Geological Survey.

STATEMENT OF DR. WILLIAM T. PECORA

Dr. Pecora. Thank you, sir. I am indebted to the chairman for 

his kind remarks.

I was born and raised in New Jersey, attended my schools there, 

received my bachelor’s degree in geology at Princeton University, 

and my doctor of philosophy degree in geology at Harvard University.

Those were rough days, as you know, for most of us, and I could 

not have done it without a scholarship or some aid from the universities. I learned then, and have carried this concept throughout the 

years, to try to get the maximum research for the dollar, and I assure 

you gentlemen tha t this concept will prevail if you confirm me for 

this post.

Following my doctorate, I entered the Federal service as part of 

the strategic minerals program which was institute d in the Dep artment and was recruited by that wonderful gentleman, Donnell 

Foster Hewett, who was farseeing in the needs of evaluating and 

finding mineral resources for our economy.
INTERIOR NOMINATION 5

Throughout the years, I have applied geologic principles, and have 

attempted to discover new geologic principles as they apply to our 

mineral resources.

I was elected to several scientific societies, have served on a number 

of boards, panels, and committees. Recently I was appointed Chief 

Geologist, and am just about beginning to learn what my job is as 

Chief Geologist, and I will have to learn some more. But I am willing 

to learn, sir, because in addition to applying science to the public 

interest, I am motivated in the public service, and 1 hope I shall serve 

you well.

If there are any other questions, I would be very happy to answer 

them.

Senator Bible (presiding). Dr. Pecora, you certainly have an impressive background, and a lifetime of experience in the particular 

post to which you are being nominated, and I have no specific 

questions.

I would generally like to have you develop what your thoughts are 

as to how the Geological Survey can fit in more and more in our 

constant quest of minerals throughout the United States, throughout 

the Western Hemisphere, and particularly in the mineral areas of 

many of our Western States.

Let me preface my general question by complimenting the U.S. 

Geological Survey for their great, assistance in the State of N evada. 

They have been very faithful in the work th ey perform. They have 

been very energetic, and they are looked upon by the mining people, 

both the prospector and the mining companies, as real allies. The 

work they did in developing the geology around the Carlin area, 

which led to the Newmont Mining Co. coming into our State and 

developing this very, very interesting gold mine, is a concrete example, 

to my way of thinking, of the real service they perform. I compliment you and those with you in th e Geological Survey, because I am 

told that had it not been for the geological surveys, Newmont would 

not have come into the State.

We have a gold mine prospect that could well be a second bonanza, 

so this is indicative of the very fine type of work done.

What else can be done in your particular field and as we go along 

in mining exploration?

Dr. Pecora. Yes, sir. I believe the Senator is very kind in complimenting our organization for its work. Over the years, our principal 

responsibility is to develop scientific facts of the three dimensions of 

the crust of the earth on which we live, within our own continental 

areas, so that with this knowledge we can develop ideas and interpretations which then are seized upon by the private sector of our national 

community.

I wouhl say tha t the private sector would be unwilling to risk 

large sums of money for mineral exploration, unless there were 

detailed and precise topographic and geologic maps which we prepare, 

and our geologic reports, which give a three dimensional analysis of 

the rocks, with suggestions and ideas.

Then the industry comes in, and spends large sums of money to 

develop and explore many of these deposits. I will say that in 

addition to the Carlin mine, sir, that a great number of mineral 

resources have been discovered and explored and developed, leading 

to the creation of new industry throughout the United States, largely 

through the primary work of our organization, and we intend to 

continue this, with the help of the Congress.
6 INTERIOR NOMINATION

Senator Bible. Would you have any suggestion as to how the 

Congress can be of assistance to you, in the field of legislation, or is 

yours mainly the same old problem of coming to the Appropriation 

Committee and seeking appropriations?

Dr. Pecora. This seems to be the common problem for most of us. 

I should like to study the problem in great detail over the next year, 

sir, and be ready to come up with some suggestions.

Senator Bible. Well, it is nice to visit with you, and you succeed 

a very fine man in Tom Nolan. I w ant to pay tribute to Tom Nolan. 

He comes from my State, Eureka, Nev.; again, an area tha t has some 

great mineral prospects in the future.

The Chairman (presiding). Dr. Pecora, in recent years, there has 

been concern, and properly so, about our w ater resources. I take it 

that as a new Director of the Geological Survey, you will take a very 

keen interest in meeting the problem in this area.

Dr. Pecora. Yes, indeed, sir. Water, of course, has not been my 

specialty. I intend to learn about water. I recognize that water is a 

resource. Rain falls freely, bu t water entering the rocks of the earth, 

the aquifers, the storage areas, represents a geologic resource, so that 

the principles of structure and resource relationships apply to water 

as they would to minerals or coal or fuel.

I hope t hat I can learn enough about it to be of some assistance in 

this area.

The Chairman. I think you are being very modest. You may n ot 

be the top expert both in water and in geology at the same time, but 

being a man of great expertise in the field of geology, it certainly does 

tie in with the problems related to water.

I am confident that you will do a great job in this field.

Dr. Pecora. Thank you, sir.

The C hairman. I assume you feel that water resources in particular 

within the Department should be given high priority?

Dr. Pecora. I do, indeed, sir. T would like to develop programs 

in the succeeding years so tha t we may do more work, because we 

have been so successful in the past. 1 think we can be even more 

successful in the future.

The Chairman. 1 want to forewarn my colleagues, as I hope they 

did not overlook the extra,curricula side of your background. Dr. 

Pecora was U.S. intercollegiate fencing champion in 1933.

Dr. P ecora. Mr. Chairman, tha t was 50 pounds ago, too.

The Chairman. Senator Allott?

Senator Allott. Doctor, I am very happy to welcome you here. 

We will take up the statement concerning your business matters in 

executive session. May 1 ask you if tha t statement also includes 

any obligations tha t you have and to whom they are owed?

Dr. Pecora. Debts?

Senator Allott. Yes, sir.

Dr. Pecora. No; it does not include the debts, among other things, 

I have not included—if you would like to have that, I shall provide it.

The Chairman. Yes; we will ask you about that.

Senator Allott. In executive session.

Dr. Pecora. Yes, indeed.

Senator Allott. I want to congratulate you, Doctor, on one 

thing. 1 always have a great deal of respect for people who are able 

to achieve some success in the individual competitive sports. It
INTE RIOR NOMINATION 7

takes something that people who play football and basketball and 

games of th at sort don’t have, as you well know.

Dr. Pecora. Yes, sir.

Senator Allott. And I am glad to see it. I would like to just 

mention one thing: I think tha t all of us who are from the West, 

particularly, and we all are, here, feel t ha t our States are great areas 

and potential sources of wealth which have not been tapped.

One of the areas, for example, would be southwestern Colorado, 

where we have a large supply of rhodonite, which, of course, is 

going to be dependent ultimately on an economical means of extracting it, and working it. Have you done any particular work in 

Colorado?

Dr. Pecora. I have had no extensive work in Colorado. I have 

visited the State. I have seen field parties in operation in Colorado, 

but my personal experience in Colorado is not extensive.

Senator Allott. We have out there also, as 1 am sure most of the 

Western States do, some of the rare earths, a vast amount of them, 

I believe. I just want to express the thought that, at least for myself, 

I feel that the West, for various reasons—and many of them very complex, from international relations down to subsidies and tariffs, and 

everything else—is still lying there with a tremendous potential of 

development which has not, contrary to what most people believe, 

even been tapped.

The distinguished Senator from Nevada mentioned the new gold 

deposits found in Nevada, but I personally feel tha t not only in my 

own State, but I am sure in most of the States, there are large deposits 

of valuable minerals which can be of great significance to this country, 

and also can be of tremendous significance to the economic development of the West. 'Phis is the thought that I am really interested in, 

because since the great era of the early days of gold and silver, 

many of our mines and mining operations have been allowed to lapse 

into semidecay.

I would like to hope and to feel that you have the same confidence 

and belief that I have that the greatest wealth of the West has not 

yet been touched.

Dr. Pecora. I subscribe to those sentiments, Senator, and most of 

my work in my career has been directed toward jus t that concept.

Senator Allott. Thank you very much.

Mr. Chairman, I think we should have the entire bibliographical 

material tha t he presented to us placed in the record.

The Chairman. Yes, tha t was done.

Dr. Pecora. I have with me, Mr. Chairman, the details of the 

bibliographic record to which I believe tiie Senator is referring, and 

I shall be happy to provide the committee with tha t record.

The Chairman. Yes, I don’t know whether the reporter received 

it, but the Chair directed that the biographical statement as well as 

the bibliographical material of Dr. Pecora be placed in the record.

Senator Moss?

Senator Moss. I, too, am delighted tha t Dr. Pecora has been 

nominated for Director of the Geological Survey. I see that you 

began your service with Geological Survey back in 1939.

Dr. Pecora. Yes, sir.

Senator Moss. And have you worked constantly in the Survey 

since then?
8 INTERIOR NOMINATION

Dr. Pecora. I have been continually with the Federal Survey 

since that time; yes, sir.

Senator Moss. That is a long record, and I think generally it is a 

good thing to have progression up through the ranks, and finally to 

direction by someone who understands the agency from the very 

beginnings of employment, on up through, so I look forward to your 

continued service there.

Like the Senator from Nevada, my experiences with the Geological 

Survey have been very good, and 1 think that you are doing an excellent job.

I believe, also, that many of our resources remain untouched. They 

are going to require discovery and delineation, and it is going to fall 

largely on the Geological Survey to do it.

So I welcome you before the committee, and I am sure that your 

service as Director of the Geological Survey will be one of production 

and a happy time.

Dr. Pecora. Thank you for your compliments, Senator.

The Chairman. Senator Jordan?

Senator J ordan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Dr. Pecora, I am impressed with your professional background, 

and also, as others have mentioned, with your fine career in public 

service. Some 25 years in th e Department of the Geological Survey 

is certainly a fine background for the position to which you are 

now nominated.

I agree with what others have said and with your comments on 

the fact tha t the natural resources of the West probably are relatively 

untouched.

In my own State, for instance, we have no fossil fuels, yet in all 

the States surrounding us there are fossil fuels, and we believe tha t 

sooner or later we are going to find some.

Back through the years, my contacts with the Geological Survey 

have been largely in the field of water. I am pleased to say it has 

been a very happy relationship.

I applaud the thoroughness of your water resources research, your 

continuous work on water supply, and the efforts you make to assemble basic data of runoff and retardation of flows and flood control, 

and so on. I have had, over the past years, various experiences with 

the Geological Survey, and I hope tha t your approval will be forthcoming, and we will enjoy the same kind of fine relationship tha t I 

have had with your predecessor.

Dr. Pecora. Thank you, Mr. Senator.

The Chairman. Senator Hayden?

Senator H ayden. I have no questions. It is evident from the 

record tha t the President has nominated a man of experience as the 

Director of the U.S. Geological Survey.

I am convinced tha t it is better to have a fencing champion in this 

position than a two-gun man. [Laughter.]

The Chairman. Well, I do not know of anyone who can speak 

with greater authority on this subject than the senior Senator from 

Arizona, who is a former sheriff of Maricopa County.

Senator F annin. A two-gun champion, too.

The Chairman. That is right. And t ha t is quite a compliment to 

you, Dr. Pecora, when he will lay aside his two guns, and not try 

to take on a fencing champion.
INTERIOR NOMINATIO N 9

Dr. Pecora. Than k you. I would not want to take on the distinguished Senator under any conditions.

The Chairman. Senator Fannin?

Senator Fannin. Dr. Pecora, I am certainly impressed with your 

splendid background record presented to us. I did not have the 

pleasure of hearing all of your testimony this morning. I have worked 

with the Department. I feel that they have aided our State greatly 

and it is a very important Federal Department as far as Arizona is 

concerned.

I do look forward to working with you, and I am proud to see th at 

you are being considered for this position.

Dr. Pecora. Thank you, sir.

The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Fannin.

Senator Metcalf?

Senator Metcalf. Dr. Pecora, I have nothing that I could add to 

the accolades that have already been paid you. As in the other 

Western States, Montana has a significant part in the development 

of mineral resources, and the Geological Survey has made important 

and significant contribution to our mineral development, as witness 

the very fine survey of our mineral resources th at was put together a 

year or so ago. I do w ant to congratulate the Secretary of Interior, 

and the President for having nominated a man of your capabilities 

to continue this very fine work.

Dr. Pecora. Thank you, Mr. Senator.

The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Metcalf. If there are no 

further questions of Dr. Pecora, the committee will now retire to 

executive session to resume the questioning of Dr. Pecora.

(Whereupon, at 10:35 a.m. the committee proceeded into executive 

session.)

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