Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-25
POWELL ANswERs AGAssIz.
The CHIEF of the Geological Survey
Rssenting the Sclentist'S Criticisms.
From the Philadelphia Timss.


FROM the Philadelphia Timss.
WASHINGTON, March 14.-Prof. j. W.
Powell, director of the Geological Survey
mas written and sent TO Mr.. Allison,
Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Appropriations, very interesting letter
relative ~ the letter of Alexander
AgassiZ censuring the administration OF
the geological survey and condemning it
as a government institution. Maj. Powell
refutes the statements Of Mr.. A ASST
and at considerable length reviews the
work OF the survey, showing its impor-
tance and usefulness.
Mr. Powell states that for long term
of years the general government has pro-
vded for general Topographic aud
geologic surveys, with various purposes
in view and under various OrganiZa-
tiOns. The cost OF the work has been con-
siderably more than six millions OF dollars
There have resulted therefrom great num-
bers of maps, some of small districts,
others of large areas. In addition to the
topography thus characterized a large
number Of geologic reports have been
published, including works on general
geology, mining geology aud paleontOlOgy.
He says that topographic surveying has
been recognized as the proper work OF
the general government ever since the
AuOptlth VI tuC constitution dnu ECbiOEAI
surveying ever since the development OF
the science. Many States have also pro-
vided for topographic and geologic sur
veys.
Mr.. Powell claims that the purpose for
which the geologic survey is organized
is not to develop science at large, but to
develop that branch of science which re-
lates to one class of the great industries
of the country in order that. industry
ba A = 70 %
statement that the people did not wish
the government to go to the expense of
furnishing them with a typographical
map of the country, Mr.. Powell says that
the representatives of the people In Con-
gress have provided for such map and it
was reasonable to suppose that the states
men of the country fairly represent pub
lie opinion.
Mr.. Powell then gives a gentle hint as
to Mr.. Agassiz's Interior purposes. He
says Mr.. Agassiz has devoted many years
10 the accumulation of a great fortune
and has used the means acquired for the
publication of scientific books and the
| promotion of scientific research. IL is
understood to have been his plan to
| create, by gigantic business enterprises,
| a great fund TO be used for such purpose S
/ and that il has been his ambition to make
the museum over which he prCsldes the
J
and the agency which should create, con-
troll and ditfuse the increasing knowledge
| OF the New World. Mr.. Powell says a
4 hundred milliOnaires could not do the
work now done By the general govern
ment and he asks if the work OF scientific
| research and the progress Of Amt rican
| civilization shall wait until the cOntagiOn
OF his example shall inspire a hundred
milliOnaires to engage in like good " Orks.
Mai. Powell says that on examining the
! publications included in the list given
to the commission by Mr.. Agassiz 1t will
! appear that they are based upon materials
! collected by the general government at
/ great expense, and the elaboration OF
| these materials for publication was made
| partly at the expense Of the government,
partly by private institutions, partly by
Mr.. Agassiz himself, partly by volunteer
! assistants and partly by persons in the
employ OF foreign governments.