Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-15
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
A Debate ON the Incrsase Of Two 0solewi
to Its Force.

A Debate on the Incroase Of Two Geolowiefv
to Its Force.
Late yesterday afternoon the Senate resumed
the consideration Of the sundry civil appro-
priation bill and when that body adjourned
they had agreed to all the amendments which
the Senate committee made to the bill as it
passed the House which effect the District. All
the amendments we're printed in The STAB Of
yesterday. There was no opposition to any Of
the proposed changes, but the amendment
making an appropriation OF $4,000 each for
two biologists in the survey brought out some
discussion.
Mr.. Stewart said he was opposed to all in
creases In this direction. ~ think" he said,
"the House Of Representatives has been ex-
ceedingly liberal to the geological survey, and
hope the appropriations viii not be increased.
do not see any necessity for charging that
| survey when we are cutting down everything
else."
Mr.. Hale.-The committee in examining this
question did not think it advisable after the &C
non OF Congress, which was initiated in the
Senate, to restore the force Of the old geologi-
cal survey, but 1t found that in the course Of
necessary work some Of these additions were
needed.
There are gentlemen who for the year past
so great is their interest in this work. have
performed for nothing the services for which
they formerly received pay. They have con-
tinued their work and given the survey the
benefit OF their experience and skill, and in
many cases OF their profound scientific attain
ments The committee on appropriations did
not mink that that was a condition which
should be accepted for any length Of time, and
after hearing Maj Powell, without restoring
the survey to its old proportions, which the
Senate had cut down. it thought the thing most
needed was to restore a Few Of these, and the
nrst Item Is two additional biologists at o.. 900
eacn. They are eminent men Of great scien-
tine knowledge, and are now working for moth
ing. Inc committee thought that it was only
far NAT these should be provided for in the bill
IhSt Is the reason which animated the COM
mittee.
Nr. Teller-I should like to ask the Senator
whtthef, under this provision Of the bill, these
geoiogists will be paid for the services that have
rendered heretofore?
Mr.. Hale-They will not,
Mr.. Ieller-And they have worked how long
time?
Mr.. Hale-For year.
Mr.. Teller-I should like to say, if the Senator
Will allow me, that l know some Of that work
is OF very important character, and it cannot
De dispensed with without great detriment to
the government. 1t has cost q good deal of
money, and it ought to be completed.
Mr.. Hale-So the committee thought,
Mr.. McPherson-I am fully in accord with
the action OF the committee in increasing the
number of biologists. do not know that we
shall have quite enough even when the propo-
sition of the committee is adopted. 1t isa very
difficult thing, indeed. to find competent men
for such work, and after they have left their
occupation and gone to some other place it is
particularly difficult for the government to get
them back think the policy of changing the
appropriations and changing the employees at a
time when the government requires the work
to be done and needs the services of such men
ID mistaken policy"