Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-11
CHANGE OF DIRECTOR
Mr. O. D. Waloott at the Head of the
Geological Survey.
He VIII Succeed Mai. Powell, Who
Has Resigned on Account
of Ill Health.

The nomination of Charles d. walcott
to succeed Maj. ]. w. Powell as director
Of the geological survey, which was sent
to the Senate today by the President,
caused more surprise than any appointment
which has recently been made.
Maj Powell has been director of the sur
vey for the past thirteen years. and, as he
had never been disturbed in the position by
any administration stree he assumed the
office, it had been supposed that he would
hold the office at his own pleasure.
His resignation at this time appears to
have been voluntary, but the first suppose
tor was that it had been requested, as. on
account Of Maj. Powells known fondness
for the work of the survey and his pride
in 1t, 1t was not considered probable that
he would voluntarily surrender the position.
1t seems, however, that his health has not
been good for several months. and he has
found the labor of looking after the details
OF the bureau, which has attained import
ant prominence under his administration,
more than he felt justified in attempting to
continue.
Arrangements have been made whereby
Maj. Powell will become superintendent of
the chronological bureau, which was until
within a year since a branch of the geolog-
ical survey, but is now an independent bu-
reau. He has given especial study to eth
biological questions and the work in this
bureau, besides being less exactng, will
be in every way congenial to him.
Maj. Powell, who had been connected
with the geological survey previous to his
appointment as director, was nominated for
the office to succeed Clarence King on
March IS 1881, and his nomina ton con-
firmed on the same day, without reference
to a committee.
His Letter of Resignation.
The letter of Major Powell to the Presi-
dent was dated on May s, and was as
follows:
II have the honor to tender my resigna-
ton as director of the United States geo.
logical survey, to take effect on the S0th
proximo. 1 am impelled to this course by
reason Of wounds that require surgical
operation. With deep gratitude for the
with great respect ETC."
The Presidents Appreciation.
The reply, written by Judge VIM. H. Sims
acting secretary of the interior. was as
follows:
''Sir: BY direction OF the President I have
the honor to advise you that your resgna-
ton has been accepted. The President and
Secretary of the Interior greatly regret
that the state of your health renders neces-
sary your retirement. and they desire me
to express to you their very high appre-
citation CT the invaluable services you have
rendered to the government as the organizer
and head of the great bureau with which
your name will be ever identified With
assurance of the high regard and earnest
hopes for your speedy restoration to health.
/ have the honor to be, &C."
Maj. Powell is one Of the most widely
known men in the world OF science. He is
a member of a great many scientific So
cieties in both hemispheres. 1t has been
largely through the efforts of Maj. Powell
that there Is now such complete under
standing Of the California gold belt and
the Rocky mountain region.
The New Director.
Mr.. Walcott, who succeeds Mai Powell as
director, has been connected with the sur
vey for several years and has made the
geological branch of the work a speciality.
He was In consultation with Maj. Powell
this afternoon when a reporter for The
Star called at the geological survey. 1t
was The Star man who gave Mr.. Walcott
the first information of his appointment.
He had heard nothing of it. He had not
seen President Cleveland in seven years,
and had done nothing toward the promotion
of his personal interest, other than a strict
observance of his duties He stated that as
the major would probably leave for Balti-
more to undergo the operation to his
wounded arm about the middle of May or
the LIST of June the duties of the bureau
would fall upon him, and that after the 3Oth
OF June, the date on which the resignation
of Maj Powell is to take effect, he will as
sumo permanent charge. The work of the
bureau would be carried along on the lines
as laid down by Maj. Powell. The most
conspicuous work which was now in hand
was the geographical map of the United
States. the first folio of which had just been
issued. This work would require years to
complete, but the former policy would be
observed
Special observance was to be paid to
economic geology. with especial reference
hos ahefn fV1a II
the clerical force of the bureau came, he
said. within the scope of the civil service
law. because it was hard to get scientists
under the rules of that law. He indicated
that II any changes occurred in the per-
sonnet of the office they would be very
slight ones. The force there had been
working in the same harness for long
time and they understood each other He
had been associated with Mai. Powell in
the work of the bureau for the past fifteen
years.