The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-28
OAYDSON'S RESTORATION,
Friends of the DISTINGUISHED
Scientist Rally to His
Support.
Senator Perkins VIII Present g
Petition Asking for His Re-
appointment.

The many stanch friends and admirers
of Professor George Davidson, late of the
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey,
have not yet given up hopes of his rein
statement, and to this end a number Of
petitions have been forwarded to Wash.
ington. asking that the veteran scientist
be allowed to occupy his former position
in the Government service.
One of the strongest appeals for rein
statement is now in the hands of Captain
A. NJ. Burns, the well-known marine in
surance man at 306 Sansome street. Cap
tain Burns has been lifelong friend OF
Professor Davidson and in his removal
recognizes a piece of gross injustice. 1t is
only fair to state that his views appear to
be shared by majority of the people OF
the Pacific Coast, who appreciate the dis
tinguished services of Professor Davidson
in his chosen field and earnestly desire his
immediate reinstatement.
The petition referred to has been signed
by over 500 men, all prominent in shipping
circles, and embracing every branch of the
business-owners, masters, underwriters,
etc. The Pilots Association gave it their
hearty Endorsement, and the steam shin
people are unit on the proposition. The
petition will be taken to Washington and
presented by Senator Perkins, himself an
enthusiastic admirer of Professor David
son. Captain Burns extends an invitation
to all friends of the movement to call at
his Office and sign the appeal, which will
be completed and turned over to Senator
Perkins within few weeks.
The petition reads as follows:
To the President Of the United States and the
Secretary Of the, Treasury: We, ship-owners,
shipmasters and marine underwriters on the
Pacific Coast, have learned with amazement
and great regret that Professor George David
son, Assistant United States Coast and Geodetic
Surveyor, has been removed from this position
in the Government service, which he has filed
with usefulness to u.s. credit to himself and
honor to the country for half century; and
we all, without regard TO party utilization, de-
plore this ill-advised act of his superior officer
AS men interested in shipping property, and
as seafaring men, We have recognized for many
years the very great practical benefits which
have accrued to navigation, commerce and
marine insurance from Professor Davidson
wonderful knowledge of the harbors, currents,
bars, lights, landfalls and hidden dangers of
the coast, all so deliberately and accurately de-
scribed and illustrated in his Coast Pilot of
Alaska" and his "Coast Pilot of California,
Oregon and Washington"-works presented to
the Government and by it published for the
public benefit.
would have insured him honor and compe-
tency for life.
We know that since the publication of these
splendid works he has constantly kept him.
self informed of the many changes in buoys,
lights and bars, and of the discoveries of new
dangers; that he has, a faithful servant
should, always held this information at our
disposal, and that we can always call upon
him with profit.
We believe that there is no one man on this
coast who has such an extensive, thorough
and comprehensive knowledge of this sub ject,
so important to our interests, as Professor DAY.
idson, and we therefore earnestly ask that he
be reinstated in the service, in order that he
may project these interests in the future as he
has in the past.