The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-15
PLACE FOR A SCIENTIST
POSITION THAT MAY BE OFFERED
TO DAVID STARR JORDAN.
Assistant Secretary and Museum
Director.

WASHINGTON, Oct. H.-President Jor-
dan. OF Leland Stanford University. is most
prominently mentioned to succeed the late
Professor Goode as assistant secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution and director of
the National Museum. The appointment is
not likely to be made before the January
meeting Of the board of regents OF the
Smithsonian, but the question is already
attracting much attention in scientific cir
cles. The directors of national museums
in England, France and other European
countries are from the ranks of the fore
most scientists, and the hope is expressed
that the successor of Professor Goode will
be enc of the first of the scientists of this
country; one capable of expanding the mu-
scum and making 1t truly national. New
buildings are to be built and these will af-
ford the new director an opportunity for
administrative work. The appointment is
made by the board of regents, usually on
the recommendation Of the secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution, Professor Langley.
The latter has recently returned after an
absence of some time and has not yet
taken up the question of Professor Goodies
successor. 1t is said, howe yer, that the APP
members of the board Will take a personal
interest in it, deferring largely to Professor
mittee, consisting of ex-senator Hender-
son, Hon. Gardiner Hubbard and Postfnas-
ter-general Wilson, live in washington,
and if need be a special meeting can be
acid TO make the appointment, but this Is
not expected.
Professor Jordan, of Leland Stanford Uni
versity, is being urged for his eminent
scientific attachments. He is one OF the
~beSt-known naturaliStS in America, and 1t
appears to be conceded that a naturalist
will be chosen, although an ethnoIoglst is
among those mentioned for the place. Mr..
Jordan has recently completed a work on
the fishes of North America. He was APP
pointed last spring as president or the
commission of experts to go to Boring sea
and investigate the condition OF seal life.
Before going to Leland Stanford Mr.. Jor-
dan was president of Indiana University.
ecutiVe ability which, 1t is said, would be
of value in the development If the Nation
al Museum. DR.. Chart Merriam, ornithol-
ogist of the Agricultural Department, is
also prominently mentioned in connection
with the appointment. He has developed
the biological survey in which the govern
distribution of animals and plants and fix
ing the economic status of birds and NAM
mails. In the course of the work DR.. Mer-
Ram has written the series OF monographs
on North American fauna which, when
completed, will make the first exhaustive
treatment on that subject. Mr.. T. w.
True, curator of mammals at the museum,
and, since the death of Professor Goode, in
temporary charge of the museum, is also
spoken of as a possible appointed. Mr.. w.
J. MCGEE, of the bureau of ethnology. is
also mentioned. although it is felt that
his branch of study is not the one to equip
him for taking charge of the museum.
While these names are. more or less dis
cussed, the drift of sentiment in scientific
circles is strongly toward President Jor-
dan. 1t is not known that he would &C
cept. His present salary is $4,000, while
that of director of the museum is less than
half as much. 1t is said, however, that the
dictatorship would afford a scientist OPP
portunities for conducting his researches,
which would compensate for any money
loss. |