The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-23
GEN. DUFFIELD MUST CO..
A NEW MAN TO RE PUT At THE
y A OF m COAST SURYEr.
The President ana Secretary Gaze Decide TO
Demand Cen. Dumoid's Resignation Mt Once
M, Ar, ana Lack Of scientific knowledge
Are Amopr the Reasons for His Removal.

The President ana Secretary GnEe Decide TO
demand Gen. Dunioid'S Resignation Mt Once
His Age and Lack Of scientihc knowledge
Are Among the Reasons for His Removal.
WAsuIscroS. Oct. 22.-Presidcnt Mckinley
and Secretary Gage have decided to ask at once
for the resignation OF Gen. w. w. Dufiiold,
superintendent of the Coast and Geodotc Sur.
vcy, and to appoint his successor as soon rs a
selection can be made from the several names
now under consideration. Zen. Duffiold IL q
citizen OF Detroit and was placed MT the head
Of the Coast Survey upon the recommendation
of his fellow townsman, Don NJ. Dickinson.
Gen. Dufleld's brother is Col. Henry NJ. DUFF
field of Detroit, one of the leaders Of the Michi-
gan bar and very prominent In tho Loyal lie.
zion and other military organizations. He is
n wnrm personal and political friend OF Secrc-
tary of War Alger, to whom he owes his pres.
cnt appointment as member OF the Chicka-
manga National Park Commission. Secretary
Alger is aware OF the Presidents decision with
regard to Gen. Duflcld and was consulted before
the change was decided upon.
Tho retirement OF Gen. Dufficld from the head
of the:Coast Survcy.wil mark the end of n con-
test between him and tho various scientific men
connected with the buroau and its work that
has been waged ever since Gen. Duficld's ap.
pointmcnt. 1t has been repeatedly charged
that his great ago and utter lack OF executive
ability rendered him incompetent TO properly
perform the duties of the Office. These charges
were substantiated by documents laid,,bcfore
tho Secretary Of the Treasury from time to
time. showing that he was actuatcd by politi-
cal reasons in making removals, and that with
regard to tho scientific work of the office he
was guided. vory largely: by tho advice of non
scientific employees. who were more inter
csted in the distribution OF the patronage OF the
bureau thar: in its accomplishments and gen
eral usefulness. Scientific men throughout the
country have been interested in the fight, and
while they admired Gen. Duficld for his quail
ties as n man. an engineer, and a soldier, the-
were practically unanimous in testifying. TO
his inability, both on account Of his age ard of
his lack OF scientific knowledge, to properly
supervise the important executive and tcchni-
cal work OF the bureau:
Matters were brought to u head yesterday by
formally submitting 70 the Secretary Of the
most capable and DISTINGUISHED men connected
with the Coast Survey, Mcssrs. q. IL. Tilt
ranking official to the superintendent; Charles
4. Schatt, chief of the computing division. and
j. Pratt, one of the oldest and most efficient
Treasury circular No. l22, promulgated by
Secretary Gage under orders from President
nishcG the accused men in order that they
might make reply before action could he taken.
Tho exact nature Of The charges is not get
's ~" N'Ns 'NAN i'ty 10 -
prctext for having the men either removed or
reduced In salary and ordered to field duty out
side OF Washington. The, accusations which
limited ct inconlpetcncy and conspiracy against
the discipline and efficiency of the bureau
wero 60 unwarranted on their face that they
acted as n boomerang and resulted in the de-
termination OF the President and Secretary
Gage to ask for Gen. Dutiield's resignation.
One OF tho accused men, Mr.. Schatt. - o
member OF the National Academy Of Science
and of many learned societies, and is especially
distinguished for Ills great labors In the wide
field of geodesy, magnetism. and mctcnrology,
and his name Is known among scientific men
throughout the world. Mr.. Tittman's jealous
performance of duty and devotion 10 the inter.
ests OF the Coast Survey during his thirty years
connection with IL are generally recognized.
Mr.. Pratt has served for twcnty.siN years, en-
gagged mainly in work on the west coast, and
he is widely known.
There will be man, candidates for Gen. DUFF
fields place as soon as the determination of
Secretary Gage to ask .or his removal becomes
known. Among those who may be considered
are Prof. Edward 5. Holden, Director of the
Lick Observatory; Mark w. Harrington. late
Chief Of the Weather Bureaus; Prof. Fritchctt
of tho Washington University OF st. Louis. and
others. II is thought, however. that Secrc-
tRry Gage may recognize the especial fitness
CT Mr.. Tittman.. the assistant in charge of the
office, and promote him to the vacancy. This
appointment would undoubtedly meet the APP
prevail OF all scientific men interested in main
tanning the high standard Of the work OF the
SURVEY.