Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-15
EIGHT DIVISIONS CREATED
GEOLOGIC BRANCH OF THE GEO
LOGICAL SURVEY.
REORGANIZATION in View of Increasing
Importance of the Bureau-Duty
of Each Chief.

The geologic branch of the geological sur
| vey has been .subdivided into eight divisions
| and the biologists in charge named as
| follows: Division of areal geology. Bailey
| Willis; division of pleistocene geology. T.
G. Chamberlin; division of paleontology. T.
w. Stanton: division of precambrian and
metamorphic geology, c. R. Van Hise; di-
| vision Of economic geology. section of met
alliferous ores. 8. F. EmmOns: division Of
mining and mineral resources d. T. Day;
section of non-metalliferous economic de-
posits and non -metamorphic iron ores. baux-
lite. etc. c. w. Hayes; division of physical
and chemical research. Geo. F. Becker
This division of labor under the superin-
tendence of scientists especially skilIful and
profound in their particular spheres Of
work. was determined upon by Charles D.
Walcott, director Of the geological survey,
as desirable in view of the increasing i'm
portance and broadening of the operatf MS
OF the bureau. The director has prepared
memoranda defining in detail the limits of
scientific control under the new Orgauika-
ton with a view OF informing not emily
chiefs Of divisions, but also the heads of
parties of the extent Of this control. and CT
the necessity for cooperation on the part
of all engaged in scientific work in the
survey.
him. it is provided by the director that the
authority of geologist in charge shall
be coextensive with the operations of the
survey. but in the adoption and execution
of plans the extent of his authority shall
be determined by the director and shall in
general be limited to those cases in which
his special knowledge of the results to be
obtained makes his executive control eSpe-
cially advantageous.
Growth of the Bureau.
Biologists throughout the world say the
expansion of the United States geological
ganzed in 1879. Prior to that year such
geologic investigation as was done under
federal auspices was performed by parties
Independent of each other Major. Powell.
Prof. Hayden and Captain Wheeler were
prominent in this work. Each of the par
ties would be given a small government
appropriation for the execution Of a spe-
citic piece of geologic work The important
works done under this arrangement were
the survey of the Yellowstone Park by
Prof Hayden in the late sixties, and the
ploration of the grand canon of the Colo
RADIO by Major Powell in 1S6970. AS the
Importance of geological exploration inn
pressed itself upon the country Congress
referred the question of the establishment
of permanent bureaus for Investigations of
the character indicated to the National
Academy of Sciences The academy re-
ported in favor of the establishment of a
government survey and the office Gre
ated in 1879. Clarence King was appointed
ell. Under the latter s administration there
was organized a corps of topographers
whose duty it was to prepare topographic
maps base for the geologic maps The
Importance of the work has grown until it
has, as stated been found by Director Wal
colt desirable to subdivde the labors of
the geologic branch of the bureau.
Chiefs to Submit Plans Of Work.
Under the plan Of organization adopted
it shall be the duty of every chief of di-
vision. in the early part of each year. to
prepare for submission to the director
general plan of work in his special lines,
enumerating in order of their Importance
or necessity the regions where such work
seems desirable and suggesting the geoIo-
gists to whom each piece of work should
be assigned Any geologist thus named
shall be invited to consider the piece of
work. and after conference with the chief
of division to submit detailed estimates for
it's execution. In case the director shall
place executive authority in the hands of
chief of division, such assistants as may
be engaged under his special authority
shall report directly to the chief of di
vision In such the chief of division
shall prepare and submit to the director
specific plans and estimates for the work
of such assistants and shall report results.