New-York tribune., 1902-10-17
EDWARD ". PARKER.

Edward Wheeler Parker, although the young
est member of the commission. will have great
influence on its proceedings and decision. For
ten years he has been recognized as a positive
force in great undertakings He first attracted
notice in the Eleventh Census. when. after a
thorough newspaper training. serving in every
capacity on The Statesman" Of Austin. Tex.
from compositor 20 editor and business mana
ger. he suddenly plunged into nineraIogical
work Of extreme technicality. Quickly master
ing It's complexities. he became IN short time
one OF the principal authorities on coal condi-
tions in the United States. From the census
he became assistant 10 DR.. Day. OF the Geo
logical Survey, and Immediately took active
charge OF the work Of gathering the statistics
Of the total output OF coal in the United States
and has continued in charge of that work ever
since In addition 70 this he has collected the
annual statistics for the survey on the following
subjects: Abrasive materials antimony. asbes-
tos. asphaltum, barytes. buhrstones, coke. en-
cry and corundum. fuOrspar and Cryolite.
graphite. gypsum. mica. mineral paints. oilstones
and whetstones. phosphate rock. quicksilver.
salt. soapstone. sulphur and pyrites. Mr.. Par
ker has served a most valuable administra-
tive officer in full charge Of the Division OF
Mining and Mineral Resources in the absence OF
the chief at various times, particularly at the
Paris Exposition. Mr.. Parker was also. on
account of his familiarity with the coal re-
sources and other mineral industries made a
member OF the international jury mining at
the Worlds Columbian Exposition. He organ
lied for the Atlanta Exposition a collective ex-
hibit Of the coal resources of the entire South.
and the exhibit was in itself epitOme Of his
thorough and practical grasp Of the demonstra-
tion to the world OF such resources 1t con-
sisted OF full sized sections OF every important
coal vein in the Southern States. a project
greater in it's scope and more difhCult In ITS
inception than had ever before been attempted.
as it involved the necessity of taking from
mine in West Virginia and transporting and
erecting at Atlanta the largest specimen OF coal
ever taken from the earth. Equally we'll exc
Cuted exhibits of a statistical nature were made
by Mr.. Parker at the Paris Exposition repre-
sentng the worlds production OF coal
MIR. Parker's training includes his graduation
as a practical mining engineer, ana IN cOnnec-
tton with his services with the government he
has had extensive practice and has visited prac-
tcally all the coal producing regions Of the
United States. He has just returned from
visit TO the Far West including Seattle, Wash.
where he addressed the Chamber OF Commerce
ago he became Editor Of The Engineering and
Mining Journal" and has carried the journal
10 higher stage of success than II mad ever
before reached. making il practically the inter-
resign that post to devote his time TO the
work of the commission.
Mr. Parker Is a member OF numerous scten-
tifc societies. including the American Institute
Of Mining Engineers. Of which he is one of the
managers and therefore member of the gov
erning council He is member OF the National
Geographic Society and of the American Statis
tical Association a Fellow OF the Geological So
Club OF the City Of New-Y York. and Of the Cos
mos Club of Washington Socially he ia
charming man, a witty story teller. and sure to
keep the commission in good humor He is a
native of Port Deposit Md. was forty-two years
old on June Il. is married. and lives in New
York City