Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-13
OSBORN NOT COMING
UNABLE TO ACCEPT sMITHsoN.
IAN sECRETARYsHIP. IS

Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn, who was
elected secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition at the meeting OF the board of
regents, held on December 4, has respectfully
found himself unable to accept tfsssof1ce.
He has fully explained his reasf|fs in 4
letter transmitted to the board, the SUBJ
stance of which is as follows:
Prof. Osborn writes that he is deeply
moved by the generous action of the board
in electing him to this high post, the great
est honor he ever received, or expects to
receive; that his conclusion has been reach
ed through no lack of sense of public duty
which should inspire every American citi-
zen, but because it comes at time when
he is nearing the completion of the publica-
ton of the results of thirty years of re-
search work. He is convinced that even
with the help Of the efficient staff of the in
stitution the next five or six years Of his
life would have to be given almost exclu-
sively to administrative work, and states
that it has been his policy for number of
years to withdraw from such labors as
much as possible. He further refers to the
fact that the prosecution of his researches
is dependent upon the collections he has
brought together in New York and the staff
of trained assistants who are working with
Ufu, lIidI cndnBe OI TeSlQeuCc WOulQ
practically mean a change of career. He
expresses the hope that the board Of re-
gents will understand that he has reached
the decision after most conscientious con-
sideration, and that he may still retain the
respect and esteem which prompted them
to vote for him.
The failure Of Prof. Osborn to accept the
position of secretary of the Smithsonian
was not SO much OF surprise to these
who knew him Intimately as 1t probably
was to the regents. They simply acted on
misfnformation in electing him without
his personal assurance that he would ac-
cept. He cannot be charged with lack
of faith In the matter either, as he had
announced when his name was first men,
toned for the place that he was not
candidate. He Is a man of Independent
menas so there was no financial reason for
ously attached to his present line Of work.
which he felt could not have been carried
on sim ultaneously with his duties as secre-
tary of the Smithsonian
The position in which Prof. Osborn has
been placed Is Of necessity embarrassing
to both the regents and himself. The po-
sition is the highest scientific place open
to any one in this country and possibly
in the world, and 1t will be a rather deli
cate matter for the regents to select an
other man for the position after having
publicly announced Prof Osborn as their
first choice.
IAeTe is a SOOQ zeal OF SpeculaLlOn as 10
the next selection. But there will be no
meeting of the regents till that about the
end Of January Meantime the position
will be filled as at present by Professor
Rathbun, the present acting secretary.
Charles d. Walcott, now the director of the
geological survey. has been mentioned as
one OF the possible men as wen as David
Star Jordan and number of others. Mr.
Walcott is an excellent administrator but
not only are the scientists Of the geological
survey anxious to keep him If they can,
but II he should be moved from there the
reclamation service, which may soon beb
changed into q separate bureau, is anxious
to get him. 1t is possible. however, that
the next selection made by the regents OF
the Smithsonian may be from among some
of the scientists whose names have been
little mentioned in public for the place.