Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-02-01

Despatches from washington 10 the
afternoon papers of Tuesday stated that
president Roosevelt had practically de-
.idod to appoint Prof. William Bullock
clark of Johns Hopkins university, Balt-
more to the dictatorship of the United
states geological survey to succeed
Charles d. Walcott who has resigned to
become head of the Smithsonian institu
ton.
The Baltimore papers had evidently I'M
lerstood earlier i'm the week that the APP
continent was likely to go to DIR. Clark,
AS they published Monday extended arti-
cles. connecting his name with the gov
eminent position and speaking in high
terms Of his record at Johns Hopkins and
i'm public capacities. The Sun said in the
curse of a long article: "Dr. Clark is
eminent as one of the greatest biologists
of this country, and those who are in a
uosition to know state that no mistake
will be made in his appointment. He
Possesses great executive and admins
trative ability, and it will be remembered
that at the time of the resignation of
mr. Gilman as president of Johns Hopkins,
Or Clark was mentioned as his successor
During the time that he has been the
state geoogist the survey has investi-
lated any number of the mineral lands Of
the state and has made maps of the same
should he go to Washington, his loss to
the state will be great and the survey
will experience some trouble in locating
a man to satisfactorily fill his place
While state geologist he has acted as
kind of a bureau of information for those
who wished to invest in the mineral lands
Of the state"
The following is from the Baltimore
News of Monday:
A special despatch this afternoon from
the News's correspondent at Washington
iThe name of DR.. William Bullock
clark of the Johns Hopkins university is
before the President, along with those
of other candidates, for director of TIE
United States geological survey, from
which position Charles d. Walcott is to
retire in the near future.
DR.. Walcott will probably not retire
until about the end of the present session
NJ Congress but the friends of the sew
oral candidates are busy in behalf Of
their favorites. DR.. Clark's Endorsements
are understood to be the strongest, but
the President has not determined whom
he will appoint"
Dr. Clark is professor of geology in the
John Hopkins university and head Of the
Maryland state geological survey.
When questioned today concerning the
accuracy Of the reports, DR.. Clark neither
denied nor admitted that his name was
being considered, but said
Il am in no sense a candidate for the
position of director of the United States
geological survey. I have not even
spoken to my closest friends among the
geological fraternity, and should not
think of making any active campaign for
the position. If the honor should come
to me-and it would be a great honor,
for the post of director of the United
States geological survey is the most
prominent in American geology should
then consider it and decide whether 1t
were wise to accept it. l am entirely
satisfied with my position as head of
the department of geology in the Johns
Hopkins university, one of the most dig
nified positions in the country, and should
hesitate TO give 1t up"
But while Dr. Clark, personally Is not
making any campaign for the position
il is known that his friends have been
actively urging his appointment. By
them and by the geological fraternity
generally DR.. Clark is considered one OF
the leading biologists of the present day
His work since he has been at the head OF
the state geological survey has been OF
an unusually high degree, and to him
perhaps more than to any other man Is
due the excellent standard attained by
Maryland in the geological world.
Another person whose name, 1t Is said
the President is considering in connec-
ton with the position is DR.. Charles
Richard Van Hise, president of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin. DR.. Van Hise Is
also an eminent geologist and one of the
best known writer's on geological sub
iects His friends are urging his APP
pontment, but the statement is made
that if DR.. Clark desires the position DR.
Van Hise will not be a candidate.
While the appointment of the head o.