Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-05
DIRECTOR OF SURVEY
GEO. OTIS SMITH SUCCEEDS WAL
CoTT AS DIRECTOR.

George Otis Smith has been appointed
director of the geological survey in sue
cession to Charles d. Walcott. who was
elected secretary of the Smithsonian and
who has since been filling both positions.
Mr.. Walcotts election was nearly two and
one-half months ago. and there has been
a great deal Of speculation as to his sue
cessor. A number of names have been
discussed. but Mr.. Smith was not
among those mentioned. There
possibility that Willard Hayes chief geol-
ogist of the survey. would have been Sc
lected. but while he is a scientist of inter-
national reputation, he did not like the
prospect of the executive work partic-
ularly that involved at the Capitol every
session, and while Mr.. Smith has been
under him in the survey, and was one
of Mr. Hayes warmest supporters for the
place, he was finally selected
1t is understood that an effort was made
to secure Prof. Van Hise of the Univer
sity of Wisconsin. but while the position
Is one of great prominence in the scien-
tiic world it does not carry enough sal
airy to make 1t very attractive from
financial point Of view. There were a
number of candidates who were anxious
lock Clark. state geologist of Maryland;
Prof. Holmes of North Carolina. who has
been in charge of certain fuel investisa-
eral satisfaction was expressed among the
members of the survey today that the
appointment had been made from the In
side rather than from the outside of the
Office.
Mr.. Smiths Career.
Mr. Smith has been in the survey for
about ten years, and Is recognized not only
as a good field worker. but an excellent
executive. He was born In Maine
Washington's birthday. 1871. and retains
his legal residence in that state and
summer home In Skowhegan. He gradu-
ated from Colby College In 1893. and imme-
dIately Joined a geological survey field
party In the Lake Superior iron region. The
next three years were devoted to post
graduate work In geology at Johns Hop
kins University, under the late George
Huntington Williams. While at Johns Hop
kins another field season was spent in the
Marquette district of the Lake Superior
iron region. and one In reconnaissance work
in the state Of Washington. Immediately
upon his graduation in June. 1896 with
the degree of Phi. D.. DIR. Smith Joined the
staff of the geological survey as assistant
geologist. having taken the first civil serv-
ice examination for that position.
His field Of geological work has Included
Maine Washington, Utah, North Carolina
the New England states. New Jersey and
Pennsylvania During seven field seasons
DIR. Smith was engaged In detailed and
reconnaissance areal geologic surveys in
Washington. During the last eleven years
his experience has been such as to identify
him with the various scientific activities OF
the survey. although he has always been
a member of the geologic branch While
doing areal work in central Washington a
special study of several artesian basins
was made and the results published as a
water supply paper. Later work in New
England also formed the basis for hydro
logic reports contributed to the publications
of the water resources branch. In connec-
ton with special reconnaissance along
the northwestern boundary and across the
Cascade range In 1901 the geologist was
obliged to make a topographic map upon
which to record his geologic observations
exact geographic locations being made
necessary in the course of the examination
of the boundary monuments.
Later Work in the Bureau.
At the conclusion of this western expe-
| rience. which included economic work in the
coal fields of Washington and In the TIntic
mining district of Utah. DR.. Smith began
areal work in Maine in connection with the
state survey commission. Later the general
supervision of all the geologic work in New
England and in the areas Of crystalline
rocks in New Jersey. Pennsylvania and
Maryland was assigned to him. While en-
gagged in this work on the crystalline rocks
a special study Of several minerals of eco
nomic value was undertaken and the re-
suits published in the reports of the division
of mineral resources. Last July he was
appointed geologist In charge of petrology
with scientific supervision of the survey
work in that department.
During the past year DR.. Smith has served
as chairman of the assistant committee on
accounting and bookkeeping working under
the direction of the committee on depart
mental methods. In this committee work
| for the Keep commission he has been as
ISOLATED with officials from all departments
of the government. thus securing the OPP
portunity of famliarizng himself somewhat
| with the problems Of departmental admins
tration. AS in the case of every one con-
nected with the Keep commission work. this
experience has enabled him to assist In ad-
ministrative reforms In the bureau with
which he Is connected. and at present he is
chairman Of the committee on business
methods in the geological Survey. go =
His aupOintment is to take effect May L..