The San Francisco call., 1910-07-28
DIRECTOR Smith
EXPLAINS POSITION
Head of Geological Survey Tells
Reason for Urging E. w.
Parker's Candidacy
Believes He Is Well Fitted to
Be in Charge of Bureau
of Mines

WASHINGTON, July 27.-Director
George Otis Smith of the United States
geological survey has made a state
ment explaining his position in the
campaign going on for the appointment
Of permanent head Of the new bureau
of mines. He said that all kilograms
or letters which he has sent out bearing
on the candidacy of E. w. Parker
against DR.. Joseph A. Holmes, were
written because he has deep interest
in the future of the new bureau, and
wished 60 see the man he thinks is best
qualified given the dictatorship. In a
dictated statement he said:
Newspaper comment on my endorse
ment of a candidate for the director of
the bureau of mines has been called to
my attention. There has been neither
| secrecy nor publicity sought by me re-
gardfng this action or activity, while
all that 1 have done in the way of
bringing the candidacy TO the attention
of his friends, has been done in per-
sonal and not official way. l appreciate
that ] cannot divorce my official posi-
tion from whatever l might wish TO do
simply in a~personal way.
SUBJECTED TO CRITICISM
/ in the organization of the bureau of
mines and in the inauguration of its
work as an independent bureau, is
largely aetuated by official connection
with this work for three years while
under my supervision, and by a less
direct connection with the future activi-
ties of the new bureau by reason of my
position as director of the coordinate
bureau IN the same department. Criti-
ciSm of my interest in the selection of
the director of the bureau of mines
might have been avoided had 1 simply
endorsed another candidate, whose
friends early sought for him my en-
dorsement and have since been out
spoken in their criticism of my action
as taken.
THE reason for following the die
tates of my own judgment, as well as
the counsel of my associates in the
survey, springs wholly from an anxiety
TO insure for the new bureau at the
outset such policy and procedure as
conform TO my ideas of the best type
of governmental administration. Co
operation between the two bureaus is
most essential to the best interests of
both, and to be successful must be
based upon a certain degree of agree
ment in policy, even though the func-
tions and fields of the two bureaus are
naturally and properly distinct, though
closely related. Being well acquainted
with two of the candidates through nv
official association with them in the
survey, / naturally and properly en-
dorsed the one whom 1 considered
better qualified TO serve, what 1 regard.
the best interests of the bureau of
mines and the public service.
TELEGRAM TO MINERS
The criticism of the methods used in
the bureau of mines campaign grew out
of the action of an Arizona mining
engineer making public a telegram sent
TO him on June s, last. The telegram
was duplicate of others sent to
various mining men over the country
along with numerous letters, and urged
that endorsement of Z. w Parker. who
is opposing Doctor Holmes for the
dictatorship of the new bureau, be sent
to President Taft. The 55 words that
opened up the discussion which is 60
ing on here are as follows:
Washington. D. c.,
Peter B. Scotland Clifton. Arizona ma
Urge endorsement to president of
eral resources, geological survey
Ior director bureau of mines
Several prominent engineers refuse
to be candidates. / believe ap-
pointee should be one under whom
new bureau will and can co-operate
with the survey. Parker has sup
port or hays, Lingren, Campbell,
bfooKs, other survey associates.
GEORGE OTIS SMITH
Smith now occupies a dual position.
serving in his regular position as di-
rector of the geological survey. and as
temporary head of the mines bureau.
having been named by President Taft
to organize the work, on July /. IT is
not known when the president will
appoint the permanent chief of mines.
but il is probable that a selection will
be made within the next three or four
weeks Endorsements of both men arc
stlll coming in, and it is expected that
they VIII continue until a permanent
appOintment is made