Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-09-30
CCMNECWCUZ AZNUE -kOONWG WOQN TOOL ~ SZREZ

dudes some of the greatest scientists of the
United States, and, III its nonresident member
ship, some of the greatest scientists of the world.
There are botanists, astronomers, o~rnitholo-
gists, and, in fact, scientists of all kinds and de-
5criptions, to be found nightly in the great,
sweeping parlors of the clubs quarters. There IS
Just as much hospitality and joliity in the club
as are to be found in the rooms of any social
organization in the world-and learning besides
there, also. In order to be a member of the Cos
mos club you must have something besides
money and social standing. 1t is probable that
there are many members OF other organizations
in Washington, who would be willing to throw
their memberships into the deep sea. if the act
would Guy for them admittance into the club
of these scientists.
The headquarters of the Cosmos club are in
the old Dolly Madison" residence. 1t was there
that the widow of President Madison lived and
held social sway for years after the death of her
husband. During the Civil war, for a time, Adml-
raj Wilkes lived in the Madison house. 1t was
Wilkes who took Mason and Slidcll from the Brit
ish steamer Trent and thereby nearly brought
on war between the United States and Great
Britain at a time Wnun such a war might have
insured ultimate victory to the Confederate arms.
The biological survey OF the United States
government has lost the services Of DR.. c. Hart
Merriam, who for years was the surveys chief,
and who in the carly days worked so hard to
make thescrvire what he succeeded in making 1t,
one of the most useful departments of govern
ment. DR.. Merriam has accepted the direction OF
ne hartman IOtliIIiitii III oOicSith 49,
search. Mrs. Hartman, the widow of E. H. Har-
riman, the great fInancier and railroad man, has
carried out the wishes of her husband, and has
SGT aside a large sum of money to be used tor
purposes Of geological study. Acting unquestion-
ably in line with her husbands wishes, Mrs. Har-
riman requested DR.. Merriam to take charge OF
the work.
It is probable that the former chief of the bio
logical survey is the foremost authority in the
United States in matters pertaining to certain
lines Of natural history work. 1T was III. Ner-
riam, moro than any other man, to whom lheo-
dore Roosevelt went for advice about the scope
Of his expected work in Africa. The doctor and
the colonel have been friends since boyhood;
when in New York state both were pursuing bird
studies and exchanging letters on general sub
jects of natural history.
These words about Or. Merriam and the Har-
riman geological Foundation lead one to tell a
story about the late drancier. which perhaps
will throw some light on a side of his life con-
corning which most people probably know little.
One year ago last winter went south from
WASHINGTON, bound for Augusta, Ga, with a
friend. z II Harrim2ns private car was at
tachcd to the train at one of the stations on the
way. 1t happened that my friend vas a close per
sonal acquaintance CT Mr.. Hartman. and he was
invited TO dine with the fnancier on his private
c2r. and Vas told TO bring his friend with him.
nroyido,l tho rricnl would like to come.
There were several men Of la"g" affairs at
THAT little dinner party, one Of the guests being
the urcsilCnt Of ono OF the grH7tHst railroad
svst~n7s in the void. TH" conv' rsation, natu-
ra1Iv was about big affairs of The financial word,
CONFRONTING which knew very ltt.o. and l am
free to confess, cared much !"~s. After hearing
= good deal ali Ut crrtcin t21nEs concPrn:nN
which the dia'Ussta" was more or less u9'.'S"
eih,a to ;>c. ycvt rcd 10 break into the coAT'r-
cotion ;,nd to t"Il Mr.. ii4rii.orl t-at had such
of the Journals G ''' -'.,'N N'
tic7" as air 2'T .''' !""''--: o. "" " Vi
over. that l mad : ~ ''''3
Trr the p, II to rD:. ! rad aH20'" ~ov!A"nc"
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