Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-10-07
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cludes some of the greatest scientists of the
United States, and, in its nonresident member
ship some of the greatest scientists of the world.
There botanists. astronomers, ornitholo-
gists and, in fact, scientists of all kinds and de-
scriptions, to be found nightly in the great,
sweeping parlors of the clubs quarters. There Is
just as much hospitality and jollity 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. II the act
would buy 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 time, Admi-
raj Wilkes lived in the Madison house. 1t was
Wilkes who took Mason and Slidell from the Brit
ish steamer Trent" and thereby nearly brought
on war between the United States and Great
Britain at time when such a 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 the surveys chief,
and who in the early days worked so hard to
make theservice what he succeeded In making 1t,
one of the most useful departments of govern
ment. DR. Merriam has accepted the direction OF
the Hartman Foundation for Geological Re-
search. Mrs. Hartman, the widow Of e. H. Har-
riman, the great fnancier and railroad man, has
carried out the wishes of her husband and has
est aside large sum of money to be used for
purposes ~of geological study. Acting unquestion-
ably in line with her husbands Wishes Mrs. Har-
rtman requested DR.. Merriam to take charge Of
the work.
1t is probable that the former chief of the bio
logical survey lie the foremost authority in the
United States in matters pertaining to certain
lines of natural history work. It was DR.. Mer-
RAM. more than any other man, to whom Theo-
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 general sub
jects of natural history.
These words about DIR. Merriam and the Har-
riman Geological Foundation lead one to tell a
story about the late 1nancer which perhaps
will throw some light on 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. e. H. Harriman's private at
tached to the train at one of the stations on the
way. 1t happened that my friend was a close per-
sonal acquaintance of Mr.. Hartman, and he was
invited to dine with the financier his private
car, and told to bring his friend with him,
provided the friend would like to come.
There were several men of large affairs at
that little dinner party. one of the guests being
the president of of the greatest railroad
systems in the world. The conversation, natu
rally. about big affairs of the financial world
concerning which ] knew very little. and I am
free to confess cared much less After hearing
a good deal about certain things concerning
which the discussion more or less unintei
gible to me, yentured to break into the CONVEX
sation and to tell Mr. Hartman that had such
OF the Journals of the Hartman Alaska Expedi-
ton" already had been published, and more
over, that had read them
For the next two hours had ample evidence
that E. H. Hartman cared for something besides
RAILROADS Ten twelve years before he had