The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-16
TO Be N CHARGE
Of SCENIC PARKS
Robert Bradford Marshall New SUI
pcrintcndent of National
Parks,
HE WAS CHIEF GEoGRAPHER
\ Lover Of american Mountains. Il
Celebrated Engineer. I'm Accom-
plished Woodsman, und a Prompt
Executive.

The appointment of Robert Brad =
ford Marshall, chief geographer OF
the United States Geological Survey,
to the responsible position of superin-
tendent of national parks. is pointed
illustration. Of the progressive spirit
land broad purposes of the new adj
ministration of the national parks. By
placing In administrative charge a
business man of the ability and vision
OF Stephen T Mather. and in execu-
tive charge the man who personally
surveyed the Yosemite and later, as
chief geographer. superintendent the
surveying and map-making of all the
other national parks, Secretary Lane
abundantly proves his owns foresight
and enterprising purpose
Under such control our national
parks will quickly meet the demand
male upon them by the new and sud
den awakening of the American peo-
Pile 10 the value of its own scenery.
Mr.. Marshall. who imbibed his first
love of the wilderness from the VIII
der1ess itself, was for years the warm
personal friend any sympathetic
disciple of John Muir. He shared
Muir'S devotion 10 mountain tops and
became the earnest student and stead
fast advocate of our national parks.
II Is certain that there is no one else
So familiar with their history their
development their topography, and
their intimate practical conditions.
His technical knowledge Of woodcraft
( i- unsurpassed.
Personally Surveyed. Yosemite.
Mr.. Marshall, a Firginian by birth,
entered the United States Geological
Survey in 1889. AS a topographer MS
record is extraordinary. He mapped
thirty -four sheets in fifteen years of
this service. Much of this work was
especially difficult in character COW
erinE lofty mountain regions In the
Sierra.
Ia 1897 he was appointed geQRra
pher in charge of the Pacific division.
embracing California, oregon, Wash
ington. Idaho Utah, Arizona and Ne
vad The year following he reor-
eanized he typographical service and
was placed Ia charge of the Whole
with the title of chief geographer.
Meantime some OF his special as
signments indicate the tendency of his
career In 1904 he was made mem
Der % the Yosemite National PARK
Commission 10 change the boundaries
of tt.2 park. In 1909 he was sent TO
Hawaii TO inaugurats geographical
surveys, In 1910 he was made chair
man of the committee on the one
millionth scale map. In 1911 ne was
designated by the Secretary of State
heal of the American delegation to
the Tenth International Congress of
Geography. In 1911. 1912 and 1915 he
Was q member OF the national parks
conferences. In 1912 he was chosen
by Secretary Fisher to report on the
ACCESSIBILITY of creating what is now
the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Familiar With Technical Detail.
His affiliations also throw light on
his personality. Mr.. Marshall is a
member of the American Society of
Civil Engineers the Washington So
cIety of Civil Engineers, the Geological
Society of Washington, the Association
Of American Ceographers, the Sierra
club. the Canadian Camp Club, the
Colorado Mountain Club and the
Luther Burbank Society. He was Il
members of the advisory committee
of tbs Colorado, Geographical Society
i'm 1871. In 1915 President Wilson
designated him a Representative OF
the Interior Department on the
mite q states Geographic Board.
-es-fr-t. ,,--er-sf' Il -4isal q man fsssa-
enlinently for dealing with the technf-
cal Questions constantly arising In the