Evening star., 1919-12-22


In recognition of eminent services
"for the increase and diffusion Of
geographic knowledge" eight men
have been awarded life memberships
in the National Geographic Society.
it was announced today. following
meeting of the society's board of
managers.
The comforting of this honor was
made possible by the Jane NJ. Smith
life membership fund. created when
Miss Jane NJ. Smith of Pittsburgh. Pa.
bequeathed a fund of $4,000, the in
come of which should be used to
elect life members to the society.
Eight Men Elected.
The eight men thus elected life
members are: William H. Holmes,
Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss. U. S. N;
E. w. Nelson. Frank G. Carpenter,
Prof. Robert F. Griggs, Walter T.
Mather.
Only five other life memberships
have been awarded previously under
the provisions of Miss Smiths bequest,
those being to Hiram Bingham,
George kennan and Henry Pittier.
Made Alaskan Discoveries.
Prof Robert F. Griggs discovered
the now famous Valley of Ten Thou
sand Smokes. in Alaska. O. F. Cook
had a part in digging up lost city.
Machu Picchu, which revealed such
pre-Columbian secrets as its mag
nificent monuments and the hanging
gardens where it is thought the
humble potato originated.
1t was Walter T. Swingle whose name
ever will be associated with the Amer
lean raising of Smyrna figs. for until
he introduced the insect necessary for
fertilization of this variety, at Fresno,
Cal. in 1899. the imported fig trees
grew, but bore no fruit. Mr. Swingle
also devised improvements to mscro-
scopes. originated citranges by hybridi-
Zation in Florida, and introduced the
date palm. pistachio nut and other
plants of Mediterranean origin into the
United States.
Admiral Strauss Work.
Checking Germany's U-boat warfare
by the North sea mine barrage was a
major factor in the allied victory. Pre-
liminary to this task was a study of
"a study made by Rear Admiral Jo-
seph Strauss. Admiral Strauss already
was known for his invention of the
superposed turret system of mounting
guns on battleships, for his part in the
blockade of the Cuban coast, for his ex-
perimental work in torpedoes, and for
his writings on ordinance and ballis-
tics.
Edward W. Nelson, chief Of the Unit
ed States biological survey, has con-
tributed notably to the information con-
cerning animal life of North America.
He conducted scientific explorations in
Alaska, forty years ago, and more re-
Gently examined the zoology and bot
any of Mexico.
Stimulated Geographic Studies.
Frank G. Carpenter. first as a news
paper correspondent, later as a travel
writer. and also as an author of some
remarkable school Biographies, stim-
ulated interest in geographic knowl-
edge, and made Ineligible to the
general public vast amount of in
informative data
William Henry Holmes. now head
curator. anthropology, National Mu-
scum, has left his impress both in
science and art. In the former field
his work in ethnology, archaeology
and geology all have valuable geo
graphical bearings.
In recognition of his service in the
upbuilding of the national park sys-
tenn of the impetus he has given to
interest in our own natural beauties
and wonders. and his success in max
ing of these national play places pop
ular resorts. Stephen T. Mather was
elected.