Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12
DR.. v. J. SP|LLMAN,
ECONOMIST, DIES
Agriculture Department En-.
pIoye, 81, Expires After
Operation.

DR.. William j. Spillman, 81 years old,
one Of the leading economists Of the
Agricultural Department, with which he
had served since 1902, died yesterday
morning at Garfield Hospital after an
operation.
DR.. Spillman had been III only short
while, it was said, and went to the hos
pital Wednesday night for a gall blad-
der operation. He was operated on the
next day.
For many years the economist had
taken part in leading agricultural
studies and surveys and his ability in
that line was widely recognized. He
had written much on agricultural sub
JectS and for a number of years had
been professor of staple commodities of
world trade at the Georgetown Univer-
sity School of Foreign Service.
DR.. Spillman was born October %,
1868, in Lawrence County, Mo. He re-
ceived his education at the University
of Missouri, where he obtained his B. S.,
M. s. and D. Sc. degrees. He became a
specialist in agricultural economy In
1894 and eight years later joined the
Federal service, where his promotion
was rapid. From 1905 to 1918 DR.. Spill
man served as chief of the office of
farm management and from 1918 to
1921 as consulting specialist of the same
bureau and associate editor Of the Farm
Journal. Under the reorganization of
the department he has served since
1921 as consulting specialist.
Special Plant Studies.
Dr. Spillman made special studies in
the heredity Of plants and was interna-
tionally famous as the Independent dis
coverer OF MendelS law of recombina-
ton in 1901 and as the discoverer of the
mathematical form of the law of dimin-
ishing returns in 1920. During a long
period OF writing for scientific maya
zines he served as editor of the heredity
section OF the American Naturalist from
1908 to 1915,
He was a fellow Of the American
Association for Advancement Of Science.
member OF the American Academy of
sciences, the Society for the Promotion
or Agricultural Science, the American
Farm Economics Association and other
scientific bodies
Among some Of DR.. Spillman's most
prominently known publications were
Farm Grasses of the United States"
Farm Science" Farm Management"
and Balancing Of the Farm output"
He was also the joint author Of wide
ly known volume on THE Law of
Diminishing Returns"
DR.. Spillman resided at 1705 Ianier
place. He is survived by his widow,
Mrs. Matte Ramsey, formerly Of st.
Louis. and son, DR.. Ramsey Spillnan
OF this city.
Loss to University.
Upon learning CT Dr. Spillman's death
yesterday, DR. w. Coleman Nevis. S. j.,
president Of Georgetown University, on
whose faculty the economist lad served
10 years, said: THE death of DR.. Spill
man IS a great loss to Georgetown
University. His executive ability and
practical wisdom were of invaluable
assistance to the administration. He
possessed in a supreme degree a charm
Of character and depth Of learning and
he had a magnetic influence over
students and faculty."
DR.. Edmund A. Walsh, s. j.. regent
Of the school, said that DR.. Spillman's
death was a serious loss to both faculty
and students because Of the deep af-
lection and respect entertained for him
on all sides.
DIR. Spillman's knowledge in his
chosen field of agricultural economics
was unsurpassed and his ability to
communicate the fruits Of his long eX-
perience was exceptional" the regent
said. His contribution to education
was not less than his long service to
the Government. The university mourES
the loss Of a loyal and efficient men,
Der of its teaching body and I know
the students of the School Of Foreign
Service will equally mourn the passing
of one Of their most inspiring masters"