DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

WASHINGTON, D. C.

June 15, 1892

Prof. O. C. Marsh,

New Haven, Conn.

Dear Sir:

Herewith I enclose to you a copy of a note from Senator Allison, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, which will explain itself, and, in accordance with Mr. Allison's suggestion, I also forward Professor Osborn's communication.

New York, June 13, 1892.

Senator William B. Allison,

Chairman, Committee upon Appropriations.

My dear Sir:

In reply to your letter of June 9, requesting information regarding the Vertebrate Department and suggestions regarding the appropriations for paleontology, I would respectfully submit the following. As before, I request you to kindly send a copy to Director Powell, and I enclose one for that purpose.

First. It is absolutely essential for the progress of the Survey that the work in _Invertebrate Paleontology_ be continued, because this is the principal and, in many cases, the only means by which the relative age of Strata can be determined and is, therefore, at the basis of all geological work.

Second. While not quite so essential, _Vertebrate Paleontology_ is an important part of the Survey, for the same reason. For determining the age of strata, the systematic work of this department should be done with great accuracy to insure permanence, and as it is of a less practical and of a more purely scientific character, it should also foster the interests of this branch of science in this country.

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My opposition to a renewal of the appropriation for Ver-
tebrate Paleontology is based upon the fact that neither of
these ends are being attained. The systematic work is inac-
curate and if published by the Government will subsequently
require complete revision and republication. Secondly, the
department is conducted as if it were a private bureau and the
collections were private property, instead of as a public
bureau with public responsibilities.

All these costly collections are retained in the private
store-rooms of a college museum, instead of being transported
directly to the National Museum. The only exception to this
is one large case of specimens, which, after the department
had been established over ten years, were sent to Washington
in 1891 apparently for the benefit of the foreign visitors to
the International Geological Congress. It is stated that
there is no room for these fossils; the fact is that the cost
of a single Monograph issued by this department would provide
a large exhibition room; no serious effort has ever been made
to accomodate these fossils in Washington.

b. The above concerns the public. It is also true
that students and specialists are not granted general access
to these Government collections, even under the ordinary
safeguard regulations of Museums. They can only be seen and
studied by a few persons, as a matter of personal favor, and

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under conditions which do not admit of free access and study.
It is absolutely necessary for the progress of this branch of
science in this country, that the type specimens should be
made readily accessible.

c. The publications which are being prepared with such
lavish expenditure, contain very inaccurate systematic work
and are, therefore, not of a permanent character; they will
all require revision. As a single example, a monograph now
in preparation is entitled "The Brontotheridae," such a name
has no recognition. This lack of permanence is the most
serious defect, from a purely scientific standpoint.

d. This Government department is unfriendly to similar
work in other institutions. I speak from personal knowledge
as regards several Museums. The Trustees of this Museum
recently founded a Vertebrate Department, and as Curator I
engaged collectors who offered their services and had formerly
been in the employ of Professor Cope and Professor Marsh.
Professor Marsh used every means to prevent the Museum from
collecting in one of the great horizons of Wyoming, upon the
ground that the Government had prior rights there, and for-
mally claimed for the Government all fossils thus found.

If the Director of the Survey should provide that these

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matters be reformed - that the collections be sent where they
belong and managed like the other National Collections - that
proper precautions be taken to secure accurate and permanent
work - that the Vertebrate Department cooperate with similar
departments in other institutions - it will then become of
scientific and educational value and will as fully deserve
the support of the Government as our Fish Commission or United
States National Museum. It will also receive the hearty sup-
port of many who are now strongly opposed to this appropria-
tion being continued.

I am, dear sir,

(Duplicate)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

DIVISION OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY

NEW HAVEN, CONN.,

February 9, 1894.

To the Indian Agent,

Pine Ridge Agency, S.D.

Dear Sir: -

In carrying on my work for the United States Geological Survey, it is important for me to have some specimens of fossil animals found in the Bad Lands on your reservation. I cannot come for these myself, as I have done in years past, and have therefore arranged with Mr. H. F. Wells, a reliable man, with much experience in this line, to collect the specimens for me, and forward them here.

You will do a great favor to the U. S. Geological Survey and to me personally, if you will grant Mr. Wells permission to collect such specimens, beginning March 1st, 1894, if the weather permits.

Mr. Wells is now at Sturgis, S.D. Will you kindly send a pass to him there for the above purpose ? and greatly oblige,