18 THE HISTORY OF THE CONGRESS 



the greatest difficulty and of enormous labor. The remarkable success 

 with which the mission was crowned stands out the more promi- 

 nently in view of these conditions. When the Committee returned in 

 the latter part of September, they had visited every important coun- 

 try of Europe, delivered more than one hundred fifty personal invita- 

 tions, and for the one hundred twenty-eight sections had secured one 

 hundred seventeen acceptances. 



At a meeting of the Administrative Board, \vhich met with the 

 Organizing Committee on October 13, 1903, a full report of the 

 European trip was received and ways and means considered for insur- 

 ing the attendance from abroad. A list of the foreign acceptances was 

 ordered printed at once for general distribution, and the Chairman of 

 the Administrative Board was requested to address a letter to each 

 of the foreign scientists confirming the action of the special delegates 

 and giving additional information as to the length of addresses, and 

 rules and details governing the administration of the Congress. 



DEATH OF FREDERICK W. HOLLS 



The number of the Administrative Board was decreased during 

 the summer by the sudden death of the Hon. Frederick W. Holls, on 

 July 23, 1903. Mr. Holls had been intensely interested in the develop- 

 ment of the Congress from its earliest days, and was very instru- 

 mental in determining the form in which it was finally promoted. 

 His great influence abroad as a member of the Hague Conference, 

 and his high standing in legal and literary circles in this country, 

 rendered him one of the most prominent members of the Board. A 

 resolution of regret at his untimely death was spread upon the min- 

 utes of the Administrative Board at the meeting in October, and it 

 was decided that his place upon the Board should remain unfilled. 



DOMESTIC PARTICIPATION 



At this same meeting of October 13, active measures were taken to 

 forward the American participation in the Congress. The necessity 

 was now very evident that our strongest men of science must be 

 induced to take part, in order to compare favorably with the leading- 

 minds which Europe was sending. The Organizing Committee were 

 instructed to consult the American scientific societies and associations 

 regarding the selection of American speakers, and also in reference 

 to presiding officials for each section. Six weeks was considered suf- 

 ficient for this task, and the Committee were asked to submit to the 

 Administrative Board at a meeting in New York, on December 3 

 and 4, their recommendations for American speakers. 



An immense amount of detailed labor, in the way of correspond- 

 ence, now devolved upon the Organizing Committee as well as upon 

 the Director of Congresses, and a branch office was established in 



