202 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
officers of the Government, who were detailed to assist in the 
deliberations. It is well to note also that from the beginning the 
membership of the Academy included many officers of the 
Government and that these were frequently selected to serve on 
committees of the Academy. On one occasion at least this led to 
some embarrassment, for the reason that through this double 
relationship it was thought that the views of subordinate officers 
might control the action of those higher in authority. 
As might be expected, there has been no regularity in the 
number of committees appointed on behalf of the Government 
from year to year. As many as seven have been appointed in a 
single year, while, on the other hand, two periods of five years 
each passed in which no calls were received from Congress or 
the Executive Departments. The records show, however, that 
of the whole number of committees more than one-third were 
appointed in the first five years. After this the number fell off in 
a marked manner, but increased again during the decade be- 
ginning with 1878. Between that year and 1888, twenty com- 
mittees were appointed. In the twenty-four years that have 
elapsed since 1888, only seven committees have been appointed. 
The subjects brought to the attention of the Academy by the 
Government have covered a wide range, but among them, 
matters in which physics, astronomy and chemistry were con- 
cerned have predominated. It should be remarked, however, 
that some of the most important questions which the Academy 
has been asked to consider, have not related to any particular 
branch of science, but rather to matters of public policy. 
On the general subject of committees appointed at the request 
of the Government, Professor Bache in his first report as Presi- 
dent of the Academy remarked as follows: 
“Tt was obvious that the only effective and prompt mode of action by members 
scattered over the United States, as were the fifty named in the charter, must be 
through committees. Action must originate with committees, and be perfected 
by discussion in the general meetings of the Academy, or in the classes or sections. 
Decisions to be finally pronounced by the entire body. 
“To avoid delay in reports which might be desired by the government to be 
promptly furnished, the President of the Academy was authorized to transmit 
