PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL MAGNETIC BUREAU 205 



However, sufficient has been given to reveal the promising field 

 of research which would be opened up to this bureau, in the devis- 

 ing of new and more accurate instrumental means, in the inaugura- 

 tion of important work in regions unoccupied by any one nation, in the 

 unification of methods of observation and discussion, in the coordi- 

 nation and correlation of observed data, and in the investigations of 

 problems, not alone of great practical value, but also of great theo- 

 retic interest. 



Method of Work. 



The best means of accomplishing the purposes of the proposed 

 bureau would seem to be through a board of international councilors, 

 whose advice and opinions will govern the inauguration and con- 

 duct of a proposed investigation and the appointment of the proper 

 investigators or observers. Much of the observational and experi- 

 mental work will often be most effectively and economically done 

 by furnishing means to those who have already the problem in 

 hand. The granting of funds to such persons would be made with 

 the assistance of the international board. 



Organization. 



A director, whose function will consist in the planning and gen- 

 eral supervision of the work to be undertaken, assisted by the inter- 

 national council. 



An assistant director, who will have immediate charge of the 

 office work and take the place of the director when necessary. 



Physicists, observers, computers, and clerical assistance as needed. 



Funds Required. 



An annual appropriation of $25,000, if it be made available each 

 year, until expended, for a period of ten to fifteen years, would 

 suffice to conduct successfully for the period the work of the bureau 

 as outlined. However, a smaller sum, say $10,000 annually, would 

 be sufficient to cover the expenses involved in the main function of 

 the bureau, viz., that of direction, suggestion, devising of new in- 

 struments and methods, and prompt utilization and publication of 

 results. A curtailment of allotment would simply imply abridg- 

 ment of the experimental and observational work. 



Much of the machinery required is already, to some extent, 

 in operation, owing to the influence exerted by the international 



