FIGHTING THE INSECTS 



the details of travelling in the United States were new to the 

 European guests. Many difficult situations had to be straightened 

 out. On the very valuable suggestion made, I think, by Hugo 

 Miinsterberg, six young American Doctors o£ Philosophy, fa- 

 miliar with certain European languages, were appointed to 

 assist the executive secretary, especially by way of concerning 

 themselves with the comfort of the European delegates. One 

 of the difficulties that we encountered was a most unfortunate 

 glut of luggage. Many of the Europeans, unfamiliar with our 

 checking system, were greatly worried when they were not 

 able instantly to reclaim their trunks, and so on. I remember 

 one German professor who wailed in despair for two days 

 because the box that contained the manuscript of his speech 

 had not arrived. 



An interesting incident was connected with the arrival of 

 Henri Poincare, the famous French mathematician. He made 

 his first appearance at the registration office early one morning. 

 I was not there, but an assistant was at the registration desk 

 and he told me the story. Poincare knew no English, and this 

 particular assistant did not understand French, so they were 

 apparently at a deadlock. But the Frenchman said in his own 

 lano-uage that he had been invited by Professor Newcomb. The 

 assistant caught the name, and by signs indicated that he would 

 conduct the visitor to Professor Newcomb's room. They went 

 to the dormitory where Newcomb was quartered and rapped 

 on his door. A voice sang out, "Come in." The assistant opened 

 the door and discovered the Washington astronomer in his 

 bathrobe and wearing a most forbidding expression (with his 

 leonine head and shaggy hair and beard he could seem most 

 formidable). Poincare advanced at once with hand extended 

 and said, "Oh, Professeur Newcomb!" Then, seeing that he 



[i86] 



