46 Federation of American Biological Societies 



of this committee's work. However this may be, certainly no one 

 wishes to add to their burdens and yet such an abuse may occur. 

 In the arrangement of dinners and luncheons a certain sum of 

 money must usually be guaranteed to the hotel or caterer. If the 

 sale of luncheon or dinner tickets falls short of this sum, the deficit 

 must be met by the Local Commit. This is manifestly unjust; the 

 shortage ought to be borne by the societies or, if this is impossible 

 (the Constitution!), by the Councils of the various societies. 



Another undemocratic practice has developed in connection with 

 the dinner which usually terminates the meeting of the Exec. Com- 

 mit. and to which all members of the various Councils usually are 

 invited. Heretofore the expenses of this always delightful occasion 

 have apparently been defrayed by the local members of the Council. 

 It is hardly open to question that this privilege should be denied 

 them; each member who has the honor of attending this dinner 

 should pay for his cover, just as at the general subscription dinners. 



Joint sessions. Only two Joint sessions could be arranged this 

 year on account of the large number of papers which were an- 

 nounced. If the influx of titles continues at the same rate of growth, 

 Joint sessions will become impossible in the future unless the sessions 

 are increased in number. While there is apparently some diversity 

 of opinion about the desirability of Joint sessions, it seems fairly 

 certain to the writer, at least, that their advantages more than com- 

 pensate for their drawbacks. 



Question of Privilege. A number of members of the Fed. 

 have inquired whether they have the privilege of discussing papers 

 in those societies of which they are not members. This point was 

 raised too late to obtain a ruling from the societies, but should be 

 taken under advisement as soon as possible ; a priori^ it would seem 

 that no objection could be found against the granting of this priv- 

 ilege. 



Attendance, The Boston sessions were very well attended; 

 at the opening Joint Session the large amphitheatre of Building 

 C was practically filled to capacity. The cross-circulation be- 

 tween the four societies was also well developed, and many mem- 

 bers attended parts of sessions of all the societies. It would be 

 desirable if some plan could be devised whereby each society could 



