1899.1 MINUTES. 71 



tained in the interest of such companies, and in some cases are 

 even discouraged from making public what for a time can be used 

 to advantage in a commercial way and classed among the trade 

 secrets. I speak knowingly on this subject, for the first question 

 that was asked me in 1889, before I was solicited to report on the 

 subject of transmission of power by electricity, was whether I was 

 retained in the interest of any electric company. The fact that 

 patent litigation has played so important a part in the development 

 of electricity is also to be taken into account when an effort is made 

 to awaken debate on subjects that should be of special interest in 

 the Society founded by the early electrician, Benjamin Franklin. 

 Many men are loath to commit themselves in debate that may in a 

 short time be taken hold of by patent attorneys. The commercial 

 aspect of scientific advance is too important to be ignored ; we 

 must therefore, as members of the American Philosophical Society, 

 as far as we can, induce others to assist in the work of the Society 

 by showing a willingness to take an active part in the meetings that 

 are held in this room, and by early publication of matter sub- 

 mitted give precedent in publication to those who lay claims to 

 priority of discovery. 



Stated Meeting, April '21, 1899. 



Yice-President Sellers in the Chair. 

 Present, 17 members. 



The Curators announced that, in accordance with a resolu- 

 tion of the Society, the Carthaginian tombstone in its posses- 

 sion had been photographed, and exhibited a blue print of 

 same (see accompanying figure, page 72). 



The death of Sir Monier-Monier Williams, of London, 

 England, April 11, 1899, who was elected a member Decem- 

 ber 17, 1886, was announced. 



Dr. Stellwagen made a verbal communication to the Society 

 in regard to a tombstone presented by Commodore Stellwagen, 



