45 



work, especially in liuliaiia; to assist by investigation iind dist-ussion in 

 developing and making known the material, etincational and other resources 

 and riches of the State ; to arrange and prepare for publication such reports 

 of investigations and discussions as may further the aims and objects of 

 the Academy as set forth in these articles." 



The first provision for the encouragement of research and the diffusion 

 of knowledge concerning the various departments of science is an impor- 

 tant one. Examination of tlie printed volumes of the Proceedings will dis- 

 close a long list of original contributions and reports of investigations of 

 the natural resources of our state and of the development of various 

 phases of scientific progress. The record is one of which we may well be 

 proud. Many of the papers have been an, inspiration to those who heard 

 their presentation, and they remain an invaluable, permanent record of 

 current problems or of conditions long since passed away. Still it is 

 worth wliile to raise the question whether it may not be possible to increase 

 the value and interest of the papers presented at our regular meetings by 

 making them part of well considered and carefully prepared programs. 



In connection with this problem there appears a serious defect in the 

 practice whicli obtains in the organization of the committees upon which 

 the Academy must depend for the direction of its woi'k. The constitution 

 provides that "The President shall at each annual meeting appoint two 

 members to be a committee which shall prepare the programs and have 

 charge of the arrangements for the meetings for one year."' Current prac- 

 tice so interprets this provision that the retiring pi'esident chooses this and 

 other committees which mu.st work with the newly elected officers. This 

 I consider a seriously unfortunate usage. Under such conditions there U 

 no reason to anticipate the same sense of common interest and responsi- 

 bility for the worlv t>l' officers and committees as would obtain if the act- 

 ing president had the appointment of his own coinn)ittees. As an illus- 

 tration I may cite the fact that one year within the writer's knowledge 

 the chairman of the program committee, which so far as the immediate 

 interests of the Academy are concerned is the most important committee, 

 was not even informed of his appointment till so late as to make arrange- 

 ments for the sprint meeting altogether imiiracticable. liad the acting 

 president selected his own committees there certainly would have been 

 a closer cooperation and a fuller sense of responsibility and therefore more 

 efficient service. Tliis statement is made not in adverse criticism of eithei" 

 officers or committees, but of the unwise practice of the Academy. Com- 



