4 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



March, 1900, the Hon. Andrew D. White, United States Am- 

 bassador at Berlin and a member of the Board, was requested 

 to represent the Institution on this noteworthy occasion. A 

 suitably engrossed address was transmitted through the De- 

 partment of State and presented by Dr. White to the Prussian 

 Academy, the acknowledgment of which, tog-ether with an 

 interesting letter from Dr. White describing the ceremonies, 

 were laid before the Board. Dr. White described the exer- 

 cises as having been of exceptional interest. They took place 

 in the Royal Palace, where the Emperor received the entire 

 body of guests in state, surrounded by the high functionaries 

 of the Empire bearing the royal insignia, while the Monarch 

 on the throne delivered an address of welcome. Later there 

 were entertainments in honor of the delegates, not only by 

 I he King, but by the Chancellor of the Empire and others. 

 On the second day there occurred a general reception in the 

 great hall of the Prussian legislature, which was also very 

 impressive. 



The Secretary added that Dr. White had further said in con- 

 versation that in all his experience as a minister to European 

 courts he had never seen so imposing a display of ceremonial 

 magnificence. 



Under unfinished business there came up the resolution 

 introduced by Dr. Bell with reference to the utilization of 

 scientific bureaus of the Government for purposes of research. 

 The resolution in the form it had been ottered at the previous 

 meeting was withdrawn by Dr. Bell and the following, which 

 contained some alterations intended to meet the views of other 

 members of the executive committee, was presented: 



In order to facilitate the utilization of the Government 

 Departments for the purposes of research — in extension of the 

 policy enunciated b} r Congress in the joint resolution approved 

 April 12, 1892: 



Besolved, That it is the sense of the Board that it is desira- 

 ble that Congress extend this resolution so as to afford facili- 

 ties for study to all properly qualified students or graduates 

 of universities, other than those mentioned in the resolution, 

 and provide for the appointment of an officer whose duty it 

 shall be to ascertain and make known what facilities for 

 research exist in the Government Departments, and arrange 

 with the heads of the Departments, and with the officers in 

 charge of Government collections, on terms satisfactory to 

 them, rules and regulations under which suitably qualified 



