150 F. C. HAKRISON 



The membership has grown from fifty in 1900 to over one 

 thousand in 1921. The Society has tasted the joy that springs 

 from labor, and perhaps its greatest achievement has been the 

 estabUshment of the Journal and Abstracts which are to 

 our workers ports and happy havens indeed. Further achieve- 

 ments of happy memory and daily use to the teacher and in- 

 vestigator are the Society's card, the standard methods of many 

 routine proceedings; some order out of the chaos of bacteriologi- 

 cal nomenclature; and the commencement of work on standardiz- 

 ing materials and methods. 



The recital of the past is an augury for the future. Can we, 

 at this time, suggest a policy for our Society? Are we able to 

 plan a cooperation of efforts which will interest all members, 

 for each to give something of himself for the good of the Society, 

 and for the benefit of human life and effort? 



"The keen spirit seizes the prompt occasion — makes the 

 thought start into instant action, and at once plans and performs, 

 resolves and executes." 



May I, therefore, take this opportunity of placing before j^ou 

 a few thoughts regarding the future. 



I. STEADY CAMPAIGN FOR MEMBERSHIP, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT 

 WHERE POSSIBLE OF LOCAL BRANCHES 



Thanks to the activity of Dr. Ayers and his committee, there 

 has been this year a large increase in membership. But we must 

 have more, if the plans outlined for a larger journal are to be 

 carried out; a large membership is fundamental and when ob- 

 tained many other things will follow in consequence. 



We have started a number of local branches. No scheme 

 offers better prospects of success for keeping the interest in the 

 Society between annual meetings. Every endeavour should be 

 made to increase these local organizations for, besides interest, 

 they afford opportunity for social meetings, arouse a feeling of 

 professional solidarity and permit of more frequent contributions 

 to our science. Further, by enlarging the field from which 

 members are drawn, the danger of narrow specialization is 

 avoided, and members of the local branches will be given a broader 

 outlook. 



