FOREWORD 
As indicated by the table of contents, the following report of the 
division of scientific inquiry is presented in two parts: Part I is a 
condensed statement of the chief results of the investigations con- 
ducted by the division during the calendar year; Part II is a tran- 
script of the proceedings of the divisional conference held January 
4 to 7, 1927. While both parts treat of the work of the division, it 
will be seen that the accounts of the various investigations, as given 
in the proceedings of the conference, are less detailed in nature but 
include the general and historical bearings of the problems, in most 
cases stressing the practical significance of results. The accounts 
of the investigations given in the first section are more nearly 
restricted to the detailed results obtained during the current year, 
and therefore supplement the more general treatment. 
The divisional conference of January, 1927, was the first meeting 
of its kind ever held by the Bureau of Fisheries. There have been 
many fisheries conventions, in which the bureau’s investigators have 
participated; there have been frequent conferences between the offi- 
cers of the bureau and smaller groups of workers interested in par- 
ticular problems; but never before, except, perhaps in the early days 
of the Fish Commission, has the entire staff of the division of 
inquiry been assembled for a general consideration of its prob- 
lems. The undertaking was an experiment, therefore, and it yet 
remains to be determined if the experiment be a success or if it will 
be repeated. It can hardly be doubted, however, that the efficiency 
of the bureau’s work will be increased materially by overcoming the 
effects of the isolation that surrounds the field investigators by bring- 
ing them into contact with others in the same and associated fields, 
by the mutual exchange of ideas, and by the friendly criticism of 
their fellows on the staff. General satisfaction and approval were 
expressed by all who were in attendance. 
The conference was planned for the midwinter season, when field 
work is at a minimum; and the investigators’ regular visits to 
Washington, which formerly were scattered through the year, were 
delayed or hastened in order to bring the staff together at one time. 
The meeting of the advisory committee on scientific investigations 
of the bureau, appointed by Secretary Hoover, was also scheduled 
to occur at this time; and the bureau was further fortunate in 
having as guests noted visitors of other departments, who were 
visiting Washington in connection with their own work. Approxi- 
mately 40 persons took part in the discussions, including the com- 
missioner, deputy commissioner, chiefs of the divisions, investigators 
of the division of scientific inquiry, members of the advisory com- 
mittee on scientific investigation, and several invited guests. The 
program continued through 3% days, and included many carefully 
prepared papers, followed by extended and stimulating discussion. 
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