10 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
On motion of Doctor Williston, the letter was ordered published in 
the proceedings of the Academy. 
The committee on the welfare of the Academy presented the fol- 
lowing report : 
To the Members of the Kansas Academy of Science: 
Your committee to whom was entrusted the consideration of the general wel- 
fare of the society beg leave to make the following report: 
First.—We recognize the great value of the library to the members of the 
Academy and to the people of the state at large. For the small appropriations 
and amount expended in printing, a very large amount of most valuable material 
is received in the way of exchanges; indeed, an amount far in excess of the cost of 
ourown publications. We believe that every effort should be made to increase the 
library; and when some plan is formulated for the consolidation of all the libraries 
in the state-house under a common head we should favor having the Kansas 
Academy library made a part of this collection. 
Second.—We consider the Goss collection of birds very valuable for instruc- 
tional purposes and as such it should be made more available by having larger 
cases provided, to relieve the crowded condition of the collections. This collec- 
tion requires the constant care of some competent person in order to keep it in 
good condition. 
Third.—We urge at as early a period as possible the establishment and main- 
tenance by the Academy of an economic museum of the industrial products of 
the state for popular instruction. We have already the basis for such a collec- 
tion, and we realize that it will be of great interest and value in the development 
of our resources, and will attract the attention of those desirous of investing capi- 
tal in the state. We believe that the collection for the museum of specimens 
other than those having a distinct industrial value should be for the present dis- 
couraged. 
Fourth.—We believe that the value of our publications both to our own mem- 
bers and to the scientific world would be doubled if these publications could be 
issued promptly. We suggest, therefore, that an effort be made to issue bulle- 
tins containing the most important papers whenever they are offered for publica- 
tion, and that these bulletins be serially numbered, paged, and indexed, so as to 
be convenient for binding. By this means we should secure for the Academy 
many valuable papers which at present are sent to other journals. The Academy 
does not attract many important papers that would give it a higher standing in 
the scientific world. 
Fifth.—We suggest that the secretary keep himself informed in regard to all 
persons in the universities, colleges and high schools of the state, and all other 
persons interested in science, and that a persistent effort be made to secure their 
cooperation in forwarding the work of the Academy. 
Sixth.—We recommend that such changes be made in the constitution of the 
Academy as that the officers shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a secre- 
tary, a treasurer, and an editor. We suggest that the secretary be a salaried 
officer, and that he have charge of all the books, collections and material prop- 
erly belonging to the Academy. We suggest that the editor be chairman ex 
officio of a committee of three who shall have the entire responsibility of issuing 
the proceedings of the Academy. 
Seventh.—Weask for the following annual appropriations from the legislature : 
For the salary of secretary, including help of a stenographer, $1200; for new mu- 
