264 JOURNAL OF THE WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES VOL. 13, No. 12 
It is evident that there is a very real need for necessities other than food. 
The table of salaries given in the report shows that an ordinary professor 
in the University receives per month the equivalent of about 150 Swiss 
franes ($30.00). The cost of living is very high when compared with the 
salary received but is low when compared with prices in this country. 
It is clear that 10 dollars contributed for relief becomes greatly magnified 
when translated into crowns (exchange being now about 14 dollars per 
million crowns). In this connection may be quoted from Dr. Kellogg’s re- 
port in Science (April 6, 1923) concerning contributions to Russian Exiled 
Intellectuals in Berlin when $1200 were collected and distributed, 10 or 
12 dollars to each person, ‘I hope that each donor will realize how much 
his money is doing. Ten dollars make the difference between suicide and 
keeping alive some of these people.” Intellectual workers as a class are 
worse off than most other classes since the adjustment of their salaries to 
cost of living takes place much more slowly. So large a proportion of a 
professor’s salary must go for food that little is left for clothing and other 
necessities. Owing to the present boundaries of Austria many necessities 
must be imported at prices far beyond the reach of a scientist’s salary. How 
to get a pair of spectacles or a pair of shoes is a harassing problem that a few 
American dollars can solve. Since coal also must be imported the buildings 
are not heated. The vast herbarium of the Naturhistorisches Museum has 
not been heated since 1914. Working under such circumstances warm 
clothing is sorely needed but, except for those with friends in Ameriéa, the 
people are still wearing the threadbare garments of several years ago. 
Nothing is left of a professor’s salary for the needs of the intellectual life. 
Concerning the last the report says, ‘“‘Owing to the rate of exchange, a barrier, 
which is becoming more difficult to surmount, has been set up between 
Austria and the rest of the world, and this prevents all intellectual inter- 
course, all contact between Austrian science and the science of other countries. 
In short intellectual life is threatened with extinction through being aban- 
doned, isolated, and starved.” 
It is suggested that the most effective method by which Washington 
scientists can aid the intellectual workers of Austria is by direct contribu- 
tions from individual members of the Academy to individual scientists in 
that country with whom they have established contact personally or by 
correspondence. 
There are probably many, however, who do not have personal friends in 
Austria but who wish to contribute for the sake of preventing the collapse of 
scientific investigation in that country. 
Contributions may be sent to Mrs. Agnes Chase, Smithsonian Institution, 
who will represent the Chairman of the committee during his absence in 
South America. The Committee hope there may be a wide response to this 
appeal as there is a very pressing need. 
It is suggested that donors indicate whether the gift should be sent (a) to 
an individual, or (b) to a class of scientists, or (c) to the Vienna Academy of 
Sciences or other institution, or (d) unrestricted, and (e) whether for a par- 
ticular purpose. 
It should be impressed upon donors that a gift of five or ten dollars will be 
a very real benefit and will be greatly appreciated, and that aid from members 
of the Academy will demonstrate the solidarity of international science. 
There will be no overhead expenses in connection with transmitting gifts. 
Mrs. Chase will pay postage and fee for registering. 
