51 
was a conception of the idea that knowledge is to be gained on all of 
the common affairs of life which put into practice would result in effi- 
ciency and in economy. 
Now, that is a matter of slow growth—public education. We are 
striving to bring people to a conception of that idea in all of our schools 
and colleges, and here is a public body which should be recognized as 
having influence and standing and weight in this State. What better 
service could it render in the course of a quarter century than to have 
promulgated steadily that notion of appreciation of scientific methods and 
scientific spirit? It is worth more than papers. It is the ultimate ob- 
ject of this Academy. It is the highest service it can render the State 
as a matter of public welfare and public education. 
Now, that is very intangible, I realize, but I think it is an end worth 
thinking about. (Applause. ) 
Dr. C. L. Mees: It appears to me that the remarks I had prepared 
upon being notified to speak have been stolen by those who have pre- 
ceded me. It is an old Chinese saying that it is dangerous to stoop down 
even to fasten your shoe strings in your neighbor’s melon patch. So there 
is very little left for me to say. 
I certainly am thoroughly in accord with all that has been said this 
morning, and by Dr. Coulter last evening, but there are one or two prac- 
tical things which come to my mind now. Dr. Coulter referred to the fact 
that we are in danger of dissipation. Owing to the fact that the number 
of scientific workers in special lines in Indiana has increased very greatly 
in the last two years, papers presented to the Academy have become more 
and more technical in narrow specialties and the number capable of discus- 
Sing them or even following them as presented was necessarily small and in- 
terest correspondingly flagged. This condition led to the formation of half 
a dozen or more of scientific societies made up of men especially interested 
along narrow lines of scientific research, commanding the interest and at- 
tendance of those having common interest and drawing their attention 
and membership from the Academy. Now the question is whether the 
Academy cannot devise some plan by which the work of these various 
societies could be co-ordinated and perhaps their meetings be arranged 
to occur about the same time as the Academy meeting. If the program 
of the Academy meeting could be somewhat shortened and the papers be 
