1902.] FAIRCHILD — HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 337 



Piiblicatio7i. 



Volume 3 of the Proceedings should be immediately completed, 

 ready for binding, and the record of the meetings published to date. 

 The set of Proceedings should be continued steadily with as little 

 change of form as possible. The present form and style have been 

 highly commended by experts. Changes in the form of a serial are 

 very undesirable. It is even better to continue an imperfect form than 

 to change, as is shown by the present serials of some of the old socie- 

 ties. Our form is quite ideal and it would be a great mistake to 

 cheapen it with a view to economy. A few dollars saved in the paper 

 and letterpress would be entirely disproportionate to the loss. 



The support of the Proceedings should be the chief aim of the 

 Academy, for publication encourages and requires good work in the 

 scientific lines. By its publication the Society not only gives its mem- 

 bers a substantial and gratifying return for their support but is kept in 

 touch with scientific thought and effort over the world. It saves the 

 Society from isolation and atrophy. It is a product visible to all men 

 and a matter of proper pride to every member, and is the peculiarly 

 appropriate work of the Academy. 



Finances. 



The writer is convinced that a mistake was made in 1891 in cut- 

 ting of? the initiation fee of five dollars. It is a mistaken idea that low 

 charges make a society more attractive or greatly increase its effective 

 membership. Few desirable people join a scientific society simply 

 because the cost is small. Those who join should do so because they 

 are interested in the work and are willing to share in the expense. 

 The society will merit and receive more respect from its members and 

 the public that exacts a yearly due of no small amount. Most people 

 value things by what they cost. When the price of membership is 

 cheapened the regard for the society is lessened, and the financial ability 

 of the society to do its work, which alone entitles it to respect, is also 

 lessened. The reduction cuts in two ways. By dropping the initiation 

 fee the Academy sacrificed a part of its income without any compen- 

 sating gain. At the reorganization the dues had been raised from 

 one dollar to five and the membership steadily increased. 



There are only two classes of persons upon whom the Society can 

 rely for permanent membership. These are, first, those who have a 

 genuine interest in science, and, second, those persons who have some 



