147 



idual ccientiBts specializing in different fields, between instit-- 

 utions with different facilities, and between nations fronting on 

 different sectors of the ocean. The many international conimioxeee 

 that have been organized of late prove that the necessity of .nis 

 last ti^e of cooperation is generally recognized. 



It is in Oceanography, of all sciences, that coordination (to 

 endure over long periods, to embrace simultaneously many sue jecos 

 of study, and between agencies far apart) is the V'^ost vital, tor an 

 orderly advance of the wholo. But this is difficult to establish. 



On the Pacific Coast the Scripps Institution is rapidly devel- 

 oping into a centre of stimulus in this respect, while, as pointed 

 out on page 107 , the committee on the oceanography of the Paciiic, 

 of the Pacific Science association, has proved highly effective. 



The American oceanographer also faces a difficulty when ready 

 to publish his work— often highly technical— for only ore scioatific 

 periodical, devoted especially to his subject, is published in Amer- 

 ica today, and that one being the vehicle for the work done at the 

 Scripos Institution, would seldom, if eve;-, find space for contrib- 

 utions by outside investigators. The scattering of oceanograpnic 

 papers in Biologic, Geologic, Geographic, Chemical, and Fisheries 

 journals also hampers advance, by making it almost impossible for 

 the individual student to keep abreast of the work of all his col- 

 leagu3B in various parts of the world. And, up to the present timo, 

 no complete bibliographic service has been available, although_ sev- 

 eral international ooeanographic commissions now have the publica- 

 tion of annual bibliographies in prospect, 



II. POSSIBLE REIffiDISS 



Your committee has given much thought to the possible rDmedies 

 for this state of affairs, and to the practical ways in which 

 Oceanography can most effectively be supported and stimulated in 

 America, 



It is obvious from the preceding considerations that Oceano- 

 graphy in Arerica is in great need of additional financial support 

 if it is to progress in a degree at all commensurate with its gen-- 

 eral and economic importance. But at the same time, it is waste- 

 ful to spend the time and the energy of the few working oceano- 

 grapher s of America on "drives" for funds. 



From the financial standpoint it does not seem practicable to 

 deal with the entire field as a unit, but rather with certain key 

 situations as specific projects. 



The requirements of personality may always tend to limit the 

 number of ooeanographers, but much could be done to counteract the 

 other factors that now act in the same way, 1q think especially 

 of any means for enlarging the opportunities for instruction, and 

 for multiplying the profescional openings in sen^science in colleges, 

 in universities, and in the seaside laboratoriec, through fellow- 



