32 THE HISTORY OF THE CONGRESS 



undertaken which not only might add dignity and glory to the great name of the 

 Exposition, but also constitute a permanent and valuable contribution to the 

 sum of human knowledge. After a consideration of the whole question, which 

 extended over many months, the committee on international congresses resolved 

 to establish an administrative board of seven members, to which should be com- 

 mitted the responsibility of suggesting a plan in detail for the attainment of the 

 ends desired. This Board was appointed in November, 1902, and consisted of 

 President Nicholas Murray Butler, of Columbia University, New York; President 

 II. H. Jesse, of the University of Missouri; President Henry S. Pritchett, of the 

 Massachusetts Institute of Technology ; Dr. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Con- 

 gress; Mr. Frederick J. V. Skiff, of the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago; Fred- 

 erick G. Holls, of New York City, and the present speaker. 



This Board .held several meetings for the study of the questions and problems 

 involved in the great undertaking. Much valuable counsel was received and con- 

 sidered. The Board was especially indebted, however, to Prof. Hugo Miinsterberg 

 of Harvard University for specific material which he placed at their disposal 

 material which, with modification, served as the basis of the plans adopted by the 

 Board, and recommended to the members of the Exposition. 



At the same time the Administrative Board recommended the appointment of 

 Dr. Howard J. Rogers as the Director of Congresses, and nominated Prof. Simon 

 Newcomb of the United States Navy to be President of the Congress, and Pro- 

 fessors Hugo Miinsterberg of Harvard University and Albion W. Small of the 

 University of Chicago to be Vice-Presidents of the Congress; the three to consti- 

 tute the Organizing Committee of the Congress. This Organizing Committee was 

 later empowered to visit foreign countries and to extend personal invitations to men 

 distinguished in the arts and sciences to participate in the Congress. The recep- 

 tion accorded to these, our representatives, was most cordial. Of the 150 invita- 

 tions thus extended, 117 were accepted; and of the 117 learned savants who 

 accepted the invitation, 96 are here in person this afternoon to testify by their pre- 

 sence the interest they have felt in this great concourse of the world's leaders. I 

 am compelled by necessity this afternoon to omit many points of interest in rela- 

 tion to the origin and history of the undertaking, all of which will be published in 

 due time. 



After many months of expectancy we have at last come together from all the 

 nations of the world. But for what purpose? I do not know that to the statement 

 already published in the programme of the Congress anything can be added which 

 will really improve that statement. The purpose, as it has seemed to some of us, 

 is threefold: 



In the first place, to secure such a general survey of the various fields of learn- 

 ing, with all their "subdivisions and multiplication of specialties," as will at the 

 same time set forth their mutual relations and connections, and likewise constitute 

 an effort toward the unification of knowledge. This idea of unity has perhaps been 

 uppermost in the minds of all concerned with the work of organizing the Congress. 



In the second place, to provide a platform from which might be presents d the 

 various problems, a solution of which will be expected of the scholarship cf the 

 future. This includes a recognition of the fundamental principles and conception 

 that underlie these mutual relations, and therefore serve necessarily as the basis 

 of all sucli future work. Here again the controlling idea is that of unity and law, 

 in other words, universal law. 



In the third place, to bring together in person and spirit distinguished investi- 

 gators and scholars from all the countries of the world, in order that by contact of 

 one with another a mutual sympathy may be promoted, and a practical cofipera- 

 tion may be effected among those whose lifework leads them far apart. Here, still 

 again, unity of result is sought for. 



