THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 5 



In 1875 and 1876 there was only one each. Then in 1878 

 there were several important reports — six in all — among them 

 one " On proposed changes in the Nautical Almanac," another, 

 " On the use of polarised light for determining values of sugars," 

 another " On the measurement of the velocity of light," and 

 another " On the preservation of the writing of the original 

 Declaration of Independence." A second report on that sub- 

 ject was asked for only two or three years ago, and resulted 

 in the consigning of the Declaration of Independence to a safe, 

 where it would be protected from light. 



While there have been important reports on important subjects 

 since 1878, it is undoubtedly true that of late years the Academy 

 has been called upon less frequently than in the early years. At 

 first the officers of the National Government took the matter 

 seriouslv, and this was to the advantage of the country. But 

 with the multiplication of scientific bureaus supported by the 

 Government, the need of help from the Academy has become 

 less. While it is true that some of the subjects already men- 

 tioned, and others not mentioned, could have been reported 

 upon by one or another of the bureaus now in existence, the con- 

 ditions have changed, as already stated, but even as matters now 

 stand, there is ample room for the kind of activity which was 

 in the minds of the founders. Large questions of a scientific 

 character present themselves from time to time, and it is hard 

 to conceive of a better method of dealing with such questions 

 than that under consideration. 



In this connection it should be borne in mind that advice, even 

 good advice, is not always heeded. Indeed, it may happen that 

 it is treated almost contemptuously. This is well illustrated by 

 an actual case which deals with an important governmental 

 problem. Owing to its importance, this case may well be treated 

 of in some little detail. 



The Sundry Civil Act, approved May 27, 1908, requests the 

 National Academy of Sciences to consider certain questions 

 relating to the conduct of the scientific work under the United 

 States Government, and to report the result of its investigations 



