28 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



as to become a serious tax on the time of those who attend them 

 and some who used to look with favor on international work are 

 beginning to be frightened. 



Perhaps we may look forward to some arrangement to com- 

 bine the meetings of the different associations in the manner of 

 the different sections of the British Association, for instance. 

 But this would require some central authority to act as a bond 

 between the bodies which at present are separate and inde- 

 pendent. 



Economy of working, both financial and administrative, points 

 in the same direction, and we are driven to the conclusion — and 

 that, I think, I should like to make the moral of this paper — 

 that the present policy of establishing a separate association for 

 each new extension of international work should be reconsidered 

 and an effort made to economize time in working and admin- 

 istration by some larger scheme including the various separate 

 international institutions on related and similar subjects. 



Realizing that it is necessary to take some action in this direc- 

 tion, yet perhaps not understanding correctly why the action is 

 necessary, an ambitious undertaking has been evolved in Bel- 

 gium, where it is proposed to erect an office uniting all inter- 

 national associations, whatever their object or character may 

 be. The promoters have drawn up their statutes, one general 

 congress has already been held, and another is now being organ- 

 ized. No success can, however, be expected from a scheme 

 launched by a self-constituted and irresponsible body, unless its 

 program commands general respect. 



Is this the case in the present instance? 



I do not know whether you realize the number of associations 

 which exist. I shall not call them " international associations," 

 but associations which call themselves international. (Laugh- 

 ter.) The number to be united in this Belgium scheme is 279, 

 and each of them, if I understand the proposals correctly, may 

 have an office in a large building to be erected for the purpose. 

 If you read through the list of these associations, I do not know 

 what your feeling would be, but I can describe to you what mine 



