ARISTOGENICS 383 



It was recognized that no man or group of men could be expected cor- 

 rectly to assay and determine the value of a man or his works to the future 

 welfare of the human race. That is not expected. 



It was expected, however, that these men should use the measuring rod 

 of their own large experience and understanding, and report accordingly. 



It must be strictly understood that all concerned insist upon the recog- 

 nition of their ignorance; — their competence will be judged by the more 

 competent future. 



We attempt to do the best we can at this time, no more and certainly 

 no less. We hope that the hurrying centuries will bring advance in skill 

 and wisdom beyond our own, and our present effort is a pledge of our own 

 desire to serve the advance. 



The men who served on the 1931 jury are as follows: 



James Rowland Angell, President, Yale University 



Elmer Ellsworth Brown, Chancellor, New York University 



Donald J. Cowling, President, Carleton College 



Robert A. Falconer, President, University of Toronto 



Livingston Farrand, President, Cornell University 



Franklin H. Giddings, Professor, Columbia University 



Vernon Lyman Kellogg, Permanent Secretary, National Research Council 



Rufus B. Von Kleinsmid, President, University of Southern California 



William L. McKenzie King, Ex-Premier of Canada 



Daniel A. Poling, President, International Society of Christian Endeavor 



David de Sola Pool, Rabbi, Shearith Israel Synagogue 



Ralph W. Sockman, Pastor, Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, New York 



Charles Franklin Thwing, Ex-President, Western Reserve University 



Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary of the Interior 



The instructions to the Jury included a review of the fundamentals lead- 

 ing to the Aristogenic Record, and the following. 



"selection of examinees" 



A jury, appropriately chosen, will select ten persons of greatest merit 

 each year (at first in the United States). Merit is to be interpreted as 

 personal contribution toward the conservation and advancement of what- 

 ever is of value to the human race. 



Merit is not to be confused with fame, wealth or prominence. Merit 

 involves not only personal worth but also leadership, the good influence 

 of the man upon others of this day and onward. (The light must not only 

 burn, but guide.) 



It may correct error, discover truth or make truth more generally fol- 

 lowed. It may initiate a new era in human affairs. It may be found in 



