XXX INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 



This Society froriT its inception has had for its abject, as expressed in the second ar- 

 ticle of its Constitution, "the promotion of the art of shipbuilding, commercial and naval." 

 Our Constitution also provides that — 



"In furtherance of this object, annual meetings shall be held for the reading and dis- 

 cussion of appropriate papers and interchange of professional ideas, thus making it possible 

 to combine the results of experience and research on the part of shipbuilders, marine en- 

 gineers, naval officers, yachtsmen, and those skilled in producing the material from which 

 ships are built and equipped." 



The great and fundamental object of this Society, therefore, as expressed in its Constitu- 

 tion and as provided by the statutory laws under which it has been incorporated as a sci- 

 entific society, make clear the path of our most helpful and healthful development. 



While our membership embraces in its regular vocations a wide range of professional 

 and business activities, those activities, so far as they relate to this Society, should serve 

 primarily to promote the creation and diffusion of knowledge of the art of shipbuilding in 

 its broadest sense and the development of the many arts and sciences related thereto. 



The Society has, moreover, an especially important function in encouraging and devel- 

 oping, through the preparation and presentation of papers and otherwise, the latent genius 

 and talent of its younger members, especially those whose attainments may not yet have quali- 

 fied them for full membership. 



In a sense, therefore, the Society is a great educational institution whose standards and 

 ideals must be maintained, and whose powers of instruction and professional helpfulness 

 should be constantly developed. To aim at less would be to miss our greatest opportunity 

 for good. 



Anything, therefore, which would seriously divert the Society as a whole from such 

 purposes and ideals and tend, even in slight degree, to lower its standards is to be avoided 

 in the future as in the past. For upon the maintenance of high standards "for the art of 

 shipbuilding" depends in large measure the satisfactory solution of the many great prob- 

 lems connected with ocean, lake, and inland water transportation with their consequent be- 

 neficent results for humanity. 



In view of the admirable collection of papers awaiting your consideration, I shall de- 

 tain you no longer, but immediately proceed to the important business for which we have 

 assembled. 



The President: — The secretary will now read the list of transfers to the various 

 grades of membership. 



The Secretary: — The following applications of transfers of members from one 

 grade to another of the Society have been received and favorably recommended by the 

 Council : 



Associate to Member (7) 



Chas. T. Burton, Superintendent of Hull Construction, Standard Shipbuilding Cor- 

 poration, Shooters Island, N. Y. P. O. address : 622 Henderson Avenue, West Brighton, 

 N. Y. 



Leroy E. Caverly, Assistant General Manager, Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry 

 Dock Company, San Pedro, Cal. 



