608 T. C. CHAMBERLIN 



The generosity with which great institutions of learning have 

 been founded and expensive scientific expeditions equipped gives 

 encouragement to the hope that if the noble object were suitably 

 made known, the means for its realization would be forth- 

 coming. 



It may seem premature to discuss details of organization and 

 modes of control before the general nature of the proposition is 

 approved, or substantial encouragement be given that the neces- 

 sary means of carrying it into effect will be available, but the 

 practicability of the proposition is in some measure dependent on 

 the concrete form which it would take. This is a peripatetic body 

 of changing membership, and, so far forth, is not most happily 

 organized to administer an enterprise of this kind. The congress, 

 furthermore, represents many nations and could not be hoped to 

 be entirely at one as to the location and control of a permanent 

 institution of this kind. It is, furthermore, probable that patrons 

 of the proposed organization would be influenced by patriotic 

 sentiments in making contributions to the endowment. It seems 

 best, therefore, to recognize these conditions in the proposition 

 itself, and instead of endeavoring to establish a single inter- 

 national institution under the specific control of this body, to 

 urge the establishment of sections or branches or cooperative 

 members of a composite organization to be located in as many 

 nations or grand divisions of the globe as future developments 

 might render wise ; these sections or branches to be immediately 

 administered by such bodies in such nations or grand divisions 

 as were found most suitable and practicable. For example, in 

 America, a section or a cooperative institution might well be 

 established under a board of trustees elected by the Geological 

 Society of America, a permanent organization of definite mem- 

 bership, representative of geological activity on the North 

 American continent. Similar representative societies or fixed 

 geological organizations fitted for the control of other branches 

 or cooperative institutions exist, or if not, should be brought 

 into existence, in all the great nations or grand divisions. Such 

 regional organizations would possess certain advantages in the 



