184 EDITORIAL 
and the reluctance with which the cable companies consent to part 
with them. The committee should see whether, either alone or in 
co-operation with the British committee, something may not be 
accomplished in securing access to these valuable data. If the com- 
panies could be made to see that studies by the committee are likely 
to serve them in suggesting better methods of meeting their special 
difficulties, much might be gained. 
Almost at the same time that the American Committee on Seis- 
mology was founded there was organized upon the Pacific coast the 
Seismological Society of America. ‘Though the name is as broad as 
the continent, the composition of the Board of Directors and the 
Scientific Committee indicates that the field of the society’s endeavors 
is to be the Pacific states. ‘The president of the society is George 
Davidson, and the secretary George D. Lauderbach. The chairman 
of the Scientific Committee is Professor Andrew C. Lawson, who is 
also first vice-president of the Board of Directors. ‘The other mem- 
bers. of the Scientific Committee are J. C. Branner, G. K. Gilbert, 
Cs Derleth, Jr; 1) Use Conte, Av Ss: MicAide wand El. shames 
Membership in the society is fixed at $2 per year for ordinary member- 
ship and $25 for life membership. It is announced that a regular 
publication is one of the objects of the society. An American journal 
of seismology would do much to develop the latent interest in the 
subject, and it is to be hoped that one will soon be launched. 
There is another movement, less in evidence as yet, but hardly 
less certain to arrive. Several American universities following the 
example of Johns Hopkins, are now making plans for the equipment 
of an earthquake station, and close upon these installations is sure to 
follow a new emphasis placed upon seismology as a part of a geologist’s 
training. The chair in seismology founded in the University of 
Tokyo in 1886, and occupied successively by the distinguished seis- 
mologists Sekiya and Omori, is today unique in the world; and, 
with the exception of an unsuccessful course in seismology given 
years ago at the Sorbonne, the branch has not been dignified as yet 
by separate treatment in the university curriculum. A beginning 
has just been made at the University of Michigan, where in the 
winter semester of 1906-7 a lecture course upon seismic geology has 
been given two hours each week. W. iH. H. 
