608 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LI. No. 1329 



tution could be explained only on a basis of 

 stereoisomerism, he developed an extension of 

 the valence hypothesis and introduced the con- 

 cept " coordination number " of elements. 



This conception was the stimulating cause 

 of a great mass of researches which embodied 

 the discovery of many new compounds, many 

 new examples of isomerism, brought rational 

 classification into the whole field of complex 

 inorganic compounds and led by logical devel- 

 opment of theoretical views to the discovery 

 of optically active inorganic compounds. 

 ZSTone realized more clearly than he that in 

 his extension of the valence hypothesis he had 

 not reached any ultimate truth but had merely 

 added one definite stepping stone. 



To the little laboratory in Zurich, with its 

 all too limited equipment, he attracted stu- 

 dents from every part of the world. Eventu- 

 ally adequate funds were placed at his dis- 

 posal, with which was constructed one of the 

 model laboratories of Europe. His fear at the 

 time was that he might not be able to carry 

 into the commodious new quarters the spirit 

 which had permeated the old laboratory. This 

 fear was groundless, as the character of the 

 researches from the new . laboratory abun- 

 dantly proved. 



In 1912 Professor Werner was LeBlanc 

 Medallist of the Societe Chemique de France. 

 In 1915 he was elected an honorary member of 

 the Chemical Society (London) and in the 

 same year was awarded the Nobel Prize in 

 Chemistry. 



An indefatigable seeker after truth has 

 gone to his rest. The example of his life re- 

 mains a constant inspiration. 



SCIENTIFIC EVENTS 



THE UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC 



SURVEY AND RECENT CONGRESSIONAL 



LEGISLATION 



DuEiNG the past session of Congress, the 

 TJ. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey was bene- 

 fited by provisions in three bills. 



In the act making appropriations for the 

 naval service for the fiscal year ending June 

 30, 1921, it is provided " That the superintend- 

 ent of the Coast and G-eodetic Survey shall 



have the relative rank, pay and emoluments 

 of a captain in the navy, and that hereafter 

 he shall be appointed by the president, by and 

 with the consent of the senate, from the list of 

 commissioned officers of the Coast and G-eo- 

 detic Survey not below the relative rank of 

 commander for a term of four years, and he 

 may be reappointed for further periods of four 

 years each. 



In the act making appropriations for the 

 sundry civil expenses of the government for 

 the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921, it is pro- 

 vided " That the title of ' superintendent ' of 

 the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 

 is hereby changed to ' director,' but this 

 change shall not affect the status of the pres- 

 ent incumbent or require his reappointment, 

 provided further that the secretary of com- 

 merce may designate one of the hydrographic 

 and geodetic engineers to act as assistant 

 director." 



The third act which contains legislation 

 affecting the commissioned personnel of the 

 Coast and Geodetic Survey is one entitled, 

 "An act to increase the efficiency of the com- 

 missioned and enlisted personnel of the Army, 

 liavy. Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey, and the Public Health 

 Service, through the temporary provision of 

 bonuses or increased compensation." This 

 act provides for certain increases in salary 

 for all commissioned officers varying in 

 amount from $480 to $840 per annum. It 

 contains the following provision affecting the 

 commissioned force of the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey: 



That in lieu of compensation now prescribed by 

 law, commissioned officers of the Coast and Geo- 

 detic Survey shall receive the same pay and allow- 

 ances as now are or hereafter may be prescribed 

 for officers of the Navy with whom they hold rela- 

 tive rank as prescribed in the act of May 22, 1917, 

 entitled, "An act to temporarily increase the com- 

 missioned and warrant and enlisted strength of 

 the Navy and Marine Corps, and for other pur- 

 poses," including longevity; and all laws relating 

 to the retirement of commissioned officers of the 

 Navy shall hereafter apply to commissioned officers 

 of the Coast and Geodetic Survey; Provided, That 

 hereafter longevity pay for officers in the Army, 



