64 



SCIENCE 



[Vol. LV, No. 1412 



numerals, the metric system, the measurement of 

 latitude and longitude, angular divisions, mathe- 

 matical symbols, chemical formulse, time and the 

 calendar, notation in music, and other technical 

 usages ; and 



Whereas, There appears to be a generally ex- 

 pressed need for a suitable international auxiliary 

 language for the prompt and world-wide diffusion 

 of scientific data, and for intercommunicating 

 between nations differing in languages; 



Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Amer- 

 ican Association for the Advancement of Science: 



(a) Eecognizes the need and timeliness of 

 fundamental research on the scientific principles 

 which must underlie the formation, standardiza- 

 tion, and introduction of an international auxiliary 

 language, and recommends to its members and 

 affiliated societies that they give serious consid- 

 eration to the general aspects of this problem, as 

 well as direct technical study and help in their 

 own special fields wherever possible; 



(b) Looks with approval upon the attempt now 

 being made by the National Research Council 

 and the American Council of Learned Societies 

 to focus upon this subject the effort of those 

 scholars in this country best fitted for the task, 

 and to transmit the results to the appropriate 

 international bodies; 



(c) Indorses the heretofore relatively neglected 

 problem of an international auxiliary language 

 as one deserving of support and encouragement; 



(d) Continues its Committee on International 

 Auxiliary Language, charging it with the further- 

 ance of the objects above enumerated and report- 

 ing progress made to the association at its next 

 meeting. 



A Resolution hearing on the Introduction of 

 the Metric System in the United States. 



Whereas, The metric system of weights and 

 measures has been favorably endorsed by many 

 societies and organizations affiliated with the 

 A. A. A. S.; 



Whereas, The A. A. A. S. has by resolution of 

 its governing Council already affirmed its belief 

 in the desirability of adopting the metric system 

 by the United States; and 



Whereas, Legislative bills aiming to bring 

 about the adoption of the metric system have 

 been introduced in Congress; 



Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the A. A. 

 A. S. urges on Congress the passage of legislation 

 which will go farther than the present legislation 

 (which permits the use of the metric system) 

 and will require the use of the metric system in 



such branches of trade and commerce as are sub- 

 ject to general direction and regulation by the 

 government of the United States. 



A Resolution hearing on the Appointment of 

 the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries. 



Whereas, The United States Commissioner of 

 Fisheries has presented his resignation; and 



Whereas, The position is one demanding, for 

 the proper discharge of its duties, technical 

 knowledge of the scientific work of the fisheries 

 and their utilization for the benefit of the nation, 

 as well as administrative skill and experience; 



Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Council 

 of the American Association for the Advancement 

 of Science desires to emphasize, in connection 

 with the selection of a new commissioner, the 

 prime importance of securing a man who pos- 

 sesses both the special experience' and scientific 

 knowledge of the field, combined with the neces- 

 sary administrative ability for discharging the 

 duties of the position; and 



Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this 

 resolution be sent to the President of the United 

 States and to the Secretary of Commerce. 



RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF AGRI- 

 CULTURE 



The one big agricultural lesson which the 

 War has driven home is a realization of the 

 definite relation between the world's increas- 

 ing population and the amount of food ma- 

 terial of all kinds which it is possible to make 

 the civilized and war-free portions of the world 

 produce. Never before have we realized so 

 clearly as now that the population of the 

 world is crowding closely upon its present 

 limits of food production and that some coim- 

 tries in fact for a long time have fallen far 

 short of their needs in their own production 

 of food. In spite of all the recent develop- 

 ment in aerial navigation, wireless communica- 

 tion, manufacturing, and extension of trans- 

 portation facilities and of trade, agricultural 

 productivity, just as much as ever, remains the 

 foundation of our well being. And the signi- 

 ficance of all this is that agriculture must be 

 made increasingly intelligent and must lay 

 hold of all that science can offer to meet the 

 ever increasing demand not only for food 

 but for better foods. 



There is a broadening opportunity, then, 



