964 
equally successful. The membership of the 
Association is now larger than it ever was 
before, over eight hundred new members 
having been elected within the past year. 
There is every reason for satisfaction at 
the present condition and outlook of the 
Association. But this does not mean that 
we need not be on the alert to increase its 
usefulness under the circumstances con- 
fronting us at the beginning of the twentieth 
century. Evolution occurs by natural se- 
lection, but with boundless waste, regard- 
less of time and careless of the individual. 
Human development must henceforth be 
It is 
the object of this article to make some def- 
guided by forethought and reason. 
inite suggestions regarding the organization 
of science in America under the auspices of 
the Association. They have been carefully 
considered by some of those most interested 
‘in the Association and, though they may 
not meet with universal approval, they are 
thought to be worth careful consideration. 
The objects of the Association are said in 
its constitution to be ‘‘by periodical and 
migratory meetings, to promote intercourse 
between those who are cultivating science 
in different parts of America, to give a 
stronger and more general impulse and 
more systematic direction to scientific 
research, and to procure for the labors of 
scientific men, increased facilities and a 
wider usefulness.’? This statement may 
be somewhat systematized and amplified. 
The legitimate objects of the Association 
may be said to be (1) the presentation and 
discussion of research work in the differ- 
ent sciences and the publication of such 
(2) The of re- 
research. promotion 
SCIENCE. 
(N.S. Vou. XIII. No. 338. 
search by grants of money and by provid- 
(8) The 
encouragement of addresses, reports and 
ing the means for cooperation. 
publications on the progress of different 
departments of science, sometimes of value 
to the specialist, but more especially im- 
portant in keeping the sciences in touch 
with each other. Joint meetings, discus- 
sions and publications should be arranged 
on subjects common to different sciences, 
relating the pure and applied sciences or 
concerned with scienceas a whole. (4) The 
presentation of such addresses, reports, dis- 
cussions and publications in a form that 
will so far as possible keep the general pub- 
lic informed on the advances of science, in- 
terest them in the opportunities of scientific 
work and its needs, and impress on them 
the dignity and supreme importance of 
Here should be included what- 
ever will secure recruits to scientific work- 
science. 
ers and the money and support that scien- 
(5) 
opportunity for men of science in different 
tific work requires. Offering an 
departments to become acquainted person- 
ally and by publication, and encourag- 
ing sympathy and loyalty to their com- 
mon interests, and performing, so far as 
possible, the same function for scientific 
(6) The 
guidance of scientific organization in Amer- 
men and the intelligent public. 
ica, which includes the coordination, estab- 
lishment and arrangement for the meet- 
ings, ete., of special scientific societies ; 
the publication and circulation of scientific 
books and journals; the place of science in 
education and all external means for the 
advancement and diffusion of science; the 
direction of public opinion and legislation 
