July 21, 1905.] 



SCIENCE. 



73 



should be exercised in the conduct of a so- 

 ciety occupied with a specific branch of 

 engineering, that as far as practicable all 

 of its divisions receive due consideration. 

 In an institute of electrical engineering, 

 telegraph and telephone, electric traction 

 and electric lighting, central station and 

 isolated plant, transmission and distribu- 

 tion, design and construction, theory and 

 practise, in fact all branches of electrical 

 engineering, should receive consideration, 

 and in the solicitation of papers for the 

 series of meetings held during the year a 

 wide range of subjects should be covered 

 so as to interest and attract the largest 

 circle of members. 



We have already referred to the impor- 

 tance of conducting a national society on 

 broad lines so that the members at large 

 should have a share in the benefits as well 

 as the obligations of membership, whether 

 they be located near the headquarters of 

 the society or at a distance. It is manifest 

 that when the monthly meetings, as well as 

 the more important annual functions, are 

 held at the headquarters of the society, the 

 members at a distance feel that they are 

 at a disadvantage, and there is a tendency 

 to form local clubs or organizations and 

 secede from the parent society or at least 

 lose interest in it. Our institute has met 

 this situation courageously, and through the 

 initiative of Past-president Scott a series of 

 local organizations was established and they 

 have been added to under succeeding ad- 

 ministrations ; . these organizations have 

 done much to keep up the interest at dis- 

 tant points and they have undoubtedly in- 

 duced desirable accessions to our member- 

 ship and have been an important stimulant 

 of professional activity. 



Our sister societies are facing the same 

 problem and are watching the result of our 

 undertaking— it can no longer be called an 



experiment — with great interest. But this 

 scheme of local organizations, while un- 

 doubtedly successful, is developing new 

 problems and new conditions and requires 

 the constant care and supervision of the 

 central administration. 



As the close of another administrative 

 year draws near I have felt it incumbent 

 upon myself, and the fulfilment of a duty, 

 to direct your attention to some of the 

 questions which are before us and to give 

 expression to a few thoughts that have oc- 

 curred to me as a result of some years' 

 experience in connection with the admin- 

 istrative work of our own society and a 

 study of the methods followed by our sister 

 engineering societies. 



The comparisons which have been pre- 

 sented and the suggestions offered are not 

 made in a spirit of criticism, nor am I un- 

 mindful of the splendid work accomplished 

 by the framers of our present constitution, 

 to whom the highest credit is due for an 

 altogether excellent compilation, but our 

 institute is growing rapidly and with its 

 expansion new problems are arising, its 

 field of activity is constantly broadening, 

 and it should be expected, therefore, that 

 modifications in its organic law may from 

 time to time become necessary. 



It is in meeting and solving such new 

 problems of society administration as I 

 have referred to, that the youth and en- 

 thusiasm of our members are of the utmost 

 advantage; we are less handicapped by 

 precedent and tradition than some of our 

 older sister societies, and we may, there- 

 fore, expect for the Institute of Electrical 

 Engineers a glorious future full of activity, 

 initiative and prosperity, and successful in 

 the attainment of the highest professional 

 standing, dignity and usefulness. 



John W. Lieb, Jr. 



