Decembee 2, 1904.J 



SCIENCE. 



739 



enough. Both midwinter and midsummer 

 are liltely to be unpleasant for travel in 

 America, and therefore early autumn seems 

 most feasible time, unless colleges could be 

 induced to give a common spring vacation. 

 Another argument against midwinter is that 

 laboratory work is usually in best shape to 

 show after winter-work is over and in the 

 spring or autumn. 



Wilder D. Bancroft (12 Feb., '04, No. 476, 



pp. 264^265). 



Improvement of meetings of sections neces- 

 sary before men working in diiferent fields 

 can be brought together. Attendance at meet- 

 ings largely from a sense of duty. Presiding 

 oificers too often overload the program and give 

 no opportunity for discussion. Local mem- 

 bers plan too many excursions for each after- 

 noon. It is a waste of energy by committee 

 and by visitors. Usefulness of the meeting 

 lies in the personal element, in making men 

 acquainted, in giving them a chance to dis- 

 cuss things and to exchange ideas. In morn- 

 ing have short papers ; if possible of general 

 interest, each paper followed by animated dis- 

 cussion. In afternoon men get together to 

 talk over things more carefully, also for one 

 excursion a day. In evening, general social 

 gathering not confined to single sections. 



Chas. W. Hargitt (12 Feb., '04, No. 476, p. 



265). 



Must of necessity exist many technical so- 

 cieties, and there will be more rather than 

 fewer. There then remains the ' imperative 

 necessity for such organization of scientific 

 effort as will make possible concentrated and 

 consistent and direct sentiment for the enact- 

 ment of needed measures of influence for what- 

 ever emergency may call for such.' Society 

 of Naturalists did much of this class of work 

 but it was too limited. Believes that the 

 American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science and in ' technical societies there are 

 conditions and factors which properly corre- 

 lated and adjusted, afford the most hopeful 

 outlook for organized scientific progress within 

 present generation.' 



C. H. Hitchcock (12 Feb., '04, No. 476, p. 

 266). 



Lilies suggestion of two meetings and thinks 

 localities might be chosen to fit the season; 

 winter in the south, summer in the north or 

 between east and west. With some aifiliated 

 societies, they could meet in the winter and 

 put all their energies into work inthe summer. 

 The publication question is still open; if there 

 were two annual meetings there could be two 

 volumes printed, with some of the more im- 

 portant papers. 



J. H. Long (19 Feb., '04, No. 477, pp. 309- 



310). 



Advocates the plan of Section C and the 

 American Chemical Society. This will neces- 

 sitate deciding upon and publishing places of 

 meeting several years ahead. Suggests a com- 

 mittee from association, perhaps committee 

 on policy, taking matter up and inviting co- 

 operation from various societies. Thus a 

 program for several years in advance can be 

 prepared. Convocation Weelc: Not fair to 

 draw conclusions from either the successful 

 Washington or from the St. Louis meeting 

 which was not so satisfactory. ' Personal 

 preference for general meeting in June, just 

 after commencement season. This is often 

 too early for eastern schoolmen. September 

 too late for college men and in August it is 

 too hot. 



Marcus Benjamin (19 Feb., '04, No. 477, pp. 



310-311). 



What is needed is a consistent policy ex- 

 tending over a term of years in order that the 

 advantages and disadvantages may be prop- 

 erly weighed. Council should be as nearly 

 permanent as possible and changes limited to 

 the new officers elected each year. The gov- 

 erning body should be changed only by a 

 majority of its members. 



James E. Eussell (19 Feb., '04, No. 477, pp. 



311-312). 



Suggests that once in two years all meet 

 in same place and on alternate years the affili- 

 ated groups serve their various interests. 

 Much would be gained by returning biennially 

 to the same place of meeting. It would tend 

 to give the association a fixed home and a 

 permanent and reliable constituency. 



