SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 917 
SCOPE AND OBJECTS OF THE ACADEMY. 
If the people of this region were fully aware of the import- 
ance of supporting the Southern California Academy of 
Sciences in its laudable undertaking, it is not to be presumed 
that they would lightly regard this duty and privilege. It 
must be that lack of information, misconception or other ike 
cause which proper advertising can remove, is the true ex- 
planation of the evident luke-warmness. 
In so far as clear statement of facts may aid in overcoming 
the obstacles which beset the pathway of those who hold dear 
the interests of this worthy organization, we feel called upon 
to do our part now and always. 
This body is not, as some affect to suppose, a mutual ad- 
miration society, a foil for the aggrandizement or emolument 
of axe-grinders, or an arena for the ventilation of isms and the 
exploitation of cranks. 
On the contrary, its objects, as plainly stated in the preamble 
to the Constitution, are: 
(1) To promote intercourse among those who are ecultivat- 
ing science; (2) to elicit public interest in the results of tech- 
nical investigation by the dissemination of correct information 
relating thereto; (3) the study of local natural features and 
phenomena; (4) the conservation of material illustrating local 
- phases. 
Quietly, consistently, faithfully, devotedly, without other 
reward than consciousness of duty done, the officers of the 
Academy have for years performed the arduous labors involved 
in what this platform inhibits. Those members whose life- 
work and self-sacrificing labors have entitled them to speak 
with authority, have unstintingly presented to us the fruits of 
their toil without compensation. Every one of the few dollars 
which have been contributed as membership dues has been 
made to yield its utmost in meeting the actual necessary routine 
expenses, and these have not yet reached anything like gen- 
erous proportions. 
Handicapped and in the face of obstacles which are not 
¢reditable to this community, to say the least, there has been 
a steady onward move. We are beginning now to reap the 
harvest from the earliest seed-sowing and a few willing hands 
are tilling and sowing for a future crop. There is urgent need 
for more seed and the time is fully come for its forthcoming 
to our hands. 
We have new opportunity ‘‘to promote intercourse,’’ in the 
nearness to us of the world-famed enterprise in action on 
Mount Wilson. We sorely need all available resources ‘‘to 
