ORGANIZATION OF THE COEDILLEEAN SECTION 587 



resignations were accepted.* The Society then elected N. H. Darton as 

 the Committee on Photographs. 



The Secretary read the following letter concerning the 



ORGANIZATION OF THE CORDILLERAN SECTION 



Berkeley, California, March 29, 1899. 

 To the Council oj the Geological Society of America. 



Gentlemen: As a result of the uneven distribution of population in North 

 America, the convenience of the majority of the Fellows determines that the meet- 

 ings of the Society shall usually be held at the greater centers of population in the 

 eastern part of the United States or Canada. Fellows of the Society resident on 

 the Pacific slope can attend such meetings only at a great expenditure of time and 

 money, and are thus placed at a disadvantage; they are, indeed, practically de- 

 terred from participating in the chief benefit which arises from membership in the 

 Society, namely, personal intercourse with fellow-geologists gathered in meetings 

 for scientific discussion. 



We, the undersigned Fellows of the Society, resident on the Pacific slope, there- 

 fore respectfully propose that the Society, recognizing the great extent of the 

 country and the geographical distribution of its Fellows, amend its constitution so 

 as to permit of the organization within the Society of a section embracing Fellows 

 resident in the western part of the country who desire to meet for the reading of 

 papers, scientific discussion, and social intercourse at times and places independent 

 of the stated meetings of the Society. 



We therefore respectfully request your honorable body to formulate and submit 

 to the Society at its next regular meeting an amendment to the constitution hav- 

 ing this end in view. 



Very respectfully, 



(Signed) Joseph Le Conte. 



E. W. HlLGARD. 

 R. H. LOUGHRIDGE. 



John C. Merriam. 

 Andrew C. Lawson. 

 J. C. Branner. 

 E. W. Claypole. 

 H. W. Fairbanks. 



The Secretary stated that some correspondence had passed between 

 Professor Lawson and himself previous to the meeting of the Council; 

 that the Council had considered the matter and recommended to the 

 Society the authorization of the Cordilleran Section under such rules 

 and conditions as the Council may prescribe ; also that the Pacific Coast 

 Fellows were planning to hold a meeting at San Francisco, Friday and 

 Saturday, December 29 and 30. 



* The Committee on Photographs was originally appointed in August, 1890, and consisted of 

 J. S. Diller, chairman, J. F, Kemp, and W. M. Davis. In December, 1894, George P. Merrill suc- 

 ceeded Mr Diller as chairman. 



