REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING 
261 
REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING 
Prepared by the Home Secretary 
The Annual Meeting of the Academy was held in the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion in Washington, April 22, 23, and 24, 1918. 
Fifty-eight members were present as follows: C. G. Abbot, Ames, Bailey, 
Becker, Benedict, W. W. Campbell, Carty, F. W. Clarke, J. M. Clarke, Conklin, 
Crew, Cross, Dall, Davenport, Davis, Donaldson, Fewkes, Flexner, Hale> 
Halsted, Hillebrand, Howard, Howell, Iddings, Kasner, Lillie, Meltzer, Men- 
del, T. C. Mendenhall, Merriam, Michelson, Millikan, E. S. Morse, Moulton,. 
E. L. Nichols, E. F. Nichols, A. A. Noyes, W. A. Noyes, H. F. Osborn, Pearl, 
Pupin, Ransome, Reid, Rosa, Schlesinger, Erwin F. Smith, Stratton, Thom- 
son, Ulrich, Van Hise, Van Vleck, Walcott, Webster, Welch, Wheeler, D< 
White, Wilson, Woodward. 
BUSINESS SESSIONS 
The President announced that the Home Secretary, Mr. Arthur L. Day 
would not be present, owing to absence from the city on matters relating to 
war. 
REPORTS from officers of the academy 
The annual report of the President to Congress for 1916 was presented and 
distributed. 
The President presented the following communication from Mr. R. S. 
Woodward, resigning the chairmanship of the Committee on the Barnard Medal : 
April 9, 1918. 
The Home Secretary, 
Dear Sir: 
Permit me to tender through your office to the Council of the National Academy of Sci- 
ences my resignation as Chairman of the Committee on the Barnard Medal. Like our late 
colleague, Profesor William James, I find that with advancing years it is desirable to relieve 
oneself of what he fittingly called "life's baggage." Having assisted at the birth of many of 
our American Societies and served them in one way or another for many years, and having 
acted as the Chairman of the Committee on the Barnard Medal for a decade, I am disposed to 
think it will be advantageous for me, for the Academy, and for contemporary society to 
transfer the duties of the Chairmanship of the Committee in question to a younger man. 
Faithfully yours, 
Robert S. Woodward. 
Moved: That the resignation of Mr. Robert S. Woodward as Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on the Barnard Medal be accepted with regret, that Mr. T. H. Morgan be elected a 
member of the Committee, and that Mr. A. A. Noyes be elected Chairman. (Adopted.) 
The President announced the following changes in the personnel of the Sec- 
tions and Committees: 
Section of Geology and Paleontology: J. M. Clarke, Chairman. 
Section of Botany: Erwin F. Smith, Chairman. 
