REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING 
395 
Mr. William H. Welch presented the following letter, resigning the presi- 
dency of the Academy to take effect with the close of the present meeting, 
which was accepted with great regret : 
National Academy of Sciences, April 16, 1917. 
To the Members of the National A cademy of Sciences. 
Gentlemen: In accordance with the intention which I announced at our semi-annual 
meeting last November, I hereby tender my resignation of the office of President of the Acad- 
emy to take effect at the close of the present annual meeting. 
It is mainly the assumption of new and exacting duties and responsibilities connected 
with the organization and development of the School of Hygiene and Public Health recently 
established at the Johns Hopkins University which leads me to withdraw from a position 
which should receive much of the time and thought and energy of the incumbent. 
It is a source of gratification that the Academy, while retaining its distinguished position 
as representative of those most eminent for their contributions to science in America, has 
widened in recent years its fields of activities and thereby become more useful and signifi- 
cant in the advancement of science in our country. It is to be hoped and expected that the 
Academy in its activities, influence and membership will be still further broadened and become 
increasingly serviceable and important in the promotion of knowledge and of the welfare 
of the nation. 
I wish to renew the expression of my profound appreciation of the very high honor 
which was conferred upon me four years ago by election to the presidency of the Academy, 
as well as my appreciation of the continued loyalty and support and kindness of the members. 
I desire likewise to record my gratitude and indebtedness for the unfailing aid of the officers 
of the Academy, and especially of the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary, who have 
really carried the burden of the conduct of affairs. Faithfully yours, 
William H. Welch. 
The invitation of the Provost and Trustees of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, to hold the Autumn Meeting in Philadelphia, was accepted. 
The following resolutions were adopted: 
Whereas, there is a great shortage in the supplies of platinum available for scientific 
and industrial purposes, and 
Whereas, the shortage is in very great measure due to the extensive use of platinum for 
jewelry and other articles of luxury', therefore be it 
Resolved, that the National Academy of Sciences, in this critical situation where all the 
resources of the Nation should be put to the use of those immediately active in the construc- 
tive, productive and defensive work of the country, appeal to the women and the men of Amer- 
ica to refuse to purchase or accept as gifts jewelry and other articles made in whole or in part 
of platinum and thus to allow all the available supplies of the metal to be used where they can 
do the greatest good. 
The Foreign Secretary presented the following communication from the 
Academic des Sciences at Paris received through the Ambassador from France 
to the United States: 
ambassade 
DE LA REPUBLiQUE ERANgAiSE Washington le April 16, 1917. 
AUX ETATS-UNIS 
My DEAR Mr. Secretary: 
I am informed by my Government that our "Academic des Sciences" has received, from 
"the National Academy of Sciences," a friendly telegram by which they have been deeply 
touched. 
