526 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
It is our hope to return to Samoa in 1918 to remeasure and re-weigh 
corals, and thus determine their growth rate, and to bore through the 
coral reef, study the question of the existence or non-existence of a 
submerged marine platform, and evaluate the sand-carrying ability of 
currents over the reef fiats, and of solution due to holothurians. The 
results may then be pubhshed by the Carnegie Institution of Washington. 
It is a pleasure to express our gratitude to Hon. Josephus Daniels, 
Secretary of the Navy; and also to His Excellency, Governor John M. 
Poyer, Commander U. S. N., and his officers who did all in their power 
to facilitate our studies. 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO THE NEW NATIONAL ARMY BY THE 
ANTHROPOLOGY COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL 
RESEARCH COUNCIL 
The recruiting of a large army from the diversified elements of the national 
population must present certain contingencies in which Physical Anthropology 
may be of much practical service, and at the same time should afford many 
opportunities by the utilization of which this and related branches of science 
may greatly benefit. 
1. Examination of Recruits. — The examination of recruits for admission 
into the new Army will include certain observations which, if properly sys- 
tematized and made by simple, accurate, standardized instruments, should 
prove of great statistical value. Unhappily the methods followed today and 
the instruments by which the measurements are taken lack in uniformity as 
well as in accuracy. Unless a few necessary improvements are made in both, 
the great body of data derived from the examination of a million or more men 
cannot be utilized by science with full confidence; and as properly revised 
regulations would not increase, but actually diminish the burdens of the exam- 
iners, the Committee on Anthropology takes the liberty of urging immediate 
consideration of the question of revision. Suggested modifications of the 
present examination blanks and specifications for simple outfits of instruments, 
together with directions for the examiners in making measurements and phys- 
ical observations have already been submitted by the Committee to the 
National Research Council. 
In this as well as in other recommendations which the Committee has made 
the utmost care was taken not to add to, but rather to reduce the burdens of 
the medical examiners and the medical service of the army. No additional 
tasks at this time unless of the highest practical importance would be justi- 
fiable or feasible. 
