NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
739 
A letter was presented from the National Canners' Association asking the 
co-operation of the Research Council in the conduct of investigations on toxic 
elements in canned foods: Raymond Pearl, V. C. Vaughan, and C. L. Alsberg 
were appointed a committee to confer with representatives of the Association 
in regard to the matter. 
The matter of the ice patrol of the North Atlantic was presented by Dr. 
S. W. Stratton, and it was voted that a committee be appointed by the Coun- 
cil to co-operate with the government Committee on Ocean Surveys and Ice 
Patrol. 
The question of agricultural research in this country was presented by 
Dr. Raymond Pearl and discussed by the committee. It was voted that Dr. 
Pearl and Dr. Hale be authorized to confer with the Secretary of Agriculture 
to ascertain from uim how best the Research Council can co-operate with his 
Department and who would best represent his Department in the work of 
the Research Council. 
Regarding the procedure of the committees, it was voted that the com- 
mittees of the Council appointed for carrying out the various branches of 
the work first decide upon a general plan of procedure and submit this plan 
to the Executive Committee for its approval. The committees shall then 
proceed to carry on in detail the general plan as approved by the Executive 
Committee; but they shall not take any action connected with legislation 
or with questions of pubhc policy without first consulting the Executive Com- 
mittee. They shall make reports of progress to the Council at its annual meet- 
ing and to the Executive Committee at such times as it may direct. 
The fourth meeting of the Executive Committee was held on October 
21, 1916, in New York City. Messrs. Carty, Dunn, Hale, Noyes, and the 
Secretary were present. 
A committee on the Utilization of Industrial Research Facilities for the 
National Defense was formed, and J. J. Carty was appointed chairman. 
The rest of the meeting was devoted to a consideration of a report drafted 
by Dr. G. E. Hale to be presented to the President of the Academy on the 
work of the Research Council and to be transmitted by him to the President 
of the United States. 
The fifth meeting of the Executive Committee was held on November 4, 
1916, in New York City. Messrs. Carty, Dunn, Hale, Noyes, and the Secre- 
tary were present. Dr. Hale reported that under the authorization previously 
given by the Executive Committee he had proceeded with the organization 
of the Military Section of the Research Council. As members of that Sec- 
tion there have been appointed by the President of the United States three 
members from the Army, namely, Brigadier-General WiUiam Crozier, Chief 
of Ordnance; Brigadier General W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon General; and Lieut. 
Col. G. O. Squier, Chief of Aviation, and three representatives of the Navy, 
