Present Problems of Geophysics.— Becker. 21 
Organization increases efficiency in scientific work as 
much as in technical pursuits, though it has seldom been at- 
tempted. Instances in point are the U. S, Geological Sur- 
vey, the Reichsanstalt and astronomical surveys of the sky. 
Geophysics, then, is too difficult a subject to be dealt witfi 
excepting by a well organized staff, wor"king on a definite 
plan resembling that indicated above. The tastes and con- 
venience of individuals must give way to the methodical ad- 
vancement of knowledge along such lines that the work of 
each investigator shall be of the utmost assistance to tht, 
progress of the rest. 
Work in geophysics is already in progress in this coun- 
try, thanks to the appreciative sympathy of director Walcott, 
of the Geological Survey, and the liberality of the Carnegie 
Institution, by members of my staff and in part under my 
direction. Messrs. A. L. Day and E. T. Allen have made an 
excellent series of determinations of the melting points of 
the tricHnic feldspars and studied their thermal properties. 
They are now preparing to make experiments is aqueo- ig- 
neous fusion. Mr. C. E. Van Orstrand has made a novel 
application of the theory of functions to elastic problems and 
has reduced several series of important observations on elas- 
tic strains for comparison with theory. Dr. J. R. Benton is 
occupied in experimental investigation of elastic strains in 
various substances. The men engaged in these researches 
are able and devoted to their work, but they are too few in 
number, and they are required to make determinations of the 
most delicate character in an office building standing in the 
busiest portion of Washington, where the walls are in a state 
•of incessant tremor and v/here there is no suggestion of uni- 
formity of temperature. Under such circumstances the re- 
sults of observation can not be of the most refined charac- 
ter and must be obtained at great expense of time and effort. 
Most of the great physicists of the world have ex- 
pressed their interest in geophysics and their beUef that the 
time is ripe for its investigation. Geologists are eager for 
its results, but no government can undertake investigations 
so remote from industry as this. I do not think I can more 
fitly conclude this paper than by quoting a resolution intro- 
duced by Mr. S. F. Emmons at Vienna, a year ago. It was 
