386 The American Geologist. June, isqo 
Committeo of organization of tlie International Congress of Geologists 
met in Washington at the National Museum, Friday, April 18th, at 
4 P. M. The following members were present : Messrs. Cope, Dutton, 
Frazer, Gilbert, Hague, Hall, Lesley, Marsh, Newberry, Powell, 
Stevenson, Walcott, Whitfield, Williams and Winchell. J. S. New- 
berry in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the 
secretary and approved. 
The Secretary reported that in accordance with the direction of the 
Commitee (see page 11) he wrote a letter on Nov. 18th, 1889 to the gen- 
eral secretaries of the London Congress, asking them if the Bureau 
desired the time of the Congress to be postponed to correspond wdth 
time of the expected World's Fair in 1892. This action was taken in 
conformity with the resolution adopted by the Congress at its Paris 
meeting in 1878, investing the "Bureau actuel" with powers during the 
interval up to the next Congress, and committing to the general sec- 
retary charge of the correspondence, (see p. 199.) 
The letter from the general secretaries, J. W. Hulke and William 
Topley, dated Dec. 6th, 1889, was then read: (see letter on file.) The 
Secretary further stated that the American committee of organization 
not having expressed any recommendation regarding postponment, 
and in consideration of the unsettled state of the legislation regarding 
the World' Fair, had considered it inappropriate for him officially to 
take further action until the Committee could take action in the matter. 
The general secretaries' letter was acknowdedged. 
Captain Dutton thought that if the only reason for postponement be 
to make the session coincide with the time of holding the World's 
Fair, no postponement should take place. Professor Lesley suggested 
that Dr Frazer may have information derived from private corresjiond- 
ence bearing upon the subject, which may be of interest to the meeting. 
The Chairman called for a statement from Mr. Frazer. Mr. Frazer 
stated that he had received letters from a number of members of the 
Bureau expressing their opinions regarding postjionement. These 
letters were laid upon the Secretary's table for inspection, and Mr. 
Frazer read an abstract of views prepared by him (See his report in 
American Geologist. April, 1890, p. 208.) 
Professor Cope would not ol)ject to the postponement to 1893. 
Major Powell stated that legislation in the matter is not completed, 
but the prospect is that the Fair wall be held in 1893 and in Chicago. 
Professor Lesley stated that he hoped the Congress will not be held in 
Philadelphia, but before deciding the matter of postponement, with 
the consent of the Committee, he wished to make a statement regard- 
ing the Local Committee of Philadelphia. No objection being raised, he 
stated that soon after the appointment of the Local Committee he called 
a meeting, and the first meeting of the Local Committee was held : at 
that meeting he stated that he accepted and held the position of Chair- 
man pro tempore, and proposed to organize the Committee by the 
election of Mr. Frazer as chairman. This proposition was 
met by objection on the part of Mr. Frazer, who maintained 
that the Local Committee had no power to change its constitu- 
tion, — that he would not take the chairmanship unless appointed by 
the General Committee, — and that if he were appointed chairman by 
the General Committee he would accept. Mr. Frazer would not take 
the work or responsibility of chairmanship unless he were chairman ; 
and as Mr. Lesley was unable to perform these functions it was impos- 
sible to act further. Mr. Frazer stated to him that there was a corres- 
pondence with the members of the Bureau, w^hich convinced him that 
there was no reason for hurry. The Local Committee was then ad- 
journed and no further action had been taken, and the committee had 
not been called together since that time. 
