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JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 16 
of the secretaries of the different Biological Societies during Convocation week at 
Chicago. 
The invitation set forth the desirability of a conference concerning the arrange¬ 
ment of programs for the annual meetings in order to prevent conflicts, so far as 
possible, and to enable those attending to become better acquainted with the prob¬ 
lems confronting the management of the different societies. 
The meeting was held at 6.30 p. m., Dec. 27. The following gentlemen were 
present: Dr. C. E. McClung, then chairman of the Committee of Biology and 
Agriculture of the National Research Council, and the secretaries of societies, as 
follows: Prof. A. Franklin Shull, American Society of Naturalists, Prof. J. R. 
Schramm, Botanical Society of America, Prof. A. O. Weese, Ecological Society of 
America, Dr. J. M. Aldrich, Entomological Society of America, and the writer. 
After the dinner was finished Prof. Shull stated his belief that much good could be 
accomplished by having the secretaries meet and discuss the problems that their 
societies were facing and that better arrangement for programs would probably be 
beneficial. He then called on Dr. McClung to preside. 
The latter called attention to the independent nature of the different societies and 
suggested the desirability of closer relations, expressing the belief that this would be 
of benefit to all. 
Prof. Schramm was called upon to discuss publications and presented data to show 
that costs of printing were too high and suggested the desirability of having one large 
publication which would serve all interests involved. This would make it possible 
to publish a larger edition and result in economy in printing. It was stated that this 
publication could be printed in sections which could be supplied to the members of 
the different societies covering the special lines in which they were interested. A 
common editorial staff would be necessary under this plan and the printing handled 
from one plant. It seemed probable that the cost of editing and management would 
be increased but the printing bill would be reduced. 
Representatives of each society present were then asked to state the conditions and 
problems that confronted them, particularly with relation to programs and publica¬ 
tions. It developed that most of the societies were experiencing difficulty in financ¬ 
ing their existing publications and the need of more avenues to publish scientific 
work was stressed by some of those present It was stated that the National Research 
Council had during the year past advanced funds to assist in the publication of 
Botanical abstracts. 
In the general discussion that followed the suggestion was made by some one that 
the remedy for these troubles could be secured by combining the societies so as to 
relieve the financial pressure. 
It was decided that it was advisable for the secretaries to meet each year and dis¬ 
cuss matters of mutual interest and the suggestion was made that the matters 
brought up should be talked over with the appropriate committee of each society. 
After adjournment the writer brought up this matter at the meeting of the Com¬ 
mittee on Policy of this association which was held later the same evening, but no 
action was taken. 
No meeting of the secretaries of the societies, as such, has since been held. On 
June 3, 1921, a conference was held in Chicago between representatives of the 
American Society of Naturalists, American Society of Zoologists and Botanical 
Society of America, for the purpose of providing in each of these societies a section for 
