Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-06
UNION OF SCIENCES.
Meeting to Arrange a Confederation
Of Pittsburg Societies.
THE PROJECT SET WELL ON FOOT.
Committee Appointed to Arrange Details
and Secure Rooms.
NINE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTED

Delegates from nine scientific societies
met lastlevening in the ladies' reading room
of the Pittsburg Library to organize a plan
for the federation of the societies. The fol-
lowing named gentlemen were present:
Botanical Society DR.. William r. Hamilton,
]. d. Shafer, Esq, and Prof B. H. Patterson;
Amateur Photographers Association, Prof.
Breading Speer, H. w. Beymer and A. R.
Neeb; Microscopieal Society, Rev. W. ]. Hol-
land. C. G. Minor and G. H. Clapp; Odonta-
logical Society, DR.. II. De Puy; Pittsburg Den
tai Society, DR.. Walter F. Fundenberg; Archi-
tects' Society, George s. 0rth and A. PEBBLES;
Art Association, G. q. Mellor and George 81.
Macbeth; Engineers Society of Western
Pennsylvania, Charles Davis; Obstetrical So
clety DR.. Frank Mcdonald.
Invitations had been sent by the secretary
of the Microscopical Society, which initiated
the movement to the Palette Club, the Phila-
telie Society and the Allegheny County Med
ical Society, but those organizations neither
sent delegates nor any answer to the invita-
tions. Rev. Mr.. Holland was chosen Chair
man of the meeting and Mr.. Clapp, Secre-
tary. The credentials of the delegates we're
read. Rev. Mr.. Holland said that the meet
ing was an informal one, and that he con-
sidered it to be in order to hear the views Of
the delegates. 1t might be possible that
some of them had received instructions from
the societies which sent them. It was de-
veloped that none of the delegates were in
structed. The contemplated plan was ex-
planned by Rev. Mr.. Holland.
THE CENTRAL IDEA.
The central idea of the federation is to
unite the societies in the rental. furnishing
and maintenance Of building where the
societies can hold their meetings, where
L. 6oo~ Hi. IL.
a joint library of scientific and technical
books. At present the several societies meet
in various rooms in the city, in some in
stances having cramped quarters, with poor
facilities for the preservation of books and
collections, and perhaps holding uncertain
tenure of their rooms. 1t was explained that
q scientific building, to be owned BY the
confederated societies. was an ultimate aim;
but at the first it would be necessary to rent
rooms. The library and curiosity rooms are
to be kept open constantly, under the charge
of a librarian or curator, so that any mem-
Der of the societies may resort to them when
ever desirous of so doing. Rules must be
established for the confederation.
This outline of the scheme was approved
by all who spoke. The general plan was
accepted without criticism, and it was felt
to be necessary only to agree upon the work.
Ing uebdl1S. NO BlLnllaf organization exists
In this country, as far as is known, but as
sociations something like it have been
formed many years in Philadelphia and
Buffalo. Mr.. Mellor explained that each
society should maintain its separate organi-
zation and constitution, the confederation
being only for convenience and mutual ben
e1t. In the minds of some OF the projectors
there is an expectation that the coniedera-
ton will lead to the establishment of an
academy of sciences.
COMMITTEE ON DETAILS.
After general and informal discussion q
committee was appointed consisting of
Messrs. Holland, Macbeth, Davis, Shafer
and Mellor, who shall formulate definite
plan asd seek suitable quarters. The meet
ing adjourned to meet, probably in about
two weeks, at the call Of this committee.
The societies represented last evening have
a combined membership of nearly 900 mem-
bers, distributed as follows: Engineers, 400;
Botanical Society. IS; Art Association, 80;
Photographers, 73; Architects, 30; Odonto-
logical Society, 45; Dental Society, 25;
Microscopical Society, 50; Obstetricaf So
ciety. 40. The Engineers Society is one Of
the largest in the United States. 1t was ex-
pected that Prof. Brashear, President of the
Engineers Society, would attend the meet
ing. He is one of the most enthusiastic in
favor OF the project, and general regret was
at his inability to be present.