New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17
AN ARMY OF SCIENTISTS.
THE COMING MEETING OF THE AMER
ICAN ASSOCIATION.
= AND AFFILIATED SOCIETIES TO HOLD SEES
sIoNs AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
NEXT WEEK.

in a 21l3 II
will appear before Sunday. Ordinarily these or
onfzat,ons select q week much later in the sum-
r,er for their deliberations. But this year on ac-
count Of the large number OF international scien-
,;eo congresses 10 be held a little later at Paris
-4 the probability that a good many Americans
VII wish 70 take part IN them. It was deemed wise
- hold the conferences in this country much earlier
than usual
The American Association for the Advancement
n Science, ike the similar British organiza-
ZION contains two distinct elements the pro-
fsesional and the popular The former en-
braces a large number of college professors. gov
srauent bureau officials and other men and women
who are directly engaged in scientific research or
instruction Almost every who has been at
all conspicuous IN this way IN America during the
last half century has been identified with the
American association There are also a good many
people whose principal occupation is not scien-
fife who nevertheless find in the sciences de-
Mghtful pastime- These amateurs in turn may be
sub-divided into active and passive classes. Some
OF them conduct more or less original investiga-
t!0ns and Go with commendable thoroughness
and caution. And some merely endeavor to follow
the achievements OF others, and evince their IN
terest by subscribing for scientific periodicals. be-
coming members Of scientific bodies, and perhaps
contributing financially to the OF worthy
scientific enterprises. The American association
heartily welcomes all of these elements
ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership IN this society offers many advan-
tages TO the amateur and young professional
scientist. One may read periodicals week after
week and month after month. and form pretty
idea Of what IS going in any particular field
OF inquiry but no chance 10 and hear the men
who are conducting the experiments and making
the discoveries that being constantly reported
IS afforded except at such meetings about
be held in this city. The opportunity for social
Intercourse and informal discussion with leaders
in science IS exceedingly valuable person OF an
investigating turn Of mind. Then too both for the
sake of seeing the Hons and exhibition OF
hospitality. it IS common for non-scientifc people
In every city which the association comes to join
il. least for that year. It IS easy matter to
arrange. One secures from the permanent score
Jary some other official application blank,
fills 1t out. gets the Endorsement Of two members
fellows and pays initiation fee of s. and the
annual assessment of So.
Any member who IS professionally engaged in
scientific work. has aided in advancing science,
may be elected fellow by the council. The pro-
portion OF fellows TO other members is about seven
10 nine. Between 1882 and 1893 the total member
ship ranged from ! 900 10 1000 with a maximum of
2054 in For time thereafter slight falling
of was noticeable. This due in a small measure
perhaps TO hard times. Again, there has recently
been disposition the part Of investigators 10 |
present their results TO Independent organizations
representing their special branches Of science
rather than TO the appropriate section of general
society However. the advantages OF federation
too well recognized 10 be lost sight of. Moreover
many OF the independent societies hold their meet
ings AT the time and place as the American |
association But whatever be the true explanation
Of the recent reduction IN the associations strength
il now appears that a marked revival has taken |
place Since last Christmas about $50 new names |
have been secured for the approval of the council
this week; and II is proba that when the meet.
ins OF 1900 Is over the membership hist will show
a greater total then ever before. The American |
association was never much alive at the pres
ent time.
A NEWCOMER PRESIDENT
Professor r. S Woodward of Columbia Univer-
sty, who has for many years held other offices in
the association and has been Of its most faith
fuI devotees, is now its president which fact &C
counts largely for the choice Of New-York as a
meeting place for 1900. A president is chosen
every twelve months. The only officer who IS re-
tanned continuously for much longer period is the
permanent secretary. Professor r W. Putnam
served in this capacity for quarter Of century.
but in 1898 Chavng been elected PRESIDENT he was
succeeded by D. L. o. Howard Chief Entomologist
Of the Agricultural Department Washington.
There is also a general secretary chosen every
year. Charles baskerville. OF the University Of
North Carolina will oficiate as such at the New
York meeting. Professor William Halock of Co
lunbia University. is secretary of the council.
The principal work done by the association is
conducted at meetings OF the nine sections into
which the organization is divided The men who
are selected year 10 preside these twelve
months later are vicepresjdents Of the association.
Tn following assignments were made at Columbus
IL 1883 for next weeks meetings:
"a Mathematics and Astronomy-Asaph Hall tr
% Physics-Ernest Merritt, Cornell University.
g. Chemistry-James Lewis Howe. Washington
ID Mechanical Science and Engineering-John A.
Brashear Western University Of Pennsylvania
CO Geoiogy-James Furman Kemp. Columbia
University.
% Zoology-C. B. Davenport, Harvard Univer-
90 I3otany-william Trelease, Shaw Botanic
Cd Anthropology-Amos W. Butler Indiana
q social and Economic scence-calvin NJ. Wood
ward Washington University.
The following list contains the secretaries of
Sections:
~ y. N. Strong. Yale University. New-Iaven:
rlbD r A, Fessenden. Western University Of |
C. S a5eshen Wysss9ycbusetts Institute OF
Technology, Boston
Cd ". r Magruder, Ohio State University. |
Cd J 4, Holmes University of North Carolina
4,9q1 G. II. Eigenmann, Indiana State University,
60 D T MacDougaI New-York Botanic Gar
III 191 frank Russell. Harvard University, Cam !
~ Il T Newoomb United States Census Blu
me council Of the association IS made up of the
oeeTs Tor the year, surviving presidents. the vice
presidents OF the last meetings and one fellow
!ost no less than four past observation-disclosures !
James Han, OF Albany; Daniel G. Brinton, Of Media
Dawson Of Montreal Edward orton. of Columbus |
$50, cleo last fan before the expiration of his 4
Presidents In addition 10 the officers Of the New /
80 meeting already designated. the following !
Past Observation-Disclosures NeHc6fnb. Washington;
Seytss r Barker. Philadelphia; George J. Brush, |
..sfle-p1lai Edward S. Morse Salem; Samuel =. |
~ = ). Washington; J. ". Powell Washington; /
f5nbridge. Albert b. Prescott. Ann Arbor: Joseph !
ION. 1erkeley; WilIia;n Hardness, Wash1 !lf