New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-14
SCIENCE AT SGOW.

The annual meeting of the British Assocla-
ton for the Advancement OF Science, which
opened In Glasgow on "Wednesday, suggests
comparison between the practices and proceed
ings of that body and those OF the American
organization which bears the same name. The
two resemble each other in many particulars,
but there are several obvious points OF differ
ence In the United States for instance, Ii Is
customary to begin the active business OF the
meeting on Monday and conclude II late the
same week. On the other side of the Atlantic
the opening session is held on "Wednesday or
Thursday. two day break occurs on Saturday
and Sunday. and the close comes early the fol
lowing week. Inasmuch as few members en-
Joy private hospitality, the American usage Is
less expensive than the British.
Again, the purely scientific work OF the Brit
ish association is interlarded with garden
parties. evening receptions, railway and steam
boat excursions, and other diversions of q more
or less social character, whereas I'm America
such attractions have of late been dispensed
with These entertainments have their charm
no doubt. especially for the younger element in
the association, but they tax rather heavily the
public spirit OF the city in which the meetings
are held. The leading members Of the Ameri-
can organization have come to feel that they
can be much more independent In the choice Of
a meeting place If IT Is distinctly understood In
advance that no burden will be imposed on local
hospitality This advantage nearly or quite
compensates for losing the benefits OF the other
system.
1t must be conceded however, that in the
number of strong papers presented ut their
meetings our British cousins make the better
showing And this superiority is largely, II not
entirely, due to the fact that n much greater
percentage OF the veterans of science continue
TO attend year after year. in Great Britain than
in the United States. Research Is not less ac-
tive profound and fruitful here than there But
the results are not so fully reported to the AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement of Science. To
a somewhat greater extent in America than in
England discoveries and new theories are first
announced TO other societies, or else embodied
in the reports of government bureaus or other
institutions.
To some extent the enormous size OF this
country and the cost Of travelling account for
the deficiency here indicated. But there are
other factors I'm the case, although they are OBJ
scure, and 1t Is difficult to know how to deal
with them The American association has
effected a remarkable gain in membership dur
ing the last year or two, and new policies have
recently been adopted which promise to
strengthen it in other ways. The few men who
at a considerable sacrifice Of personal con-
venence have managed the organization for
many years clearly alive to it's needs But
IL their efforts were heartily seconded by others
who are IN position to cooperate the interest
of the meetings would be greatly enhanced.
and what is OF more consequence, the brother
hood Of American scientists would make a more
crcditable appearance before the world.