The Washington times., 1902-12-28
Convention Of American AS
sociation Promises to Be
Most Important Ever Held
in United States.
Or. c. S. Minot, of Harvard
Medical College, to Give
Description Of History Of
"Convocation Week"

What promises to be one OF the most
important gatherings OF scientists ever
held in America was begun yesterday
afternoon 10 this city. when the fifty
second meeting of the American Asso-
citation for the Advancement of Science
was opened in the Cosmos Club. The
opening session was attended only by
the members Of the association compris-
ing what is known ss the general cOun-
ell and presided over by DR.. W j Nc
Gee.
Al the meeting yesterday the prelimi-
nary work OF the local committee, in
cluding the program arranged for the
six days OF the gathering. was approved.
A number OF important announcements
were also made by the general council
at the conclusion Of its session. among
them that the first general meeting will
be held in st. Matthews Church. Rhode
Island Avenue. near Connecticut Avenue.
instead of in the Lafayette Opera House
as had been heretofore arranged.
Duties Keep Them Home.
Another important announcement was
that the program tomorrow will include
a brief description OF the history or
'eonvoeation week" by Dr.. Charles s
Minot. OF Harvard Medical College. past
president OF the association.
In years past # has been extremely
difhcult for members o. the various col
legiate faculties OF the United States TO
secure leave OF absence from their
chairs and attend the sessions OF the
association. AS a result a movement
was begun whereby some plan might be
devised to arrange matters so that mem
bers Of college faculties could get away
from their duties.
A plan was agreed upon by the presi-
dents OF the colleges ano universities
providing that the members OF the facul-
eies could attend the week between
Christmas and New Year
The session this week will be the FIRST
held under the new agreement As a
result II is expected the meeting Of
the association will be more largely at
tended and will prove OF greater i'm
portsnce TO the scientific world than any
preceding II.
Besides DR.. MCGEE. who presided
there we're also present al the meeting
yesterday OF the general council DR.. I>e-
land o. Howard. Of this city. permanent
secretary: Dr. Marcus Benjamin. Of
Washington. local secretary; Dr. Roland
B. Dixon. OF the Peabody Museum. Cam
bridge. Mass, and DR.. Henry y. Stokes
Of the United States Geological Survey
Features of the Week.
The social features Of the week should
prove entertaining for the visitors Be
sides being accorded an opportunity to
treasures in the Smithsonian lnstitu-
tion and the National Museum. they will
be entertained tomorrow al noon with
a luncheon at the Arlington Hotel by
the members OF the local committee:
Friday evening a reception will be held
at the Corcoran Art Gallery. and another
reception will also be held at the Smith
sonian Institution. On Friday or Satur-
day a call will probably be made upon
President Roosevelt
Elwood Mead. consulting civil engi-
neer OF this city. was chosen by the
general council to fll the place OF sec
retary 10 the section on mechanical sci
ence and engineering, left vacant by
Alfred Kngsbury. who is unable TO at
tend