The Washington times., 1903-01-05
WASHINGTON CENTER OF
SCIENTIFIC LEARNING
Results of Recent Session of the American Assoc-
alton in This City,

The session Of the American Associa-
ton. for the Advancement of Science in
this city last week has served to en-
phasize the Importance of Washington as
a center Of knowledge and scientific
learning In the opinion Of virtually all
those who were interested in the work,
the gathering was the greatest from
scientific point of view Of any ever held
on the American continent. While the
number of members of the association
and its affiliated societies attending was
not as large as at the meeting held in
Boston in 1881, the standard of learning
was much higher, and there were present
many more men who are recognized
throughout the world as leaders in their
respective branches
Speaking of the session and the results
accomplished by the association, Dr..
David T. Day, chief Of the division of
mineral resources of the Geological Sur
vey, who was chairman of the local com
mittee on finance. and had a prominent
part in the arrangements for the meet
ing, said today there. could be no doubt
that Washington played a most promi-
nent part, In support of his contention
he pointed out that there are employed
by the United States Government in
Washington greater number Of scien-
tific men than in any other city in the
world. In one department alone, the
United States expends more for scian-
tifc purposes than the six leading uni
veTsities OF the county. Upward of So
09C 600 annually is "a d out for this pur-
pose, a sum Larger than that spent by
any of the great European powers for
scientific work. This Government also
disseminates more scientific information
free Of charge to its people than does
any other.
Cost of the Meeting
Asked concerning the total cost OF the
meeting of the American Association in
Washington, Dr.. Day replied that it
amounted in round figures to 5000.
This included the expenses Of the afiI-
lated societies.
The money for these expenses. Dr..
LAY t4A5l1-dlEL. was IdA5Gu III three
ways Each of the anuated societies
collects a fund TO pay for the entertain
ment of its own members; a general
fund is furnished by the local comma
tee on arrangements. and third fund
is appropriated from the treasury Of
the Association itself. This latter fund
is used solely for matters pertaining and
incident 20 the production Of scientific
work and not for the entertainments Of
the visiting members The programs.
which are issued each Gay, come under
this latter head.
Years ago when electricity was first
made commercially valuable telegraph
companies ranked messages from mem
bers Of the Association to their fami-
lies. This was done on the principle
that the companies were indebted to the
scientists for valuable discoveries. OF
late. however, this privilege has not
been granted
Dr.. Day said he wished to call at
tention to the valuable aid given by res
fdents Of Washington 10 the work Of the
Association through the subscription Of
funds for the entertainment Of the Wis
ting members. Liberal SUMS we're sub
seribed BY Senators, Cabinet officials and
other men in the Government employ.
also by business men and firms. street
car COMPANIES and wealthy private citi-
zens. Much credit was due TO the lib
eraI spirit with which the call vas met.
Amount of Work Accomplished.
The amount of work accomplished at
the Washington meeting was also larger
than at any previous one This was
largely due to the fact that but few di-
versions other than those Of a scientific
nature were provided by the local COM
Inittee. There was nothing 10 detract
from the attendance upon the sessions
of the sections Of the associations and
the work mapped out went ahead accord
ing TO schedule. While this plan may not
have suited q number who came to
Washington to see its sights, yet to
those men deeply engaged in scientific
research It was much appreciated. One
of the great troubles with the Boston
meeting Of 1881. which was so large. &C
cording to several members OF the asso-
citation who were present. was that it
was taken up largely with social fea-
lures and side trips.
Perhaps the one great feature which
the Boston meeting. how
ever, was the reading OF the paper by Dr..
Alexander Graham Bell, Of this city. in
which he announced his discovery of the
photophone. For that discovery he va
awarded the so. 900 prize offered by the
French Academy Of Sciences for the
greatest discovery Of the year.
The action Of President Gilman Of tho
Carnegie Institution in securing the ap-
poIntment Of a committee to arrange for
the building Of a memorial to Major
Reed, who died under the strain Of pro
wing that the yellow feyr germs are car
rfed by mosquitoes. it is believed viii 20
far 10 promote science. Major Reeds
work is ranked as the greatest step made
in medical science since the discovery Of
anest hesia