New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-28
SCIENCE IN ST. LOUIS.

The meetings of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science and of affiliated
societies in st. Louis this week will test the
popularity of new policy. Until recently these
gatherings were held in summer. usually i'll Au-
gust. Now they come in holiday week. The
change went into effect year ago, but it was
not possible at that time TO tell how acceptable
it was likely 10 prove. Washington. the scene
of last years proceedings and discussions, pos
seSses local attractions which are found no.
where else, and which might be more or less
influential in promoting a large attendance The
american Association is made up of variety
of elements Its membership includes amateurs
as well as professional devotees OF science
The opportunity OF visiting the White House
and Capitol, Arlington and Mount Vernon, the
Smithsonian Institution and Naval Observatory,
might be Il sufficiently powerful inducement TO
persuade a person who was in a hesitating
frame of mind, especially if his uncertainty
sprang from considerations of economy. st.
Louis. to be sure, has her own unique features,
the most notable perhaps being the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition grounds; but these Will
hardly operate strongly as the historical,
architectural and personal charms OF the ma
tional capital
Carroll d. Wright formerly Superintendent Of
the Census and now Commissioner of Labor,
will preside over the general meetings OF the
American Association this week, but, beyond
acknowledging the cOurteSies of State and mu-
nicipal authorities, he will make no speeches.
The most important addresses on the programme
are those Of the retiring president DR.. Ira Rem
sen, to be delivered this evening. and OF Pro
fessor David Starr Jordan. Both of these men
are at the head of universities, the former being
the executive of Johns Hopkins and the latter
nv caU'S tonic 10 mi
been announced, but whether he devOtes him.
self TO recent discoveries in his own special
field Of study-chemical researcher to the gen
eral progress of science, he is sure TO main
tain the high standard established by his prede-
cessors Professor Jordan is to deliver popn-
lar lecture on The Resources OF the Sea- for
which task he is eninently fitted by his famil-
arity with marine biology. Other formal talks
will be given by the vice-presidents of the nine
sections into which the association is divided,
and there will doubtless be the customary sup
ply Of papers from individual members. The
presentation Of these and the discussions which
some OF them will provoke will unquestiOnably
add materially TO the fruitfulness of the week s
sessions.
Since the American Association included
among the privileges of membership a gratu-
tous subscription to Science" those who are
enrolled in the organization have received more
in return for their annual dues than ever be-
fore In that periodical are reproduced the more
/ important addresses given under the auspices
OF the association. 1t might be feared that such
generosity would detract from the attendance
at these annual meetings. Such, however. Is
not the effect. BY going in person TO gatherings
of this sort a man or woman enjoys additional
and unique advantages of much value to any
body actively interested in science. The unre-
ported comment papers is often as instruct
i've as the papers themselves, while the chance
10 observe the personal peculiarities of those
who have made name for themselves and to
meet informally other workers in ones own line
of study are unfailing sources of pleasure and
help.