New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-04
MIGRATORY GEoGRAPHERs.

From the outline supplied by The National
Geographic Magazine" OF Washington, IL would
appear that the plan OF the international Geo
graphical Congress which meets In this coun-
try next September Is unusual in at least ono
respect Most scientific conferences are held
in a single place. This body will hold sessions
I'm a number Of different cities, among them
Washington, Baltimore and New-York City. In
addition 70 having business meetings at num-
Der Of points the congress viii be entertained
I'm Philadelphia, Chicago and St Louis. IL Is
probable, too. that many OF the foreign men,
bers will enjoy the hospitality of San Francisco
and Portland. The proposed migration results
from two causes More than dozen organiza-
lions participate in the welcome given 10y Amer
lea 10 the congress, and they are distributed all
the way from the Atlantic TO the Pacific. To
some OF the visitors the coming meeting will
afford an exceptional chance 10 see Niagara,
the Rocky Mountains. the Grand Canyon Of the
Colorado and other wonders Of the Western
world, which are widely scattered over the con-
tinent
Though the programme includes many social
and scenic attractions, the exercises at the reg
ular sessions will be strictly scientific. Geog-
raphy Will be considered from many sides. Few
people would realize, perhaps, how numerous
and diverse are these until their attention was
directed thereto The preliminary announce
meteorological geological, geological, ethnologi-
cal, geographical and educational aspects, 10
say nothing of exploration. Besides the bene-
fits TO be derived from the papers To be pre-
scented and from the discussion which they
will provoke, the foreign members will get
much good from their own personal Observa-
lions while here. Unless they have fatter
purses than the majority of scientific men in
Europe, the opportunity will be highly excep-
A.. 1 Il.
Apropos OF the coming meeting some thought
has recently been devoted to the question
whether the United States yet has a geograph-
ical society which is all that could be wished.
A large part OF the vice-presdental address
Of Professor William NJ Davis at the last con
vocation Of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science related to that matter.
The professor suggested the formation of a
new body, TO be composed exclusively OF scien-
tihc experts, nobody being eligible to men,
bership unless he had published at least two
papers, based original exploration or
search. Material could be found, in his judg-
ment, from four groups of persons educators
in colleges, like himself representatives Of ma
tional and State weather services, officials and
employees in bureaus in Washington and State
capitals whose pursuits are allied to geograph-
lcal study. and finally existing geographical So
cieties, although the last mentioned class con-
tainS a. large element which Is too amateurish
to meet the proposed requirements In fact, ii
is because entertainment or travel rather than
serious scientific interest in geography, is the
attraction for many Of the members Of these
bodies that Professor Davis would exclude them
from his organization.
A good deal can be said In favor of this idea
Perhaps the country will see it carried into
execution some day. OF course, its member
ship would not be numerous, but in certain
ways 1t would promote science. No doubt, II
an independent society formed. most of
those who went into it would retain their con-
nection with existing associations. Neverthe-
less, ii must be admitted that the latter, COM
bining the popular with the scientific element
serve a highly useful purpose. A large men,
bership yields a large revenue I'm dues, and
means are thus obtained for financially pro-
noting special Investigations. A man or a
woman will always take livelier interest in
any matter IL identified with n society for its
advancement, and sometimes may thus be In
spired TO make special gifts for its encourage
ment. Again. for the administration OF the
hnances and general policy of these bodies Il Is
wise 10 secure at least a few men whose train
ing and successes IRE In the realm of business
That type Of organization already has many