The New York herald., 1922-12-27
SCIENTISTS UPHOLD
ORGANIC EVOLUTION
American Association Rep
resenting 11,000 SchOl-
ars, Is on Record.
THEORY is NOT A GUESS
Public Schools Combating
1t Denounced and Pub
licity Deplored.
EVIDENCE IS INCREASING
Progress of knowledge Pro-
noted by Search for the
Truth in Many Fields.

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Dec. 26.-The
Council of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science at
its opening meeting to-day at the
Massac chusetts Institute of Technology
adopted a resolution upholding the
theory of organic evolution and con-
demhing efforts tor prohibit it's teach
ing in public schools.
The resolution, which stated that
no scientific generalization is more
strongly supported by thoroughly
tested evidences than that of organic
evolution, read as follows:
"Inasmuch as the attempt has been
made in several States to prohibit in
tax supported institutions the teaching
of evolution as applied 20 man, and
since it has been asserted that there is
not a fact in the universe in support OF
this theory. that II is a mere guess
which leading scientists are now aban-
doning and that even the American As
sociation for the Advancement Of Sci
ence. at its last meeting in Toronto,
Canada. approved this revolt against
evolution and
'1nasmuch as such statements have
been given wide publicity through the
press and are misleading public opin-
ion on this subject.
Therefore the council for the Amer
lean Institute for the Advancement OF
Science has thought advisah.s To take
formal action upon this matter. in or
der that there may b. no ground fer
Misunderstanding OF the attitude OF the
association. which is one Of the larg-
est scientific bodies in the world. with
a membership of more than 11,G0o per-
sons. including the American author
tiles in all branches of science The
following statements represent tn posi-
ton of the council with regard 10 the
theory of evolution.
Not Mere Guess.
Il. The council Of the association af-
firms that, so far as the scientific evil
dences of the evolution of plants and
animals and man are concerned there
Is no ground whatever for the assertion
that these evidences constitute mere
guess No scientific generalization is
more strongly supported by thoroughly
these evidences are increasing in number
evolution.
"2. The council of the association af-
evolution of man are sufficient to con-
vince every scientist of note In the world
these eidences are increasing in number
and Importance every year.
"3. The council also affirms that the
theory of evolution Is one of the most
potent of the great influences for good
that have thus far entered into human
experience: 1t has promoted the prog
less of knowledge, 1t has fostered un-
prejudiced inquiry and it has served as
an invaluable aid in humanity's search
for truth in many fields.
1.-THE council OF the association is con-
vinced that any legislation attempting
to limit the teaching of any scientific
doctrine so well established and so wide
ly accepted by specialists as is the
doctrine OF evolution would be p pro-
found mistake, which could not fail to
injure and retard the advancement of
knowledge and of human welfare. by
denying the freedom of teaching and in
quiry which is essential to all progress"
The resolutions were drafted by a
committee consisting of Edwin Grant
Conklin of Princeton University. chair
man Henry Fairfield Osborn, president
OF the Board of Trustees of the Amer
lean Museum of National History, and
Charles b. Davenport, director OF the
Cold Spring Harbor station of the Car
nNie Institution.
The convention OF the scientists with
5000 delegates attending. representing
eghty-three affiliated societies, are held
in the Technology Buildings and as
many as twenty independent meetings
will be going on simultaneously The
divisions of the society are mathematics.
physics, chemistry. astronomy, geology
and geography. zoology. botany, anthro-
pology. psychology. sociology and eco
ncmics. history and philology, engineer
ing, medicine. agriculture and education.
The formal opening was last evening
with n large meeting at the Walker
Memorial. Prof. Samuel C. Prescott of
Massachusetts, Institute OF Technology
introduced In turn Mayor Quinn of
Cambridge. Mayor Curley of Boston.
Dean H. r. Talbot OF Technology and
President Lowell of Harvard. who gave
a pleasant welcome TO the visitors i'm be-
half OF the cities and respective institu-
tions.