PUGET SOUND SECTION, AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY A. L. Knisely, President, C. A. Newhall Co., Seattle, Wash. sité de Strasbourg," and of scholars generally. French diplomas are required for registration with a view to the doctorate, but can be dispensed with on presentation of equivalent R. T. Elliott, Secretary, U. S. Bureau of foreign diplomas, with a statement of the Chemistry, Seattle, Wash. SAN FRANCISCO SECTION, AMERICAN MATHE MATICAL SOCIETY H. F. Blichfeldt, Chairman, Stanford University. B. A. Bernstein, Secretary, University of California. WESTERN SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS J. R. Slonaker, President, Stanford University. Tracy I. Storer, Secretary-Treasurer, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley. MEETING OF PACIFIC COAST ECONOMISTS A meeting of Pacific Coast economists will be held and a program arranged for Thursday and Friday afternoons, June 17 and 18. An effort will be made to organize a Pacific Coast Division of the American Economic Society. SCIENTIFIC EVENTS THE MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF STRASBOURG HELPED by the favorable exchange level, a number of students are going to study in French universities. It is important to bring to their attention that, since November, 1919, the University of Strasbourg, completely reorganized, is working in full order. Its teaching staff is more than equal in number to what it was under German rule, and its equipment, already excellent in many respects, has been greatly improved where it was deficient. For mathematical study, students will be offered in Strasbourg the usual standard courses on analysis, mechanics, astronomy, etc., the program of which is permanent and requires the students' time for two or three years. Research courses have been arranged for candidates for the "Doctorat de l'Univer student's ability by one of his former professors. The program of research courses during the academic year 1920-21 is as follows: First Semester (November 1, 1920-February 28, 1921) Mathematical Physics: MR. BAUER: Quantum Theory; Atomic Structure: 3 lectures a week. Higher Analysis: MR. FRÉCHETS Theory of Chance: 2 weekly lectures; Integral Equations: 1 weekly lecture. Second Semester (March 1, 1921-June 30, 1921) Mathematical Physics: MR. BAUER: Statistical Applications of Quantum Theory: 3 weekly lectures. Higher Analysis: MR. FRÉCHET: Applications of the Theory of Chance: 1 weekly lecture.-Funetions of Lines: 2 weekly lectures. Hydrodynamics: MR. VILLAT: Researches on the Motion of a Solid in a Viscous Fluid: 2 weekly lectures. Differential Geometry: MR. PERÈS: Transformations of Surfaces Applicable on Quadrics: 2 weekly lectures. Theory of Functions: MR. VALIRON: Dirichlet's Series and Facultative Series: 2 weekly lectures. For further information apply (in French or English) to M. le Directeur de l'Institut de Mathématiques de Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France. Details concerning lodgings, etc., will be supplied by the Comité de Patronage des étudiants étrangers Université, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France. Students who wish to improve their knowledge of the French language during the vacation may apply for the circular on "Summer Courses," organized by the "Faculté des Lettres de Strasbourg." THE FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY DECENNIAL CELEBRATION THE Forest Products Laboratory was organized by the U. S. Forest Service in 1909 and formally opened in June, 1910. It is conducted in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. During the ten years of its existence the efforts of the laboratory have been devoted to the development of improved methods and processes for the better utilization of forest products of all kinds, and to the direct assistance of the industries concerned. Among the major lines of endeavor are the following: Pulp and paper, Hardwood and softwood distillation, Decay and decay prevention, Kiln drying and air seasoning, Laminated construction, Boxing, crating, packing, Ethyl alcohol from wood waste, Aircraft parts, Veneers and plywood, Steam bending, Identification of wood, Microscopy of wood. During the war direct assistance was rendered the War and Navy Departments and various other branches of the government in the solution of many important problems, particularly in connection with aircraft, gun-stocks, artillery wheels, escort wagons and the boxing and crating of arms and stores for overseas shipment. It was necessary, throughout this period, to abandon all work on the regular peacetime program. A good many men acquainted with the work of the laboratory have expressed the thought that the laboratory and the service rendered by it should receive some mark of recognition or appreciation from the industries which it serves. In response to this thought, the decennial celebration has been planned, and a general committee organized to carry out the detailed arrangements. The present plans call for a two-day program, including addresses by men prominent in science, industry and commerce; inspection of the laboratory; a banquet; and various other forms of instruction and entertainment. It is proposed to make a permanent record of the decennial in the form of a souvenir publication to contain all of the addresses and other relevant matter, including the names of those who can permit a permanent record of their cooperative contributions to be made. ENGINEERING INVESTIGATIONS OF THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY A CORRESPONDENT writes: In these days of economizing in government appropriations it is refreshing to note some of the remarks on the floor of the House by Representative Good, of Iowa, chairman of the Sundry Civil Appropriations Committee and Representative Byrns, of Tennessee, ranking minority member of that committee, in which they urged additions to appropriations. Their arguments were in defense of an item of $125,000 providing for an engineering investigation by the U. S. Geological Survey of the super-power project for the eastern United States. Mr. Byrns stated: "This proposition is one that looks forward to the conservation of our resources and, as has been stated, the time is at hand when something must be done looking to the conservation of our fuel supply because those in authority state that at present the known supply of oil will be exhausted within a very few years at the present rate of consumption.' He further characterized this Geological Survey investigation as one that should be made by government experts in order that if the investigation discloses that such a plan is practicable, those who are asked to make these investments will have confidence in the accuracy and impartiality of the report." Chairman Good in reporting the Sundry Civil bill had already made special reference to the superpower item in the bill as unique but as believed vitally important and he stated that such a survey would represent "Government initiative and cooperation which will result in the savings to the country of hundreds of millions of dollars annually. It will result in a great saving in the direct cost of fuel. It will furnish a reserve source of power for transportation and utility companies, which will be of large value in time of labor disputes and public emergencies. The principle can be applied broadly. Its benefits will accrue to towns and villages and to the farms of the country." Chairman Good also stated that this provision best illustrated the policy of including in the appropriation bill items providing for the fu ture. He said "Government can not stand still. It must advance. It must provide for healthy growth of every useful governmental activity. ' In concluding the debate on this item which was followed by a favorable vote, Chairman Good remarked: "We may smile at this proposition. We may laugh it out of Congress, just as we did by ridicule the proposition of Mr. Langley in regard to the aeroplane." To those who are interested in scientific and engineering investigations under government auspices such expressions by leaders in Congress are encouraging. It is also worthy of note that neither Mr. Good nor Mr. Byrns represent sections of the country that would primarily and immediately be affected by the proposed investigation; they seem to represent the country as a whole. AWARD OF THE WILLARD GIBBS MEDAL THE presentation of the Willard Gibbs medal to Dr. Frederick G. Cottrell, director of the United States Bureau of Mines, from the Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society, took place on May 21. This medal was founded by William A. Converse, of Chicago, and is conferred In recognition and encouragement of eminent research in theoretical and applied chemistry." At a meeting, which took place in the City Club, Lawrence V. Redman, chairman, addressed the section on The Willard Gibbs medal. The presentation was made by Dr. Willis R. Whitney, director of the Research Laboratories of the General Electric Company, and the Willard Gibbs address on International scientific relations," was given by Dr. Cottrell. While a professor at the University of California from 1902 to 1911, Dr. Cottrell devised a process for removing fumes from the waste gases of a sulphuric acid plant at a copper smelter. There had been numerous complaints that the noxious vapors were imperilling the health of the surrounding population, destroying animal life, and injuring vegetation. The process devised by Dr. Cottrell consisted of placing chains at the bottom of the flues. These chains were charged with currents of electricity, the effect of which was to cause the particles to fall and thus prevent their escaping into the air. Dr. Cottrell patented the device but turned over his rights to a non-dividend-paying organization, formed for that purpose and known as The Research Corporation." A charge for the use of the process is made and the net profits are devoted to the promotion of scientific research. THE RETIREMENT OF PROFESSOR FAIRCHILD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER PROFESSOR HERMAN LE ROY FAIRCHILD, head of the department of geology and curator of the geological museum at the University of Rochester, reached his seventieth birthday on April 29 and will retire from active service at the close of the present academic year. As a tribute to his contribution to science and his service to the university, undergraduates and members of the faculty joined in paying homage to him. Gifts from his classes and from the faculty expressed the esteem in which Professor Fairchild is held by the undergraduates and his associates on the teaching staff. His entry into the chapel in Anderson Hall on April 29 was the signal for an outburst of applause and cheering, which was renewed on the presentation of the faculty gift. President Rush Rhees and Professor John R. Slater, head of the department of English, were the speakers. Pointing to Professor Fairchild's successful career as an indication that "a prophet is not without honor in his own country, even if he is a weather prophet," Professor Slater lauded his contribution in the field of science and scholarship, and after reading an original poem written for the occasion presented the faculty gift. Professor Fairchild received the bachelor of sciences degree from Cornell University in 1874, and the honorary doctorate of science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1910. He was professor of natural science in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., from 1874 to 1876, and from there he went to New York city as a lecturer on natural science and on geology in Cooper Union. He was recording secretary of the New York Academy of Sciences from 1885 to 1888, going to the University of Rochester in that year. He served as president of the Rochester Academy of Science from 1889 to 1891, secretary of Geological Society of America from 1890 to 1906, and president of the society in 1912. He was chairman of a section of geology of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1898 and is a member of its executive committee. Professor Fairchild is an authority in glacial and dynamic geology. SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS PROFESSOR JOHN C. MERRIAM, of the University of California, was elected president of the Carnegie Institution of Washington on May 25, to succeed Dr. R. S. Woodward, who will retire at his own request at the end of the year, after sixteen years of service. Dr. Merriam is professor of paleontology and dean at the University of California. He was last year acting chairman of the National Research Council. AT the annual meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences held on May 12, it was voted upon the recommendation of the Rumford Committee to award the Rumford Premium to Dr. Irving Langmuir, of the General Electric Co., for his researches in thermionic and allied phenomena. Ar a stated meeting of the Franklin Institute on May 19 the Franklin Medals were presented to Sir Auckland Geddes, British ambassador for the Honorable Sir Charles A. Parsons, Newcastle-on-Tyne and to His Excellency, Mr. A. W. F. Ekengren, minister of Sweden for Professor Svante August Arrhenius, of the Nobel Institute, Stockholm. Papers were read on "Some Reminiscenses of Early Days of Turbine Development," by Sir Charles A. Parsons and on "The World's Energy Supply," by Professor Arrhenius. THE Société de Pathologie Exotique has elected the following members from the United States: Dr. S. Flexner, Rockefeller Institute, associate member, already corresponding member; Dr. B. H. Ransom, U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry, corresponding member. PROFESSOR HIRAM BINGHAM has been decorated by the French government with the Ordre de l'Etoile Noire, grade of officer, for his services in France during the war. Dr. Bingham was recently elected an alternate-atlarge to the Republican National Convention to be held in Chicago in June. PROFESSOR A. D. WILSON, director of the division of agricultural extension of the college of agriculture of the University of Minnesota, has declined the post of assistant secretary of agriculture, tendered him by the Secretary of Agriculture, E. T. Meredith. Ar its meeting on May 12 the Rumford Committee of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences voted an appropriation of $200 additional to former appropriations to Professor Norton A. Kent, of Boston University, in aid of his research on spectral lines. CHARLES W. TRIGG, incumbent of the Coffee Fellowship at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, while still retaining his former connection, has moved to Detroit, Michigan, to assume charge of the chemical department of the donors, the King Coffee Products Corporation. GENERAL W. C. GORGAS has left for England accompanied by Brigadier-General Robert E. Noble. They will proceed to Wset Africa to study what is alleged to be an outbreak of yellow fever in that district. DR. LOUISE PEARCE, of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, has sailed for England and Belgium en route to the Belgian Congo for the purpose of studying the chemotherapy of African sleeping sickness. MR. FRANK C. BAKER, curator of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Illinois, will spend the months of July and August in making a survey of the molluscan fauna of Winnebago Lake, Wisconsin, in the interests of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. Material will also be obtained for the exhibits and research collections of the Illinois University Museum. Winnebago Lake is similar in origin to the large Oneida Lake in New York, which Mr. Baker surveyed several years ago for the College of Forestry at Syracuse University, and a comparison of the faunas of the two bodies |