have revealed or when it could not have revealed crime to the night-wandering witness. There is nothing remarkable that Lincoln should have cornered his witness as well as Alcibiades by a device that lay near the surface ever since man became a sublunar biped. But neither is there anything remarkable, indeed I believe the biographies assert it as fact, that Lincoln in his youth was a reader of Plutarch's lives, possibly of Chamber's 66 Book of Days" too, where one can meet with the same tale. At any rate the stories always amuse, when first met with, and wherever met with often instruct. They should not be suppressed by uncharitable charges of plagiarism, because it does not seem worth while, even if the charge is correct, to spoil the story and wipe out its humor by the introduction of clumsy and pedantic references. The interest in anthropological problems as well as in those of ethnology is so specialized and within their own lines is so absorbing that the light psychology might throw on them has been somewhat neglected-very much so until very recently. And yet Tylor's ground thought was that psychology plays a large part in anthropology even if the human mind is everywhere ab initio of the same nature. He, or some of his followers at least, are not even disposed to allow as much fundamental differentiation as they apply to the shape of the skull or that of the nose. However that may be they have compelled us to acknowledge that it reacts very much in the same way to the same environment and the same stimuli and this places us at once in view of the link, some may think rather tenuous, which attaches ethnology to plagiarism. I hope with the expansion I have given to that term, in what has preceded, this is at least discernible. I tried once to show that, starting with primitive man's idea of disease etiology, the demons of disease became those of heresy or their first cousins, and inasmuch as a good purge was a good way to get rid of disease 4"The Demons of Heresy and the Demons of Disease in the Processes of Thought," New York Medical Journal, February 23, 1918. devils, so it was also for false doctrine, vile thoughts, evil emotions, pride, jealously, injustice. So early and so firmly bound together in this channel in all the languages of modern civilized races became the association that "purge" still persists in them all as applied to mental and religious and legal categories ages after the devils of disease had disappeared from medicine, a quite grotesque and absurd correlation between widely different concepts in modern thought. One stares with surprise, both in Pliny and in Schoolcraft's account of American Indians, at the menstruating woman going around crops naked at night to chase away the vermin from the corn, or was it in both cases some fertility rite that was observed and misinterpreted? We are scarcely less astonished to find the plumed serpent in American aboriginal religion more or less closely paralleling that of the Asiatic. I do not know if any hooded snake may have existed or may still exist in America to account for this detail of coincidence, very astonishing unless we think of the same environmental influences in India and America. We get no trace of the deadliness of anything resembling that of the cobra as having ever moved the mind of man in America to stand in awe before its power and worship it. But whether the American savage brought the plumed snake from eastern Asia in medicine bundles across the Straits. of Behring or across the Pacific or whether his imagination created the coincidence, still we see two of the principles prominently associated with plagiarism here in this distant ethnological territory brought into play. One is the persistance with which the mind moves in channels once entered, the other is the promptness with which it enters those channels once it is placed in a certain environment. I fancy this exemplification torn with some violence from a foreign field is helpful in making us realize how the tendency to plagiarism is one deeply, immutably rooted 5 Pliny, "Historia Naturalis," Liber XXVIII., Ed. Sillig, Vol. IV., p. 277. 6 Schoolcraft, Henry R., "The Indian Tribes of the United States," Part 5, p. 70. in the human mind and though some may be disposed to say this is nothing but another word for original sin, I am sure most will rather be disposed to believe that a very large amount of the so-called plagiarism can be traced to sources quite outside the volitions and intentions of the transgressor. Notwithstanding this, some may consider, extremely charitable view which we should all take when confronted with evidence that seems a little disconcerting at times, it behooves us all, when we think we have a bright new idea, or a brand new joke, or a bit of new truth laboriously unearthed in research, to search our inner consciousness as well as our environment for the origin of it. At any rate worldly wisdom should teach us not too rashly to forget the precaution of leaving the way open for the claims of others which we may have unintentionally overlooked. JONATHAN WRIGHT, M.D. CONSERVATION CONFERENCE ON RESOURCES OF INTERIOR WATERS As indicated by a recent preliminary announcement, Hon. Herbert Hoover, secretary of Commerce, has called a conference at the Fisheries Biological Station, Fairport, Iowa, June 8-10, 1921, for consideration of the conservation of resources of interior waters. Acting under instructions from Mr. Hoover, the Committee on Organization and Plans has prepared the following outline of the scope and character of the conference. It is assumed that our water courses, our lakes and ponds not only should serve as avenues of transportation, and channels for removal or reservoirs for storage of surplus surface drainage, but should also continue to provide food and other necessities of life and to furnish the means of essential recreation. It is evident that, with growth in population and with progressive industrial development, the public waters are becoming decreasingly fit to serve these latter ends. It is important, then, to ascertain if the decline in usefulness of the waters is inevitable, and, if it is not, to discover and apply the means of bringing about improvement. There is a certain community of interest among groups (anglers, commercial fishermen, sanitary engineers and others) that are commonly conscious only of special interests, but as yet there has been no unity of purpose, no concert of effort to serve a common interest. It is certain that the accomplishment of the purpose of each group is conditioned, not only upon public sympathy and support, but upon the cooperative service of scientists representing biology, chemistry and physics, and engineers representing sanitation, hydrology and navigation. That the conference now called should be as constructive and practical as possible, it is proposed to concentrate attention upon the following principal topics: (1) the depletion of fish and shellfish, its causes and possible remedies; (2) the preservation, value and appropriate utilization of swamp and shore areas; (3) the organization of effort to secure an early beginning upon a constructive program of betterment. It is believed that the conference may be most effective in accomplishing its ends if it be the occasion, not for a few special addresses, but rather for informal and free discussion from every point of view. It is proposed that on each day there shall be two sessions, morning and afternoon, respectively, with ample intervals between sessions for personal interviews, demonstrations or recreation. Opportunity will be afforded in the evening for special meetings to disclose topics of interest to particular groups or to all. As no talk is expected to exceed ten minutes, opportunity is allowed for the most open discussion. Following is the outline of program: Wednesday, June 8. 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. Subject: Depletion of aquatic resources, causes and remedial measures (including principles rather than details of legislative protection). Discussion from the standpoint of the sportsman, the commercial fisherman, the dealer or manufacturer, the biologist, the fishculturist and the sanitary engineer. Wednesday evening is left open for special topics arising in course of the discussion of the day. Thursday, June 9. 10 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. Subject: The value of swamp and shore areas and their utilization as fish and game preserves, for the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, as reservoirs of food for aquatic animals, and as nurseries for young fish. Consideration may also be given to the additional value of submerged lands in relation to food control, forestry, agriculture and sanitation. On Thursday evening there will be a special meeting for consideration of the opportunities and needs of research stations. Friday, June 10. 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. Subject: Organization of effort to determine what plans of procedure may be immediately followed to further progress in conserving resources of interior waters. The discussion may be from the points of view of cooperation in scientific research, the training of men to prosecute investigations, the education of the public, the reconciliation of conflicting group interests, the union of effort to secure adoption of appropriate conservation measures, and the possibility of periodic gatherings for promotion of harmonious action. Through the cordial cooperation of a local committee, special arrangements will be made for utilization of the intervals between meetings in interesting demonstrations pertaining to the topics of the conference, in trips to neighboring points of interest, or in other means of diversion and recreation. Throughout the conference meals will be served at a small charge based upon actual cost in the dining room of the Biological Station. Lodging without charge will be available in the laboratory or in tents or other temporary quarters. The nearest hotels are found in Muscatine, Iowa, a distance of 8 miles and Davenport 20 miles from Fairport. All persons expecting to attend are advised to communicate in advance with R. L. Barney, Director of the Fisheries Biological Station, Fairport, Iowa, or J. E. Krouse, Davenport, Iowa, Chairman, Local Committee on Ar rangements, in order that suitable reservations may be made for accommodations. R. E. COKER, V. E. SHELFORD, J. E. KROUSE, A. S. PEARSE, F. A. STROMSTER, R. L. BARNEY, Committee on Organization SCIENTIFIC EVENTS THE AMERICAN ENGINEERING COUNCIL AND MR. HOOVER THE American Engineering Council of the Federated American Engineering Societies met on April 16 at the Engineers Club of Philadelphia. Members attending were: Herbert Hoover, president; Calvert Townley, vicepresident, representing A. I. E. E.; J. Parke Channing, vice-president, representing A. I. M. M. E.; E. Ludlow, president A. I. M. M. E.; F. J. Miller, past president A. S. M. E.; M. L. Cooke, Taylor Society; Wm. McClellan, A. I. E. E.; A. S. Dwight, A. I. M. M. E.; A. M. Greene, A. S. M E., dean of the School of Engineering, Troy Polytechnic Institute; S. H. McCrory, A. S. Agricultural Engineers; W. W. Varney, Baltimore Engineers Club; J. F. Oberlin, Cleveland Engineering Society; O. H. Koch, Technical Club of Dallas; D. S. Kimball, vice-president, dean of School of Engineering, Cornell, A. S. M. E.; Gardner S. Williams, Engineering Society of Grand Rapids; C. F. Scott, A. I. E. E., School of Engineering, Yale University; W. B. Powell, Buffalo Engineering Society; W. E. Rolfe, vice-president, Associated Engineering Societies, St. Louis; L. B. Stillwell, A. I. E. E.; L. P. Alford, A. S. M. E.; H. W. Buck, past president A. I. E. E.; E. S. Carman, A. S. M. E., Cleveland; Philip N. Moore, A. I. M. M. E., Washington. Mr. Hoover resigned the presidency, giving as his reasons the fact that the American Engineering Council by its constitution was necessarily engaged in furthering national activities which involve legislation; and that he as a member of the executive branch of the government could not consistently direct such activity as an officer of the council. The council, in a resolution of regret at Mr. Hoover's retirement, voted its appreciation of his leadership during the organization period of the council and his initiation of policies and effort. A dinner, arranged in honor of Mr. Hoover by the Engineers Club of Philadelphia, representing more than 4,600 engineers in the Philadelphia District, was the culminating event of the meeting. Guilliaem Aertsen, president of the club, presented Mr. Hoover with a certificate of honorary membership, which read: "The Engineers Club of Philadelphia, by unanimous vote of its directors, in council, the eleventh day of November, 1919, desiring to express its fullest appreciation of the eminence attained by him in the field of engineering, and his great service to humanity, hereby confers upon Herbert Hoover honorary membership with life tenure of all the rights and privileges thereto belonging." The addresses made by Mr. Hoover and Dean Dexter S. Kimball, of Cornell University, are printed above. Speeches were also made by Wharton Pepper, Esq., Col. William A. Glasgow and John C. Trautwine, Jr. THE CLASSIFICATION AND SALARIES OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES The A BILL providing for reclassification of government employees was offered in the Senate on April 18 by Senator Smoot of Utah. bill has been drafted by Senator Smoot after a conference with other members of the senate appropriations committee and with efficiency experts of the government. The bill provides eighteen grades in the government service, with salaries ranging from $360 to those above $7,500. It is provided that the head of each department and establishment shall, under rules and regulations prescribed by the president, allocate the positions in each department or establishment to grades in accordance with the schedule contained in the bill. The head of each department and establishment within the salary range of the popular grade will determine the salary to be paid each employee by comparing his efficiency with the average efficiency of all employees assigned to the same work, or, if no other employees are engaged upon the same or comparable work, by comparing the efficiency of the employees with the efficiency which reasonably should be expected. The salaries of all employees in each department or establishment fixed in accordance with the proposed law shall become effective on the first day of the third month following the date of approval of the act, and no employee shall thereafter be paid a salary exceeding the maximum rate or less than the minimum rate prescribed for the grade to which his position is allocated. The upper eight grades are defined as follows: Grade 11-Salary range, $2,460 to $3,000. The number of classes of employment is eighteen, ranging from supervision of and laying out of the work of a group dealing with tariff rate questions to the engraving on copper plate of topographic maps or similar work where there is much technical detail, repairing defective and plates. worn Grade 12-Salary range, $2,700 to $3,300. The number of classes, seven, ranging from responsibility for the accounting work of a small government accounting organization to the construction and suggestion of improvements and new designs in instruments of precision, requiring familiarity with practical astronomy. Grade 13-Salary range, $3,000 to $3,600. The number of classes of employment, eleven, ranging from the supervisor of an entire system of accounts in a large office to the administrative control over the clerical force of a large independent establishment or a major bureau or division of a department. Grade 14-Salary range, $3,300 to $3,900. Three classes of employment, directing editorial work of a department and being responsible for the conduct of a minor subdivision of a technical, scientific or professional organization, and designing and constructing instruments of precision. Grade 15-Salary range, $3,600 to $4,500. The number of classes, ten, ranging from the supervision and responsibility for accounting work of an organization requiring extensive accounting operations to the responsibility of receiving and paying money in one of the largest government organizations. Grade 16-Salary range, $4,500 to $5,700. The number of classes of employment, five, ranging from general supervision over design and installation of accounting systems to administrative control of the clerical force and responsibility for the general business operations of one of the largest departments. Grade 17-Salary range, $5,700 to $7,500. Two classes, chief law officer of a department, commission or other independent government establishment, and having responsible charge of a major subdivision of a technical, scientific or professional organization. THE Yale Corporation has approved the plan of the University Council for a permanent Committee on University Museums to include all officers in charge of museum collections and for the appointment of a corporation committee to meet this Committee on University Museums to consider "the relation of the museums and of their buildings to each other, the organization of the collections within the respective divisions and the functions of the Museums Committee." A survey recently made shows that the various collections of the university, in addition to those of the School of the Fine Arts and the Library, are more extensive than is generally realized. The following list, the arrangement of which is tentative, shows the various collections and the names of their curators: I. Natural History: Mineralogy-Dana, Ford. Geology and Invertebrate Paleontology- Vertebrate Paleontology and Osteology- THE HECKSCHER FUND GRANTS OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY THE Heckscher Research Council has recently announced its first series of grants, as follows: To Professor Joseph Q. Adams, Jr., Ph.D., '06, a sum sufficient to secure a substitute for him for the first half of 1921-22 in order that he may be released from teaching and enabled to complete his "Life of William Shakespeare,'' on which he has been for some time engaged. To Professor Charles C. Bidwell, Ph.D., '14, $2,500 to enable him to carry on cryogenic measurements, the money to be used to provide a substitute for carrying on his work during the first half of 1921-22 and to cover such additional expenses as the investigation may involve. To Professor J. Chester Bradley, '06, a sum not exceeding $700 to cover the cost of preparing illustrations and otherwise completing a work embodying the results of investigations of the wing venation of Hymenoptera. To Professor Arthur W. Browne, Ph.D., '03, $1,800 to enable him to engage a competent assistant for two semesters for investigations of certain problems in the field of the oxidation of hydrazine, especially in non-aqueous solutions. To Professor Louis M. Dennis, $350 for the purpose of engaging an assistant from March 1 to July 1 to carry on investigations on the separation of the isotropes of lead by chemical processes. Also $2,000 for the purpose of engaging a well trained assistant for one year, to devote all his |