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Annual report of the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute (for 1892)
Annual ]qeports.
238,,
i l.F.t.,
Faymenls : Committee on library . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee on instruction . . . . . . . . . . Curators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salaries a n d wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]~nsurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bloomfield Moore fund expenditures . . . . Memorial library fund expenditures . . . . . T e m p o r a r y loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest on t e m p o r a r y loan, . . . . . . . . Investments, Bloomfield Moore fund . . . . Other expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . .
"
l i a l a n c e on h a n d D e c e m b e r 3 I, t892, . .
$I,o88 2,255 2,oi7 4,618 90o 66o 2o 2,35o 83 lo,ooo 7,963 - - - -
o6 08 55 oo oo 87 39 oo 34 oo o8 $3L956 37 $176 97
LIBRARY.
T h e a n n u a l report of the Committee on Library exhibits the fact that the additions to the Institute's collection of books, pamphlets, etc., d u r i n g ' t h e past year have been below the average of the previous three or fodr years', although a fair increase is shown. This falling off is due principally to t h e fact that the c o m m i t t e e ' s appropriation for the y e a r i892, was curtailed by one-third, this restricting t h e m materially in the matter of purchases. T h e policy in respect of the use of the Library for consultation by the public that was instituted in I888, has been pursued, a n d while it h a s b e e n found at times to throw considerable extra work upon the limited force of employ~s, it is p r o b a b l y as satisfactory a p l a n as could b e devised. T h e details of the year's work in the Library a p p e a r in the c o m m i t t e e ' s a n n u a l report, to which the Board refers. THE; JOURNAL.
T h e Journal h a s fully m a i n t a i n e d its excellent reputation. T h e C o m mittee on Publications has given to its conduct a n d m a n a g e m e n t the s a m e careful a n d intelligent consideration as i n previous years, a n d h a v e continued to keep it on a self-supporting basis. With the a p p r o v a l of the Board, the committee has been authorized to m a k e the e x p e r i m e n t of s e n d i n g the fournal to all m e m b e r s of the Institute, b e g i n n i n g with the J a n u a r y impression of the current year a n d without present increase of a n n u a l dues. It is confidently anticipated by this step that the interest of the m e m b e r ship generally in t h e w o r k of the Institute will be increased. Further information respecting this i m p o r t a n t d e p a r t u r e from l o n g - t i m e usage appears in the committee's report. To insure that the Institute shall not be at any pecuniary loss in carrying this p r o j e c t ' i n t o execution, the c o m m i t t e e with the co-operation of a n v m b e r of the m e m b e r s who are c o n v i n c e d of the wisdom o! the measure in pro-
Mar., 1893. ]
Annual Reports.
239
moting the welfare of tile Institute, h a s obtained subscriptions to a g u a r a n t y fund which it is believed will be a d e q u a t e for the purpose until such time as the growth of the business of the Journal shall be sufficient to meet t h e increased cost of publishing its e n l a r g e d edition. COMMITTEE
ON SCIENCE
AND THE
ARTS.
T h e a n n u a l report of the Committee on Science a n d the Arts shows t h a t the committee has fully m a i n t a i n e d its activity. T h e great interest displayed by the m e m b e r s of this committee in conducting the frequently exacting a n d laborious duties incident to the investigation of i n v e n t i o n s submitted to t h e m by applicants for reports or by the Institute, is most praiseworthy, a n d t h e Board is satisfied that the interests of the Institute are well served by this committee. T h e a n n u a l report of the committee will exhibit the details o f the work for the year. LECTURES,
T h e a r r a n g e m e n t of the lecture course for the season of I892-93 h a s b e e n m a d e upon the same lines as those of the preceding few years. T h e Committee on Instruction, With the co-operation of the professors, succeeded in m a i n t a i n i n g the high character of these lectures by securing the services of m a n y ~m e n of eminence, a n d the publication of m a n y of these l e c t u r e s in the Journal has a d d e d greatly to its interest, a n d at the same time to t h e reputation o f the Institute. DRAWING
SCHOOL.
T h e n u m b e r of pupils in tlae Drawing School is shown by the a c c o m p a n y i n g statement : t ,
At spring term of 1892 . . . . . . . . At the winter term of 1892, . . ,
.... . . . . . . . .
....... ......
199 2oo
399 b e i n g a decrease of lO6 as c o m p a r e d with a t t e n d a n c e of I89t. T h e c h i e f reason for this falling off in a t t e n d a n c e is doubtless to b e sought in the growth of facilities for this species of instruction in other local institutions. SECTIONS.
T h e continued activity of the Chemical a n d Electrical Sections is gratifying. T h e Electrical Section especially shows a highly gratifying g r o w t h b o t h in m e m b e r s h i p a n d in the n u m b e r a n d interest of its papers a n d discussions. T h e influence of these two bodies in e n c o u r a g i n g a n d promoting original research is of the highest importance, a n d the Board refers to their work; with special satisfaction. T h e a n n u a l reports of the Sections will exhibit t h e details of their operation during the year.
:z4o
Annual Reports.
I-J- F. I.,
STATE WEATHER SERVICE,
The Committee on Meteorology with the co6peration of the Assistant assigned to the work by the Weather Bureau at Washington, has succeeded in maintaining substantially unimpaired the organization of the State Weather Service, thanks to the interest and zeal manifested in the work by the voluntary observers in the various counties of the State. Thus, the continuous record of the meteorology of the State has been kept unimpaired. Through the courtesy of the Honorable Secretary of Internal Affairs, also, the committee has succeeded in having the monthly summaries of the reports of the observers and certain important special reports printed and has been enabled to include these in the faurnal without cost to the Institute. It will be of interest to state that the World's Fair Commissioners of the State were sufficiently impressed with the value of the service to grant an appropriation of $I,7oo to provide for an adequate exhibit of its work, which will embrace illustrations of its methods, instruments, charts and other publi,cations. It is hoped that at the present session of the Legislature. the grant of an appropriation adequate to continue the work on a scale commensurate with its importance will be made. It is certainly earnestly to be hoped t h a t this ~ervice, so importantly related to the commercial and agricultural interests of the State and so excellently organized for useful work, will be maintained ,unimpaired. G E N E R A L REMARKS.
It is much to be regretted that a better exhibit cannot be made a s t o the t~nancial condition of the Institute. The receipts for membership are even less than those for last year, which had decreased from those of the year previous. I t is hoped, however, that the radical departure which has recently been made in furnishing the Journal to members, free of cost0 thereby giving them not only a valuable return as an additional privilege for membership, but also keeping them thoroughly alive to the doings of the Institute, will tend to very much increase the number of members, both resid e n t and non-resident. For the latter class this privilege is especially valuable, as it gives a large return for a small fee, and furnishes a substantial inducement for such mere, bership, notwithstanding the deprivation of the local use of the Institute i building. So much has been said in previous reports as to the extreme desirability o f a fire-proof building with increased accommodations, that little can be added, except to keep the subject before the Institute and its friends. It is hoped that some feasible way may be opened towards the accomplishment of what we know must be in the hearts of all who cherish and appreciate the Franklin Institute and its work. By order of the Board. : JosEPH M. WILSON, l~esidtnL
238,,
i l.F.t.,
Faymenls : Committee on library . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee on instruction . . . . . . . . . . Curators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salaries a n d wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]~nsurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bloomfield Moore fund expenditures . . . . Memorial library fund expenditures . . . . . T e m p o r a r y loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest on t e m p o r a r y loan, . . . . . . . . Investments, Bloomfield Moore fund . . . . Other expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . .
"
l i a l a n c e on h a n d D e c e m b e r 3 I, t892, . .
$I,o88 2,255 2,oi7 4,618 90o 66o 2o 2,35o 83 lo,ooo 7,963 - - - -
o6 08 55 oo oo 87 39 oo 34 oo o8 $3L956 37 $176 97
LIBRARY.
T h e a n n u a l report of the Committee on Library exhibits the fact that the additions to the Institute's collection of books, pamphlets, etc., d u r i n g ' t h e past year have been below the average of the previous three or fodr years', although a fair increase is shown. This falling off is due principally to t h e fact that the c o m m i t t e e ' s appropriation for the y e a r i892, was curtailed by one-third, this restricting t h e m materially in the matter of purchases. T h e policy in respect of the use of the Library for consultation by the public that was instituted in I888, has been pursued, a n d while it h a s b e e n found at times to throw considerable extra work upon the limited force of employ~s, it is p r o b a b l y as satisfactory a p l a n as could b e devised. T h e details of the year's work in the Library a p p e a r in the c o m m i t t e e ' s a n n u a l report, to which the Board refers. THE; JOURNAL.
T h e Journal h a s fully m a i n t a i n e d its excellent reputation. T h e C o m mittee on Publications has given to its conduct a n d m a n a g e m e n t the s a m e careful a n d intelligent consideration as i n previous years, a n d h a v e continued to keep it on a self-supporting basis. With the a p p r o v a l of the Board, the committee has been authorized to m a k e the e x p e r i m e n t of s e n d i n g the fournal to all m e m b e r s of the Institute, b e g i n n i n g with the J a n u a r y impression of the current year a n d without present increase of a n n u a l dues. It is confidently anticipated by this step that the interest of the m e m b e r ship generally in t h e w o r k of the Institute will be increased. Further information respecting this i m p o r t a n t d e p a r t u r e from l o n g - t i m e usage appears in the committee's report. To insure that the Institute shall not be at any pecuniary loss in carrying this p r o j e c t ' i n t o execution, the c o m m i t t e e with the co-operation of a n v m b e r of the m e m b e r s who are c o n v i n c e d of the wisdom o! the measure in pro-
Mar., 1893. ]
Annual Reports.
239
moting the welfare of tile Institute, h a s obtained subscriptions to a g u a r a n t y fund which it is believed will be a d e q u a t e for the purpose until such time as the growth of the business of the Journal shall be sufficient to meet t h e increased cost of publishing its e n l a r g e d edition. COMMITTEE
ON SCIENCE
AND THE
ARTS.
T h e a n n u a l report of the Committee on Science a n d the Arts shows t h a t the committee has fully m a i n t a i n e d its activity. T h e great interest displayed by the m e m b e r s of this committee in conducting the frequently exacting a n d laborious duties incident to the investigation of i n v e n t i o n s submitted to t h e m by applicants for reports or by the Institute, is most praiseworthy, a n d t h e Board is satisfied that the interests of the Institute are well served by this committee. T h e a n n u a l report of the committee will exhibit the details o f the work for the year. LECTURES,
T h e a r r a n g e m e n t of the lecture course for the season of I892-93 h a s b e e n m a d e upon the same lines as those of the preceding few years. T h e Committee on Instruction, With the co-operation of the professors, succeeded in m a i n t a i n i n g the high character of these lectures by securing the services of m a n y ~m e n of eminence, a n d the publication of m a n y of these l e c t u r e s in the Journal has a d d e d greatly to its interest, a n d at the same time to t h e reputation o f the Institute. DRAWING
SCHOOL.
T h e n u m b e r of pupils in tlae Drawing School is shown by the a c c o m p a n y i n g statement : t ,
At spring term of 1892 . . . . . . . . At the winter term of 1892, . . ,
.... . . . . . . . .
....... ......
199 2oo
399 b e i n g a decrease of lO6 as c o m p a r e d with a t t e n d a n c e of I89t. T h e c h i e f reason for this falling off in a t t e n d a n c e is doubtless to b e sought in the growth of facilities for this species of instruction in other local institutions. SECTIONS.
T h e continued activity of the Chemical a n d Electrical Sections is gratifying. T h e Electrical Section especially shows a highly gratifying g r o w t h b o t h in m e m b e r s h i p a n d in the n u m b e r a n d interest of its papers a n d discussions. T h e influence of these two bodies in e n c o u r a g i n g a n d promoting original research is of the highest importance, a n d the Board refers to their work; with special satisfaction. T h e a n n u a l reports of the Sections will exhibit t h e details of their operation during the year.
:z4o
Annual Reports.
I-J- F. I.,
STATE WEATHER SERVICE,
The Committee on Meteorology with the co6peration of the Assistant assigned to the work by the Weather Bureau at Washington, has succeeded in maintaining substantially unimpaired the organization of the State Weather Service, thanks to the interest and zeal manifested in the work by the voluntary observers in the various counties of the State. Thus, the continuous record of the meteorology of the State has been kept unimpaired. Through the courtesy of the Honorable Secretary of Internal Affairs, also, the committee has succeeded in having the monthly summaries of the reports of the observers and certain important special reports printed and has been enabled to include these in the faurnal without cost to the Institute. It will be of interest to state that the World's Fair Commissioners of the State were sufficiently impressed with the value of the service to grant an appropriation of $I,7oo to provide for an adequate exhibit of its work, which will embrace illustrations of its methods, instruments, charts and other publi,cations. It is hoped that at the present session of the Legislature. the grant of an appropriation adequate to continue the work on a scale commensurate with its importance will be made. It is certainly earnestly to be hoped t h a t this ~ervice, so importantly related to the commercial and agricultural interests of the State and so excellently organized for useful work, will be maintained ,unimpaired. G E N E R A L REMARKS.
It is much to be regretted that a better exhibit cannot be made a s t o the t~nancial condition of the Institute. The receipts for membership are even less than those for last year, which had decreased from those of the year previous. I t is hoped, however, that the radical departure which has recently been made in furnishing the Journal to members, free of cost0 thereby giving them not only a valuable return as an additional privilege for membership, but also keeping them thoroughly alive to the doings of the Institute, will tend to very much increase the number of members, both resid e n t and non-resident. For the latter class this privilege is especially valuable, as it gives a large return for a small fee, and furnishes a substantial inducement for such mere, bership, notwithstanding the deprivation of the local use of the Institute i building. So much has been said in previous reports as to the extreme desirability o f a fire-proof building with increased accommodations, that little can be added, except to keep the subject before the Institute and its friends. It is hoped that some feasible way may be opened towards the accomplishment of what we know must be in the hearts of all who cherish and appreciate the Franklin Institute and its work. By order of the Board. : JosEPH M. WILSON, l~esidtnL