Plateau region. Is it not possible that aerological data may be useful in improving that temperature argument? Fifth All students of the barometry question since Ferrel found discrepancies in barometric records at certain stations; that is, certain reduced pressures did not agree smoothly with those at surrounding stations. These discrepancies heretofore have been corrected away. What are they? What causes them? Cannot their true nature be ascertained? These are the questions put to the meteorological services of the United States, Canada, and Mexico by the American Meteorological Society. These services, and all those who are interested in this fascinating and difficult subject, are sympathetic and in hearty accord with the proposition that more study should be given the problem. A practical working system of barometric reduction and daily synoptic reporting is in existence; hence, suggested improvements must be equally practical. The merits of any plan for improvement must be very convincing before any change from the present system would be justified or desirable. The Toronto symposium, therefore, throws the gauntlet at the feet of students; they may choose the weapons, but they must fight skillfully!-C. LeRoy Meisinger. Whereas: The reduction of barometric pressure to sea-level as practiced in the United States and Canada, is generally conceded to be unsatisfactory under extreme weather conditions, especially in the plateau region of the west; and Whereas: The sea-level reductions afford an unsatisfactory basis for the forecasting of upper winds for the benefit of aviation, and Whereas: A careful study of the method of reductions at present employed, devised by Bigelow twenty years ago, reveals that he recognized the necessity for a re-examination of barometric data for such time as all stations might have long homogeneous records; and Whereas: All students of the barometry problem including Bigelow, have encountered anomalies or discrepancies at certain stations, manifested by the failure of such stations to conform to the distribution of pressure in their vicinity, and since no satisfactory scientific explanation of the irregularities has been advanced; Therefore: Be it resolved by the American Meteorological Society, assembled at Toronto, Canada, this 29th day of December, 1921; 1. That the time is now opportune for a re-examination of the barometric methods employed in the United States and Canada with a view to the possible improvements of pressure reductions; 2. That such investigations should include an examination of: a. The accuracy of maps of the free-air, and their value as aids to forecasting for aviation and general forecasting of weather; b. The validity of Bigelow's temperature argument which is included in station reduction tables at present in use; C. The nature and cause of the barometric discrepancies noted above, and their true values; d. The value and practicability of constructing daily charts of the departure of station pressure from normal; as aids to forecasting in the Plateau regian of the west; and 3. That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Chiefs of the Weather Services of the United States and Canada, and Mexico, inviting their attention to the considerations herein, and urging that they give these matters their earnest consideration at the earliest practicable time. Professor C. F. Marvin, Chief, U. S. Weather Bureau, in acknowledging the receipt of the foregoing resolution, calls attention to his general favorable attitude toward the problem as expressed in the communication to the symposium (See Monthly Weather Review, Dec., 1921) and indicates his desire to give the resolution most careful attention. He says, further, however, that "At present we are not in a position to think of taking up any kind of extension of our work, especially one that involves so many complications as the problem of reduction to sea level, but I am glad to say that the attitude of those at this office interested in the whole problem is decidedly favorable to extending the study further, on the basis of the admirable body of homogeneous barometric data that have been accumulated from Weather Bureau stations, and I would like to have the members of the Society realize that this is a matter the Bureau would like to pursue at the earliest possible opportunity consistent with the funds available and the discharge of important practical obligations to the public." THE MEETING AT TORONTO, DECEMBER, 1921 Those who were fortunate enough to be able to attend the 6th meeting of the American Meteorological Society at oronto, will long remember the warm cordiality of Sir Frederic Stupart, Dr. J. Patterson, and other members of the Meteorological Office. The sessions were held in a comfortable room, with lantern and blackboard conveniently at hand. The 25 or 30 attending members, of whom about half came from the United States, made lively the informal discussions of the varied and interesting papers. At the opening session, December 28, Sir Frederic Stupart, Director of the Canadian Meteorological Service gave a short address of welcome. He said that the establishment of a governmental meteorological station at Toronto in January, 1840, was preceded in the British Empire only by those at St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope in 1837. An unofficial record at Toronto extends back to 1830. In 1871 the Meteorological Service of Canada was established along much the same lines as that in the United States at the same time. Sir Frederic said that the people of the Americas who are interested in Meteorology are to be congratulated on the organization of the American Meteorological Society. He said there must be thousands interested in the weather. However, ignorance as to weather and weather changes is still very great; and this offers a large field for the American Meteorological Society. The tremendous forces in nature that are involved in ordinary weather processes are not appreciated by most people. For example, Alberta farmers hired Hatfield, the "rainmaker" (See Mo. Weather Rev., Nov., 1921, pp. 614-615), and there is even some talk of bringing him back to Alberta. In closing, Sir Frederic expressed deep appreciation of the cordiality and courtesy between the United States Weather Bureau and the Canadian Meteorological Service. President R. DeC. Ward expressed the thanks of the Society. In his experience, he had always had his requests received favorably by Sir Frederic and help given cordially. He recalled the profitable time he had spent in Toronto in 1917, when as the first of the Harvard faculty to be called into war service, he was dispatched to Toronto to gain information on the relations between meteorology and aeronautics. On his return, Professor Ward gave instruction in this subject to the successive classes of aeronautical engineers being trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He cited this incident as showing how immediately the importance of meteorology was recognized when the U. S. entered the war. The morning session, with its interesting set of papers and discussions (See abstracts in March BULLETIN) progressed smoothly under President Ward's efficient guidance. On adjournment a group photograph was made on the steps of the Meteorological Office. Then in response to an inclusive invitation by Sir Frederic Stupart all went to Hart House, of the University of Toronto, for luncheon. Sir Frederic proposed a toast to the King and the President, and then was joined by the Canadian members in a toast to the visiting Americans. Professor W. I. Milham led the response by the Americans. Thoroughly refreshed, the members returned to the Meteorological Office for the symposium on barometric reductions, etc. (See pp. 22-24 above). The reports presented at the annual meeting on the morning of the 29th have been published in the January BULLETIN, pp. 1-14. At the close of the annual meeting, when the results of the election were announced, President Ward congratulated Sir Frederic Stupart and the Society on his election as President for 1922. Then he yielded the chair to Sir Frederic and delivered his address as retiring President. (See pp. 19-21 for part of this address.) At the close of this most interesting review of, Some Tendencies in Climatology During the Past Decade, Sir Frederic remarked on the appropriateness of the subject, then summarized briefly a few aspects of changes of climate and asked, "What has happened to efface old civilizations?" He said that those present owed a hearty vote of thanks to Professor Ward for this paper and hoped that it would be published so as to reach a wide circle of readers. Professor Ward said that it would be published. The closing session comprised a varied group of 8 papers, two of which were read by title. There was much interesting discussion. (See abstracts in March BULLETIN). After the presentation of these papers, the resolutions committee (Prof. Milham and Mr. Meisinger) reported three of the six matters presented to them by various members. These three were adopted. The resolution on barometry, putting in concrete form the results of the Symposium, is printed on p. 23, above. The other two resolutions adopted are as follows: Whereas: The publication of the Monthly Weather Review, the National Weather and Crop Bulletin, and the Ice Bulletin has been suspended; and Whereas: The work on the Atlas of American Agriculture and the printing of the revised climatological summaries has not gone forward; and Whereas Daily Weather Maps at many local stations of the U. S. Weather Bureau are no longer issued; and Whereas: All of these publications not only are most valuable and desirable, but also are indispensable for the advancement of meteorology and the welfare of the country; Resolved: That, in the opinion of the American Meteorological Society, these publications should be resumed at once, and Resolved: That a copy of these resolutions be sent by the Secretary to the appropriate committees of Congress at Washington, and to the Director of the Budget. Whereas: The meeting of the American Meteorological Society, held at Toronto in December, 1921, has been most successful and pleasant, due largely to the good planning and hospitality of those who have had it in charge; and Whereas: The weather conditions during our short sojourn have been most ideal; Resolved: That we, the members of the Society, hereby express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the City of Toronto, the University of Toronto, the Meteorological Office of the Dominion of Canada, and particularly to Sir Frederic Stupart who has done so much for our comfort and entertainment. Those present expressed their interest in the following matters, concerning which no formal resolutions were adopted: The All American Geographical Yearbook which is being compiled by Dr. S. Novakovsky under the auspices of Clark University. The work of the National Research Council's Committee on the Atmosphere and Man. The undesirability of the proposed transfer of the U. S. Forest Service from the scientific Department of Agriculture to the administrative Department of the Interior. A motion, that these matters be referred to the Council without recommendation, was adopted. A rising vote of thanks was then tendered by the visiting members. Sir Frederic Stupart told of the pleasure and honor it was to have the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Toronto, and said that to have the American Meteorological Society there had been a pleasure to him personally and to every member of the staff. Thanks were due to Dr. Patterson for his work in making the arrangements. He felt highly honored by being elected President. On adjournment there was an interesting tour of inspection of the Meteorological Office. Members from the United States were particularly interested in noting some of the difficulties which face the Canadian forecaster, who has no telegraphically reporting stations beyond a few hundred miles north of any part of the Dominion. The instruments and type of shelter used are of English make, though they do not differ essentially from those used in the United States. LET US SEND A DELEGATE TO ROME! The following letter was received by the Secretary-Treasurer: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL WASHINGTON, D. C. February 10, 1922. Dr. C. F. Brooks, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts. My dear Brooks: To your surprise, perhaps, the American Geophysical Union is encountering embarrassing difficulties in its efforts to send delegates to the coming meetings in Rome, May, 1922, of the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union, and of its Sections. I am directed, therefore, by the Executive Committee of the Union, to write to you urging that, if practicable, the American Meteorological So ciety secure the necessary money, about $700, to send a delegate to the said meetings, and especially to the Section on Meteorology. Of course, a natural response to this letter would be, "Why beg of a mendicant?" Well, not of him, but of some of his broad-minded and publicspirited friends. Take this up with the president of your University. He may know someone unwilling to let America be inadequately represented at these important meetings. Yours very truly, W. J. Humphreys, Secretary. Dr. H. H. Kimball,in charge of solar rediation investigations of the Weather Bureau, has been designated by the executive committee of the American Geophysical Union to represent, as delegate (Section C. Meteorology), and to attend the meetings of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, which will be held at Rome, beginning May 2. The books of the American Meteorological Society are open for contributions.-C. F. Brooks, Sec'y.-Treas. AERONAUTICAL METEOROLOGY Meteorologists are accustomed to look with respect upon the work of early investigators of the free-air, who collected data on temperature, humidity, and other meteorological elements by means of actually going into the air in balloons. But with the development of the kite, the pilot balloon, and the sounding balloon, the manned free-balloon has, in their minds, been relegated to the company of antiques; in other words, its usefulness as a collector of meteorological information is past. But is this true? One must grant that the several methods of aerological research mentioned above are the most efficient and practical for routine observation. But the author is inclined to think that the free-balloon's possibilities have not yet been exhausted, and that meteorologists should find it quite as profitable to get a taste of this safe and pleasant "laboratory work" as balloonists find it necessary to be familiar with general meteorology. It must be confessed that the balloonist has done a little better learning meteorology than has the meteorologist in learning the value of the balloon. The kite is relatively stationary while the air flows past; the pilot balloon and sounding balloon both change altitude very rapidly and if high winds prevail cannot long be followed with theodolites, in which case the former loses its value at once, and the latter gathers its valuable information from regious unknown. The manned balloon can usually be certain of its location and can control within close limits its altitude. These two features give it a unique and valuable place in meteorological research. In these days when journeys into the air are so common and the splendors of Mother Earth as seen from above are so frequently displayed in excellent photographs and moving pictures, it is unnecessary to dilate upon those impressive features which never fail to arouse the admiration of even seasoned balloonists,-the glory of the dawn above a stratus layer; the formation of cumuli below, projected against a background of wooded hills and sinuous streams; the frigid isolation at midnight in a moon-lit sky! What balloonist has ever written, who did not devote some space to these things? But today we have more to think about; we have pressure gradients, and gradient velocity and gradient direction, eddy viscosity, |