Morgantown New Dominion
Teachers of Science Urge New Building
Meeting Here Yesterday Culminates in Organization of Academy of Science
Resolutions Are Adopted
Business Sessions Held During Day - Dr. George Bancroft Named President
November 29, 1924
Organization of the West Virginia Academy of Science with Dr. George R. Bancroft of the University as president, and adoption of a resolution recommending the erection of a new science building and museum at the state institution here, were among the accomplishments yesterday of the first annual meeting of state science leaders here. The sessions came to a close last night with an address by Dr. Francis H. Herrick, of Western Reserve University, who spoke on "Bird and Animal Instinct and Intelligence"
Those who attended the day's sessions were chiefly science instructors in the University and other educational institutions of the state, including Bethany College, Marshall College, Salem College and Fairmont Normal School. The organization will involve all science leaders in West Virginia who are interested, and will be affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It is probable that most of the West Virginia Academy members will go to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual meeting of the American association shortly after Christmas time, the vacation period from school giving an opportunity to be present without inconvenience.
The business meeting and election of officers was held in the afternoon in the physic's lecture room at the University where all of the day's sessions were held. Dr. Bancroft, who is the associate professor of Physiological Chemistry in the University, was named with the following persons by the committee for nomination of officers: Professor B. R. Weimer, Bethany College, vice president; Dr. John Eiseland, professor of mathematics in the University, secretary; and Professor A. B. White, of Marshall College, treasurer. The nominees were made officers without change.
The resolutions adopted by the organization during its business meeting follow:
"Resolved, That the West Virginia Academy of Science recommends to the State Board of Control that among the first buildings needed in West Virginia are those for the study and advancement of Geology, Botany, Zoology and for the State Geological Survey. It is also recommended that a state museum be provided. To this end we are in favor of an appropriation by the next legislature to meet the costs of erecting such buildings."
The stadium resolution was:
"Resolved, That the West Virginia Academy of Science feels that the state should conserve her natural resources and natural beauties, and to this and are not in favor of the plan of the curved portion of the stadium which would prevent view of the structure from the Sunnyside bridge.
The constitution and by-laws of the organization were adopted without change.
Other events in connection with the meeting of the science leaders included group meetings in the morning for the different branches of science; a demonstration in physics in the afternoon by Dr. R. G. Colwell and staff of the University; sectional meetings in the afternoon; a dinner at 6 o'clock at the University cafeteria; a visit to see University buildings and equipment, conducted by Professor C.E. Lawall, head of the mining extension department in the University.
The trip to the mine was unusually interesting. The party leaving here went on a special bus to the mine at 4 o'clock and walked back into the opening for a mile and a quarter. With the assistance of James Crockett, superintendent of the mine, and John Crawford, foreman, the party visited all portions of the mine with closed lights and saw how coal was undercut. They also went into the pillar-drawing section, and witnessed other things of general interest in the mine, remaining until about 7 o'clock. Those making the trip were Dr. and Mrs. T. L. Harris, Professor W. A. Koehler, Earl Davies, C. T. Gayley, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Cochran, Professor G. A. Bergy, R. L. Molitor, Professor E. L. Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Swan, J. Sabosnekow, Miss S. Slater and Professor Lawall.
Many attended Dr. Herrick's lecture last night. The speaker illustrated his lecture with original photographs which were studies of various species of birds and especially of the bald eagle. Dr. Herrick told of a tower which he built in which birds had been making their nests for 30 years. The tower is about 16 feet high and weighs about one ton. All the pictures presented were studies of nesting, migratory and feeding habits of the birds, Dr. Herrick also discussed some of the homing habits of cats and dogs and their instinct to return home from places some distance away.