The Institute Forum

Discussion o f Papers. Meetings of the Institute offer opportunity for social acquaintance and exchange of ideas, for the--presentation of papers, and-for discussions. thereon ; also incidentally for viewing under especially favorable conditions mining operations and industrial establishments, and for hospitalities which demonstrate the brotherhood clue to kindred interests. Placing sociability prominent is not to be assumed as relegating other features of meetings to subordinate positions; but during about 40 years of membership in the Institute, the value of acquaintances formed (often ripening into close friendship), and the interchange of data, have frequently demonstrated that the social feature of meetings is of great and lasting value to the membership. Of a roll embracing 4,011 members, resident in all parts of our country, and scattered in various portions of the world, only a small fraction are able to attend meetings, even if the localities selected are alternately widely separated. Hence, the return which most members receive for their annual assessment of dues is limited to the publications issued, and the credit of being recognized as a. member of a great and worthy organization. The greater the value of the contents of our publication, the fuller the return which goes to members. While the Institute disavows responsibility for views or statements made ill papers which appear in its Transactions, the fact that these contributions, after passing proper censorship, are accepted by the Institute and spread before the world may properly be received by the writers as endorsements of their (the writers') ability to present a specific technical or industrial proposition worthy of being carefully read. But the mere presentation and publication of contributed papers falls short of fulfilling one important feature of our meetings. If the purpose is confined to having the writers' views, discoveries, theories, or methods published, this can be obtained through the technical or trade journals and magazines. The true value of a paper presented at a meeting of the Institute may often be gauged by the discussion which it encourages, although there are contributions of decided value which do not especially invite discussion. However, most Of the papers offered contain statements apt to encourage criticism or elaboration by others whose experience or knowledge, or both, assist in combating or endorsing statements made.