In accordance with Article V, Section X, of the Constitution and By-laws, two weeks’ notice having been given, the annual meeting was held at 8:05 p. m., on October 13, 1922, in the Board Room of the Officer’s mess, U. S. Naval Academy.
Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson, U. S. N., Vice-president, presided.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
The first stated business being the election of officers, the appointed tellers, reported the votes as follows:
For President: Votes
1. Rear Admiral B.A. Fiske, U.S.N. 358
2. Admiral E.W. Eberle, U.S.N. 195
3. Rear Admiral S.S. Robison, U.S.N. 137
For Vice-president:
1. Rear Admiral William V. Pratt, U.S.N. 655
For Secretary and Treasurer:
1. Commander C.C. Gill, U.S.N. 606
2. Commander J.S. Woods 91
For Board of Control:
1. Captain John Halligan, Jr., U.S.N. 503
2. Commander W.R. Van Auken, U.S.N. 456
3. Commander H.D. Cooke, U.S.N. 450
4. Brigadier General George Richards, U.S.M.C. 449
5. Commander John Downes, U.S.N. 438
6. Captain J.A. Furer, (CC) U.S.N. 364
7. Captain R.M. Watt, (CC) U.S.N. 313
8. Captain H.E. Lackey, U.S.N. 255
9. Commander J.O. Fisher, U.S.N. 210
10. Commander G.S. Bryan, U.S.N. 207
11. Lieutenant Commander A.D. Denny, U.S.N. 164
12. Commander H.G.S. Wallace, U.S.N. 150
13. Lieutenant Commander J.A. Murphy, U.S.N. 89
The chairman then declared the following officers elected for the ensuing year:
President:
Rear Admiral B. A. Fiske, U. S. N.
Vice-president:
Rear Admiral W. V. Pratt, U. S. N.
Secretary and Treasurer:
Commander C. C. Gill, U. S. N.
Board of Control:
Captain John Halligan, Jr., U. S. N.
Commander W. R. Van Auken, U. S. N.
Commander H. D. Cooke, U. S. N.
Brigadier General George Richards, U. S. M. C.
Commander John Downes, U. S. N.
Captain J. A. Furer, (CC) U. S. N.
The following remarks were submitted by the Secretary:
Membership
There are at present 4,835 members, of which three are honorary members, 144 life members, 4,164 regular members, and 524 associate members. Of these, about 375 have been suspended, either for not advising the Institute of changes of address, or for being in arrears for dues for two or more years.
The changes in membership during the year were as follows:
Resignations:
Regular 394
Associate 30
424
Deaths:
Regular 25
Associate 3
Life 1
29
Dropped:
Regular 347
Associate 0
347
Total loss in membership New members 800
New members.......... 147
Net loss in membership ........................... 653
Financial Statement
In round numbers, the financial activities of the Institute for the year have been as follows:
The gross value of business receipts was:
Books copyrighted by the Institute ................. $40,600
Purchased books ............................................ 3,200
Dues and subscriptions ...................... ......... 11,360
$55,160
The Book Department made a gross profit of $19,000. Operating expenses amounted to $18,500, leaving a net profit here of $500 for the year.
The printing of the Proceedings has involved a loss of $6,000 which is just about offset by interest on investments and bank deposits. During the last year, the Proceedings have been taken away from the Lord Baltimore Press and awarded to the Banta Publishing Company, in Wisconsin. The Lord Baltimore Press printed the first five issues at an average monthly loss of $875. The remaining seven issues were printed by Banta at an average loss of $230. This change in publishing houses shows a saving to the Institute of between $7,500 and $8,000 per year on printing the Proceedings at present prices.
In spite of this saving, the publication of the Proceedings still involves a. monthly deficit that is a heavy tax on the resources of the Association. As this deficit can best be overcome by an increase in the membership roll, the loss of 653 members during the last year is a serious matter. However, the gradual decrease in membership during the last few years may be looked upon as an aftermath of the war. Earnest effort is being made to counteract this, and there are encouraging signs that it will soon stop and the tide turn the other way. If the Service will give the Institute a little more support it will not be necessary either to curtail the Proceedings or to increase the yearly dues.
Fortunately, the Institute is in sound financial condition. Considering our total income and total expenses during the past year, the increase in net worth is $1,500. The net worth of the Association on September 30, 1922, was $176,867.03.
Proceedings
In carrying out the object of the Naval Institute: viz., the advancement of professional and scientific knowledge in the navy, the most important activity of the Association is the monthly publication of the Proceedings. Endeavor is constantly being made to increase the usefulness of this magazine to the Naval Service.
It is aimed each month to present to our readers a balanced assortment of original articles on subjects of Naval interest, setting forth authoritative discussions of Naval policy, Naval administration, Naval science, and Naval history. As the Institute depends almost entirely upon contributions from members of the Association, co-operation of all hands is necessary in this work.
The Professional Notes section of-the magazine is an important feature. A recent change has been made by which two officers now work on the compilation of these notes; one on duty here at the Naval Academy, and one on duty in Washington. We now have a list of 180 periodicals of Naval interest. Of these, forty-seven of the most important ones are received here in Annapolis and gone over by Lieutenant Commander Rockwell. The balance are reviewed by the Washington compiler, Lieutenant Heffernan. There is thus produced a digest of current Naval thought, as expressed both at home and abroad, invaluable to officers desiring to keep abreast of their profession. Also a reference list indicating subject matter of articles of service interest, published during the month, is a part of this section.
The Notes on International Affairs have been prepared by Professor Allan Westcott, of the Naval Academy, since 1915, and by their established usefulness have become a fixture in. the Proceedings.
The Board of Control has approved a policy to extend and improve the book review columns of the Proceedings. In this connection, the following suggestion has been made:
“The Naval Institute has a considerable library of professional books. There are also available, handbooks and reference books of various descriptions, as well as magazines and periodicals, both domestic and foreign. It is planned to extend and improve the review columns of the Proceedings and to publish promptly reviews of books on naval, professional, historical, and international subjects, giving authoritative information as to their respective scope and value. This will involve the collection of a valuable and complete library of current literature on topics of interest to the service.
“The Institute would be pleased to have the Naval Academy gain all possible advantage from this library. It is therefore suggested that if practicable, room “A,” adjacent to the Institute offices, be assigned to the Institute for use as a library open to the Naval Academy teaching staff. If this is approved by the Superintendent, the Institute will provide a reading table and chairs, and will also be glad to detail from its clerical force a librarian, to take charge of this library so that books may be drawn out, under similar rules and regulations as are in force in the Naval Academy Library.”
This suggestion has been approved by the Superintendent, and steps will be taken in co-operation with the library committee to carry it out.
It has been the policy of the Institute, always, to do all it can to help the Naval Academy authorities to produce high grade textbooks on professional subjects taught midshipmen. In accomplishing this, the following considerations govern:
- That text and context be of standard that will reflect credit on the Naval Academy and the Service.
- That the best available talent be obtained to write or compile these books.
- That the midshipmen and the Service be given the benefit of as low a price as practicable on these books.
In carrying out this policy, the Institute has recently adopted a modified plan of procedure, whereby the midshipmen will be given the benefit of a more reduced price.
The new book on Navigation, the revised edition of Elementary Mechanics, and the Manual of Athletic Requirements have all been made under this new plan with satisfactory results.
The offices and books of the Institute are open to all members, and constructive criticism is welcome.
The above remarks of the Secretary were voted approved. (Details of the attending discussion may be found recorded in the annual minute book of the Association.)
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 P. M.
C. C. Gill,
Commander, U. S. Navy, Secretary and Treasurer.