March 14, 1924] Science 257 number of criminals would 42.4 per cent. less; of feeble-minded 20.9 per cent. less; of tuberculosis 19.6 per cent. less. These increases and decreases in the different classes offset each other, so that for all classes of inadequates together the number from the 1890 European-born population is merely 0.9 per cent. greater than from the 1910 population. There appears, then, to be no basis in Laughlin's studies for the statement numbered (3) quoted from the report of the immigration committee. H. S. Jennings The Johns Hopkins University The Policy of the Sigma XI in Regard to State Colleges In a recent number of Science (October 7, 1923) the writer made the statement that "the policy of the Sigma Xi has been to refuse the granting of chapters to state colleges." The statement was made with the knowledge that only two state colleges have been granted chapters of Sigma Xi and upon the assumption that other state colleges had petitioned for chapters and been denied. The inference follows that state colleges, due to their nature or class or on account of a prejudice, have less chance of being granted a chapter of the Sigma Xi than do state universities. The truth of the statement as made has been questioned by some and affirmed by others. The detailed information necessary for the formation of a definite opinion regarding the policy of the Sigma Xi is not available. However, certain available facts serve to indicate the policy of the Sigma Xi and are herewith set forth. The president and secretary of the Sigma Xi, through personal communications, state that it is not the policy of the Sigma Xi to discriminate against any class of institutions, that all petitions for chapters receive the same serious investigation and consideration irrespective of the nature or class of the institution. There is nothing in the constitution or appendices to the constitution of the Sigma Xi to indicate a prejudice against state colleges. The policy of the Sigma Xi, as indicated by the constitution, is that a chapter may be established at any educational or research institution in which scientific research is cultivated and promoted, but that great care should be observed in establishing chapters and that the aims of the Sigma Xi will best be obtained by a strictly conservative policy. Obtaining a chapter requires the approval of the executive committee and a three fourths vote of the convention. It is obvious that when an action is determined by voting no constitution can predetermine the action. Only two of the forty chapters of the Sigma Xi are held by the state colleges. This fact has been advanced by some as evidence that the policy of the Sigma Xi is unfavorable to state colleges. It has been advanced by others as conclusive evidence that the Sigma Xi does not discriminate against state colleges, that the policy of the Sigma Xi is unfavorable to state colleges only to the extent of requiring research standards that the state colleges do not have. We are justified in assuming that the executive committee is impartial in considering applications for chapters. But the fact remains that state colleges, with but two exceptions, have not been granted chapters. Why have not more state colleges been granted chapters of the Sigma Xi? Have they failed to petition for chapters, or have they failed by virtue of their function or otherwise to meet the requirements? The correct answers to these questions are worthy of consideration but can not be given by the writer. The State College of Washington has never petitioned for a chapter of the Sigma Xi. I believe the reason has been that chapters, with one or two exceptions, were not being established in other state colleges and there was no basis for determining in advance what the result of such a petition would be. The State College has formed a research group known as the Research Council. This has been effective in stimulating research. If the state colleges can not meet the requirements set for the granting of chapters of the Sigma Xi, wherein do they fail? Only the executive committee can answer this question. They do not fail because of their function which includes both instructions and research. The object of the Sigma Xi is to encourage original investigation. The requirements for membership set by the Sigma Xi deal with research. A full statement setting forth wherein state college and other educational institutions fail in research attitude, facilities or production will be of inestimable value. Those institutions which can not meet the requirements set by the Sigma Xi need an active research organization more than those institutions in which research has been developed to the highest degree. The former need aid and encouragement. Will research be furthered more by granting them membership in the Sigma Xi now or by holding up before them the promise of membership when they have fulfilled certain requirements? The Sigma Xi has wisely given an affirmative answer to the latter question. The research men in those institutions which have been denied chapters of the Sigma Xi and in those institutions which have not applied for chapters should form one or more active organizations. Such institutions need and there is no reason for their being without a scientific society of such nature