| Description | Meeting held at the Royal Society
Present at the meeting: Sir Frederick Hopkins, President of the Royal Society in the chair; Sir Frank Smith, Royal Society; Sir George William Humphreys, Colonel R E B Crompton, and Dr H H Jeffcott, Institution of Civil Engineers; Mr Pendred and Brigadier General M Mowat, Institution of Mechanical Engineeers; Mr R P Sloan, Institution of Electrical Engineers; Sir Archibald Denny, Vice Admiral Sir Robert Dixon and Mr R W Dana, Institution of Naval Architects; Mr E W Fraser Smith and Mr R J Walker, N.E. Coast Institution of Engineeers and ship builders; Sir Robert Hadfield and Mr F W Hardbord, Iron and Steel Institute
Apologies for absence revceived from Sir Alfred Ewing, Colonel Kitson Clark and Mr C C Paterson
Chairman explained his reasons for taking the chair ex officio, and welcomed all the representatives of other bodies responding to his invitation. Royal Society representatives had executive powers, and suggested the meeting was not too large to exercise executive functions. Secondly, proposed the meeting refrain from any formal or binding resolution, which accepted.
All suggestions to be discussed thoroughly, including those already received, eg a statue in Westminster, a Parsons Medal, a Parsons studentship, and a Parsons research fellowship in engineering or optics.
Thirdly, would discuss machinery for collection of funds.
Comments from Mr R P Sloan, Mr L Pendred, Colonel R E B Crompton, Sir Robert Dixon, Sir Archibald Denny, Mr R J Walker, Sir George Humphreys, stated theri positions on executive power for their respective institutions. Discussed views of their respective institutions. Agreed that representatives should be requested to seek executive powers from their societies. Sir Frank Smith summed up the wishes of the meeting as;
' That the meeting invite other bodies mentioned to send representatives to a larger conference. That in sending these invitations the meeting ask the councils of the bodies to give their representatives executive powers. That the representatives present at this meeting seek such powers from their councils. That these powers shall not include power to bind societies financially. That the representatives present should put in writing short suggestions on the form of the memorial, and that these suggestions should be circulated to all concerned, That the future conference appoint an executive committee with powers to carry out its resolutions. '
Summary confirmed by meeting, and agreed to ask Admiralty to send a representative to the conference.
Also agreed the question of the international or national form of the memorial to be specifically referred to the conference; and that minutes of the present meeting be circulated.
Vote of thanks to Chairman. |