| Description | 'Dear Haldane
Thanks for you kind letter.
Our correspondence seems to raise a point which goes beyond Herr Kube and his 10 % Jewish blood! May I put it like this;-
Our rules state (1) That the Society is founded "to promote the advancement of Genetics. (2) That the "business" of the Society shall be conducted by a committee.
The question, accordingly, seems to me to be: (1) Are Genetics "advanced" by the expression of the views of the Society on points relating to heredity raised in the press? And if yes (2) Could letters to the press on such subjects fairly be called part of the "business" of the society?
I should myself say that Genetic were advanced by the public receiving proper guidance on such questions from the Society; and I would also say that in the past a wide construction has been placed on the word "business", which includes all the general activities of the Society. Therefore I would say that the Committee has power to deal with the Kube case without referring to a general meeting.
But I quite appreciate that you and others may think differently; and that it may be desirable to test the feeling of the Society at a general meeting.
I would therefore - subject to your approval - be ready to move the following - or something like it:-
"That the Committee be empowered to express the views of the Society as a body on any questions relating to the scientific aspects of heredity raised in the press."
And I would explain that, as a matter of course, the powers sought would be used sparingly: and I would cite the Kube case.
There does not seem to be anything in the rules which requires notice to be given of such a motion, which does not imply any addition or alteration of the rules. It is - I take it - just that you (and very likely others) would like to test the feeling of a General Meeting bvefore taking any action.' |