University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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GRIFHTH TAYLOR Prafesxor of Geography GILBERT A. Buss Profrrsof and Chazrmaa, Dz'fJa1'lmenl of Mailzemalzcs THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES HGEOGRAPHY . The activities of University Geogra- phers ranged from the reorganization of educational methods at home, to the conduct of research in the field in dis- tant areas of the world. ln Rosenwald Hall, Chairman Harlan H. Barrows brought to completion his comprehensive study of the character of the graduate training provided by the University. It was especially significant that this de- partment, which has stood out for years as foremost of its kind in the country, was thus alert to any new opportuni- ties for improvement of its work. That such improvements were taking place was demonstrated by the sophomore course in geography developed by Wel- lington Jones, and the first American course in the geography of the Soviet Lands offered by John Nlorrison. At the same time, others in the de- partment carried on and published the results of detailed field investigations. Griffith Taylor, authority on Austral- asia and Antarctic regions, made recon- naissance studies in southeastern Europe and advanced the case for scientific na- tion planning in a paper before the Brit- ish Association. Henry lVl. Leppard di- MATHEMATICS.. rected a series of intensive investigations of British industrial and agricultural areas, and brought back with him valu- able additions to the University Map Division. Charles C. Colby tested cer- tain aspects of reconnaissance technique employed by the department with an ex- perimental traverse across the southwest- ern U. S. Publications of these men dur- ing the year included Taylorls Climate of Australia, Colby and Foster's Eco- nomie Geography for Secondary Schools, and several detailed reports by Robert S. Platt on Held studies in South Amer- ica. Over in Eckhart, Gilbert Bliss, Chair- man of the Department of Mathematics, had much to be proud of during the year. In the first place, National Research Council fellowships were awarded to eleven University of Chicago graduates. This exceedingly large number chosen from one institution was definite proof of the superior quality of instruction provided. ln the second place, Dr. Bliss edited Contrilmlions to the Calrulus of Variafion and thus saw public recogni- tion come to the important work of some of his more advanced students. Page 23

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D D I. HARLEN BRETZ Profe.r.mr of Geoloyy Enwm B. Fizosr Prafc.v.mr of !l.fIroplzy.rif.r THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES .. GEOLOGY...PALEONTOLOGY ASTRONOMY .. Geologists of the University whose in- vestigations in the past have carried them far afield found, in at least two in- stances, the materials for valuable work without venturing far out of the city limits. Under the direction of Har- len Bretz, best known among under- graduates as an instructor of great abil- ities, an intensive geological survey of the Chicago region was brought to com- pletion. At the same time, Dr. Carey Croneis acted in an advisory capacity in the installation of geological exhibits in the new lyluseum of Science and Indus- try. Other workers in Rosenwald, Ed- son S. Bastin and R. T. Chamberlin, worked on materials collected by Held expeditions during the summer. Pro- fessor Chamberlin developed geophysi- cal concepts of the mountain-making processes displayed in the Rockies, and Professor Bastin studied the ores of a number of the mining districts of liex- ico. ln nearby VValker Kluseum Alfred S. Romer, paleontologist, continued his tedious work of preparing and classify- ing remains of Permian vertebrates col- lected by the Department's South Afri- can expedition. With a full understand- ing of the specimens he was in a position to recreate for the first time a previously unknown chapter in evolutionary his- tory. The Astronomers at Yerkes Observa- tory conducted a very extended investi- gation of the double star Epsilon Auri- gae which makes a complete rotation every twenty-seven years. Thus, once during this period, one star revolves about the other producing an eclipse. This phenomenum occurred two years ago and the results of this event are now about to be published by the University Press. These records have been com- piled by Professors Frost, Struve and Elvey. Other interesting projects now being studied are the rotation of the stars and their speed of axial rotation. Professor Struve, the fourth generation of a fam- ily of astronomers, and Professor Elvey are particularly interested in this work. Professor Frost, leading authority on astrophysics, is well-known for his work at Yerkes Observatory. Page 22

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D D THE SOCIAL Bafxknsusr RUML' Dean of the Saczal Science: The importance of the Division of Social Sciences was tacitly proven When with its creation, Beardsley' Ruml, influ- ential member of the General Education VY 1 P' SCIENCES Board, consented to head up its activi- ties. The Division sponsored a series of lectures throughout the Wiiliter and Spring quarters. During the Winter, 'Wvilliam E. Dodd spoke on Reconstruc- tion, North and Southj Social Disinte- gration and Secondary Solidarity, 1856- 1877. Alfred R. Radcliffe Brown had, as his subject, Social Integration, While Louis R. Gottschalk lectured on Revolu- tionary Oriains of Modern France. In the spring, the speakers and subjects were: Charles E. lWerriam, .History of American Political Theoriesj Charles H. Judd, The American System of Educa- tion as an Experiment in Social Adjust- inentg Harold D. Lasswell, Psychology of International Politicsj and John U. Nef, The Coming of Industrialisrn in France. This series of lectures met with unqualihed success, and because of this, the Division intended to continue this practice in the future. P , ,.., ,E 1 9 a l t BLAIXE HALL ' Page 24