Dr. Harlow Shapley, Paine professor of practical astronomy and director of the Harvard College observatory, was elected president of the newly organized Harvard chapter of the Sigma XI Society last Saturday at the founders' meeting. George David Birkhoff '05, professor of Mathematics became vice-president; Kirtley Fletcher Mather, professor of Geology, was chosen secretary; and Donald Hamilton McLaughlin '17, professor of Mining Engineering was elected treasurer.

Prior to the election, sixty-four distinguished scientists, members of the faculties of Harvard's undergraduate and graduate schools, were formally inducted into the new society, the national "Phi Beta Kappa" of the field of science. A number of the Harvard faculty already hold membership in other chapters of the Society and were therefore automatically admitted into the Harvard chapter.

Will Have Yearly Elections

These men and the newly inducted members will comprise the nucleus for the Harvard Society, to which new members will be elected annually from students in the graduate schools who demonstrate outstanding aptitude for scientific research. On rare occasions undergraduates, who display unusual scientific ability, will also be elected. The formal installation was also attended by representatives from neighboring chapters, including Dr. Karl T. Compton of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Walter H. Snell, of Brown University. Dr. Jerome Howe of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Dr. J. S. Nicholas of Yale. Besides these men, scientists from points as distant as Arizons. Colorado, and lowa attended the gathering.

On Saturday evening at seven o'clock a dinner given in the Harvard Union, at which Professor Shapley. G. W. Stewart, national president of the organization, and President Lowell were the principal speakers. In his response to the address of the national president. President Lowell said: "It is time we all took our share of this super-gallery, all science. We have got great work to do, so I welcome the new chapter because it brings so many scientists together."