[Letters to Editor]

Abstract

THE continuance of this correspondence in our columns would not, we think, serve any useful purpose. In a note in NATURE of May 13 it was pointed out that Mrs. Ayrton's indictment of the War Office was “ot against the military element, but rather against the experts who were associated with the Gas Service.” It is easy to understan the reluctance of these officers to express their views upon anti-gas fans, even if they were free to do so; and though Mrs. Ayrton is anxious to have all the facts judged by a tribunal appointed for that purpose, we must confess that the likelihood of a scientific body constituting such a tribunal is very remote. The inquiry is one that the Conjoint Board of Scientific Societies could take up appropriated, but no satisfactory conclusion could be reached without examining a number of witnesses, and the resources and powers of the Board are scarcely sufficient for such action. The only practicable course, therefore, would seem to be for the War Office to appoint a Committee to investigate Mrs. Ayrton's charges, an in the interests of scientific truth and efficiency we hope this will be done.—ED. NATURE.