THE returns of the vote on reorganization were overwhelmingly in favor of both propositions.
There was some misunderstanding of proposition 2. The purpose of this proposal was to provide the Executive Committee with a directive to select, upon the retirement of Dr. Clifford G. Grulee, a successor to his office best suited to fulfill the requisites of this position who is, at the same time, available for appointment. The second proposal was perhaps unnecessary. Authority to select an Executive Secretary is vested in the Executive Board and it was suggested by Dr. Veeder in his letter of transmissal that changes might have to be undertaken slowly and involve a certain amount of pragmatism.
It is expected that Dr. Grulee will continue under the reorganization plan as Executive Director until his retirement in July of 1951. Meanwhile the Board is proceeding most thoughtfully with the consideration of possible appointees to this important position. It is necessary, of course, that this man should have the confidence and respect of the membership but he must, at the same time, have executive ability, business acumen and an unusual capacity to reconcile the divergent views of our powerful organization into a pattern of Academy activities. The nature of his office makes it almost inescapable that the popularity of the Executive Director will vary from time to time with one or another segment of the membership.
It is obviously to the advantage of the Academy and for the continuity of an over-all program to have the same individual remain in this position for many years.