108 State Papers and Addresses

For 'the first time in the history of our Nation, a woman was selected, as
its accredited representative, at the Court of Denmark. At the present moment,
a representative American woman is the accredited representative of her Gov-
ernment at the Court of Norway. A brilliant woman of legal attainment has
graced the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, having jurisdiction over
a portion of our Country which constitutes an industrial empire within inself—
a position only one step lower than the United States Supreme Court itself.
In the administrative phase of our national government, a notable woman with
a long career in excellent social service, has for the past seven years been the
Secretary of Labor, and because thereof, is a member of the Cabinet of the
President of the United States.

THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARCHIVISTS
NATIONAL CONVENTION

Officers' Club, Naval Academy, October 12, 1939
Annapolis

IT is my very pleasant duty to say to you the few words of welcome which
seem appropriate, before we turn our thoughts to the more serious purposes
which have brought us together. I am heartily glad to be with you. It is
just such meetings as this which insure to this profession its healthy life and
vigorous growth.

It is the frequent coming together of scores of earnest men, each with
his individual experiences, but all with a single engrossing purpose, which
keeps us abreast of times and ever ready for the next forward step. The full
and candid presentation of our varied experiences, our mistakes and failures,
no less than our successes, that make possible intelligent comparisons, stimu-
lates suggestion and leads to discussion, out of which we may gather some-
what of profit. The Society of American Archivists, was invited to have its
third annual meeting in Maryland's State Capital by Dr. James Alexander
Robertson, Archivist of Maryland, who died on March 20th last. In the death
of Dr. Robertson, the Society of American Archivists lost much more than its
Vice-President. He was not only the friend of most of the other leaders in the
promotion of archival science in the country, but also one of the most tireless
workers in the field.

It is notable that although at the age of sixty-five he had a long record
of completed accomplishments, he was actively engaged at the time of his
death in several quite new enterprises in which results, are just beginning
to be apparent, such as the Maryland Hall of Records, the Inter-American
Historical Series, and the Inter-American Bibliographical and Library As-
sociation. Among these also is the Society of American Archivists, in which
he had a deep interest. He was a member of the Committee of Ten which
; drew up its initial organization plans, chairman of the first nominating com-
mittee, chairman of the program committee for the first annual meeting, and
chairman of the standing committee on co-operation; and on the day he was
taken ill he was busy in his duties as Chairman of the local arrangements com-
mittee for the third annual meeting of the Society. I am pleased however,