ADDRESS OF OUTGOING PRESIDENT 
This is my farewell speech before I vacate the office of President. 
I must confess to a veil of sorrow at retiring from the government of the Society, not because I relinquish a 
leading position, but rather because in the past, working in a cordial atmosphere, I have been able to establish 
lasting friendships that I very much appreciate. 
I believe that we can be content with the results of our activity over the past four years leading up to this Ottawa 
Congress. 
Unfortunately, I have been able to follow the activity of the Commissions in a minor way only; however, the 
Commission Presidents and the participants with whom I have spoken have told me that they were very 
satisfied with the proceedings which often had a high scientific and technical content. 
The Resolutions of the seven Technical Commissions, which you have just heard and approved, open up now 
new ways of study and work for the next four years; they will be a safe guide for the Commission Presidents 
who, on the other hand, will still retain a wide freedom of initiative. The responsibility of developing the 
scientific activity of the Society rests, in practice, on the Commission Presidents, since the President of the LS.P. 
can intervene only for co-ordination and advice. 
The new organization of the Technical Commissions represents another step in the modernization of the LS.P.; 
surely it will not be the last. We have already seen that a few changes in the Bye-Laws and, perhaps, in the 
Statutes, may be advisable. 
I take this opportunity of warning the new officers to be very cautious when proposing changes, bearing in 
mind that they cannot be made very often; that each variation has to be carefully studied so that it will last 
as long as possible, and that they must be put into practice only when they are really necessary. 
Many persons have contributed towards the success of this Congress, both during the preparatory stage and 
in the event. I extend to all these my most sincere and warm thanks. I am unable to thank them one by one, 
especially those belonging to Dr. Gamble's team - so, I will only mention some of the leaders, although my 
gratitude goes to all, the rank and file as well as the officers. 
Let me first repeat myself by thanking the Council members. We have worked together very amicably over four 
years, and their help and advice have made my work as President much easier. Furthermore, their specific tasks 
have been admirably accomplished. 
Le premier vice-Président Prof. Bachmann a conduit d’une façon admirable les travaux du group de travaie 
pour la reorganization des commissions techniques. The Secretary-General Mr. C. Tewinkel has given us a lot 
of his time, of which he didn't have much at his disposal, keeping in contact with the member bodies, 
examining the applications of new members, drawing up the minutes of the Council meetings, and so on. I 
won't mention Dr. Gamble's activities because you have been able to observe them for yourselves. We are all 
grateful to him, both for the way in which he has organized the Congress and for the hospitality we have 
received in Ottawa. None of us will forget the natural beauty of Canada which we had the opportunity to see 
during the organized tours, nor will we forget the Canadian way of life, active and relaxed as it should be in 
a highly civilized country. 
The Treasurer, Prof. Halonen, has kept the accounts of the Society with scrupulous care. He also succeeded in 
the very hard job of obtaining the regular payment of the fees by almost all the Member Bodies. 
Finally, the Second Vice-President Skládal was able to attend only the first Council meeting and, thereafter, 
he was not able to carry out any work. In spite of this, he strove to collaborate with us and I thank him for the 
enthusiasm he has shown for the Council duties. 
Three colleagues, Gamble, Tewinkel and Halonen, will remain in the incoming Council, and the Society will 
benefit greatly from their experience. Thanks go to the President of the Financial Commission for his criticisms 
and valid suggestions about the financial policy of the LS.P. I am quite sure that the new Council will be able 
to settle the delicate financial problems of the Society in the best possible way. 
I wish to congratulate the Commission Presidents who have completed their work just one hour ago. They have 
met many difficulties of various kinds which they have overcome, thanks to their sense of responsibility and 
spirit of enterprise. 
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