growth_prae.tex
                                                                    4/94

                                   GROWTH

The  American Physical Society publishes 20-25% of the world's  physics
literature.   Physical  Review A contained 6680 pages in 1981; last
year  it had 15410 pages.  The growth has been steady and cannot be
expected to abate anytime  soon.   In  response  to the question as to
whether  the  size  of Physical   Review  should  be  artificially
capped,  the  Task  Force   on Publications   Operations  Planning,
chaired  by  Eugen   Merzbacher,   has formulated  a  policy  statement
that no arbitrary limits should be  set  on journal size; this
statement has been approved by the Publications Oversight Committee and
the Council of The American Physical Society.

The  rapid  growth of Physical Review A and E makes it imperative  that
acceptance  standards  be  rigorously  followed.  We  ask  authors
that  in planning  manuscripts for submittal to these Journals they
keep in mind  the Editorial  Policies of Physical Review A and E
included in the front  matter of  the  first  issue  of  each
volume.   Papers  should  be   substantive contributions that contain
significant new physics, placed in the context of current  research.
In the refereeing and editorial process, we  strive  to winnow  out
not  only  incorrect  manuscripts,  but  also  those  that  are
inappropriate for Physical Review, represent fragmented publication,
contain mere  proposals, or are thin in scientific content and have
little relevance to genuine issues in contemporary physics.

The joint efforts of authors, referees, and editors will serve to
accomplish the aim of maintaining the high standards for our Journals
that best serve this scientific community.  Your help is important.

                                                 The Editors