476 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



PRESIDENT OILMAN'S SUMMARY 

 OF THE PLANS AND METHODS 

 OF THE CARNEGIE IN- 

 STITUTION. 



As a convenient summary of the 

 plans and methods thus far agreed 

 upon the following minute is approved: 



The methods of administration of 

 the Carnegie Institution thus far de- 

 veloped are general rather than 

 specific. 



The encouragement of any branch of 

 science comes within the possible scope 

 of this foundation, but as the fund, 

 munificient as it is, is inadequate to 

 meet the requests for aid already pre- 

 sented, not to mention others which are 

 foreseen though not yet formulated, 

 attention has been concentrated upon 

 a selection of those objects which, at 

 this time and in our country, seem to 

 require immediate assistance. 



Efforts have been and will be made 

 to secure cooperation with other 

 agencies established for the advance- 

 ment of knowledge, while care will be 

 exercised to refrain from interference 

 or rivalry with them. Accordingly, 

 ground already occupied will be 

 avoided. For example, if medical re- 

 search is provided for by other 

 agencies, as it appears to be, the Car- ' 

 negie Institution will not enter that i 

 field. Systematic education, abund- 

 antly provided for in this country by 

 universities, colleges, professional 

 schools, and schools of technology, will 

 not be undertaken. Nor will the as- 

 sistance of meritorious students in the 

 early stages of their studies come 

 within the scope of this foundation. 

 Sites or buildings for other institutions 

 will not be provided. 



Specific grants have been and will 

 be made, for definite purposes, to in- 

 dividual investigators, young or old, of 

 marked ability, and for assistance, 

 books, instruments, apparatus and ma- 

 terials. It is understood that such 

 purchases are the property of the Car- 

 negie Institution and subject to its 



control. The persons thus aided will 

 be expected to report upon the methods 

 followed and the results obtained. In 

 the publication of results it is ex- 

 pected that the writer will say that 

 he was aided by the Carnegie Institu- 

 tion of Washington, unless it be re- 

 quested that this fact be not made 

 known. 



In order to carry out the founder's 

 instructions in respect to bringing to 

 Washington highly qualified persons 

 who wish to profit by the opportunities 

 for observation and research afforded 

 by the various scientific bureaus of 

 the United States Government, a cer- 

 tain sum is set apart for this purpose. 



In addition, the Carnegie Institution 

 will appoint from time to time a num- 

 ber of persons to be known as research 

 assistants, who may or may not reside 

 in Washington, and who shall under- 

 take to carry on such special investi- 

 gations as may be entrusted to them 

 by the institution. The appointments 

 will be made for a year, and may be 

 renewed in any case where it seems 

 desirable. Permission may be given to 

 go abroad, if special advantages not 

 accessible in this country can thus be 

 secured. 



Publication is regarded by the 

 founder as of special importance. Ac- 

 cordingly, appropriations will be made 

 for this purpose, especially for ths 

 printing of papers of acknowledged 

 importance, so abstruse, so extended 

 or so costly that without the aid of this 

 fund they may not see the light. 



With respect to certain large under- 

 takings involving much expense, which 

 have been or may be suggested, care- 

 ful preliminary inquiries have been and 

 will be made. 



In order to secure the counsel of 

 experts in various departments of 

 knowledge, special advisers have been 

 and will be invited from time to time 

 for consultation. Valuable suggestions 

 and counsel have already been received 

 from such advisers. 



