ORGANIZATION IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 5* 



biological investigations proper, a considerable number of specialists in 

 botany and zoology. Then, in addition, there must be at least the 

 physicist or physical chemist for the physico-chemical study of the 

 water; the geologist for bottom and shore topography and bottom 

 deposits; and the hydrographer must be called in for currents, tides, 

 up-welling water and meteorological conditions. 



It is obvious, then, that increased coordination of effort would be 

 distinctly advantageous in many fields of science ; and that in some, at 

 least, it is a sine qua non to considerable progress in the future. How 

 is this to be brought about? How are these diversities of talent and 

 training to be brought together and held together to the end that 

 they may accomplish that which in no other way can be accomplished ? 

 Cooperation among individual workers, entered into on their own ini- 

 tiative and held together by their own cohesiveness, has done some- 

 thing, and probably in future will do more. In some districts of 

 nature, and in some sorts of problems, this may fill the bill. To other 

 districts and other kinds of problems, however, among which are un- 

 doubtedly some of the largest and potentially richest, I believe this 

 kind of coordination can not extend in great effectiveness. 



Organization around single large problems, or groups of closely 

 related problems, with the two binding elements of talent for or- 

 ganizing and directing, and money for sustaining, I believe to be the 

 direction in which we must look in the future more than we have been 

 looking hitherto. 



Something of the value and possibilities of organization in research 

 are usefully illustrated by certain of the science departments of our 

 national government. Particularly to be mentioned is the Geological 

 Survey; and some of the divisions of the Department of Agriculture 

 are likewise notable. But astronomy is giving us object lessons most 

 to the point in this matter. The astronomical observatory with its per- 

 manent staff of investigators, each of whose work has a definite bearing 

 upon a common purpose of the observatory, all under the coordinating 

 hand of the director, shows us in principle how much of the scientific 

 work of time to come must be done. It would appear that these 

 splendid instrumentalities of research are getting right at the kernel 

 of the question of means ; and it seems as though other sciences ought 

 to be profiting more than they are by the example. 



It is likely to be replied that the observatories are made possible 

 solely by the great sums of money given them, and that astronomy is 

 doing no more in the way of equipping herself and organizing her 

 forces than other sciences would do were they equally fortunate in 

 getting money. True, astronomy is, or thus far has been, the favored 

 sister in the family of sciences with those who have riches and a dis- 

 position to use them for the promotion of knowledge; and it is said 



