6o burgess: science and after- war period 



vate in his own way and not under the more or less arbitrarily 

 imposed conditions of mihtary requirements. Although much 

 of the scientific work of the war has been done individually, 

 probably by far the greater part has been by collective efforts 

 of groups of workers usually under the guidance of some re- 

 sponsible committee or executive. Although this is no new 

 phenomenon in scientific research, yet this cooperative method 

 of attacking difficult problems has been, under the stress of war, 

 developed to an hitherto unheard-of degree. It is probable that 

 the naturally individuahstic traits of scientific men will tend to 

 cause a lessening of this type of common endeavor; although in 

 the distribution of investigation, between groups or individuals, 

 there will probably be a greater number of groups than before 

 the war, the habit of working together having been fostered, 

 and its advantages appreciated in certain cases. For scientific 

 research carried out in the interest of industry, this group method 

 will very likely be greatly developed. 



STANDARDIZATION 



One of the fundamental factors of the greatest economic 

 importance, which the exigencies of the war have brought re- 

 peatedly to the fore both in battle and in workshop, is what one 

 might almost call the crusade of standardization. This has 

 taken on innumerable aspects and has constantly been recurring 

 in conservation programs, economic production, and in the 

 eUmination of waste, time, materials, and men. The savings that 

 may be accompUshed by the scientific application of what we may 

 call the principles of standardization in production, manufacture, 

 and distribution of many, if not most, of the more usual com- 

 modities of commerce and industry is so great that I believe that 

 it is not an exaggeration to say that by this means alone our 

 national debt could soon be paid off, both interest and principal. 

 An indication of what can be done along this fine has been ably 

 demonstrated in our own country by The War Industries Board 

 and in particular its Conservation Division working in coopera- 

 tion with the various industries. 



