JOURNAL 



OF THE 



WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



Vol.. 9 FEBRUARY 4, 19 19 No. 3 



GENERAL SCIENCE. — -Science and the after-war period.^ 

 George K. Burgess, Bureau of Standards. 



Somewhat more than a year ago it was my privilege to address 

 the Philosophical Society of Washington on the subject Science 

 and warfare in France^ in which I endeavored to indicate in some 

 small measure the role science was playing in the war we all hope 

 has just been brought to a close. 



At this time, may we not consider the transition period into 

 which we are entering and ask ourselves what will be the effect 

 of war on science, the men of science, and in the relations of 

 science to the community and the state? What are some of the 

 lessons this war has taught? And what plans have been made 

 here and elsewhere to apply them? 



A scientific man would hardly be so rash as to pose as a 

 prophet, yet he may, nevertheless, try to assemble and pass 

 in review some of the tendencies of the time; and it is only 

 by an intelligent examination of the underlying changes which 

 are being produced in science and in its relation to society, 

 that he is enabled to see his way ahead a little more clearly 

 into the mist of the future; and he may thereby be enabled, at 

 least in some small degree, to chart his course and take ad- 

 vantage of the various currents that have been set in motion 

 by the war. 



1 Address of the retiring President of the Philosophical Society of Washington, 

 presented before the Society January 4, 1919. 

 - Scientific Monthly, October, 191 7. 



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