ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GTJOPHYSICS 35 



IT. Laboratory of Geophysics in Washington:. 



In view of tlie special nature of the geophj'sical and geochemical 

 experimentation which the elucidation of the profounder problems 

 of the earth requires, and of the absence of many of the requisite 

 appliances in the laboratories now established, we recommend that 

 a central laboratar}' of geophysics be established by the Carnegie 

 Institution ai Washington; and that its scope be broad enough to 

 embrace geochemistry and any other science essentially involved in 

 the problems of the eaith. We designate this a central laboratory- 

 because we recognize the need of special branch laboratories in va- 

 rious parts of the world for the determination of certain questions 

 which require special localization. We further recognize that alli- 

 ance and co-operation should be sought with all independent labo- 

 ratories engaged in any branch of geophysical studies without refer- 

 ence to countr3^ So far as practicable such laboratories should be 

 utilized rather than new branch laboratories be constructed. The 

 central and branch laboratories should be constructed for the spe- 

 cial investigations for which they are designed, and should be 

 manned with reference to the problems to be investigated. 



If this project be carried out the geophysical work of the world 

 may be harmonized and unified, it is believed that as a certain re- 

 sult geology v/ill soon be placed on a broader and deeper basis, and 

 that an eooch in its historv 'vili have been inaugurated of even 

 greater import than any of the past. 



For the geophysical work outside of the central lab<;ratory, as al- 

 ready remarked, existing laboratories and the services oi men en- 

 gaged in them should be utilized as far as possible. For instance, 

 in the seismological work — including all earth tremors — a scheme 

 of co-operation should be planned with Milne, Darwin, and many 

 others. In securing the co-operation of independent laboratories 

 now existing, it will doubtless be necessary to subsidize to some ex- 

 tent such as are doing very meritorious work. Often a man en- 

 gaged in a piece of research is the best qualified to do that particular 

 v/ork. Such a man should be encouraged to d-j the service which 

 he can most adv.antageously perform ; thus would be utili'ced the 

 best talent wherever located or however associated. Indeed, it is 

 felt that a vital part of this proposal for a system of Carnegie lab- 

 oratories of geophysics is tJie development of a staff and a directory 

 at Washington, which maj^ serve as a center of correlation, through 



