REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, I905. 29 



labor consumed by the importunities incident to, if not inherent in, 

 the poHcy in question. Many of the evils of the " spoils system " 

 already confront us. Some applicants file claims ; many are impa- 

 tient for speedy action ; and many, as in the case of academic degrees, 

 speak in the possessive case with respect to grants long before they 

 are awarded. 



Secondly, the returns from small grants do not seem to justify 

 the outlay, especially since it is applied in many cases to work which 

 would go on as well without aid from the Institution. Probably a 

 more deliberate and searching investigation of the applicant than has 

 hitherto been practicable would insure better results. It is certain, 

 at any rate, that the possession of a laboratory and enthusiasm, along 

 with a bundle of recommendations, should not suffice to qualify an 

 applicant for the arduous work of research. 



Thirdly, a graver objection to this S5^stem of small grants lies in 

 its tendency to supplant other sources of support for scientific inves- 

 tigation in allied institutions, and especially in colleges and univer- 

 sities. The facts should be known that thus far the Institution has 

 carried on work through aid given to about 270 individuals connected 

 with 89 different institutions. Of these latter, nearly three-fourths 

 are schools, colleges, and universities. Since the normal condition of 

 an educational institution too often borders on poverty, it is only 

 natural that investigators connected with such organizations should 

 look to the Carnegie Institution of Washington for relief. An easy 

 calculation, however, shows that the possible relief from this source 

 is inadequate. Thus, a conservative estimate of the men and women 

 connected with American institutions of learning alone, and capable 

 of making fruitful researches, would include not less than one thou- 

 sand. The smallest average annual grant that would be effective 

 in such work is $1,000. Hence it is seen that twice the income of 

 the Institution would not begin to meet the demands on it coming 

 from educational institutions alone. Depending unduly on another 

 institution for support tends also, it would appear, not only to dry 

 up the local springs of support, but to sap the independence of edu- 

 cational institutions. That any of them should desire to know how 

 much aid may be expected from the Institution before making up 

 their budgets for an academic year is a matter of serious import. 

 Obviously it is the duty of the Carnegie Institution of Washington 

 to avoid the danger of supplanting, while seeking in part to supple- 

 ment, the functions of educational institutions. 



No similar difficulties or objections have arisen in the administra- 

 tion of the larger projects of the Institution. In the case of these 



