98 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



are such as readily occur to us in a brief and summary consideration 

 of the present needs of astronomy. No doubt other illustrations of 

 equal importance could be presented by a more careful study of the 

 various problems now presented for solution, and others will cer- 

 tainly present themselves from time to time in the future. It will 

 be seen that in each of the three propositions we have presented it 

 is designed to occupy fields of activity now practically vacant, in 

 answer to an existing demand. In all cases we think the choice of 

 new activities should be limited in this way — always as a response 

 to some need which has naturally and demonstrabl}^ arisen out of 

 the development of astronomical progress. 



More Careful Study of the Needs of Astronomy Required. 



We have presented these suggestions of plans for the extension 

 of astronomical progress as desirable in the abstract, or ideal, point 

 of view, and we realize that before they could be entered upon as 

 practical propositions, in relation to the means which would be 

 required for their actual exploitation, it would be necessary that 

 they should be examined in much greater detail as to methods of 

 procedure and probable cost than has been possible to us in the 

 brief period which has intervened since our appointment as advisers. 

 Furthermore, we do not consider that the great labor of such detailed 

 examination would be warranted unless the Trustees of the Insti- 

 tution shall have signified their desire to have a more specific pre- 

 sentation of the various subjects. Should it seem desirable on the 

 part of the Trustees that the larger needs of astronomy (of a nature 

 such as we have suggested) should receive more comprehensive 

 investigation and accurate presentation, we are of the opinion that 

 a special commission should be duly authorized to carry out this 

 wish. 



If such a commission should be appointed it would be desirable 

 that a sum not exceeding $10,000 should be appropriated to enable 

 the commission to conduct such inquiries as they may deem neces- 

 sary, including the examination of sites in the southern hemisphere 

 and at great altitudes, the preparation of preliminary sketch plans 

 and specifications for buildings and instruments, etc. 



Before leaving the general consideration of this subject we wish 

 to emphasize again the idea which we have stated in the outset, 

 that such an inquiry, if undertaken, should be strictly limited to 

 that class of astronomical investigations which demand special con- 



