International Exchange of Scientific Information 



International exchange of scientific information is of growing importance. 

 Increasing specialization of science will make it more important than ever 

 that scientists in this country keep continually abreast of developments abroad. 

 In addition, a flow of scientific information constitutes one facet of general 

 international accord which should be cultivated. 



The Government can accomplish significant results in several ways: by 

 aiding in the arrangement of international science congresses, in the official 

 accrediting of American scientists to such gatherings, in the official reception 

 of foreign scientists of standing in this country, in making possible a rapid 

 flow of technical information, including translation service, and possibly in 

 the provision of international fellowships. Private foundations and other 

 groups partially fulfill some of these functions at present, but their scope is 

 incomplete and inadequate. 



The Government should take an active role in promoting the international 

 flow of scientific information. 



The Special ISeed for Federal Support 



We can no longer count on ravaged Europe as a source of fundamental 

 knowledge. In the past we have devoted much of our best eff^orts to the 

 application of such knowledge which has been discovered abroad. In the 

 future we must pay increased attention to discovering this knowledge for 

 ourselves particularly since the scientific applications of the future will be 

 more than ever dependent upon such basic knowledge. 



New impetus must be given to research in our country. Such new impetus 

 can come promptly only from the Government. Expenditures for research 

 in the colleges, universities, and research institutes will otherwise not be 

 able to meet the additional demands of increased public need for research. 



Further, we cannot expect industry adequately to fill the gap. Industry 

 will fully rise to the challenge of applying new knowledge to new products. 

 The commercial incentive can be relied upon for that. But basic research is 

 essentially noncommercial in nature. It will not receive the attention it 

 requires if left to industry. 



For many years the Government has wisely supported research in the 

 agricultural colleges and the benefits have been great. The time has come 

 when such support should be extended to other fields. 



In providing Government support, however, we must endeavor to preserve 

 as far as possible the private support of research both in industry and in 

 the colleges, universities, and research institutes. These private sources should 

 continue to carry their share of the financial burden. 



The Cost of a Program 



It is estimated that an adequate program for Federal support of basic 

 research in the colleges, universities, and research institutes and for financing 

 important applied research in the public interest, will cost about 10 million 

 dollars at the outset and may rise to about 50 million dollars annually when 

 fully underway at the end of perhaps 5 years. 



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