C. A. ELVEHJEM 



much developmental research of the type devoted to improving 

 a particular commodity or commerce. It does not, however, 

 eliminate either basic research or what we can term applied 

 research, if we define the latter as the investigation of ways and 

 means of transforming basic research findings into general prac- 

 tical improvements in our way of life. As I indicated earlier, it 

 was in this particular developmental area that research had its 

 start in state universities. All the state institutions have had a 

 long history and have built a strong tradition of service to 

 their respective commonwealths through the experiment sta- 

 tions which were set up as part of the land grant colleges. They 

 have had long experience with the efficient administration of 

 state and federal research funds, and they possess dedicated 

 research staffs composed of many outstanding individuals who 

 have amply demonstrated through the years both scientific 

 competence and a certain devotion to the broader ideals of man- 

 kind through the acceptance of rewards which have been 

 largely intellectual. I am determined not to mention the word 

 salary. 



I realize that in saying these things I am running directly 

 against an idea current in industrial research that conditions 

 there are more pleasant than they are in universities. Condi- 

 tions in these two places are different, I will agree, and I see no 

 need to expand this point. But I feel that it is not true that in- 

 dustry is consistently providing better research facilities, more 

 stimulating problems, more efficient administration, and work- 

 ing conditions more congenial because the scientist is unham- 

 pered by a repetitious teaching load and the need to construct 

 certain items of equipment himself. Some people find greater 

 stimulation in applied problems than basic ones. Some people 

 like to teach. I think the world of research is sufficiently large 

 to accommodate them all. Our problem at the present time is 

 to get as many people as we can into their proper places, for 

 we lose a great deal in terms of initiative if we do not. 



9 6 



