THE SUPPORT OF BASIC RESEARCH 



men do make larger gifts, in proportion to income, than do those 

 in the lower brackets. 



But the number of persons in the income range of, say, 

 $5,000 to $50,000 a year is much larger than the number 

 in the higher ranges, and so is their collective income. With 

 proper incentive, their potential contribution to higher educa- 

 tion would be greater than it now is and greater than the con- 

 tribution of the much smaller number of wealthy men. Since 

 this income range includes most of the people who have a 

 serious continuing interest in the improvement of higher edu- 

 cation, making it more attractive for them to donate money to 

 colleges and universities would be expected to increase sub- 

 stantially the flow of unrestricted funds that the symposium 

 considered to be most urgent. Broadening the base of support 

 would also have the great advantage of providing a statistically 

 more stable flow of support. 



Dr. Klopsteg would make giving more attractive by offer- 

 ing to all persons in all income brackets the opportunity to re- 

 duce their income tax payments by 91 per cent of the amount 

 (up to 1 5 per cent of adjusted gross income) given to institu- 

 tions of higher education. 



This proposal elicited more questions from the audience 

 than did any other suggestion for improving the support of basic 

 research. It merits widespread consideration, for it holds promise 

 of achieving the increase in unrestricted funds that the univer- 

 sities must have if they are to continue to fulfill their highest 

 functions. 



Industrial Support 



Corporate gifts to higher education and the most effective 

 methods of industrial support are matters to which industry 

 has been giving growing attention. Robert Wilson cited the 

 favorable experience of the petroleum industry in its coopera- 



275 



