LIAISON WITH THE ARMED SERVICES 167 



the Army and Navy keep open minds and perceive the limitations as well 

 as the proper functions of Service laboratories. 



In the situations in which the liaison between OSRD and the armed 

 services was best during the war, there resulted a joint effort which brought 

 new weapons to bear on the enemy in a remarkably short time. In these 

 cases information on military needs was promptly forthcoming; analysis 

 was quickly made; the best scientific and engineering talent of the country 

 was applied at once to the problem; preliminary and field tests were carried 

 through in days or weeks rather than months. It is unfortunate that such 

 co-operation was not always forthcoming; and it is to be hoped that in any 

 future emergency the Services will not be hampered in even a few cases 

 by men in key positions who have a blind spot where co-operation with 

 civilian scientists in a civilian organization is concerned. 



