ROSA: SCIENTIFIC WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT 359 



has been amply demonstrated. That government laboratories 

 have done scientific and technical work of the highest quality, 

 and done it efficiently and acceptably to the public, is generally 

 admitted. Their efficiency will not suffer in comparison with 

 that of commercial organizations. It is doubtful if any com- 

 mercial organization could approach the performance of govern- 

 ment laboratories if the board of directors had maintained an 

 inflexible and inadequate salary scale for all the more responsible 

 technical and administrative positions as the government has 

 done. 



Scientists and engineers in the service of the government 

 appreciate the opportunity of carrying on researches and con- 

 structing public works in the public interest, and of being able 

 to make investigations and publish results unfettered by com- 

 mercial considerations. In consideration of these ad^^antages, 

 many are willing to remain in the government service at less 

 salary than could be earned elsewhere. Until recently the 

 government has been able to retain its able men on the average 

 nearly as well as the colleges and the industries. During the 

 past few years, however, circumstances in this respect have 

 changed. While the cost of living has nearly or quite doubled, 

 and salaries in the industries and in many of the colleges have 

 been considerably increased, government salaries have increased 

 very little and in the higher grades not at all. The result is 

 that in many cases men cannot support their families, and are 

 obliged to seek employment (or accept emplo3^ment offered or 

 urged upon them) at a living salary. In many cases men who 

 are making a splendid success and have regarded the govern- 

 ment service as their career, leave their positions from necessity 

 and with the greatest reluctance. Often these positions cannot 

 be filled and the work suffers or ceases altogether. It is believed, 

 however, that this condition will not continue indefinitely. A 

 readjustment of the salary scale must be made if the government 

 is to have the services of a competent and permanent staff to 

 conduct its scientific and administrative work. In view of the 

 splendid success achieved in the past, it does not seem possible 

 that this essential part of an effective government will be allowed 



