EDITORIAL. 7 



research work requires some one in sympathy with it to push it 

 forward. It should not be a sympathy that tends to scatter but one 

 to unify and at the same time to encourage individuality within 

 the unity of effort. Individuality should not be sacrificed, for within 

 it is found the very essence of creative work. If, however, the 

 efforts of different individuals can be centered on some general big 

 problem with the individual work contributing as factors, or sub- 

 ordinate problems, then the possibilities of harmonious investigations 

 increase and the interest grows." 



It was considered essential that when two or more research men 

 are to undertake cooperative work they " should plan their relation- 

 ships at the start and not at the end, and it should be done so clearly 

 that a failure to grasp the situation will be practically impossible. 

 There should be a constant interchange of ideas, but each should be 

 held responsible, so far as feasible, for a particular phase of the 

 work. ... In all scientific work every man should receive his due, 

 and it is a good policy to grant more than you actually think his due. 

 Nothing can be more reprehensible than scientific stealing." 



The considerations embodied in this discussion are fundamental. 

 There are few subjects in the realm of station management which 

 surpass them in importance, and upon their recognition rests in large 

 measure the effectiveness of the station's organization. It is particu- 

 larly fortunate, therefore, that the subject was taken up for discus- 

 sion. It was not exhausted, but attention was called sharply to 

 several matters which have often been allowed to drift without any 

 definite policy, and this will lead to further attention along the gen- 

 eral line of what may properly be expected as between institutions 

 laboring for a common cause, and as between institutions and their 

 working force. 



No one will question that the widest possible liberty and freedom 

 should be given to the individual — that he should be made to feel 

 that the dignity of his position is fully respected, and that he is to be 

 left to work out the problems in his own way. No narrow or com- 

 mercial view is warranted. The station investigator " is not simply 

 a unit to be counted," but should be recognized as having a virile 

 individuality which it is his right to exercise. 



On the other hand, the allegiance which he owes to the institution 

 which employs him and provides him with what he needs for his 

 investigations and thus makes possible his effectiveness as an inves- 

 tigator — these things should not be lost sight of, or the further fact 

 that the station represents the State in fulfilling a quite specific pur- 

 pose, and is answerable to the public and to the Nation for the funds 

 granted it and for it general conduct. This places the experiment 

 station in a somewhat different position from a privately endowed 

 institution, and inevitably makes conditions somewhat more exacting. 



