602 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol 40 



The subject is taken up in a philosophical way from the stand- 

 point of human qualities and human relations. Being himself a 

 government investigator as well as an administrative officer, Pro- 

 fessor Leake sees the question from the investigator's point of view, 

 but with a recognition of the administrative aspect gained under the 

 government system, where he says the very conditions of activity 

 lead to the negation of such freedom as is generally conceded to be 

 desirable in research. 



Starting out with the thesis that organization is merely a means 

 to an end and not an end in itself, as too often appears to be con- 

 sidered the case, he frankly indicates that it may be an end for 

 personal ambition. No man is essential, however, and no line of en- 

 deavor is the essential cog in the work of the world. Organization 

 is an important cog, but it is not considered to be the most essential 

 one in human progress. 



In explanation of his postulates, Professor Leake takes the position 

 that man is inherently selfish in that he lacks the capacity to place 

 himself in other men's positions. Research is classed as perhaps the 

 most purely constructive of any form of endeavor, but he does not 

 admit that the one who practices it is " in any sense a man apart." 

 As to the conditions under which research work is commonly con- 

 ducted, the average individual is not free from the ordinary rules of 

 life, and is controlled in his endeavor by this fact and by the necessity 

 of making provision for himself and dependents. Only rarely has 

 he the means to pursue his aims independently. Hence human 

 endeavor to reach its practical result requires the combination of 

 two factors, one which may be termed organization and the other 

 "initiative," usually centered in different individuals. "It is a case 

 of partnership which will develop the fullest results only when 

 carried out under full mutual recognition of the fact." But it is 

 rare, he contends, to find two persons so free from selfishness, "suffi- 

 ciently selfless," as to enter into each other's point of view to the 

 extent necessary to develop that full mutual recognition. "Each 

 strives to emphasize the importance of his own contribution to the 

 common stock, and it is that strife that leads to the abortive schemes 

 and stultified careers" which are depicted as the result. This he 

 explains is a natural consequence of ambition, a highly desirable 

 trait. "But ambition stultifies itself if it is overweening and placed 

 in a position to force its own demands," as it frequently is between 

 organizer and initiator. 



Professor Leake accepts the premise that in India research of any 

 sort, and agricultural research in particular, if prosecuted at all is 

 likely to remain for some time to come a function of the government). 

 Hence the discussion narrows down to the special aspect in which the 

 organization is represented by Government. 



