606 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



within their organizations, and the unusually favorable conditions 

 for developing cooperation. 



From a review of conditions surrounding the various classes of 

 research agencies, Dr. Angell declared that the Nation must be 

 aroused to all that the situation implies; salaries must be increased, 

 the number of workers must be increased, and there nmst be a larger 

 appreciation of what research means to society. 



Attention was frankly called to the present position and outlook 

 of the experiment stations in the report of the committee on station 

 organization and policy, based on a special study of them. This 

 showed that the stations have been largely neglected of late, have 

 received practically no increase in funds since prior to the war, and 

 have had to contend with the same adverse conditions as other 

 branches in increased expense, loss of workers, shortage of supplies, 

 and shifting of attention. Hence they are in a relatively weakened 

 condition, out of harmony with their importance to other branches 

 of the college work and to the community. Wliile other lines, like 

 agricultural extension, which are dependent upon continued investi- 

 gation have grown enormously, the stations have practically stood 

 still, and in not a few cases have lost ground through inability to 

 meet changing costs and the larger competition for men of scientific 

 training. 



This being the case, the agricultural system is clearly in danger 

 of getting out of balance, if it has not already become so, and the 

 need of larger administrative attention and increased financial pro- 

 vision are clearly indicated. The gravity of the situation was shown 

 in the measure and extent to which the station work has been re- 

 tarded in scope, continuity, and ability to meet new needs. In very 

 many instances it has been necessary to suspend or restrict operations 

 on investigations under Avay, or to omit taking up new ones for which 

 there is demand. At all but ten stations, most of which have liberal 

 State support, numerous standing projects have had to be suspended 

 or materially reduced in scope and it has become impossible to take 

 up others of importance because of lack of funds or workers. In 

 many cases lines of work are being sacrificed in order not to sacrifice 

 quality. Even those stations which have not thus far felt the pinch 

 so severely admit their inability to do their duty toward new 

 problems. 



The loss of men from the stations, many of them in responsible 

 positions, has been a great hindrance to progress. This is due in no 

 small part to inability to pay adequate salaries, and is often compli- 

 cated by an established salary scale for the entire institution or a 

 particular branch of it. In the opinion of the large majority of direc- 

 tors, the salary scale of investigators falls far short of adequately 

 reflecting the special qualifications, ability, and long training which 



