REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, 1906. 35 



also that as regards themselves the experience of colleges and universities 

 appears to be inimical to such a course, for we have not heard of any of 

 them proposing to use its income, or any considerable share thereof, in 

 building up departments of educational work in other institutions. But the 

 fundamental objection to such a disposition of funds is that it promotes 

 research only indirectly, whereas the primary object of a research institution 

 should be to promote research directly. A research institution should aim 

 to take up investigations which, by reason of their expense or magnitude, 

 are not likely to be carried to completion in other ways. And in the pursuit 

 of this work it should be free to choose the best ways and means; it should 

 not be hampered by a host of applicants backed by endless recommendations 

 of doubtful validity. 



Thirdly, that the Institution may advantageously limit much more nar- 

 rowly than hitherto the award of minor grants. It should seek to eliminate 

 the amateur, the dilettante, and the tyro as far as possible from the list of 

 eligible applicants, and concentrate attention chiefly on those who have 

 already demonstrated ability to produce results. This policy will restrict 

 the range of operations of the Institution to some extent, but it will diminish 

 the hazard to a greater extent, and will permit a degree of thoroness of 

 work not otherwise attainable. 



One of the most serious objections to giving aid to numerous small 

 projects lies in the fact, amply shown by experience, that the estimates of 

 the cost thereof are generally vague and almost always too small for the 

 accomplishment of good work. Many, if not most, authors of such projects 

 proceed without plans and specifications, often ignoring somewhat con- 

 temptuously such estimates of cost and probable outcome as may be supplied 

 in most cases by judicious forethought. The projects are so small that it 

 does not appear essential to individual investigators to consider carefully 

 their cost and bearing. Indeed, only investigators of considerable experi- 

 ence are able to use adequate forethought in this respect. But when one 

 contemplates not a single small project, but the aggregate of a large num- 

 ber of them, the need for carefully drawn plans, specifications, and estimates 

 is seen to be as important as in the case of any large project. 



By limiting the fields of activity in this direction it will be possible for 

 the Institution not only to make a choice amongst promising investigations, 

 but likewise to make a choice amongst tried investigators. This appears 

 to me to afford a workable compromise also between the extremes of a 

 limited number of large projects and an unlimited number of small projects— 

 a compromise whereby the essential advantages of both extremes may be 

 secured and their inherent disadvantages avoided. 



But while it appears desirable to limit the range of activity of the Institu- 

 tion at any epoch, it appears still more desirable to insist on a high standard 

 of efficiency determined by the quality and the quantity jointly of results 



