414 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1946 
with the universities, the Academy also has the selection of the more 
promising science students. With the great expansion of universities 
and the much larger number of students enrolled in the science depart- 
ments, the research personnel of the Soviet Union is increasing on an 
incredible scale, probably far ahead of any other nation. The Soviet 
Union has shown consistent good judgment in dealing with all phases 
of science. Research is a respected profession with a promising career 
for capable students. It is publicized widely in the daily press and 
scientists become national figures. During the war, Russia consist- 
ently maintained research on a high plane, and refused to sacrifice 
scientists on the war front. Construction of laboratories and research 
institutes has proceeded steadily so that at the present time research 
facilities in the U. S. S. R. are probably second to none, either as to 
number or equipment. Most important to the conservation of the time 
of research leaders, these laboratories are well staffed with assistants. 
At the same time field expeditions on a lavish scale have been continued, 
thus adding to a knowledge of natural resources. If there is a differ- 
ence in science as practiced in Russia, it is probably that science there 
is more clearly directed to a purpose. 
Further expansion of state-supported science poses no problem for 
Russia. The machinery for directing additional research now exists, 
and laboratories and universities with adequate staffs are available. 
Science will certainly continue to expand, for the leaders apparently 
realize that an adequate standard of living involves the use of science 
in the development of natural resources, in the growth of industry and 
commerce, and in further research in matters relating especially to 
health, food, and housing. 
Elsewhere in Europe there are numerous signs that a centralized and 
expanded science will develop in the near future. Scientists met the 
most discouraging adversity in the war years with courage and devo- 
tion and kept alive a distinguished research tradition. With the record 
of those war years, it requires little imagination to anticipate a steady 
and strong growth, possibly even a great increase in research through- 
out Europe. 
With science taking giant strides in other countries, the question 
might well be asked, “What of America?” There is need now to take 
stock of our place in world science, for isolation in science is even less 
possible than is political isolation. As we review our own place in 
science, there is room both for pride and humility. In the war we gave 
a crushing demonstration of the scientific and technological abilities 
and the industrial might of the United States. In accomplishing this 
miracle, however, we plundered our natural resources and we raided 
the ranks of our younger scientists. The net result is that we face a 
postwar world with depleted reserves both as to scientific personnel 
