416 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1946 
period there came the automobile, airplane, motion pictures, rayon, 
and the radio. These inventions became the bases for giant indus- 
tries, giving employment to millions, paying huge taxes, and providing 
conveniences that, while now commonplace, have had social influences 
too great to assess. Most of us knew of these achievements, but it took 
the greatest war in history to crystallize this knowledge into a full 
appreciation of science. 
We shall consider science as related to national security only long 
enough to admit that we must have adequate research on weapons 
related both to offense and defense. To plan otherwise in our present 
confused world would be unthinkable. Preparedness, more than ever 
before, is the price of liberty. We may well remind ourselves that 
national security, for the long pull, should be based on something 
more lasting, and less exhausting, than more and bigger ships, planes, 
bombs, and guns. It would be well to be warned by the numerous 
examples in history that give weight to the words of Nietzsche, “simply 
by being compelled to keep constantly on his guard, a man may grow 
so weak as to be unable any longer to defend himself.” In planning 
means of avoiding future wars we must remember that in human con- 
tacts, whether on individual or nationals levels, fear is a poor substi- 
tute for understanding and reason. 
Our principal consideration will be given to research aimed at 
improving the welfare of our people. This includes the types of 
research concerned with the development of the country’s resources, 
its agriculture, industry, and commerce. As a nation can be only as 
strong as its individual citizens, the research program must be directed 
also toward the health of individuals, their food, shelter, and clothing. 
Since our goal is the accumulation of new knowledge on a wide front, 
all promising sources of information should be enlisted. It is not a 
small program, for its orderly development means the utilization of 
both basic and applied research in many disciplines, including not only 
those of interest and utility to man, but also those dealing with man 
himself and his relations to other men. It means the cooperation of 
institutions of many types, the universities to train scientists, and to 
conduct basic research; private institutions to undertake investiga- 
tions in all categories and in all fields; Federal agencies to conduct 
both basic and applied research of wide scope; and finally, participa- 
tion by the magnificent research services of American industry. The 
task ahead calls for the greatest wisdom that can be brought to bear 
upon it. Itisa challenge to the Government and to the scientist alike. 
There must be cooperation between agencies, for from these contacts 
there will arise the encouragement and inspiration so necessary to 
creative achievement. Perhaps I should say cooperation and coordi- 
nation; but since the latter term is susceptible of several definitions, 
