To the Congress of the United States: 



One of tlio greatest rcsourees in the arsenal of democraey is our national ability 

 and interest in industrial research. For the vigorous prosecution of our defense pro- 

 gram and for the assurance of national progress after the emergency we rely heavily on 

 the continued vitality of research by industry in both pure and applied science. 



Our people can justly take pride in the record of the accomplishment by American 

 industry contained in the report on Research — A National Resource, Part II, Industrial 

 Research, which I am transmitting for the information of the Congress. This docu- 

 ment is one of a series on our research resources being prepared by the National 

 Resources Planning Board with the assistance of scientific councils and committees. 

 The National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council are responsible 

 for the organization and presentation of this volume. 



The report presents a clear record of how successfully we have translated our 

 old-time Yankee ingenuity for invention into American genius for research. Our 

 scientists have uncovered and explained the secrets of nature, applied them to industiy, 

 and thus raised our standard of living, strengthened our defense, and enriched our 

 national life. 



The following significant paragraph in the report sums up the great changes that 

 have come about through industrial research: 



More efficient and economical methods liave conserved our resources; new materials have made 

 possible better products; and new products have contributed to the health, pleasure, and comfort 

 of the general public. Such changes have not taken place without some temporary misfortunes. 

 Here and there industries have disappeared and people have been tenijiorarily thrown out of work, 

 but the net result of 40 years of organized industrial research in this country has been the enrichment 

 of life to an incalculable degree. 



I connnend a careful reading of this report to the Members of the Congress. 



FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. 

 The White House, 



May 29, 1941. 



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