96 



National Resources Planning Board 



tion of patents often reveals information of general 

 interest and value. Perfected analytical technique 

 makes possible much more intelligent investigation of 

 raw materials and products. All of these factors are 

 taken into consideration and are used by trade associa- 

 tion research agencies in furthering their owti work 

 through deciding what not to undertake as well as what 

 path to follow. 



The Trade Association 

 Research Committee 



One important factor in the coordination of trade 

 association technical research is the research committee 

 of the association. This committee should be charged 

 with the direction of the research laboratory if there be 

 one, the stimulation of pertinent research by State and 

 Federal research agencies, and the dissemination of in- 

 formation regarding research. The director of research, 

 through the executive officer of the association, acts as 

 the agent of the committee in these activities. The 

 membership of a research committee should include 

 representation from the outstanding teclmical, produc- 

 tion, and sales executives of the association membership. 



Only by such broad representation can the research 

 program be properly envisioned and prosecuted. Re- 

 sults of technical research are commercially worthless if 

 they cannot be utilized practically in production, or if 

 the resulting products cannot be sold. Members of this 

 committee should be able to see beyond the particular 

 problems of their own enterprises and to understand the 

 necessity of considering problems common to the indus- 

 try. The research committee must have frequent meet- 

 ings with the director of research and members of his 

 staff so as to stimulate and direct the work along lines of 

 most value to the industry. 



Another function is to evaluate the research results 

 practically at periodic intervals so as to decide what 

 information already obtained is of sufficient importance 

 to be disseminated to members, and in what manner it 

 can best be utilized. 



State engineering and agricultural colleges and ex- 

 periment stations and many other educational organiza 

 tions are often eager to have worth-while research prob- 

 lems suggested to them that will afford opportunities 

 for thesis research by undergraduate and graduate stu- 

 dents, or for more extensive institutional research. 

 This provides a splendid opportunity for a research 

 committee to function and to be of great assistance to its 

 industry in establishing sound public relations. The 

 Plant Food Research Committee of The National 

 Fertilizer Association is made up of competent agrono- 

 mists and chemists employed in the industry. This 

 committee meets frequently to discuss the unsolved 

 agronomic problems facing American agriculture and 



to plan ways and means of attempting their solution. 

 In some instances the committee has sponsored research 

 on its own account. More often it has been instru- 

 mental in arranging for studies to be undertaken by such 

 agencies as State agricultural experiment stations. The 

 committee often provides fertilizers and fertilizer mate- 

 rials and other aids in carrying on the work. - 



Patents 



The question of patents does not often rise in trade 

 association technical research. So many individuals 

 are usually involved in any piece of such research, 

 through suggestions, advice, or contributed experience, 

 that even a new process or product can scarcely ever 

 qualify as the patentable idea of any one individual or 

 group. If a patentable feature should be developed 

 during a piece of trade association research and a 

 patent is granted, all members of the association would, 

 of course, be privileged to use the patent without any 

 royalty or fee. Others should be permitted to use the 

 patent under license and appropriate fee uidess such 

 use would be definitely contrary to the interests of 

 association members who bore the necessary expense of 

 conducting the research involved. 



Access to Research Results 



The results of trade association teclmical research 

 must be made freely and fully available to all members 

 of the association. As discoveries are made, the facts 

 should be made known to all members alike as soon as 

 their practicability is determined. If a laboratory is 

 maintained, members should have free access thereto 

 for the purpose of first-hand demonstrations or con- 

 ferences. Care must be taken that only such informa- 

 tion is given out in personal inter^^ews as has already 

 been circulated to members, at least in general terms. 

 To report a discover}' to one member in advance of 

 others, or to sequester information from any members, 

 would manifestly be unfair and would very quickly 

 disrupt the research program. After a general an- 

 nouncement to members of a research achievement, it 

 seems perfectly proper to discuss anj- details thereof 

 with an}' member who may take the trouble to visit the 

 laboratory or WTite for further information. The 

 method of acquainting members with research progress 

 can best be determined by the research committee. 

 If the association membership is large and its research 

 activities are extensive, it may be desirable or necessary 

 to publish printed bulletins to be kept for reference. 

 These may be supplemented by mimeographed letters 

 or releases. Keeping the membership informed of 

 research progress, either achievement or failure, is 

 essential if their support for the research program is to 

 be maintained. 



