Relation of the Federal Government to Research 



169 



industry of tomorrow are built on the findings in pure 

 research of today. Anything that the Government 

 may do to stimulate and finance pure research in our 

 universities and colleges will probably pay a high 

 return on the investment. 



Origin and Distribution of Research Findings 



The universities are important local centers of origin 

 of research projects, of distribution of research find- 

 ings, and of education of the people in the value and 

 importance of research. AVhile nuich research of na- 

 tional importance can and should be carried on m 

 the Capital, there is a great deal of research of high 

 significance to the different States and regions that can 

 be carried on much more efficiently and conveniently 

 in the areas concerned. The United States Govern- 

 ment recognized this 75 years ago when it established 

 the land-grant colleges and shortly thereafter appro- 

 priated money for the support of agricultural experi- 

 ment stations in these colleges. This money not only 

 made possible necessary research in the several regions 

 but it aroused local interest in and local support for 

 research. Detailed studj^ of the accomplishment of the 

 agricultural experiment stations in strengthening agri- 

 culture and increasing the money value of its products 

 shows an enormous return on the money invested. 



While certainly the results of a considerable per- 

 centage of research wherever done are, if published, 

 equally available in every other part of the country, it 

 is also true that variations in such matters as cli- 

 mate, geology, disease conditions, business, and in- 

 dustry make much State and regional research essen- 

 tial. It is also true that if research is stimulating and 

 profitable in the wealthy States, it is relatively equally 

 stimulating and imjiortant in the less wealthy States. 

 The greatest prosperity of the whole country can be 

 attained o\\\j through the reasonable development in 

 every State of research men and research facilities 

 suitable to their needs. 



Another reason for the interest of the Federal Gov- 

 ernment in the development of research centers in the 

 universities and colleges throughout the Nation is the 

 vita! importance of disseminating knowledge of re- 

 search findings and of introducing improvements in 

 agriculture, business and industry based on these find- 

 ings. In agriculture, there has been a system of agri- 

 cultural extension operating out through the States 

 from the institutions in whicli agricultural experiment 

 stations are maintained. The pressing problems of 

 production and disease throughout the States are 

 quickly brought to the institution through the exten- 

 Siow staff and the results of the research designed to 

 answer these problems are carried back to the people 

 through the same staff. It is infinitely easier to carry 



122999 — 39 12 



Ivuowledge out tlirough the State from a State center 

 than to carry knowledge into each State from Wash- 

 ington. Tliere is every reason why research in public 

 and private institutions in each of the various States 

 should be regarded as of vital interest and concern to 

 the Federal Government. 



It is largely as the farmers, businessmen, and manu- 

 facturers of a State accept the results of rcseai'ch as 

 useful to them, that they come to an appreciation of 

 its value and impoi-tance. Such contact with research 

 findings reaches them largely through contacts with 

 local research institutions and local news agencies. A 

 very important I'esponsibility of every research insti- 

 tution is so to publicize its findings that the people 

 will become accustomed to research methods, will re- 

 spect authoritative research findings, and will be will- 

 ing to be guided by them. Incidentally, they will be- 

 come more ready to support research financially. 



Congress is increasingly interested in research and 

 increasingly willing to be guided in legislation by the 

 findings of research. Activities in research in the sev- 

 eral States is largely responsible for this present 

 attitude. 



Agencies of Local Cooperation 



The universities and land-grant colleges provide local 

 agencies with which the Federal Government can co- 

 operate effectively in research aimed at the solution 

 of regional problems. Many matters of national con- 

 cern can only be studied locally. The relation of the 

 Department of Agriculture to the land-grant colleges 

 illustrates this cooperative relationship. Aside from 

 the direct support of the agricultural experiment sta- 

 tions, the United States Department of Agriculture 

 expends directly from Washington in salaries and op- 

 erating expenses over $5,000,000 a year on projects car- 

 lied on cooperatively between the Department and the 

 experiment stations in the 48 States — an average of 

 over $100,000 a year per State. 



Research Problems of National Concern 



The universities can often afford valuable aid to the 

 Government in solving problems of national concern. 

 Through the many Government agencies innumerable 

 problems are bi'ought to the attention of the Govern- 

 ment. While the great majority can be dealt with ade- 

 quately by agencies within the Government, there are 

 always some problems of an importance and an urgency 

 that call for the promptest possible solution. There 

 are some that can best be attacked at certain universi- 

 ties where imique facilities have been developed. For 

 the solution of such problems the universities and col- 

 leges can often make large contributions. 



