8 SCIENCE: J. J. CARTY 



In the truth which has been discovered the seeds of future great 

 inventions. 



While the discoveries of the pure scientists are of the greatest 

 importance to the higher interests of mankind, the practical 

 benefits flowing from them, though certain, are usually indirect, 

 intangible, or remote. From its very nature pure science cannot 

 support itself. Nevertheless it must be conducted regardless of 

 its lack of pecuniary returns. 



Who, therefore, is to support the researches of the pure scientist 

 and who is to furnish him with encouragement and assistance to 

 pursue his self-sacrificing and arduous quest for that truth which is 

 certain, as time goes on, to bring in its train so many blessings to 

 mankind? Who is to furnish the laboratories, the funds for ap- 

 paratus, for travel, and for foreign study? 



Because of the extraordinary practical results which have been 

 attained by scientifically trained men working in industrial 

 laboratories, and because of the restricted conditions under which 

 many scientific investigators in universities are so often compelled 

 to work, it has been suggested that perhaps the theatre of 

 scientific research might be shifted from the universities to the 

 great industrial laboratories which have grown up, or to the even 

 greater ones which the future must bring forth. 



But we may dismiss this suggestion as being unworthy. In- 

 stead of abdicating in their favor, may not our universities, stimu- 

 lated by the notable achievements of the industrial laboratories, 

 find a way to advance the conduct of their pure scientific research, 

 the responsibility for which rests so heavily upon them. 



Various organizations and institutions, not connected with 

 universities, are also engaged in pure scientific research and they 

 are achieving most remarkable results. They should receive every 

 encouragement and their number should be increased, but a home 

 for pure science must always be found in the university. 



In matters of science the function of the university is two-fold 

 the discovery of the unknown, and the teaching of the known. 

 It is a high function of the universities to make advances in pure 

 science, to test reported new scientific discoveries and to place 

 upon those which are found to be true the stamp of their approval. 

 In this way they can determine what shall be taught as scientific 

 truth to those who, relying upon their authority, come to them for 

 knowledge and believe what they teach. 



