A Decennial Record 157 



AMERICA'S PLACE IX INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH 



H. E. Hence, Chairman, Research Eojtension Divmon, 

 National Besearch Council 



Ladies and Gentlemen : 



The su})jec't which has been assigned to me affords a real tempta- 

 tion to bring out the American eagle and let him scream. The easiest 

 way would be for me to make the assertion that America holds first 

 place, and let the other fellow attempt to disprove the statement. I 

 think, however, that we would do well to consider how we are regarded 

 in industrial research, what the present situation is, and what the op- 

 portunities are for winning and holding first place. The record 

 makes it ratlier plain. I think, that America rightfully belongs out in 

 front leading the industrial research procession in many fields and in 

 the majority of the fields of science America has already a very high 

 standing. 



Perhaps the best tributes that have been paid to American indus- 

 trial research have been from abroad. I can refer you, for example, 

 to ]\Ir. Fleming's discussions in England where he has taken occasion 

 to illustrate various phases of industrial research by reference to the 

 Ignited States in the hope that our progress here will stimulate the 

 efforts of our English friends who may find in our work an example 

 worth emulating. 



More recently Holland, considering the establishment of a large 

 laboratory in Java, has taken pains to investigate our Government lab- 

 oratories, educational institutions, and the many places where research 

 has turned to the aid of industry. 



Oiu" Australian friends who have been collecting data on research 

 laboratories, routed many of their men who were retiu*ning after the 

 war througli the Ignited States. These men Mere given the informa- 

 tion wherever they visited, made acquainted with equipment, details 

 of method, reports of progress made in our plans of organization, our 

 greatest activities, and in general the points in our own experience 

 which may aid tliem in Australia. They have already decided upon 

 the duplication of some of the equipment to be found liere at ]VIadison. 



