78 
has been made to the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- 
nology, with the expectation that much of the income 
will be used for research. A resolution of the New 
York Engineering Foundation expresses approval of 
the co-ordination and federation of the research 
agencies of the United States undertaken by the 
National Academy, and also willingness to assist. 
The foundation has offered its entire income for the 
coming year—including a special gift of 1o000l.—to- 
wards the expenses of organisation and to provide a 
New York office for the council. Resolutions of a 
similar kind are to be proposed to other scientific 
societies in the States. 
At its annual meeting in April the National Academy 
of Sciences volunteered to organise the scientific re- 
sources of educational and research institutions in 
the interest of national preparedness. This offer, 
-which was immediately accepted by President Wilson, 
has led to the establishment of the National Research 
Council. 
Public welfare and national security depend upon 
industrial progress and military efficiency; and these, 
in turn, result from practical applications of scientific 
knowledge. A superstructure, no matter how perfect, 
must have firm foundations, and thus the develop- 
ment of our industries must go hand in hand with 
the advancement of knowledge through research. 
It is equally true that the mobilisation of industry, 
so successfully undertaken by the national engineering 
societies in co-operation with the Naval Consulting 
Board, must be accompanied by the mobilisation of 
science. This necessity has been recognised in Eng- 
land by the establishment of an Advisory Council for 
Scientific and Industrial Research, and in Australia 
by the organisation of a National Institute of Science 
and Industry. Thus it is expected ultimately to over- 
come the telling advantages, both in war and in peace, 
which Germany has long enjoyed because of the 
organisation and development of her scientific re- 
sources. 
Paul Deschanel has remarked of French men of 
science: ‘“‘Ils pensent que défendre la vérité est le 
meilleur moyen de servir la patrie.” Thus the duties 
of a National Research Council should not be confined 
to the necessities of war or the development of 
American industries. We should recognise, with 
Carty, the engineer, that when adapted to practical 
uses the “results of the pure men of science become 
of incalculable value to the industries as a whole.” 
And we should not fail to perceive that every form 
of scientific research contributes to human progress. 
Euclid, working out problems in pure mathematics 
in Alexandria, prepared the way for the calculations 
of the engineer. Galileo, discovering the satellites of 
Jupiter, convinced the world of the truth of the Coper- 
nican theory, broke down absurd medieval conceptions 
which prevented scientific progress, and stimulated 
exploration and advance in every field. Pasteur, study- 
ing the optical properties of certain crystals with no 
thought of practical result, was led to his investiga- 
tions of bacteria and his epoch-making discoveries 
for the benefit of mankind. 
Thus scientific research in any field, whether for 
the advancement of knowledge or for direct industrial 
or military application, is a most fundamental form 
of national service, which should be encouraged by 
every possible means. The work of the Research 
Council will thus relate to public welfare in times 
of peace even more truly than to national security 
in the event of war, 
During our Civil War the need of scientific advice 
was ofter felt by our Government. Accordingly, the 
National Academy of Sciences was chartered in 1863 
NO. 2448, VOL. 98] 
NATURE 
[SEPTEMBER 28, 1916 
by Act of Congress, which stipulated that ‘the 
academy shall, whenever called upon by any depart- 
ment of the Government, investigate, examine, experi- 
ment, and report upon any subject of science or art. 
... ' During the war, and frequently in later years, 
the academy has been consulted by Congress, by the 
President, and by various members of his. Cabingt. — 
It is thus the agency naturally chosen for the organisa- 
tion of the National Research Council. 
The purpose of the council is to bring into co-opera- 
tion existing governmental, educational, industrial, and 
other research organisations, with the object of en- 
couraging the investigation of natural phenomena, 
the increased use of scientific research in the 
development of American industries, the employ- 
ment of scientific methods in strengthening the national 
defence, and such other applications of science as will 
promote the national security and welfare. 
The council will be composed of leading American 
investigators and engineers, representing the Army, 
Navy, Smithsonian Institution, and various scientific — 
bureaus of the Government; educational institutions 
and research foundations, and the research laboratories 
of industrial and manufacturing establishments. 
Research committees of two classes will. be ap- 
pointed :— 
Central committees, dealing with various depart- 
ments of science, comprised of leading authorities in. 
each field, selected in consultation with the president 
of the corresponding national society. 
Local committees in universities, colleges, and other 
co-operating institutions engaged in scientific research. 
The organising committees will recommend to the 
National Research Council the following plan of pro- 
cedure, approved by the council of the National 
Academy, but open to such modification as the Re- 
search Council may deem desirable :— 
(1) The preparation of a national census of equip- 
ment for research, of the men engaged in it, and of 
the lines of investigation pursued in co-operating 
Government bureaus, educational institutions, research 
foundations, and industrial research laboratories; this. 
census to be prepared in harmony with any general 
plan adopted by the proposed Government Council of 
National Defence. 
(2) The preparation of reports by special committees, 
suggesting important research problems and favourable 
opportunities for research in various departments of 
science. 
(3) The promotion of co-operation in research, with 
the object of securing increased efficiency; but with 
careful avoidance of any hampering control or inter- 
ference with individual freedom and initiative. 
(4) Co-operation with educational institutions, by sup- 
porting their efforts to secure larger funds and more 
favourable conditions for the pursuit of research and 
the training of students in the methods and spirit 
of investigation. 
(5) Co-operation with research foundations and 
other agencies desiring to secure a more effective use 
of funds available for investigation. 
(6) The encouragement in co-operating laboratories 
of researches designed to strengthen the national de- 
fence and to render the United States independent of 
foreign sources’ of supply liable to be affected by war. 
To meet immediate needs, the following committees 
have already been completely or partially organised 
and are at work :— ’ , 
Nitric Acid Supply, appointed in co-operation with 
the American Chemical Society, to investigate pro- 
cesses for the fixation of nitrogen, in order to select 
the best means of preparing the nitric acid required in 
the manufacture of powder and high explosives. 
Preventive Medicine, appointed in co-operation with 
the Committee of Physicians and Surgeons, to develop 
