4 SEPTEMBER 28, 1916] 
nd-utilise new methods of preventive medicine for 
_ the protection of troops in the field, ; 
__ Organic. Chemicals, appointed in co-operation with 
he American Chemical Society, to secure co-operation 
mong chemists in researches required for the manu- 
facture of dyestuffs, synthetic medicinals, and other 
chemicals made scarce by the war. aes 
{ Communications, appointed in co-operation with the 
“American Physical Society and the American Institute 
of Electrical Engineers, to develop and apply the most 
effective devices for military communications, the de- 
tection of submarines, and other similar purposes. 
Committees for the promotion of research in applied 
mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, botany, 
zoology, and various other branches of science will 
also be organised by the council, 
The most cordial spirit of co-operation has been 
shown by every individual and institution hitherto 
invited to take part in the work. Universities, re- 
search foundations, and industrial laboratories, in the 
event of war, would place every facility at the dis- 
osal of the Government. In times of peace they will 
co-operate with the council in the advancement of 
research. The Engineering Foundation, under the 
.auspices of the United Engineering Societies, has 
passed resolutions commending the purposes of the 
council, and offering it a~ New York office in the 
_ Engineers’ Building and the services of an executive 
secretary. Substantial contributions to a general ex- 
pense fund have already been received. It is evident 
that so soon as a general request for co-operation 
can be issued it will meet with the widest acceptance. 
Throop College of Technology, in Pasadena, Cal., 
has recently afforded a striking illustration of one way 
in which the Research Council can secure co-operation 
and advance scientific investigation. This institution, 
with its able investigators and excellent research 
laboratories, could be of great service in any broad 
scheme of co-operation. | President Scherer, hearing of 
the formation of the council, immediately offered to 
take part in its work, and with this object he secured 
within three days an additional research endowment 
of 100,000 dollars. The spirit of national service and 
the increased appreciation of the value of science, 
which have resulted from the European war, should 
lead to many similar gifts elsewhere. 
The following letter from the President shows his 
approval of the council’s plans and his active assistance 
in completing its organisation :— 
“Dr. William H. Welch, President of the National 
Academy of Sciences, 807 St. Paul Street, Balti- 
more, Md, :— 
“My Dear Dr. Welch,—I want to tell you with 
what gratification I have received the preliminary 
report of the National Research Council, which was 
formed at my request under the National Academy of 
Sciences. The outline of work there set forth and 
the evidences of remarkable progress toward the 
accomplishment of the object of the council are indeed 
gratifying. May I not take this occasion to say that 
the departments of the Government are ready to co- 
operate in every way that may be required. and that 
the heads of the departraents most immediately con- 
cerned are now, at my request, actively engaged in 
considering the best methods of co-overation? Repre- 
sentatives of Government bureats will be appointed 
as members of the Research Council as the council 
desires. 
“Cordially and sincerely yours, 
* (Signed) Wooprow Witson.” 
Arrangements will be made to hold a meeting of the 
council soon after the appointment of the representa- 
tives of Government bureaus. 
Grorce Ertery Hate. 
NO. 2448, VoL. 98] 
NATURE 
73 
THE GOVERNMENT CINCHONA PLANTA- 
TIONS IN BENGAL, 
‘es fifty-fourth annual report of the Government 
Cinchona Plantations and Factory in Bengal for the 
year 1915~16 is as interesting and valuable a document 
as that for 1914-15 noticed in these columns last year. 
In. the previous report the scientific sidé of 
the work for the past ten years was re- 
viewed, while in that now under notice a_ re- 
view of the financial side of the operations for thc 
past sixteen years is given. Since April, 1900, to 
March, 1916,. the total expenditure amounted to 
42,65,600 rupees and total receipts to 39,30,000 rupees. 
The deficit of 3,35,600 rupees is, however, not a sign 
of financial mismanagement, but is an indication of 
remarkable and highly successful administrative 
ability. The deficit was incurred within the period 
1905-14, during which time the department was 
being greatly improved. The explanation, which is 
simple, is given in the words of the report, as the 
excellent work which is being done by Major Gage and 
his staff is deserving of wider recognition: 
“About the beginning of the 1905-15 period it was 
seen that the demand for quinine—since 1892 in excess 
of the yield from plantation bark—was exceeding the 
factory output capacity, and that as more than go per 
cent. of the world’s supply of bark and quinine was in 
the hands respectively of Java planters and about a 
dozen manufacturers, the risk of the formation of a 
‘Trust’ and the abolition of an open market was not 
to be taken lightly. It was foreseen that, if while 
there was still an open market large quantities of bark 
and quinine were purchased at the lowest rates ever 
touched, it would allow the formation of a reserve of 
quinine large enough to meet the increase in demand 
and to serve as a stand-by in case of a severe malarial 
epidemic, what time the plantations were being 
extended on a_ scale large enough to render 
the department independent of external supplies and 
prices. 
“So during 1908-14 large sums were expended on 
purchase of bark and quinine at very low rates and 
on extra extensive plantations. Subsequent develop- 
ments have thoroughly justified the then heavy ex- 
penditure. For instance, if the annual quinine vield 
from the plantations had remained at its 1905 figure 
of gooo Ib., Government would have had to pay 
during 1913-15 at least 7,74,000 rupees in purchase of 
enough bark or quinine to make up the quantity 
(74,000 Ib.) distributed during these years, whereas it 
cost Government to make the quantity required above 
the 1905 output level less than 3,08,000 rupees. In 
those two years alone Government saved at least 
4,66,000 rupees, which exceeds the deficit for a period 
of sixteen years. The deficit will speedily be replaced 
by a surplus yearly increasing, and meanwhile it 
is covered many times over by readily realisable 
assets.”’ 
These assets include (1) additions to factory and 
machinery that have quintupled its 1900 output 
capacity; (2) 2418 acres afforested with timber and 
fuel trees; (3) 2295 acres planted with cinchona 
7,69,085 rupees in value; (4) a reserve of 165,000 Ib. 
of quinine valued at 18,97,500 rupees, and other manu- 
factured products, bark, etc., valued at 2,05,055 rupees 
—a total of 29,18,000 rupees. The total return for the 
42,65,600 rupees expenditure is therefore in cash and 
assets 68,48,000 rupees. Nothing is claimed for value 
of factory, etc., in the estimate. 
From this explanation, with conditions of present- 
ment as stringent as few companies would think of 
adopting, the financial side of the department’s work 
is seen to be as satisfactory as the scientific. 
