578 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LI. No. 1328 



furnishes the necessary subdivision for the 

 effective marshalling of the nation's scientists. 



This being agreed to, it follows logically 

 that the state academy should proceed to 

 organize local chapters for the completion of 

 the system. The greatest need now is not 

 more national societies but a more thorough- 

 going organization of state and local scientific 

 forces. We have already seen that in Illinois 

 an effort is being made to stimulate the 

 formation of science clubs in the high schools 

 and to interest high school teachers in the 

 work of the academy. Our Academy has a 

 goodly percentage of its members among 

 scientists not connected with educational in- 

 stitutions. What is needed is that this mem- 

 bership be greatly extended and organized into 

 chapters so that every large industry and 

 even the smaller establishments will be 

 brought into touch with the academy and 

 through it coordinated with the national 

 organizations. The academy will thus include 

 in its fold both those who love science for 

 its own sake and for the extension of knowl- 

 edge and also those who are using science 

 for the furtherance of industry and the mate- 

 rial advancement of man. 



But the academy finds justification apart 

 from its usefulness as a subdivision in the 

 great national organization in that it can 

 serve its own state in many distinct direc- 

 tions. Many lines of possible service have 

 already been suggested in the summaries of 

 the questionnaires, but it will be worth our 

 while to think a little farther concerning 

 some of them. Isolation is one of the most 

 serious handicaps to research, although it can 

 doubtless be shown by examples how certain 

 great constructive geniuses have lived their 

 lives in 'seclusion and by the sheer power of 

 intellect brought to light important additions 

 to human knowledge. Many have found the 

 needed contact in correspondence and pub- 

 lications. But for the average scientist whose 

 number is legion and whose aggregate contri- 

 bribution to progress is large, the stimulus 

 of human association, and the sptu- of close 

 contact with kindred minds are indispensable. 

 We can not depend entirely upon the large 



universities nor upon the large industrial 

 establishments for our scientific life. There 

 will always be able men in the smaller col- 

 leges and schools and in the smaller establish- 

 ments who must have opportunity for contact 

 and mutual inspiration and suggestion to 

 enable them to produce their maximum effort 

 and stand as missionaries in the cause at 

 home. The academy must supply to all sci- 

 entific workers in the state this desirable con- 

 tact and mutual helpfulness. 



Selfishness and secretiveness and suspicion 

 in research, individualism must now give way 

 to coperation for the sake of the advancement 

 of knowledge and of social and industrial 

 progress in the state. Scientists have much 

 to learn in this respect from statesmen and 

 business men. Men do not greatly increase 

 their wealth by hoarding; they do not make 

 most in small private businesses; they do not 

 win wars by " sniping," they do not destroy 

 threatening social iniquities by individual 

 blamelessness. Efficient machinery directs 

 and multiplies power, increases speed. 



The academy should come to be a source 

 from which any man in the state who needs 

 help along scientific lines may draw what he 

 needs. If for instance a worker in some 

 small or large industry of the state feels the 

 need of consultation or advice he should 

 come to look upon the academy as the proper 

 organization to which to apply. The academy 

 through its ofEcers or special committees 

 should be in a position to answer his questions 

 or to direct him to those of its members best 

 fitted to render aid. An instance to the point 

 is that of a research chemist in a large drug 

 manufactory who was enabled to complete a 

 three year research which had failed of reach- 

 ing a definite result, by means of a hint from 

 a university worker. In our own state many 

 such cases of helpfulness will arise if we can 

 bring our academy to the point where it will 

 be regarded as the natural place to which to 

 come for information as to facts and men. 



The organizers of the academy six years 

 ago had in mind the possible usefulness of 

 the academy as an adviser in legislative 

 matters affecting scientific interests when pro- 



