June 5, 1914] 



SCIENCE 



817 



Fortunately our own society is dealing 

 with subjects where progress is permanent 

 and where sham progress finds little room. 

 It is true that these subjects reach into 

 those of a different type and that Barnums 

 and Ringling Brothers sometimes arise 

 in our midst, but they do not represent the 

 normal phase of our subject. We are liv- 

 ing in houses built of strong material and 

 hence we should not be afraid to throw 

 stones at all appearances of graft. Our 

 progress in the past has been largely due to 

 an honest admission of unkaown elements 

 in our subjects. We have represented 

 these by symbols and thus developed an 

 algebra, which has led to marvelous ad- 

 vances. 



This algebra of science naturally does 

 not appeal to those whose mental caliber is 

 such that they can enjoy only fiction, but it 

 is this algebra which has made possible 

 many of the conveniences of our fiction 

 readers. It is an interesting sight when 

 men use the telephone and the electric rail- 

 way to call and to attend meetings for the 

 purpose of belittling the value of science. 

 These things are, however, becoming more 

 rare, and one of the important duties of the 

 scientific investigators is to maintain high 

 ideals within their own ranks. These per- 

 meate the atmosphere which surrounds 

 their work, and a favorable atmosphere is 

 one of the essentials for vigorous scientific 

 development. 



Another important reason for maintain- 

 ing the highest ideals among investigators 

 is based upon the fact that the career of 

 the investigator offers many excellent open- 

 ings for the crook, and this constitutes one 

 of the most alarming features as regards 

 the permanent dignity of our profession. 

 In fact, few other lines of work can offer 

 more opportunities to those inclined to in- 

 dulge in unfair practises. We all agree 

 that some of the most important investiga- 



tions require long periods of years, and that 

 the investigator who has proven his ability 

 should not be required to give an accurate 

 account of how he is spending his time. 



What a splendid opportunity these condi- 

 tions afford to the crook. He too likes to be 

 free from giving an accurate account of 

 himself, and if he can deceive his superiors 

 for a period of years by creating the im- 

 pression that he will soon do something 

 that is very important, he may have arrived 

 at a position of independence before the 

 truth becomes known. That such things 

 are happening around us, few would prob- 

 ably be inclined to deny. When the lot of 

 the investigator was a much harder one 

 there were few temptations for the crook 

 in this field, but with the improvement of 

 conditions these temptations increase, and 

 those who desire to be honest can not wel- 

 come too heartily the most searching in- 

 vestigation as regards our outward research 

 practises. 



There seems to be a growing respect for 

 scientific investigations, and it is our duty 

 to maintain this respect. With the in- 

 crease of funds devoted to investigation, 

 there naturally goes a growing interest in 

 investigators and consequently a growing 

 scrutiny of their practises. As these funds 

 come more largely from the masses we are 

 becoming more subject to waves of popular 

 opinion. History furnishes many instances 

 of how these waves may become agitated by 

 disclosures of irregular practises. Hence a 

 deep loyalty to the highest interests of sci- 

 entific investigation carries with it a deep 

 interest in the improving ideals of the in- 

 vestigators. 



Unless these ideals are kept relatively 

 high and a large number of useful discover- 

 ies continue to result from investigations, 

 there seems no good reason to assume that 

 scientific investigation can permanently 

 maintain its position. The vicissitudes of 



