JXTLY 6, 1906.] 



SCIENCE. 



After due consideration of the advantages 

 offered in other cities, New York was unani- 

 mously selected as possessing greater ad- 

 vantages than were elsewhere to be found 

 in America. The next step was to find a 

 suitable site; one which should be ade- 

 quate, not only to present needs, but for 

 future expansion; near enough to the cen- 

 ter of the city to be accessible, and yet 

 sufficiently removed to secure for its work- 

 ers the freedom from needless interrup- 

 tions and the quiet necessary for scientific 

 pursuits. 



After a prolonged search, the committee 

 on site reported in October, 1902, in favor 

 of the Schermerhorn property, fronting 

 East River at East 66th and 67th Streets, 

 as meeting to a remarkable degree all the 

 requirements. This entire property was 

 purchased by Mr. Rockefeller a few months 

 later, and a plot comprising twenty-six and 

 a half city lots, upon which the present 

 building stands, was deeded to the insti- 

 tute. Work was immediately begun upon 

 plans for a laboratory building. 



The next great question was the choice 

 of a scientific director. After looking over 

 the entire field in America and Europe, the 

 board could find no one possessing the 

 qualifications to so high a degree as one of 

 its own members, Dr. Simon Flexner, who 

 was prevailed upon to resign his position 

 as professor of pathology in the University 

 of Pennsylvania, and assume the director- 

 ship of the scientific work in the new lab- 

 oratory. Dr. Flexner began his work July 

 1, 1903, and spent the following year in 

 Europe, studying various questions con- 

 nected with institutions for research, espe- 

 cially those of organization, construction 

 and equipment. He also acquired the 

 nucleus of a library for the institute. 



Eighteen months and much careful 

 thought were spent in completing the plans 

 for the present laboratory building. Dur- 

 ing this time five of the directors visited 



Europe, in order to profit by the experi- 

 ence of other institutions of a similar char- 

 acter. Final plans were adopted June 13, 

 1904 ; and a few weeks later contracts were 

 let, ground was broken for the new build- 

 ing and December 3 of the same year the 

 cornerstone was laid. 



It was quite clear to the directors that 

 it was unwise to delay commencing work 

 until the new laboratory was completed. 

 It was decided to take steps at once to get 

 together a nucleus of a future laboratory 

 staff; that it was best that a beginning 

 should be made with a small program, a 

 few problems, in a small building, so that 

 the institute should be in a position for a 

 natural organic growth and development 

 and avoid the dangers incident to rapid 

 expansion. A building at the corner of 

 Lexington Avenue and 50th Street was 

 leased and fitted up for temporary use. In 

 that place, in October, 1904, work was be- 

 gun and continued for eighteen months 

 until the completion of the new building a 

 few weeks ago. 



The staff at first consisted only of the 

 director and four other workers. It has, 

 however, been gradually increased until, at 

 the time of removal, it numbered nine 

 persons. 



One of the most difiieult problems pre- 

 sented to the board has been to secure a 

 staff of scientific workers. Heads of lab- 

 oratories and their assistants in this coun- 

 try are, almost without exception, men 

 trained for the work of instruction rather 

 than that of investigation. Many applica- 

 tions for positions in the institute have 

 been received from England, France and 

 Germany, but the feeling of the directors 

 has been that it was the American type of 

 mind, with its genius for practical results, 

 that was wanted, and this has made the 

 board doubtful as to the wisdom of choos- 

 ing European heads for any of its de- 

 partments. Many young men and women 



