3S J. A. McClelland on 



same common level ? This is not, I tliink, a. well founded 

 objection, if we consider the different types of scientific work 

 required, and if the State devotes its aid to the proper type. 

 Scientific work in connection with an Industry may be divided 

 into several classes. Firms employ experts whose duty it is to 

 see that the article turned out is up to certain standards, and that 

 intermediate Y)roducts also fulfil certain conditions. This class of 

 work is very necessary, but it is really not research work. The 

 firm may also employ experts whose duty it is to try to introduce 

 improved methods with the object of giving a better or a cheaper 

 article. This is a type of research. There is, however, another 

 type of research which in the long run is the more important — 

 research into the fundamental principles underlying the trade. 



Let me illustrate what I mean by one example. The 

 National Lamp Company, of America, employ experts to see that 

 their lamps fulfil certain conditions ; they employ others who are 

 constantly endeavouring to introduce improvements in methods 

 of production, and in the lamps ; but in addition they have in 

 their research laboratories well-trained Physicists busy on the 

 study of the passage of electricity through gases and through 

 solids, and other fundamental problems. They do not expect an 

 immediate return from the work of these men, but they are con- 

 vinced that discoveries in these directions are certain to be made 

 which will cause the lamps of 20 years hence to be different from 

 those of to-day, and they are certain that it is only by having the 

 first knowledge of some at least of these discoveries that they will 

 be able to maintain their position in their trade. 



If firms in these countries combined to get this class of 

 research on fundamental matters done by the aid of State grants, 

 there would still remain a great deal of scientific detail in which 

 one could compete with another. The attention as a combination 

 to fundamental matters would tend to prevent the failure of the 

 whole trade due to important advances abroad. The essential 

 thing to remember in connection with this class of research work 

 is that you are looking ahead for say ten years. 



