508 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
plication, or for the advancement of knowledge without regard to its immedi- 
ate practical bearing. The scheme of organization must be broad enough to 
secure the co-operation of all important agencies in accomphshing this result. 
After considering a variety of plans the Organizing Committee presented 
to the Council of the Academy the following recommendations: 
''That there be formed a National Research Council, whose purpose shall 
be to bring into co-operation existing governmental, educational, industrial, 
and other research organizations with the object of encouraging the investi- 
gation of natural phenomena, the increased use of scientific research in the 
development of American industries, the employment of scientific methods 
in strengthening the national defense, and such other applications of science 
as will promote the national security and welfare. 
"That the Council be composed of leading American investigators and 
engineers, representing the Army, Navy, Smithsonian Institution, and vari- 
ous scientific Bureaus of the Government; educational institutions and re- 
search endowments; and the research divisions of industrial and manufactur- 
ing estabhshments. 
"That, in order to secure a thoroughly representative body, the members 
of the Council be chosen in consultation with the presidents of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Philosophical 
Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Associ- 
ation of University Professors, and the Association of American Universities; 
that representatives of industrial research be selected with the advice of the 
Presidents of the Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Mining 
Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American 
Society of Electrical Engineers, and the American Chemical Society, and 
that members of the Cabinet be asked to name the representatives of the 
various Departments of the Government. 
"That Research Committees of two classes be appointed, as follows: 
(a) Central committees, representing various departments of science, com- 
prised of leading authorities in each field, selected in consultation with the 
president of the corresponding national society, (b) Local committees in 
universities, colleges and other co-operating institutions engaged in scientific 
research." 
The Organizing Committee also recommended the following plan of pro- 
cedure, subject to such modifications as the National Research Council may 
deem desirable. 
"(1) The preparation of a national inventory of equipment for research, 
of the men engaged in it, and of the lines of investigation pursued in co-oper- 
ating Government Bureaus, educational institutions, research foundations, 
and industrial research laboratories; this inventory to be prepared in harmony 
with any general plan adopted by the proposed- Government Council of 
National Defense. 
" (2) The preparation of reports by special committees, suggesting impor- 
tant research problems and favorable opportunities for research in various 
departments of science. 
