NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
509 
^' (3) The promotion of co-operation in research, with the object of securing 
increased efficiency; but with careful avoidance of any hampering control 
or interference with individual freedom and initiative. 
"(4) Co-operation with educational institutions, by supporting their 
efforts to secure larger funds and more favorable conditions for the pursuit 
of research and for the training of students in the methods and spirit of 
investigation. 
''(5) Co-operation with research foundations and other agencies desiring 
to secure a more effective use of funds available for investigation. 
" (6) The encouragement in co-operating laboratories of researches de- 
signed to strengthen the national defense and to render the United States 
independent of foreign sources of supply liable to be affected by war." 
The Council of the Academy voted to accept the proposals of the Organiz- 
ing Committee, and instructed it to proceed with the formation of the National 
Research Council in accordance with the plan recommended by the committee. 
In consultation with the presidents of the various societies already men- 
tioned, most of the members of the Council have now been chosen. 
The endorsement of the President of the United States and the authority 
to secure the appointment of government representatives, is conveyed in the 
following letter to the President of the Academy: 
Washington, D. C, July 24, 1916. 
Dr. William H. Welch, 
President of the National Academy of Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland. 
My Dear Dr. Welch: 
I want to tell you with what gratification I have received the pre- 
liminary report of the National Research Council, which was formed at 
my request under the National Academy of Sciences. The outline of 
work there set forth and the evidences of remarkable progress towards 
the accomplishment of the object of the Council are indeed gratifying. 
May I not take this occasion to say that the Departments ot the Govern- 
ment are ready to co-operate in every way that may be required, and 
that the heads of the Departments most immediately concerned are 
now, at my request, actively engaged in considering the best methods 
of co-operation? 
Representatives of Government Bureaus will be appointed as mem- 
bers of the Research Council as the Council desires. 
Cordially and sincerely yours, 
[Signed] Woodrow Wilson. 
Under this authority, the appointment of representatives of the Army, 
Navy and various scientific Bureaus of the Government will now be arranged 
with the members of the Cabinet. It is expected that the first meeting of 
the Council will be held in September. 
It has already been stated that cordial desire to co-operate has been en- 
countered on every hand. Special reference may now be made to certain 
striking cases. The first of these illustrates how the Council, taking advan- 
