SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
. 
Freedom for Research.” | 
By E. J. RUSSELL, D.Sc. 
I have gone carefully into the published details of the scheme fo 
the foundation of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, 
and have much pleasure in forwarding to you ‘the following sugges 
tions. i 
In the first place, I think the general idea is admirable, and } 
successful will, I have no doubt whatsoever, fully come up to expecta: 
tions not only in increasing productivity and powerfully stimulating 
educational institutions, but also as you say it will “go far to inaugw 
rate a new era in the economic and industrial life of the Commo 
wealth.” 
There are a few of the details I should like to discuss. 
Speaking generally, the work of the Institute falls under two heads 
getting knowledge, and using it. Now all experience shows that this 
requires two very distinct types of men, neither of whom will allow 
that the other is his equal. The man who gets new knowledge is com 
monly studious, rather sceptically minded, and obstinate; he does nol 
believe in the accepted explanation of things, and so sets about’ trying 
to find some other. On the other hand, the man who applies knowledgt 
successfully is more a man of the world, less given to the study ol 
abstract matters, but with a wider knowledge of the requirements 0! 
the community. Each is really dependent on the other, but each wil 
insist on working independently, or else endless friction may result 
The atmosphere of research has to be one of absolute freedom to thin} 
and speak as a man believes. 
Now a large central institution dominated by one or two men tend! 
rather to get into official grooves. Views become stereotyped, matter 
are looked upon as settled because some one at the head of affair 
worked them out when he was younger, and definite lines gradually} 
become laid down along which subsequent work tends to proceed. Thi 
ordinary science student may be quite content with this, and consider 
able useful work may result. “But the real research man who want 
to test this thing and that thing, which everybody about the place hal 
always accepted, tends to be looked upon as a bit of a nuisance. Ant 
yet perhaps in his testing of long cherished opinions he might strikt 
some new idea of first-rate importance. I 
I am strongly of opinion that the research man will flourish bes 
in a free atmosphere. 
The question then arises: How is this to be attained? 
For the reasons just given I do not think that it is possible, evel 
with the best will in the world, if the research is concentrated in on 
institution. 
On the other hand, it is obviously impracticable to give every ind! ; 
vidual researcher ‘his own show; you must have some degree of workin}. 
together. 
* This interesting communication was not written for publication, It is 
however, an interesting and valuable opinion from Dr. E. J. Russell, th” 
Director of the famous Rothamstead Experimental Station. 
32 
