The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-08
THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION
Popular Science Monthly.

One of the most noteworthy events in tho
history of science the bequest of James
Smthson, an Englisnman dying in Italy, in
1929, of about $500, 600 to found at Washing
ton IAN establishment for the increase and
diffusion of knowledge among men. Equally
important is the gift Of Andrew Carnegie of
$40, 600 900 to establish in Washington an insti
tuition for the encouragement of 'inyestiga-
ton, research and discovery" These two
foundations represent more than an addition
to the annually spent on scientific work.
They stand for the spirit Of science, not con-
fined by place or buildings, titles or degrees.
In foreign countries we are often called wor-
shippers OF wealth and ostentation; in reply.
we neeG only point to the Smithsonian and
Carnegie institutions, situated in the national
capital but extending throughout the
try and beyond. quietly and powerfully rep
resenting the highest ideals Of knowledge
and resear.h
The Srithsonian Institution, under Henry
and Baird fostered science in many directions,
ha.ing been more or less factor in the
establishment CT tho national library, weather
bureau. the geoie eical and coast surveys ard
the fish commission. It still has under its
'harge the National Museum, the Bureau Ct
American Ethrology and the Geological pa~k
The Ca"legi" Institution, with twenty times
the resources the Smithsonian, will henrs-
forth be great influence for the advance
meut of knowledge. The founder states that
the primary OBJECT Is the promotion CT
search, and specifies several directions in
which work will be undertaken. The instt-
tuition will probably supersede the Washing
ton Memorial Institution in the function OF
utilizing for advanced work the resources OF
the government at Washington and elsewhere.
It will also aim to increase the efficiency of
universities and other institutions by provid-
ing funds for investigations and for fellow
ships. 1t will assist in the publication of
scientific work. 1t may give salaries and
pensions to permit the continuous prosec"-
ton of research. Mr. Carnegie shows much
insight in particularly specifying as one of
its objects Ito discover the exceptional man
in every department OF study, whenever and
wherever found, and enable him, by financial
aid, to make the work for which he seems
specially designed, his life work.
This is, indeed, the great need of science
to find the men. Given the man, and there
is no danger but that the research, the dis
covery and the publication will follow. What
is essential is to secure for research men
best fitted for 1t. Good men are needed fer
all kinds of useful work; but, on the whole,
the business man, the lawyer or the physi-
clan is less likely to contribute to the general
welfare than the investigator. But the inves-
tigator is exactly the man whose profession
is most insecure. He never depends on his
scientific work for his support; he must earn
his living by teaching, by administrative work
or the like. A good novel or good picture
has market value; good research has none.
The author is not only unpaid, but is for
tunate if his paper or book can be properly
published without expense to himself.