New-York tribune., 1902-10-08
PROnnTLNG RESEARCH.

PROHOTING RESEAhCH.
How the objects of the Carnegie Institution
can best be secured is a question that has been
discussed in the last three issues Of Science
~ The editor and other representative men.
These talks cannot fail 10 prove seTviceable 70
the trustees. who are already considering the
matter II is not unlikely that suggestions
have been offered which are new 70 them. AT
snv rate The discussion. bv revealing the senti-
ments Of scientific men not directly charged
with the administration Of Mr. Carnegie's gift.
may serve 70 intensity or weaken convictions
previously held on doubtful points The task of
tie trustees in formulating general plan of
action for the future IS one Of grave Importance
and much delicacy. How best 70 apply from
$500 600 10 100000 year 20 scientific research
is not a simple problem. To determine this
wisely II is necessary 20 know both what is
already being done and what might be- done
with a certain amount Of financial assistance.
Another essential is a careful study Of agencies
and methods.
II seems 70 be taken for granted that con
spicuous perhaps the chief. function Of The Car
negie Institution viii be 10 help with money IN
vestigation under the auspices 81 existing or
ganizations and by individuals who give promise
OF desirable results. It will undoubtedly act, 70
employ Professor CateIrs happy phrase, as
sort Of special providence. Professor Branner
thinks that there should be committees OF eN-
perts 70 Judge OF the merits OF various applica-
tions for help. Professor Morris Loeb believes
that il would be expedient 10 conduct the dis
trlbution mainly through existing scientific so
cieties. Ex-Surgeon General Sternberg recon-
mends giving preference 10 those who have
definite plans Of attacking given problems
Even should the trustees adopt all Of these sug-
1tFfT ha ohl 20 faafda
how large a proportion Of the income from the
Carnegie fund they would use in this way and
how much they would reserve for other pur-
poses. They must also consider whether. in
some instances, II would be advisable 70 make
their awards conditional upon the raising ot
like sums by the benehciaries. Perhaps they
may deem II wise not 10 pursue an invariable
policy in this respect IL does not seem likely
that they will fall into the error OF hampering
their gifts with too many petty limitations.
When IL was proposed In England few months
ago 10 raise by popular subscription a fund 70
promote an inquiry into the cause OF cancer
The Hospital" pointed out the danger that un-
scientific administrators might insist on getting
definite results within prescribed time-a very
unfortunate e1action. Still another point which
the Carnegie trustees will need 90 weigh is how
far Il IS expedent 10 endow university fellow
ships for research
\ separate group Of questions is raised by the
proposition To erect a building in Washington
which shall be primarily an establishment for
research, and incidentally a home for the ad-
minisration OF the Institution. Would II be in
harmony with Mr. Carnegie's intention 10 devote
any money to such construction: How far
could the national government appropriately
assist with grants OF land and money in the
erection Of such headquarters? What particu-
lar lines OF Investigation should be undertaken
there: Professor Cattell favors the creation Of
laboratories for chemistry, physics and pSychol-
Ogy- When the work under way its con
duct would cost he thinks. $4,000 a year While
$4,000 more might be needed for tho expenses
OF the executive. Obviously the amount avail
able for outside benetactions world depeDd
largely on the sum required fn- this purpose
Hence the necessity fOs determining the rela
tive Importance OF the two possibilities should
the deemed desirable tc establish these Ia bora
tories there is little likelihood that there would
be any duplication Of work now done under
governmental auspices, except in the depart-
nent of chemistry. Even this might be aud
probably would be. shaped so TO avoid ary
appearance Of competition
Not the least valuable OF Professor CattelI's
recommendations relates TO the assistance which
10 scientific periodicals. As the Editor Of s.Sci.
ence" and The Popular Science Monthlv.r no
is IN position 10 know at how great pecuni.
airy loss and with how large an expenditure Of
unremunerated labor and enthusiasm periodi
Gals OF this class are carried on. especially in
this country. The same is true Of some of the
technical publications issued by organized scien-
uhc societies and by leading universities A
Judlcious bestowal of subsidies on magazines
anc Journals of this class would certainly be
commendable- That use Of money would be a
practical stimulus 70 the dissemination of useful
knowledge
one OF the undertakings which the institution
has been invited 10 support IS a thorough studv
OF the relations between capital and labor and
OF the private ownership OF natural uonopolies
The suggestion grows out OF the pending coal
strlke. The question whether the scope of the
lnsutution's work is broad enough 10 embrace
economies or not is raised by this proposition.
Inasmueh as the executive committee has an
pointed an advisory board on political economy.
though there seems 10 be little room for doubt
on that score. II is needless TO say that the in
curry itself is one OF immense practical impor-
lance. Much can be said in favor of IT'S being
iathered hy the Carnegie Institution.
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IL has been proposed that an international
contest fast automobiles SbaU ~ 7acfAaS a.,