Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-24
MIR. CARNEGIE'S GIFT.
Scientists Differ as to Position Insti-
tuition Should Occupy.
From American Medicine.

From American Medicine.
What to do with the splendid gift Of Mr.
Andrew Carnegie is q weighty problem and
1t seems that the trustees have not yet
solved 1t. Opinions differ widely as to the
position the Carnegie Institution should oc-
cupy. Prof. Munsterberg Of Harvard sug-
gested that sort Of over university should
be founded In Washington, which should
hold the same relation to the universities
Of the country that the postgraduate school
holds to the academic departments The
faculty should consist only Of great men.
perhaps fifteen in number, with salary Of
$4,000 each. They should either be ap-
pointed for life or should remain In Wash
ington for one year, securing leave Of abb
sence from their own schools for that
length Of time. They should possess some
measure OF self-government, and the insti-
tuition might become model for the uni
versities in which, to use Munsterberg's
words 1.-The autocratism of the trustees Is
clearly relic of the college period, but
quite unsuited to a university" The Ger
man system OF scholars choosing scholars
should be adopted. There might be fifty
fellowships of $1,000 each. to be distributed
by the universities. Munsterberg is opposed
to the application Of the funds of the institu-
ton to the support of existing universities,
as every cent from Washington disbur-
dened to local officials is an opiate for the
feeling Of responsibility Of alumni and trus-
tees" The chief aim Of the over-university
should be the development Of synthetic
thought, which Is a greater function even
than the fostering OF experimental scientific
work. He also advocates large printing
establishment for the publication Of mono
graphs or even textbooks.
Prof Gage of Cornell University makes
the following propositions: "a The Car
negle Institution Is not needed for educa-
tional purposes. (0 Its true place Is express
ed in the first aim given by the founder-"to
promote original research 60 1t can most
effectively promote research by utilizing, so
far possible, the facilities OF existing insti-
buttons. az Its support Of the men select
ed to undertake researches should be gem
erous, and abundant time should be al
lowed. 90 The researches most demanded in
biology at the present time are complete
Investigations of the embryology, structure
and function Of a few forms from the ovum
to old age and death.
Professor Branner of Stamford Univer-
sity sums up his views in the following
words: "a The institution should try to
help wherever help Is needed and can be
advantageously used. CD 1t should refrain
from unnecessary or unwelcome interior
ence in work already being done by indi-
viduals and by other institutions go Care
should be taken to encourage scientific
work all over the country. a. Applications
for aid should be received from men en-
gagged In scientific work, and these appIlca-
lions should be referred to committees of
specialists for advice. 90 The national gov
eminent should cooperate with the institu-
ton by providing the necessary buildings at
Washington and by permitting. so far as
convene MT and under proper restrictions the
utilization of the scientific bureaus of the
various departments. co. Some means
should be sought to utilize the sabbatical
years of university professDfs engaged in
scientific work.
According to President Jordan. one of the
functions of the institution should be the
ton for special Investigations. AS an ex-
ample OF such laboratory he mentions a