The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-19

to serve the function of co-ordinating and regulating astronomical efforts would Professor Pickering believes, have the immediate effect of enhancing the usefulness of every really active observa- tory in the world. Existing funds for re- search are all passive in the sense that they wait for applications and then con- slider what appropriations can be made. This fund would be active, seeking out the men and the institutions where aid might be needed; where instruments not in use might be available for work where otherwise valuable material might re- main unpublished and consequently use- less for lack of means.
 Professor Pickering's large experience as astronomical director and his enthusi- asm for cooperation among scientific men of various institutions give him exeep- tional qualifications for advocating such a plan as the one proposed. Not only has he gained various personal honors, such as gold medals from the Royal Astronom- ical Society of Great Britain and from the Rumford and Draper funds of this eoun- try, but he has already had a large part in inducing cooperation among the lead- ing astronomers of the world. Thus as early as 1886. he wrote a phamphlet en- titled "A Plan for the Extension of As- tronomical Research" which a little later etAAiitlCa liiG dllttllipll Ol MISS '. W. Bruce of New York. who gave the sum of $6OOO to further a few special investl- cations. Through Professor Pickering this money was distributed to fifteen out of eighty-six applicants amongst the successful being such distinguished as- tronomers as Professor Simon Newcomb superintendent of the American Nauti- cal Almanac; Professor A. Safarik of Prague; Dr. David Gill, director of the
  Professor Edward s. Holden, director of the Lick observatory. and Professor Nor man Pogson director of the Observatory of Madras, India. Many admirable re- suits grew out of the expenditure of this comparatively small sum- The unique collections of star photographs at the Harvard observatory which has been re- sorted to by astronomers from various parts of the world, has also suggested interesting possibilities in the way of CO., ordination of efforts among astronomers.
 Since that time other awards of funds for special research have been made through the Harvard observatory and the director Is even now calling attention of astronomers to funds already established and available, with which he Is personally connected such as the Rumford fund of the American Academy with a principal of $52000. available for investigation in the departments of heat and light; the Elizabeth Thompson Science fund with a principal of s26,0O0, the income available for investigations in all departments of science; the Henry Draper fund of the National Academy, principal $6. 900. avail able for investigation in astronomical subjects by citizens of the United States; the Advancement of Astronomical Science fund of the Harvard College observatory, with a principal of $70OOO. of which $10OOO is now available, the income to be used by astronomers of any country in pursuit of any important astronomical work. These endowments, together with the great sums at the disposal of the trus tees of the Carnegie institution, and the uneXpended balances of the various re- search funds of the National academy. make it impossible that any really worthy investigation needing not more than a few hundred dollars for its execution will fail for want of money
 But investigations on a larger scale and more numerous will be made possible, Professor Pickering believes, only by the creation of a very large trust such as he has in mind, managed by a central board of directors.
 In brief, the whole plan Is for an insti- tuition that will advance the interests of astronomy under the combined advice of the leading astronomers of the world Professor Pickering, however. Is convinced that it would be for the distinct advant- age of the new institution to have it's funds invested in the name of the presl- dent and fellows of Harvard college, as the university corporation is called be- lieving that the standing of the university insures practically absolute permanency In the financial management. MT. Starr T. Murphy, the financial expert, who in- vestigated the Harvard methods at the request of John D. Rockefeller before the latter made his million-dollar gift to the Harvard Medical school, was able to re- port, for example that the university had never yet lost a fund through bad in- vestment. Professor Pickering also cites the fact that the funds invested by the treasurer of Harvard university now amount to more than $l4000, GOO and that the net rate of interest during the past year has amounted to four and eight tenths per cent. So that Harvard would be admirably competent, in Professor Pickering's opinion to take charge of the financial end of such an astronomical trust as he has proposed. But however financed. he hopes to see 1t carried out regardless of commonwealth, country or personal considerations.