Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-29
THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION.
Some Of the Objects for Which It Was
Founded

Founded.
From Article BY Its President, n. c. Gilman.
in The World Today.
The Carnegie Institution of Washington
is now in the middle of the second year OF
Its operations. During the year large body
of co-operators in different parts of the
country have been enlisted. and when the
trustees assemble in the month of Decem-
Der full reports will be laid before them re-
garding the various undertakings which
have been promoted by the income of the
fund
The nature of this foundation differs COM
pletely from universities. colleges and
learned societies. In some respects IL near
ly resembles the Smithsonian Institution of
Washington and the Royal Institution of
Great Britain, but 1t differs essentially from
them. 1t has no great museums like the
Smithsonian, no important laboratories like
the institution in London. 1t is without a
faculty and without students in the ordi-
nary use of those words.
Mr. Carnegie made his munitlcent gift for
the advancement of knowledge, and not
for the instruction of youth, except under
extraordinary circumstances. Accordingly,
diligent, varied and widespread inquiries
have been made with respect to those lines
or investigation that are most promising,
ana moderate allowances have been made
in a great many different directions. among
them, in astronomy, mathematics, physics,
chemistry, biology, geology and economics.
There is one feature in the work of the
Carnegie Institution which is of widespread
Importance, and that is the selection of five
and twenty research assistants" to each
of whom is given sum of $1,000 or $1,000.
These research assistants are, for the
most part, young persons who have already
been well trained and are prepared to pros
ecute definite lines of investigation under
the guidance of older, highly qualified lead
mo n NJ n nxr-n6 to ha "a c
sistants,' the ordinary use of that word, to
the heads of laboratories and observatories.
nor are they permitted to engage in instruc-
ton; they are Independent attaches. who
have shown ability and are eager to go for
ward If encouraged, in well-deined lines Of
scientific research Notice of these oppor-
tunlties was sent out last spring to univer
stiles and colleges, and nominations were
received from every part of the country.
These nominations were referred to special
lists, whose recommendations We're after
ward brought before the executive commit
tee, and the five and twenty who appeared
to be on the whole most promising were
appointed and set to work. Their develop
ment will be watched with the greatest in
terest by all who are interested in the de-
velopment of youth in scientific researches.
These research assistantshipS may be re-
garded as a kind of advanced fellowships,
bestowed on a select company who are
sufficiently forward to give promise of
higher achievements.
Another important part of the work of
the Carnegie Institution is the publication
of memoirs so abstruse or costly that
they cannot readily appear elsewhere. AS
a beginning, the fundamental science of
mathematics received special recognition i'm
a conclusion that the mathematical papers
of eminent American astronomer DR.
George w. Hill. should be collected and
given to the world. These writings will
probably occupy three volumes quarto; they
are already going through the press and
before long, other publications will follow.
hn hoe
made for the establishment of laboratories,
or even for the support of those which are
now in existence. with a very few excep-
tons A considerable allowance was made
to the marine biological station at Wood
Hole. and two tables were also taken in the
Naples Laboratory under Prof Dohrn. To
these exceptions may be added the begin
ming of a botanical experiment station in an
arid region of the west.
BY the cooperation of the United States
geological survey, competent biologists
have been sent to the east of China in or
der that comparisons may be instituted with
regard to the formations upon the east
coast of northern Asia with those upon the
northwestern part of our own territory. An
other party has been engaged in studying
the great sand deposits beyond the Caspian
and Aral seas. A competent scholar has
been charged with the duty of inquiring
into archaeological researches now in prog
ress in Crete. in Asia Minor. in Greece and
other parts of the Levant. and he will rec
ommend in due time to the trustees such a
course of procedure as seems to him worth
while in this interesting domain.
Through the cooperation of the United
States labor bureau and the American Eco
nOnlic Association certain important eco
nomfcal studies have been taken up, and
several of the foremost scholars of the
country have agreed to cooperate in the
solution of problems pertaining to the ffnan-
cial. social and economical conditions of the
United States.
For the study of American archives. bu-
"a q hOut he Onenad n WASHINGTON
and placed in the charge of a highly quail
fed historian. Two three younger schol-
ars will be associated with him, and before
long they will make clear to students of
history what are the existing resources of
the national capital, especially the extent
and accessibility of the manuscripts in the
different departments of the government.
An important service has been rendered
to the medical profession of the country by
resuscitating the Index Medicus, that
mastery contribution to the progress of
medicine maintained for some years at
place on a permanent basis. and its revival
has been heartily welcomed by the profess
sion through whom its benefits will in vari
Gus ways be extended to the public at large.
These are only Illustrations. informal and
unofficial of the activities of the Carnegie
Institution 1t will not be long before
more complete announcements are made,
but what is here stated is sufficient,
perhaps. to indicate the variety and the i'm
portance of the Investigations which have
been promoted and to enlist the co-opera-
ton and confidence of all who are DESTROYS
that this country should do its part in the
advancement of knowledge. No reference
has been made to special researches under
way in physics. in chemistry in geology, in
botany and in many other subjects, because
they are of too technical limited charac-
ter to interest the public at large.