The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-01
Not a University, But an
Enabling Agency.
EXPLAINED BY DR.. GILMAN
Much Will Be Done in Astronomy
Grants Devoted to Geology
and Physics

dent Daniel c. Gilman. Of the Carnegie
Institution. former president of the
Johns Hopkins University. explaining,
as regards the institution. what it is
and what Il is not" Since the founding
of the institution there have been num-
erous newspaper and magazine articles
concerning its proposed work. but this
one is OF peculiar interest, from many
points OF view. The article in part is
as follows:
"A year has now passed since the
country was surprised and delighted by
the announcement that Andrew Carne-
gle. the enlightened promoter OF public
Libraries In this and other countries. had
made munihcent gift for the endow-
ment OF the Carnegie Institution in
Washington Although the object Of this
foundation was clearly set forth in Mr.
Carnegie's letter and in the act OF in
corporation. the methods 10 be pursued
were left 20 the trustees. The income
could not be appropriated until the trus-
tees came together in November last.
Meanwhile. the executive committee en-
gagged in a very careful study OF the
problem; Institutions were visited: lead
ing men in many branches Of scientific
nous correspondence was begun, and the
suggestions made in the public press and
in private communications were care
fully considered.
This brief statement indicates in
what the Carnegie Institution has al
ready engaged. namely. the bestowsI OF
grants for research; the encoura gement.
by specific grant. Of a select number OF
Investigators; arrangements for printing
scientific memoirs; the appointment OF
research assistants and preliminary
Inquiries respecting large undertakings
to be decided in the future.
There is a reasonable curiosity 10
know, specifically. what sort OF investi-
cations are receiving Carnegie aid. The
executive committee does not think IL
expedient, for many reasons, to publish
at this stage of the developments. this
list. 1t is incomplete; in many cases II
is conditional. In some instances the
recipients OF aid do not wish to reveal
their work. But in due time all the par
ticular appropriations will be communi-
Gated to the trustees, and they will
doubtless cause them TO be published
There IS no concealment about the insti-
tution--only that degree of reserve in
the preliminaries, without which results
cannot be accomplished.
AS examples of the aid that the Car
Degie Institution has already promised
TO give, these cases may be mentioned
For the encouragement OF biological re-
search a liberal grant has beer made "a
the Marine Biological Laboratory. al
Woods Hole. Mass. an admirable sta
ton. srequented every summer by a
large number OF naturalists For want
OF the requisite pecuciary support, the
institution has been embarrassed; Il will
be reinvigorated by this grant Two
tables have been taken in Dr. Dohrn'
celebrated laboratory in Naples, AM
one in station to be established in the
Bermudas
a grant has been made for the con-
tinuation OF the Index Medicus. the
key to current medical science. pubIica-
ton having been suspended for the lack
OF pecuuiary support
Measures have been initiated for the
study of economic and social problems
in the United States. a vast amount o,
facts having been accumulated in Wash
ington and in the several States OF tho
Union which are now 10 be examined. d.
omiSts
The examination OF the unprinte6
archives OF the United States will be IN
dertaken. with the cooperation Of ths
officers o. the American Historical Asso.
citation
Much will be done in astronomy. aud
among ether things. the publication o.
the memoirs OF George W. Hill is soon "a
be undertaken.
Many minor grants have been devoted
10 geology. physics. chemistry. psychoi-
ogy. physiology. and botany. One of tn,
most interesting botanical inquiries that
have been set on foot is that Of the
vegetation OF the arid regions OF IN.
United States. an inquiry quite as in
teresting 70 tho economists and the leg
isiators OF this country as II Is to men o.
science
Second, negatively from what has
been said. il is obvious that the Car
negie Institution is not a university IN
the ordinary sense OF that word. II has
no faculty IL has no body OF students
brought together in one place. 1t has nc
systematic courses OF instruction. =
lectures should be given under its aus
pices. they will probably be by special
lists and to specialists. not popular lee
lures nor the sort OF expeditions TO
CURED for the instruction of youni
pupils.
THE fund Is not intended FOR the al1
CT scholars in their antecedent OF pro-
fessIonaI education. This must be pro
vided for by the existing universitie,
and colleges Only those who arc
Ynat,-o enough TO show their mowers viii
be aided
The Carnegie Institution does not
propose 20 build 10 a library nor 10
make collections IN archaeology, eth
noiogy and natural history.
The Carnegie Institution does not m
tend 10 do that which other Institutions
or individuals are doing or VIII under
take TO do
ITO sum Up the whole matter. the Car
negfo Institution Is n supplementary
agency fer the purpose OF strengt hcnine
scientific workers in any part of thC