The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-10
BRITAIN BEHIND TIMES
SCIENTISTS VIEW OF INFLUENCE OF
BRAIN POWER on HISTORY.
SIR Norman Lockyer Pessimistic i'm
ConparinE His Country's schools
with Americas.

SOUTHPORT. England. Sept. e.-The
British Association for the Advancement Of
Science met tonight at the opera house
here, which was crowded. Sir Norman
Lockyer delivered his presidential address,
entitled, THE Influence Of Brain Power
on History" During the course Of his re-
marks the president referred at length to
the struggle for existence in modern COM
munitiee showed that British industries
were suffering from international compe-
tition. dwelt on the necessity for a body,
such as the British association. dealing with
the organization OF science. and said:
"Our position as a nation. our success as
merchants. are in peril chiehy--dealing with
preventable causes-because Of our lack OF
completely efficient universities and our
neglect of research.
1--WE in Great Britain have eleven uni
versities competing with 134 state and pri-
vately endowed In the United States and
twenty-five state endowed in Germany.
The German state gives TO one university
more than the British government allows
Ieges in England. Ireland, Scotland and
Wales put together. These are the con-
ditions which regulate the production of
and Great Britain respectively. and the
excuse Of the government is that this Is
q matter for private effort. Do not our
ministers of state know that other civilized
countries grant efficient state aid. and,
further. that private effort has provided in
Great Britain less than 10 per cent. of the
sum thus furnished in the United States
In addition TO state aid?
endowment in this country? In spite of
the muniicence displayed by a small num-
Der Of individuals in some localities, the
truth. must be spoken. In depending our
country upon this form OF endowment we
are trusting TO a broken reed. III We take
forerunners OF universities unless we are
20 perish from lack of knowledge. we find
found less than $4,000 600; that is 100000
for buildings and $4,000 a year income
This gives US an average OF &165OOO for
buildings, and 800 for yearly income.
What Is the scale of private effort we
have TO compete with In regard TO the
American universities? In the United
stiles and colleges have received more than
E40,000000 from this source alone, private
effort supplied nearly 100000 in the years
1s9s-1oo0.
sums spent by the British government on
"sea power" and the small amount ex-
duplicating the navy bill OF 1859. S12O. 000.-
Co., and devoting that amount TO the in
crease of Great Britains brain power. add
ing: Let this sum be assigned and bor-
rowed as IL is wanted: there will be cap
ttal sum for new buildings to be erected in
the next five or ten years, the interest of
the remainder 10 go towards increased an
nual endowments. IL Is the case of battle
ships over again. and money need not be
spent more freely in one case than in the
other. This sum Is not to be regarded as
practically gone when spent, as in the case
Of short lived ironclad 1t is loan
which will bear high rate of interest
President Loakyer concluded with advo-
eating the establishment of a scientific
tional council, TO act as an advisory COM
mittee to the government.