New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-15
TIE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION.

By the annual meeting Of the trustees OF the
Carnegie Institution in Washington this week
public attention is directed anew TO compare
lively unique and highly promising benefact1on
To q corporation which was organized for
that purpose less than three years ago Mr. Car
negie presented $10,O00,00O. the revenue from
which was to be used in the broadeSt and most
liberal manner to encourage investigation, re
search and discovery" At the outset the men
who had been requested to execute his wish de-
cided to be governed by three general principles.
They would spend little or nothing for build
ingS, except as it might be deemed wise to
establish laboratories. In the distribution of
the money placed at their disposal they would
cooperate with government bureaus. universe.
ties obseivatories and other existing institutOns
as far as possible For guidance in making their
awards they would seek the assistance of ex-
perts in number OF departments of science. No
fewer than eighteen advisory committees were
appointed. and every one who had ideas about
the best way to carry out Mr.. Carnegie's plan
was invited to communicate them freely.
When the trustees met two years ago. early In
December applications from scientific men and
organizations had been fled representing an
aggregate demand for S220000O The projects
which were distinctly sanctioned by the ad.
visory committees called for an expenditure of
more than 100000, or nearly twice the reve-
! nue. from the endowment, which had been in
vested in per cent bonds. The grants actually
made in 1902 were sxty-sx In number, and In.
volved outlay of about 100000 From the
report of the executive committee presented ar
| this weeks meeting II appears that for the sec
ond year la awards were made, for which the
total amount granted was S3S0.O0O What has
been allowed for the year beginning November
!, 1904 is not announced, reticence concerning
both the amounts and objects evidently being
regarded desirable. Apparently, however the
trustees had an unexpended balance Of nearly
100000 on hand besides the normal income Of
100000 for the current year. Had they deemed
IL judicious to do so. therefore they could bavo
appropriated more than half a million dollars
There is no necessity, OF course for spendin,
every available cent. but. now that the work Of
the institution is well under way. there is less
occasion than there was at first for excessive
caution.
Some time must elapse before the world cen
accurately estimate the value of the encourage
? ment given TO scientific inquiry by the new
agency which mas been called into play by Mr.
Carnegie's generosity Many of the researches
which have thus been made possible must he
+ continued for several years before they will bear
fruit. Nevertheless, there Is already reason IN
believe that large benefits will result from the
stimulus thereby given TO Investigation Tho
subjects OF study to which help has been af
forded are varied as well as numerous. AL
though the men who are engaged in the work
are Win lew exceptions Americans, the theatre
or actlon is the whole globe. Archaeological and
geographical explorations, for instance are be-
ing conducted under the auspices OF the Car