Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-08
CONFERENCE OF SCIENTISTS
SESSIONS EXPECTED TO BE OF
DEEP IMPORTANCE.
Proper Expenditure for Experiment.
and Research in Agriculture
Considered.

The commission recently appointed to in
quire into and report as to the organization
and policy that should prevail in the ex-
penditure of public moneys provided for
scientific experimentation and research in
the interest of agriculture has held sew
eral sessions in Washington in the past
few days. during which the work Of the
various members was laid out. The men,
bers have discussed the proposed work with
President Roosevelt, and he is much in
terested in what 1t is expected to accom-
plish.
The nature and scope of the work of the
commission are discussed in a letter from
L. H. Bailey of Cornell University to Presi-
dent Starr Jor1on Of Leland Stanford Uni
versity. COPY OF which letter has been
received by Clifford Pinchot. chief Of the
forestry service Mr.. Bailey 10 president
of the Association of Agricultural Colleges
and Experiment Stations. which the COM
mission represents, and Mr.. Jordon h chair
man Of the commission. The other mem
bers of the commission include. besides DR..
Jordan. Clifford Pfnchot, Carroll D. Wright.
w. HI. Jordan of New York and Mr..
Armsby. director Of the agricultural ex-
Reason for the Commission.
President Bailey in his letter says:
THE occasion for the creating Of the
commission lies in the fact that in the
very rapid evolution of experimentation
and research in agriculture in the United
States there has not yet arisen clear un-
Outstanding Of mutual limits and relation
ships, q settled policy in relation to
many large public questions. We need
to work out principles of action.
There undoubtedly needs to be CORE
lating and harmonizing of subjects and
methods; an understanding Of the proper
scope function and limitations of national
and state agencies; conception of the re-
lationS of institutions in the states to fed
eral appropriations and control; of the
most effective distribution of investigation
efforts among the different state and ma
tiOnal institutions; consideration of the
influence eXerted on research in agr1cui-
ture by the current methods of approprla-
lions by legislatures; of the relation of the
individual worker to institutional organ
ization; discussion of what constitutes re-
search that shall produce useful and
worthy results; the relation of this re-
search to the teaching and publicity func-
lions of the institutions: consideration of
the relations of research in agriculture to
the general body science and coordination
or them, and in general such a directing
of experiment and research in the interest
of agriculture shall compact and econ
omize the work, render it more fertile and
effective. and integrate it with wise poll
cies in the interest of the public welfare.
Should Consider Methods
'It lies with the commission to cover
much or little of this field: but it will be es-
sential to consider the best methods of Or
ganizing research work, the mutual rela-
lions of experiment stations and federal
agencies, and the general character of re-
search they may issue from institutions
founded on public money. The two mem
bers representing the association are famil-
lar with the questions that need most to
be discussed
President Bailey says that the commits
sion may consider any other research work
supported by public money that promotes
agricultural knowledge and efficiency. 1t
cannot, he says, neglect direct educational
questions in so far as they touch the inter-
relation of experiment and teaching in the
institutions. and particularly as they relate
to the training of men to understand re-
search.