Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-06
TO REACH THE TRUTH
Director Woodward Tells of
Aims of Carnegie Institution.
ALL THE WORK PRACTICAL
Operations Carried on by Ten De-
partments.
STUDYING SPOTS ON THE SUN
Experiments to Determine the Com
parative Values of Foods-Plant
Life in the West.
ALL THE WORK PRACTICAL
STUDYING SPOTS ON THE SUN
RY WILLIAM r.. CURTIS.

written Inc star ana Tue thlcago Record
Herald
DR. Robert S Woodward. director OF
the Carnegie Institute OF Washington.
tells me that since its organization in
1902 about 1900 individuals have been
engaged in making Investigations under
its auspices, and that nearly 800 are so
engaged at the present. The total amount
expended up to the 3lst of December.
1908. for this scientific work has been
$3.50, 2236
Ten independent departments of re-
search, each with its staff of investi-
gators and assistants. have been estab-
lished. In addition to these larger de-
partments. organized by the institution
itself. numerous special researches car
ried on by individuals have been subsi-
died. Six laboratories for as many diff
ferent nelds of investigation. and in wide
ly separated localities. have been con-
structed and equipped.
temporary observatory for measuring
the positions of the fixed stars of the
southern hemisphere is now being eStab-
lished at San Luis. Argentine Republic.
Work in almost every field of research,
from archaeology and astronomy to Their
modynamics and zoology, has been under
taken. and the geographical range of this
different countries One hundred and nine
teen volumes of reports Of our researches
in twenty different fields of research with
an aggregate of more than $4,000 pages,
have been published, and twenty-seven
additional volumes are now in press. In
ADDITION to these publications issued by
the institution about 900 shorter papers
have been published in the current jour-
nails of the world by departmental in
vestlsators, by associates and by assist
ants.
Work Of Practical Character.
'All this work has been of a practical
character. said DR.. Woodward, land
chiefly work that cannot be done by pri-
vate enterprise because Of the expense
involved and the lack of facilities. That
is the purpose of the institution, to ac-
compl!sh things which cannot be done by
other organizations or by individuals, and
to assist both organizations and indi-
viduals where such assistance seems to
be practicable and deserving.
All our work is practical from our
point of view. and all the results pro-
duced by our investigators we expect to
be useful to mankind. although every
body cannot utilize them Immediately. We
are acquiring information for the general
good, wherever human interests of i'm
pOrtance lie. and are trying to reach the
truth and to enlarge the boundaries of
knowledge. But We do not undertake to
demonstrate theories: We do not go into
controversial matters, and we have no
desire to confirm preconceived opinions.
We investigate and report results whether
they prove or disprove accepted theories"
You find plenty to do?' I asked.
Ten Permanent Departments.
"One Of the most remarkable results Of
the Carnegie Institution up to date Is to
disclose the vast fertility of American
genius. We cannot undertake per cent
OF the worthy projects that are brought
to our attention. not to mention those
that are unworthy. 1t is a continual tax
upon our judgment and a strain upon our
ambition to be compelled to refuse assist
anCe to men who are undertaking USE
ful and important tasks for the public
good to which our means will not permit
us etO render assistance
The ten permanent departments of the
institution and the names of the direc-
tors are as follows:
| Botanical research: D. T. MacDougal
director.
2. Economics and sociology: Carroll b.
Wright. director.
:. Experimental evolution: Charles B.
Davenport. director.
4. Geophysical research: Arthur L.
Day, director.
> Historical research: j. F. Jameson
director.
6. Marine biology: Alfred G. Mayer, di-
rector.
l. Meridian astrometry: Lewis Boss, di-
rector.
s Research in nutrition: Francis G.
Benedict. director.
g. Solar research: George E. Hale. d.
rector.