Evening star., 1916-09-29
PLANNING FORPART
NC0MMERC|AL WAR
Leading Men of Science in
U. S. Form the National
Research Council.
SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS
INVITED TO COOPERATE
Will Encourage Increased Use of
Science in Development of
American Industries.

eAASAASss4A
With the avowed purpose of lending
their aid to American industry in the
great commercial world war that will
follow the close of the European war,
leading men of science of the country
have mobilized their interests and have
formed the National Research Council,
with a membership of men known
throughout the world for their accom-
plishments along the line of science.
Nine prominent United States govern
ment officials have been honored by
membership in this council. These are
Maj. Gen. William Crozier. chief of ord
nance, L. S. A; Brig. Gen. William C.
Gorgas, surgeon general, L. S. A; DR..
Charles H. Holmes. curator. National
Museum; Van H. Manning, director of the
United States bureau of mines; Prof.
Charles F. Marvin, chief United States
weather bureau; Lieut.. Col. George o.
SQuier, chief of aviation, L. s. A; Dr. s.
w. Stratton. director United States bu-
reau Of standards; Chief Constructor
David W. Taylor. L. S. N. and Dr.
Charles D. Walcott, secretary Smith
sonian Institution
Van H. Manning, director of the bu-
reau OF mines. who has just returned
from the organizing meeting of the re-
search council. held in New York, said
today that he considered this one of
the most important steps that has been
taken by this country in behalf of in
dustry.
Timely Action by q. S.
With the unusual activities in other
countries in preparation for the indus
trial future" said Mr. Manning, the
United States has not taken up this
work too soon. Perhaps, as result of
the war revelations as to preparedness,
foreign countries have taken up in a
national way the betterment of their
industries. Great Britain has just es-
tab!ished an advisory council for SCI
entfnc and industrial research, and
even Australia has formed national
institute of science and industry.
TT Is the purpose of the American
Research Council to bring into intel
ligent cooperation all of the existing
governmental. educational. industrial
and other research organizations of
the country with the object of encour-
aging the increased use Of science in
the development of American Industries,
the employment of scientific methods in
strengthening the national defense and
such other Investigations as will pro-
mote the national security and welfare
Special Work Planned.
The council has already organized
a number of special committees The
first of these is to inquire into the
nitric acid supply, in cooperation
with the American Chemical Society
and is to investigate the processes
IA hA ~ ~ NIT iv
to select the best means of preparing
the nitric acid required in the manu-
facfure Of powder and high explosives
4 second committee will cooperate
surgeons to develop and utilize new
methods of preventative medicine for
the protection of troops in the field
There IL also committee on organic
American Chemical Society. to secure
cooperation among chemists in re-
searches required for the manufacture
Of dyestuffs, synthetic medicines and
other medicines made scarce by the
war. Still another committee will act
with the American Physical Society
and the Electrical Engineers to develop
and apply the most effective devices
for military communications. the de-
lection OF submarines and for other
These are some of the immediate
problems that the research council
will take up. but its activities will be
broadened to such an extent as to in
problem that will help American in
dustries.
THE different universities and colleges
of the country will play an important
1ole In this work. ! understand that
Throop College of Technology of Cali
fornia. hearing Of the formation of the
council. Immediately obtained an addi-
tional endowment of 100000 so that
The engineering foundation. an insti-
tuition endowed by one of the country s
great scientific men, Ambrose Swasey OF
Cleveland. Ohio. has agreed to finance
the council for the first year of its
existence. Altogether. ] look for some
striking developments in the aid of
American industry.
Indorsed by President Wilson.
The National Academy Of Sciences
which is responsible for the creation OF
the research council. has the indorse-
ment of President Wilson in a letter
rent to the president Of the academy
Dr William H. welch of Baltimore
I'D
~ want to tell you with what graft
featicn have received the preliminary
i>p-rt Of the National Research Coun-
I'll hich was formed AT my request
tnder the National Academy of Sciences
the President wrote. The outline OF
work there set forth and the evidences
of remarkable progress toward the ac-
compiishment of the object of the
council are indeed gratifying. May ]
not take this occasion to say that the
departments Of the government are
ready to cooperate in every way that
may be required, and that the heads
Of the departments most Immediately
concerned are now. at my request. ac-
lively engaged in considering the bes,
methods of cooperation. Representa-
tivea Of Kovernment bureaus will be