Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-17
Research in the Land-Grant Colleges
RaSha rel, ha dafinel the
AND SUCCESSFUL FARMING
Dr. AkDREWM eSOlHE

Research in the Land-Grant Colleges
Research may be defined as the
dlllgent and persistent seeking after
new truth. Each atom of knowledge
that we translate from the unknown
into the understandable or disable
represents a corresponding advance
gent in art, industry or civilization.
A&assarchc is basic to human devel-
opment and progress. 1t is the one
definite means by which man may
acquire the essential information
necessary to an intelligent control
and dominance over the physical
forces by which he is surrounded. 1t
has been facetiously stated that
there is nothing new under the
SUM-" In a certain sense this is
true, because all natural phenomena
have been existent from the creation
Conversely, the fulfillment OF mans
destiny will be accomplished when
his intellectual attachments reach
that stage which will enable him to
interpret and skillfully manipulate
every latent force, power or agency
ciated to the full limits of it's ca
pacity.
The improved economic and social
status of mankind in recent history
Is directly attributable to the general
consideration and attention which
have been accorded research in the
last century. 1t is a far cry from
our ancestors of the cave age and
the stone era down to the present
day. What terrific battle it all
represents and now slowly and with
what difficulty have the innumerable
little discoveries been made and
added to the sum total Of our knowl-
edge which has finally given man
his present standing and supremacy
in world affairs. We live in a Pc
riod of scientific attainment and
achievement which surpasses and
eclipses the keen Illuminating mag
ination of such dreamers as JultB
Verne, Rider Raggard, Tennyson and
other notable savants. Even the Ia
mented Baron Munchhausen might
hope now to find a solid foundation
of scientific facts on which to base
many stories exceeding in fantasy
and romantic setting those which he
actually recorded in his memoirs. I
take 1t that all i1beral-minded and
intelligent men and women now I'm
derstand and realize that the future
development and advancement of
mankind is to be measured and de-
termined largely by the progress of
research. In the past it has been
fashionable and awe-inspiring to
world. Research is mightier than
all OF them combined because
through its agency we have learned
to interpret, use and control these
natural phenomena in a way which
has promoted the brotherhood of
man and advanced the cause Of CIV
ilization.
Judged by the foregoing, one
might reasonably expect that re-
search as a constructive force in
a nation-building program would be
fully VALIDATED; that we would show
a high degree of Difference and
consideration for those who have
devoted themselves to so funda-
mental cause; and that the hon.
ors and emoluments which the
wea1thiest nation in the world has
In its power to bestow would be
showered upon our scientific work
ers. 1t is painful to record that the
reverse of these conditions pertains.
During the last fiscal year it cost
nearly six billion dollars to operate
the government of the United
States. Of this enormous sum, fifty
seven million dollars were devoted
to research and education. On the
basis of our present population we
spent fifty dollars per capita for
war purposes-past, present or an
ticipated, and fifty cents per capita
for investigation and education. Of
the huge expenditures made by our
nation, ninety-three per cent was as
ISOLATED with war enterprises and
one per cent was spent for educa-
ton and scientific investigation. 1t
Is marvellous, and 1 use the word
advisedly, that such a condition can
prevail in what we fondly term