The Washington herald., 1922-05-29
Romance in Science.

WYE wonder whether trustees OF the Smith
w sonian Institution would consider serious
proposal to employ H. G. Wells, Gilbert X. Ches-
terton, Sax Roemer, A. Conan Doyle or The Wash
ington Herad's police reporter to prepare an extra
edition of their annual report.
The material American scientists gather
throughout the year is far too rich in romance to
be left entirely to the enjoyment OF scholars. 1t
is welLenough to present conjectures an inhab-
tied Venus in mathematical and chemical terms to
suit the tastes of astronomers. They also can be
presented Just as correctly, with the lighter, i'm
agnative touch which will make the report one Of
the years best sellers. In fact the institution may
be overlooking a source of considerable revenue by
neglecting this step. We can imagine learned doc
tors Of philosophy at Clark or Johns Hopkins uni
versities staying awake all night with breathess
anticipation they turn the pages of this years re-
port. But the same book will induce sleep for the
young lady who files claims at the Veterans Bureau.
Why not present the matter in a form-a
form that will hypnotize the sophomore at George
town University and the farm boy in Fairfax
County Virginia? This service could be rendered,
under scientific supervision, by any capable writer
of fiction. What material for evidence of
life on Venus affords! Do men and women like
ourselves exist 100000 miles away in space?
Fascinating mystery surrounds the very idea.
According to DIR. c. C. Abbott, assistant secre-
tary of the Smithsonian Institution, not only may
Venus, nearest neighbor, be inhabited but
there may exist hundreds of dark, unknown stars
which support life. He holds forth prospects
OF wireless communication Some day OF course,
Venus is especially interesting. Star of morning,
star Of evening. star of 1ove-astronomers roman
ticsts and poets from the days of first written rec
ords never have tired of writing about her. Luci-
fer, Hesperus. fair maiden of the heavens-her re-
latons with this poor earth ever have been most
intimate.
Perhaps Mr.. F. Scott Fitzgerald could have
prepared that particular article best for popular
consumption. He would not need to sacrifice DIR
Abbott's accuracy to use the same material for a
novel entitled "The 'Flapper STAR which instantly
would catch the eyes of all the girls who work IN
the Navy Department and all the first and second
year cadets at Annapolis. OF course, Mr.. Fitz-
gerald's work would disgust scientists They would
not need to read it. 1t would however be an
effective of putting scientific data before the
public in striking fashion that everyone would
read ,. ,. ,,, -. .
in Mr. H. G. Wells time machine through the
upper Cretacious geological period In this years
report DR.. G. w. G imorc presents an account Of
the great horned dinosaurs who roamed the swamps
in those days which doubtless will prove fSscnat-
ing for anthropoogists socioogists and geologsts.
But it is most likely to remain unread by news
paper copy readers. Methodist ministers, grand
opera singers conductors on the Southern Railroad
and walters in Greek restaurants. Not that DR..
Gilmore is not able writer But he is not labor
ing for the amusement of the man in the street.
Mr.. Wells. on the other hand. not only can appr.-
cate the value of scientific accuracy but he can in
volve the whole subject in intangible mystery which
appeals to everyone.
And we would like to read about one of those
dark. unknown stars DIR. Abbott writes about after
1t had passed through the crucible of A. Conan
Doyles imagination. Its inhabitants woad be
human interesting folks indeed when seen from the
viewpoint of the author of THE Hound of the
Basksrvlles."