Evening star., 1924-04-28

President Coolidge spoke as follows
If there be one thing in which
America is pre- eminent it is a dis
position to follow the truth. 1t is
this sentiment which characterized
the voyage of Columbus. It was
the moving impulse of those who
were the leaders in the early settle
ment of our country, and has been
followed in the great decisions of
the nation through all its history.
Sometimes this has been repre-
sented by political action, some
times by scientific achievements.
On this occasion the emphasis is
on the side of science.
BY science | mean the careful
assembling of facts, their compari-
son and Interpretation. OF those
who are entitled to high rank in
both our political and semitic life,
perhaps Benjamin Franklin was
the earliest and one of the most
conspicuous examples. But it is
the same spirit that has moved
through all our life. which makes
it particularly appropriate that
our national government should be
active in its encouragement of the
searching out of the truth in the
physical world and applying 1t to
the well being of the people. as
it is interested in the searching
out of the truth in the political
world, with the same object in
view.
Quotes WashinEtOn's Advice.
President Washington in his
farewell address to the American
Natn
an object of primary Importance,
institutions for the general diffu-
sion of knowledge. In proportion
as the structure of government
gives force to public opinions it
should, be enlightened" II was
the first President of the United
States who saw the necessity of
research in this country. Jeffer-
son, our third President. was him
self a research worker by natural
gift, and loved the problems which
gave him a broader knowledge
of our natural surroundings. The
beginning of our government,
therefore. had to do with the in
Ception OF scientific research in
the United States.
American science may be divided
into FIVE periods-the Jefferson
period. that of Silliman, the Agas
Siz period, the present period of
cooperative research, when no one
dominates. and the future. for
which definite foundations are be-
ing laid.
The jefferson period began even
before Jefterson's term as Presi-
dent. PalaeontOlogy in the United
States had its beginning in the
publication in 1897 of Jefferson's
paper on the MegalonyX or great
claw. The first large palaeonto-
logical laboratory in THIS country
was in the east room of the White
House. where jefferson arranged
his fossils for study.
Former President Aids Science.
The Silliman period covers large
ly the first half of the last century.
During this time the National In
stitution for the Promotion of
Science and Art was established in
the nations Capital, which prom
iSed to be a rival to the American
Philosophical Society in Philadel-
phia- Meanwhile the American
association was started. Also, in
this period, an eX-President of the
United States was concern ed in
the founding of an institution for
research. John Quincy Adams in
his own handwriting amended the
bill to establish the Smithsonian
Institution. giving it the broad
scope which it has today
The third period, that of Agas
Siz. again brings a President for
Abraham Lincoln, deeply interest
ed in the welfare Of the American
people. confessed that up to the
time when he became President
and talked with Joseph Henry,
then head of the Smithsonian In