Evening star., 1924-04-28
COOLIDGE DELEGATES
new SCIENCE HOME
National Academy Exemplifes
American Passion for Truth,
President Declares.
EFFECT UPON RELIGION SEEN
Merriam Says Researches May Up
set Some Current Views.

Speaking at the dedicatory exercises
Academy of Science and the National
Research Council, President Coolidge
declared today that "a new sun is
rising which is destined to illumi-
nate the scientific world and inspire
anew in America an insistent demand
for "the truth, and nothing but the
truth"
Gathered in their newest shrine,
erected near the Lincoln Memorial at
a cost of about s1,5O0,O0o many Of
the leading scientists Of the world
heard the Presidents address, while
far larger audience throughout the
eastern United States listened in
through the far-fung voice Of the
radio.
Traces Growth of Science.
President Coolidge quickly traced
the intimate relationships which
from the days of Benjamin Franklin
have existed between science and the
American government, asserting that
''if there is one thing in America
which is e-eminent. it is disposi-
ton to follow the truth" Briefly de-
failing the five periods into which he
said science in this country may be
divided. the President concluded:
One of the most important possi-
bilities for service of the National
Academy of Sciences in the future lies
in its opportunity for inspiring the
people of America to insiStence upon
having the truth and nothing but the
truth regarding everything that
touches our life as nation. 1t is
always to be borne in mind that while
the peculiar relation to the academy
to the government may con-
cern specific researches, the example
of dignified emphasis upon the truth
every department of research
may be a contribution of inestima BILE
value to the whole people
Wins OniciaI Approval.
1T is for this purpose that the gov
ernment sets its stamp of approval
upon this effort and joins in dedicat-
ing this building to the betterement
of the human race by achieving a
clearer knowledge of the truth"
Almost within reach of the Presi-
dent, the exhibits of science achieve
ments bore mute testimony to the
truth of his own statements. The
marvellous instruments with which
science may measure the wave length
of light or the diameter of stars mill
lions of miles away, others for meas
uring variations in the earth's mag
netism and instruments like those
used by the weather bureau to de-
termine what the morrow may bring
climatically lay in quiet efficiency.
Directly in front of the President q
arched dome of the auditorium, swung
to and fro with almost distracting
consistency, proving beyond contro-
versy that the earth is rotating. In a
room nearby the visitor might see Tor
himself the effects of the collisions of
atoms and the tracks of the flying
particles by means of a Wilson,
Shimizu, though the particles travel
ed at a speed of 0,000 miles a second.
Response by Merriam.
1t was in such an atmosphere as
this that science dedicated it's Ameri-
can temple to progress. DR.. John c.
Merriam, president of the Carnegie
Institute Of. Washington and vice
president of the National Academy of
Sciences, responded to President Cool
idge. After briefly outlining some
thing of the foundation of the acad-
envy, Dr. Merriam pointed out that
the ceremonies of today seemed ike
fruition of the vision, plans and
hopes of many years.
knowing as we do" he continued,
| that the JOY in recognizing advance
is itself essential to progress, TINS
fConfinued on Page 4, Column 2.)