Evening star., 1924-04-28
Text of Presidents address

stitution, he was inclined to view
the institution as a rather use
less luxury. but he said, lit must
be a grand school If it produces
such thinkers as he" Later on
in 1864. when the very founda-
tions of the nation were shaken
with civil war, the same Presi-
dent looked from the Executive
Mansion OH the Smithsonian build
ing, which was burning, and re-
marked to some military gentle
men present: Gentlemen, beyond
is a. national calamity. We have
no time to think about it now; we
must attend to other things.
Founding of Academy.
1t was in these days of strife
that a senator from Massachus-
etts Henry Wilson, later Vice
President. put through the two
houses OF Congress a bill incor-
porating the National Academy OF
Sciences in the United States OF
Anne rica. President Lincoln signed
this bill. just how much the war
Influenced the recognition OF
necessity for such a body is not
known, but war problems were
assigned to the academy and acted
Cn. Since then many government
scientific questions have been re-
ferred to IL by the PRESIDENT
mombers of the cabinet, and COM
mittees OF Congress, and the acad-
emy members have lent themselves
to the work of solving these prob
lens, knowing that their only
COMPENSATION would be the knowl-
edge that they had served the
government Of the United States
to the best of their ability.
The period of individual work
in science continued in America
up to the time of the world war.
Then a change came over the es-
tablished methods of warfare. In
stead of individual lighting indi-
Vidual, il was masses against
masses. Scientific problems in re-
search for the solution of war
matters could not. therefore. he
solved by one man. but must he
worked out by those interested in
the same field Realizing this
fact, and knowing of the many
experts in the various helds OF
science covered by the academy,
a request was made to President
Wilson by the academy to call
the leading scientific men OF
America for service under the
guidance of the National Academy
OF Sciences and to organize body
to solve problems which required
cooperative research.
Research Council Begins.
Thus began the National Re
search Council. and later the Coun-
Gil of National Defense requested
it TO act as the department of
research of that body. After the
armistice was signed the Presi
dent of the United States, appre-
ciating the value OF what had
been done. requested the National
Academy Of Sciences to reorganiZe
the National Research Council
under its charter on a permanent
peace basis, and with this request
cooperation in scientific research
was given a firm foundation.
Upon the assumption OF this
added responsibility it was found
that the old quarters OF the acad-
emy at the Smithsonian Institu-
tion were not adequate. \ num-
ber OF philanthropists who recog-
nized what splendid work could be
done if ample space and facilities
were available, contributed sum
sufficient to secure the lot on
street between 21st and 22d and
Z streets. The Carnegie Corpora
ton of New York then donated
the building. which may be termed
the Temple of Science in America
1t is not place of mystery. but
one to lead the public in thinking
deeply and seeing how research
can explain fundamental prob
lens.
Nothing with more promise than
the fifth period. that of the future
of American science, could come to
the American people. The scientific
man is rending the earth to reveal
its secrets. Truth must prevail
for the betterment of mankind
II
or science are putting into the
problems of research, Diogenes
would certainly have a chance to
lay down his Quarterstaff and
lantern and rest. if he would turn
his search in their direction.
Sees New Day in Science.
This magnificent building now
being dedicated to science predicts
new day in scientific research.
A new sun is rising. 1t is destined
to illuminate the scientific world
by Illuminating this hall
One of the most important DOS
sibilttfes for service of the Ma
tional Academy of Sciences in the
future lies in it's opportunity for
inspiring the people of America to
insistence upon having the truth,
and nothing but the truth. regard
ing everything that touches our
life as a nation. 1t is always to
be borne in mind that while the
peculiar relation Of the academy
to the government of the United
states may concern the conduct of
specific researches the example of
dignified emphasis upon the truth
as reached by correct thinking in
every department of research, and
in its practical applications. may
be a contribution of inestimable
value to the whole people.
1t is for this purpose that the
government sets it's stamp of ap-
proval upon this effort and joins
in dedicating this building to the
betterment of the human race by
achieving a clearer knowledge of
the truth.