Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01
BY ]. p. GLASS.
BY ]. p. GLASS.
~ r. WILLIS r. WHITNEY says:
Through pure research there will
certainly be continually made other as
needful. and yet unexpected, disclosures
these we now eniOV"


certainly be continually made other as
~ needful, and yet unexpected, disclosures
as these we now enjoy"
And again:
ut seems as if no simple known fact anywhere
need long stand unemployed in world which IS
animated with the will to appreciate and utilize"
These statements came from a man of solid
scientific attainment. Actually, they mes
sage of hope. Scientific disclosures "needful
those We enjoy and the complete employment
of known facts mean continuing program OF
thrilling human experiences, and more 1mpor-
tant, world usefully Interestingly and gaintully
at work amid conditions increasingly favorable
for living.
went to the laboratory of the General Electric
Co. at Schenectady to talk about future possible
marvels of electricity but forsook the idea. Given
the premise contained in the above statements,
one can write his own predictions; and he does
not have to hold a reiE on his imagination.
DR.. Whitney presented arresting thought.
1t that back of the attainment of all knowl-
edge. the building of all machines, there must be
sincere consideration OF moral ana spirlIuaI
values. What profit 1t man to gain the whole
world If he lose his soul?'
How We View Research.
Most of u.s. probably, look upon research as a
cold calculating search for facts. The research
engineer, shrouded for the most in anonymity.
has remained, for the general public, reserved
and self-contained creature singularly lacking In
ordinary emotions.
In Who's Who Dr. Whitney is listed q
chemist. lie is much more than that. He is
philosopher and humanitarian. 1t would not
be going too far also to call HIM poet and artist.
reasonable NUMBER OF contacts Win Sclen-
tifc and engineering minds suggests to me the
thought that in his fiald there many geniuseS
who can be similarly described. This being true,
1t is easy to reckon that the introduction OF the
research laboratory into industry has had noble
effect far removed from the mere production Of
profits. Industrial research must be envisioned
as an incalcuable factor in future human prog
reSS.
In our day we have witnessed development
of historical Importance in the adoption by in
dustrial leadership of conception Of industry
as form of social service in which the welfare
of the worker is considered primary objective.
1t is an interesting fact that almost at the
same time that this conception began to take
form industry launched upon the employment
of scientific research aid to efficiency.
1t is probable that progress in industrial rea-
tionships could not have been achieved without
the aid of industrial research workers. That Is,
scientific research, in one form or another, pro-
duced the by which industry, through
better organization, able to supply better
means and conditions of working; and, through
the manufacture of new devices. better means
and conditions of living. Indeed, in many In
stances the products of research actually led
industry to more enlightened attitudes.
Nothing More Important.
Industrial research has become so important o
thing that it is not unreasonable to say that
nothing is more important. From being mere
appendage of industry it has reached situ-
alton where as DR.. Whitney says, lit is the