The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
Tod lay S Science
by DAVID DIETZ

A SUGGESTION that Soviet Russia cooperate
L n with other nations in the advancement of
science through the publication of journal of Rus
sian science in the English language and by sending
Russian scientists abroad for research is made by
Prof. a. V. Hill. famous psychologist of London.
Writing in Science. official journal OF the Amer
lean Association for the Advancement of Science
Prof Hill makes his suggestion just after the close
of the fifteenth International Congress of PhySiol
Ogy. This meeting neld in Russia.
Prof Hill writes that the delegates to the con-
gress were impressed by their cordial treatment by
the high respect in which Russia holds science and
by the enthusiasm with which young Russians
entering science and the Soviet government is back
ing science.
The devotion of the state to science is pro-
claimed and huge resources lavished upon Scen-
tific work" he writes Great laboratories and
scientific establishments being built and equipped
III few years there will be literally thousands of
enthusiastic workers in physiology and its allied
sciences
But. add Prof. Hill with all this devotion. with
all these resources with all this faith IN science
not only for its practical uses. but instrument
Of human CULTURES it possible that anything can
be missing? One wonders"
TINE problem is one known in both America and
l Great Britain Prof Hill saws He points out
that neither of these nations give science the backing
OF TIE state in the way Russia does but that America
mas its great foundations and universities such as
the Rockefeller Foundation and the Commonwealth
Fund. while Great Britain has the endowmentS of its
various royal societies. universities. and schools.
We know well that laboratories. equipment,
thousands Of enthusiastic and devoted workers,
public honors paid to scientists not quite negligible
even in capitalist EnglandD are not enough" he
continues With all these in full measure, there
may still be something missing. We know it only too
we'll"
That something" he defines as "a proper degree
of scientific Skeptcism, stern capacity for criticz
ing the work of oneself and others. habit of rig
orouS control of experimental results. STAN
0aro scientific accuracy of experiment and
thought"
DROP. H IL offers three-fold program for Soviet
i Russian science follows
That publication. at least of significant frac-
ton of the important papers, should be made
in some language which the rest of the world can
read. preferably in English. which is more widely
lead than any other language. The japanese pub
bSh journals in English and German. the Italians
IN French. the SCandinavianS in English and Ger
man. the Dutch In English and French
That the ableSt Of the young scientists should
be SEM as a matter of course. outside the Soviet
Union to study in other countries. not merely for
month or two but for sufficient period TO enable
them to MAKE proper scientific contacts"
That conversely. our Russian colleagues would
De gl@on the financial means of purchasing abroad
the journals. at least the most important journals
OF the rest of the world together with sufficient text
DOCKS and monographs on special subjects.