Evening star., 1940-12-13
Carnegie Institution
Votes S1,362,600
For 1941 Research
Much of Scientific Study
Will Be Devoted to
National Defense

6utIlOrZeQ DV tlle trustees OF uQC
Carnegie Institution of Washington
for scientific research during the
coming year, much, of which will be
concerned with national defense, at
their annual meeting here today.
Among those who heard the an
nual report of President Vannevar
Bush we're former President Hoover
and Gen. John J. Pershing.
Americas S best minds now are
graphing with problems of national
defense which involve the basic laws
of nature, DR.. Bush said in his re-
port.
The institution itself. one of the
largest scientific research organiza-
tions in the world with a far
extended chain of laboratories, has
devoted a major effort to Govern
ment problems during the last few
months, Dr. Bush said At the same
time, 1t has continued various fun
damental lines of research remote
from immediate problems.
1t is essential. DR.. Bush stressed,
that the scientists of America keep
burning the torch of free inquiry
which has been extinguished in
many countries.
Scientists Quicken Pace.
"The emergency" said DR.. Bush,
'has brought a quickened pace and
a new intensity in scientific
activities throughout this country,
even in fields which are remote from
the preparedness program. When a
nation is in danger and this danger
becomes fully appreciated by its
people. slumbering loyalties are
aroused, petty disagreements dis
appear and simple patriotism re-
gains its rightful place.
"a democracy may exhibit a con-
fusing dissidence in times of peace,
but the very freedom of expression
which produces diScord as each small
group pursues it's limited objectives
acts powerfully to unite and stimu-
late when common self interest be-
comes focused by a single clear
threat. Mass thinking takes time
to crystalline and is accompanied
always by disturbing impurities and
contaminationS, but the strength of
the resulting product is very great
Science feels this influence early.
The urge to do something for hu-
manity by improving its knowledge
OF It's environment. is so allied to
the urge to do something definite to
protect ones country from agrees
sion that all scientific effort re-
spends to the stimulus. This is one
of the reasons why fundamental
scientific advance, and in fact basic
accomplishment of many kinds, is
often accelerated rather than re-
tarded by national stress.
Danger Spurs Efforts.
This Is Illustrated by the mag
niflcent achievements of the coterie
of thinkers who appeared in France
during the terrible years following
the revolution. Freedom combined
with danger brings out some of the
finest attributes Of the race. The
sad part Of 1t is that the danger
order to be fully operative, and
when danger is pressing it may be
succeeded by waste and the destruc-
ton of moral as well as physical
value
For the scientist whose talents
apply directly to the means by
which nation defends itself the
c n1
to remember that there are many
who labor on the unspectacular for
every one who manipulates the vital
controls, and that the inevitable con-
fusion which accompanies a change
in the whole mode of life of a ma
ton necessarily wastes fine capa-
bilities on minor things. He should
realize that anonymity and isola-
ton replace the public apprecia-
ton and the open scientific fellow
ship to which he is accustomed. He
may well regret deeply that his ef-
forts, so long devoted to an altruis-
tic ideal embracing the whole of
mankind, become limited for a time
to a narrow national aim.
but lie SHARES IN IndL primal JOY
that comes from intense group effort
IN the defense of his home, sub
limated, it is true, but just as real as
though he stood at the mouth of
cave with few strong men of the
clan armed with stone axes against
hostile world"
Following the annual meeting, the
trustees viewed an exhibit of some
of the outstanding current work of
the institution. These will be open
to the public tomorrow, Sunday and
Monday, with lectures each evening.