Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-08
WarpIane Defense
Could Turn Fate Of
World, Hoover Says
Coils for Expansion
Of Scientific Research
In Huverford Talk
Special Dispatch to The Star.

clarlng successful defense against
the warplane could turn the fate of
the world, former President Hoover
said here tonight that the task of de-
veloping that defense posed a chal-
lenge for American science.
Mr.. Hoover spoke at the COM
exercises of Haverford
College, 108-year-old Quaker insti-
tuition, after he had received the
honorary degree of doctor of laws
from Felix Morley, its president.
To overcome the aggressive SUI
periority of the airplane," Mr.. Hoo
yer emphasized. immediate eXpan-
sion of scientific research facilities
is called for.
The airplane was born from the
science of physics" he continued,
and the answer Of effective defense
might come from the same source.
And it imperatively demands re-
search and more research" he said,
for if that answer could come, and
come quickly. it would turn the
whole fate Of the world"
Stresses Need Of Science.
This Nation will have TO look also
to new invention and new discovery
in pure science to counteract the
effect of the tremendous ornaments
program on which it has embarked
Mr.. Hoover said.
whatever the outcome OF these
present wars he amplifled, there
is one thing certain-we shall have
to divert a large segment OF ma
tional energy to armament for
wears TO come. That at once de-
creases the output of articles fol-
public consumption. Unless we car
by some parallel action increase ovl
production of consumption goods
it means an immediate reduction tr
our standard of living.
And there is nothing that car
so contribute to make up that de-
ficiency as new discovery in pure
science and new inventions. From
that source We can get more labor
saving devices and better methods
which increase production. We can
get new materials to substitute for
those we have to take away from
the people for munitions Nor dc
We need to depend wholly on new
discovery and new invention to in
crease our national productivity
We can organize to apply better
what We already know-and that
will produce results"
Cites Farm Problems.
From other viewpoints also there
is need for expanded research work
Mr. Hoover said, pointing to the
problem of developing more indus
trial materials which farmers can
produce in substitution for the over
production of food. Voicing doubts
that s5,0000O0 is spent annually
in this direction, he commented
that we are compelled TO subsidize
the farmer with billion a year
and to regiment him besides, until
We find some such solution as this -
And in the realm of industry II
he said, there are further vast
possibilities in synthetic fibers,
rubber, in the plastics, or new
sources and methods of making
and use of cellulose and a score
of other things There is the field
of metallurgical treatment of low
grade ores. If We developed such
methods We could free ourselves
from depending upon imports of
chrome and manganese. We need
substitutes for materials needed
for defense. ! doubt that actually
three millions a year are spent in
such Laboratories"
S220, 000, 900 Annually.
Mr.. Hoover estimated that ap-
proximately s220000.000 is being
spent annually in the United States
for all scientific research. a sum.
that he said is less than our cos
metics allowance by good deal"
In contrast. he pointed out that
I'VE vii spend 100000, 900 a year
on armament and added:
I'VE will pile most of it up in
national debt If we could invest
l per cent of this in an insurance
policy called research and elimina-
ton of waste. we might save some of
the bankruptcy when these wars
die"