Evening star., 1945-09-06


of any thinking American that
members of Congress are grosslv un-
derpaid and have been for ND ny
alone upon brilliant inspiration OF
sudden flights of genius. We have
recently had a dramatic demonstra.
ton of this truth. In peace and In
war, progress comes slowly in small
new bits, from the unremitting day.
by-day labors of thousands of mer
and women.
No nation can maintain position
of leadership in the world of today
unless it develops to the full its
scientific and chronological re-
sources. No government adequately
meets its responsibilities unless II
generously and intelligently sup
ports and encourages the work OF
science in university, industry and
in its own laboratories.
Urges Research Agency.
During the war we have learned
much about the methods of organiz-
ing science, and about the ways OF
encouraging and supporting its &C.
tivities.
The development of atomic energy
Is a clear-cut indication of what
can be accomplished by our uni
versities, industry and Government
working together. Vast scientific
fields remain to be conquered in the
same way.
In order to derive the full profit in
the future from what we have
learned, I urge upon the Congress
the early adoption of legislation fol-
the establishment of a single Fed
eral research agency which would
discharge the following functions
l. Promote and support funda-
mental research and DEVELOPMENT
projects in all matters pertaining
to the defense and security of the
Nation.
2. Promote and support research
IN the basic sciences and in the
social sciences.
3. Promote and support research
In medicine, public health and allied
fields
4. Provide financial assistance in
the form of scholarships and grants
Tor young men and women of proved
scientific ability.
5. Coordinate and control di-
verse scientific activities now con-
Quoted by the several departments
and agencies of the Federal Gov
ernment.
8. Make fully, freely and publicly
available to commerce. industry
agriculture and academic institu-
tlons the fruits Of research financed
by Federal funds.
Would Centralize Functions.
Scientific knowledge and scientific
research are a complex and inter-
related structure. Neurological ad-
vdnces in one field may have great
significance for another apparently
unrelated. Accordingly, urge upon
the Congress the desirability of
centralizing these functions in a
single agency.
Although science can be co-ordi-
mated and encouraged, 1t cannot
be dictated to or reeimented
Science cannot progress unless
founded on the free intelligence
OF the scientist. l stress the fact
that the Federal research agency
here proposed should in no wa
impair that freedom.
Even if the Congress promptly
adopts the legislation / have rec
commended. some months must
eiapse before the newly established
agency could commence its opera
tions. To fill what 1 hope will be
only temporary gap, I have asked
the Ofice of Scientific Research
ana Development and the Research
Board for National Security to con-
tinue their work.
Our economic and industrial
strength, the physical well-being of
our people, the achievement of full
employment and full production
ene future OF our security and the
preservation of our principles will
be determined by the extent to
which we give full and sincere SUD-
port to the works Of science.
1t Is with these works that we
can build the highroads to the
future.
Is. Tax Revision
Taxes will play a vital role in at
tanning prosperous peace.
l recommend that a transitional
tax bill be enacted as soon as pos
sible to provide limited tax reduc-
tions for the calendar year 1916.
Like the Tax Adjustment Act of
ls45, the new bill should aim prin-
clpally at removing barriers To
speedy reconversion and to the ex-
Of our peacetime economy
Inls matter has been under study
Jointly by congressional and Treas
ury tax STATS. 1 am assured that
a program will be ready for early
consideration by the Congress.
we must reconcile ourselves to
the fact that room for tax reduce
ton at this time is limited. A total
war effort cannot be liquidated over
night.
1t is estimated that war expendi-
cures IN the current fiscal year will
drop $40, ,000, ,000, 900 below last wear
but that they will still amount to
$50 ,000, ,000, 900 out of total expendi-
lures Of $4,000, 100000. With eur
rent receipts estimated at $36 5000 :
100000, we face an estimated deficit
Of $4,000, ,000. 900 in the current
fiscal year. Expenditures, although
further reduced, will necessarily
continue at high levels in the fiscal
year 1947.
In considering tax reductions for
1916 we must not lose sight of the
budgetary situation and our obli-
cations to 85,00o,0o0 bondholders.
After passage of the transitional
bill, I hope that the Congress will
give careful consideration to the
modernization of the Federal tax
structure. A major objective of this
modernization should be the en-
Of business incentives
and expansion, and OF consumer
purchasing power. In this connec-
kion oovc{I aro@ta~, ~ S,,.<l.. 49,