Evening star., 1947-07-07

-W11e WOfLG PnOLO.
fund of scientific information and to find
practical means of using it. We have also
instituted a far-reaching personnel program,
superimposed over all aspects Of our planning,
to make the fullest possible use, in the event
OF another emergency, of every scientist and
engineer in the country, in or out OF the Army,
and to give further scientific training to Quail
fled Army personnel. We expect to use the
talents of every scientifically trained officer
and enlisted man in the Army; we intend to
provi:e the kind of environment in which Army
and civilian scientists can further their careers,
and we accept the challenge of the chief of
staff ito make our professional officers the
equals in knowledge and training of civilians
in similar fields and to make our professional
environment as inviting as that outside"
Although we are dedicated to research and
development to serve military ends, the Army
will not be the only one to profit. History
shows that Army research and development
has contributed continuously to an improved
standard Ct living for all Americans. In the
1s0os, the Army explored surveyed, and opened
the West to pioneers building roads, bridges,
and communications. The Army built the first
railroad in the United States; it built canals,
notably the great Panama Canal. During the
Alaska gold rush, the only link with civilization
was the Alaska cable, constructed and operated
by the Signal Corps. In 1915, the Signal Corps
sent the first successful radio message from
plane to ground. And between the wars, Army
pioneering was chiefly responsible for the
growth of American aviation. -.
Outstanding recent Army contributions in
clude shooting the moon" with radar the
static direction finder which locates distant
storm cnntarS or96 q fold pf roetnOr-
ology; and new sensory aid for the blind
an optical cane"-which enables the sghtless
to locate obstacles within radius of 20 feet.
Outline of Progress Scheduled.
Examples of the projects now in work, or
planned, indicate the scope of our scientific
inquiries.
The Corps of Engineers will work on lighter
and stronger bridges; better maps of the world,
with improved methods for speedy compilation
and mass reproduction; better petroleum pipe
lines; more efficient bodybuilding.
The Chemical Corps will investigate defenses
against toxic agents, including accurate and
simple detecting devices. The Ordnance De-
partment will study ballistics at supersonic
velocities; improvement of fuel, lubricants, and
rust preventives; increased efficiency of free
rockets and 1aunchers; and revolutionary pro-
oulsion systems for vehicles and tanks. The
Signal Corps will conduct research and de-
velopment in communications, field in which
the sky is literally the limit. The Transporta
tion Corps will work on marine equipment and
related items used by the Army. Technical
services will continue studies OF metals, plastics,
rubber, adhesives, cleaning and preserving ma
terials.
The surgeon general will continue research
in battlefield surgery, psychoneurosis, special
or unusual diseases, and immunization. He
will establish physical standards that will cut
down manpoWer loss in another war, and
standards that will permit wider employment
Of the physically handicapped
The quartermaster general will conduct basic
research on all aspects of the relationship
between man and his environment A quar-
termaster consolidated laboratory--or institute
Of mans planned where all enyirohmental
conditions will be studied. The results will
be translated into specifications for food, cloth
ing and equipment -.
Except for the Army Air Forces existing
contract for atomic propulsion, no War De-
partment funds will be used for research and
development in the fields of atomic energy
and fssion products Projects initiated in
these fields by War Department agencies will
be processed by the Research and Develop
ment Division to the Military Liaison Com
lnittee of the Atomic Energy Commission. Di-
rect liaison will be maintained between the
initiating agency and the commission; and
usually research personnel OF the initiating
agency will be assigned to the commission to
work in the project.