Evening star., 1959-12-29
Cabinef-Rank
Science Office
UrgedforU.S 5.
BY q star stan Writer

CHICAGO, Dec. ga rank.
ing Government scientist has
called for creation of a cabinet
rank science department to
take over all basic scientific
work for all branches Of the
Federal Government.
Only by establishing such an
operating agency. DR.. Wallace
R. Brode said last night, will the
Nation be able to meet the
demands of technology with the
scientific assets available.
DR.. Brode, who is serving as
science adviser to the Secretary
of State and who is on leave
as associate director of the Ma
tional Bureau of Standards,
outlined his proposal in a
speech before the American
Association for the Advance.
ment of Science. The talk, en-
titled Development of a Sci
ence Policy" was DR.. Brodes
traditional swan song" ad-
dress as retiring president of
AAAS.
The scientist, q noted chemist
as well as Government admin
istrator, rejected arguments
that resulted early this year
In the shelving of a proposal
to create such an agency. He
said the matter should be re-
opened at once.
Wants Real Setup
I'VE should be certain that
it is in fact as well as in name
an operating department" DR..
Brode said. "It should not be
a superstructure imposed on
existing organizations, but :.
an honest and real effort to
mesh the scientific interests
and objectives of our Govern
ment in the fullest utilization
of resources.
THUS a department Of SCI
ence, while not removing from
agencies such as Defense and
Agriculture applied research
programs specific to their mis-
sion, should however include all
major segments of science not
specifically pertinent to an
applied mission.
"It should have separate
bureaus or institutes with suit
able directors of distinction to
deal with space, atomic energy.
medicine, weather, patent in.
formation. physical science.
geology and other recognized
areas Of Importance. E.
ITO provide the admins
trative head with broad and
helpful advice it would seem
reasonable to create an advisory
council (this) might be
helpful in arriving at decisions
on extent and character Of sup
port which the Government
should provide"
SLABS at Defense
DR.. Brode noted with alarm
the domination Of the national
research scene by defense
agencies" in which he Jumped
the military services. the
Atomic Energy Commission
end the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
This domination, which he
said adds up to about IS per
cent of the total basic research
bill Of the whole American
economy, creates a situation
of artificial priorities which
often works against scientific
projects.
A department Of science, DR..
Brode said, should be run By
scientists and career civil SER
wants. He criticized "the pro-
cedure to try to find someone
to come in from the outside"
to run a major agency.
Seldom does one seriously
consider the appointment of a
career civil servant even though
there are in the Government
career civil servants who may
be recognized in other nations
as world authorities :"
Speaking generally against
this outside-recruitment trend.
DR.. Brode added:
THE Government should de-
velop within its own establish
ment sufficient capabilitv to
operate its agencies; and our
policy decisions, whether they
be in science, taxation or well
fare, should not be made with
out guidance from government.
ally experienced personnel"