We have the honor to transmit herewith the first of a series of reports on Research A National Resource. This volume deals with Federal relations to research and has been prepared in accordance with your letter of July 19, 1937, by our Science Committee consisting of three members each designated by the National Academy of Sciences, the Social Science Research Council, and the American Council on Education. The subcommittee in charge of the preparation of the study consisted of Dr. Charles H. Judd, Chairman, Dr. William F. Ogburn, and Dr. E. B. Wilson. The Science Committee has agreed to undertake further studies of research by industrial laboratories, business organizations, and by State and local governments. Research constitutes one of our most important national resources. The Federal Government has always played an important role in relation to scientific research, and in the last decade has expended its activities, particularly in the social sciences. If we are to make more effective use of all of the resources of the Nation for the benefit of all of our citizens, our research resources must be conserved and developed. We endorse, in principle, the findings and recommendations of the Science Committee in this report. Sincerely yours, HARRY H. WOODRING, HAROLD L. ICKES, Secretary of the Interior, Chairman. Secretary of War. HENRY A. WALLACE, Secretary of Agriculture. DANIEL C. ROPER, Secretary of Commerce. FRANCES PERKINS, Secretary of Labor. HARRY L. HOPKINS, Works Progress Administrator. FREDERIC A. DELANO. CHARLES E. MERRIAM. HENRY S. DENNISON. III This report was prepared under the direction of a subcommittee of the Science Committee. The latter group is made up of designees of the National Academy of Sciences, the Social Science Research Council, and the American Council on Education. These organizations assume no responsibility for the views and opinions expressed by their designees. IV |