This illustration of a national organization of science, including representatives of the army, navy, and civil branches of the Government, coöperating closely with the men of science in civil life, recalls the similar organization in France under Napoleon. Since the Civil War the National Academy has been called upon by the President, by Congress, and by the heads of Government departments to deal with many scientific problems, of the most diverse nature. A new opportunity for national service, which arose with the German menace, was recognized and acted upon nearly a year before the United States entered the present war.

BRC

II

WAR SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL

RESEARCH COUNCIL

GEORGE ELLERY HALE

ROADLY speaking, the organizations of scientific men effected in this country and in Europe under the influence of the war were of two classes: (1) those temporarily constituted, either as separate groups or as parts of existing branches of the army or navy, to deal with military, naval, or industrial problems: and (2) those permanently established for the promotion and development of scientific and industrial research. They therefore correspond to the two general effects that such a war must inevitably produce in unprepared countries, the Governments of which have lacked adequate appreciation of the national value of science: A sudden demand for military and naval equipment of new types and for products formerly imported from enemy countries, and an almost equally sudden recognition of the fact that science and research must henceforth be recognized and developed as national assets of the first importance.

It is obviously impossible within the limits of this book to describe the work of these numerous organizations or even to mention their names, though some typical illustrations of their activities may be found in subsequent chapters. It is to be hoped that adequate reports will be published of the work of such bodies as the Naval Consulting Board and others, both military and civil, that played a prominent part in the war. When temporarily constituted, their history forms an important part of the war record. But when permanently estab

lished, to deal during the war with its special problems, and later to promote the broad interests of scientific and industrial research, they call for special consideration, because of the important bearing of their war activities on those to be undertaken under peace conditions. In the United States the national body of this character is the National Research Council, formed by the National Academy of Sciences at the call of the President.

In April, 1916, when the wanton attack on the Sussex had greatly increased the tension of our relations with Germany, the Academy voted unanimously to offer its services to the President of the United States. He accepted this offer immediately, and expressed the desire that the Academy should bring into coöperation governmental, educational, industrial, and other research agencies, primarily in the interest of the national defense, but with full recognition of the duties that must be performed in the furtherance of scientific and industrial progress.

The Academy's connection with the Government, its inclusion of the whole range of science, and its many years of cooperation with the Royal Society of London, the Paris Academy of Sciences, and other similar institutions abroad, pointed to it as the only body in the United States in a position to comply with the President's request. It was clear, however, that membership in the desired organization should not be exclusively confined to the National Academy. Many technical bureaus of the army and navy, for example, should be represented by their chiefs ex-officio, and in other cases a varied membership, broadly representative of research in its numerous aspects, would also be desirable. The Organizing Committee accordingly proposed the establishment of a new body, resting legally upon the charter of the Academy, sharing its privileges, both at home and abroad, and at the same time affording the wide freedom of selection desired.

The National Research Council, comprising the chiefs of the technical bureaus of the army and navy, the heads of gov

ernment bureaus engaged in scientific research, a group of investigators representing educational institutions and research foundations, and another group including representatives of industrial and engineering research, was accordingly constituted by the Academy with the active coöperation of the leading scientific and engineering societies. The important part taken by the Engineering Foundation, which voted to apply its entire income for the year toward the expense of organization, to give the services of its Secretary, and to provide a New York office for the Research Council, is a noteworthy illustration of the cordial support given by the engineers.

On July 24, 1916, President Wilson addressed the following letter to the President of the National Academy:

Dr. William H. Welch,

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 24, 1916.

President of the National Academy of Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland.

MY DEAR DR. WELCH: I want to tell you with what gratification I have received the preliminary report of the National Research Council, which was formed at my request under the National Academy of Sciences. The outline of work there set forth and the evidences of remarkable progress towards the accomplishment of the object of the Council are indeed gratifying. May I not take this occasion to say that the Departments of the government are ready to coöperate in every way that may be required, and that the heads of the Departments most immediately concerned are now, at my request, actively engaged in considering the best methods of coöperation?

Representatives of government bureaus will be appointed as members of the Research Council as the Council desires.

Cordially and sincerely yours,

(Signed) WOODROW WILSON.

An Executive Order, requesting the National Academy to perpetuate the National Research Council, defining its duties, and providing for the coöperation of the Government, was subsequently issued by the President.

The National Research Council was formally organized at a meeting held in the Engineering Societies Building in New York on September 20, 1916. The United States had not yet broken relations with Germany, but some important steps, looking toward preparation for war, could be taken without delay. A national census of research, including data regarding the equipment for research, the men engaged in it, and the lines of investigation pursued in coöperating Government Bureaus, educational institutions, research foundations, and industrial research laboratories, was taken by a Research Council Committee under the Chairmanship of the Director of the Bureau of Standards. With the coöperation of leading national scientific societies, committees were formed for the three-fold object of strengthening the national defense, developing American industries, and advancing knowledge. Steps were taken to secure the appointment of Research Committees in educational institutions, where many problems relating to the national defense were subsequently investigated. A strong committee was established for the promotion of industrial research, and comprehensive plans were made with the view of securing a far wider recognition of the value of research in the development of American industries.

However, relations with Germany grew rapidly worse, finally resulting in war. On February 28, 1917, the Council of National Defense passed a resolution expressing its recognition of the fact that the National Research Council, at the request of the President, had undertaken to organize the scientific resources of the country in the interest of national welfare, and inviting the Council to coöperate with it in matters pertaining to scientific research for national defense. Soon afterwards, the Research Council was requested to act during the war as the Department of Science and Research of the Council of National Defense. As war approached, the Research Council opened offices in Washington and prepared to give its entire attention to military and naval problems, and to industrial problems developed by our entrance into hostilities.