No. 91. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1751. Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici, HOR. To court the great ones, and to sooth their pride, CREECH. The Sciences having long seen their votaries labouring for the benefit of mankind without reward, put up their petition to Jupiter for a more equitable distribution of riches and honours. Jupiter was moved at their complaints, and touched with the approaching miseries of men, whom the Sciences, wearied with perpetual ingratitude, were now threatening to forsake, and who would have been reduced by their departure to feed in dens upon the mast of trees, to hunt their prey in deserts, and to perish under the paws of animals stronger and fiercer than themselves. A synod of the celestials was therefore convened, in which it was resolved, that Patronage should descend to the assistance of the Sciences. Patronage was the daughter of Astrea, by a mortal father, and had been educated in the school of Truth, by the Goddesses, whom she was now appointed to protect. She had from her mother that dignity of aspect, which struck terror into false merit, and from her mistress that reserve, which made her only accessible to those whom the Sciences brought into her presence. She came down with the general acclamation of all the powers that favour learning. Hope danced before her, and Liberality stood at her side, ready to scatter by her direction the gifts which Fortune, who followed her, was commanded to supply. As she advanced towards Parnassus, the cloud which had long hung over it, was immediately dispelled. The shades, before withered with drought, spread their original verdure, and the flowers that had languished with chilness brightened their colours, and invigorated their scents; the Muses tuned their harps and exerted their voices; and all the concert of nature welcomed her arrival. On Parnassus she fixed her residence, in a palace raised by the Sciences, and adorned with whatever could delight the eye, elevate the imagination, or enlarge the understanding. Here she dispersed the gifts of Fortune with the impartiality of Justice, and the discernment of Truth. Her gate stood always open, and Hope sat at the portal, inviting to entrance, all whom the Sciences numbered in their train. The court was therefore thronged with innumerable multitudes, of whom, though many returned disappointed, seldom any had confidence to complain; for Patronage was known to neglect few, but for want of the due claims to her regard. Those, therefore, who had solicited her favour without success, generally withdrew from publick notice, and either diverted their attention to meaner employments, or endeavoured to supply their deficiencies by closer application. The In time, however, the number of those who had miscarried in their pretensions grew so great, that they became less ashamed of their repulses; and, instead of hiding their disgrace in retirement, began to besiege the gates of the palace, and obstruct the entrance of such as they thought likely to be more caressed. decisions of Patronage, who was but half a Goddess, had been sometimes erroneous; and though she always made haste to rectify her mistakes, a few instances of her fallibility encouraged every one to appeal from her judgment to his own and that of his companions, who are always ready to clamour in the common cause, and elate each other with reciprocal applause. Hope was a steady friend to the disappointed, and Impudence incited them to accept a second invitation, and lay their claim again before Patronage. They were again, for the most part, sent back with ignominy, but found Hope not alienated, and Impudence more resolutely zealous; they therefore contrived new expedients, and hoped at last to prevail by their multitudes, which were always increasing, and their perseverance, which Hope and Impudence forbade them to relax. Patronage having been long a stranger to the heavenly assemblies, began to degenerate towards terrestrial nature, and forgot the precepts of Justice and Truth. Instead of confining her friendship to the Sciences, she suffered herself, by little and little, to contract an acquaintance with Pride the son of Falsehood, by whose embraces she had two daughters, Flattery and Caprice. Flattery was nursed by Liberality, and Caprice by Fortune, without any assistance from the lessons of the Sciences. Patronage began openly to adopt the sentiments and imitate the manners of her husband, by whose opinions she now directed her decisions with very little heed to the precepts of Truth; and as her daughters continually gained upon her affections, the Sciences lost their influence, till none found much reason to boast of their reception, but those whom Caprice or Flattery conducted to her throne. The throngs who had so long waited, and so often been dismissed for want of recommendation from the Sciences, were delighted to see the power of those rigorous Goddesses tending to its extinction. Their patronesses now renewed their encouragements. Hope smiled at the approach of Caprice, and Impudence was always at hand to introduce her clients to Flattery. Patronage had now learned to procure herself reverence by ceremonies and formalities, and, instead of admitting her petitioners to an immediate audience, ordered the antechamber to be erected, called among mortals, the Hall of Expectation. Into this hall the entrance was easy to those whom Impudence had consigned to Flattery, and it was therefore crowded with a promiscuous throng, assembled from every corner of the earth, pressing forward with the utmost eagerness of desire, and agitated with all the anxieties of competition. They entered this general receptacle with ardour and alacrity, and made no doubt of speedy access, under the conduct of Flattery, to the presence of Patronage. But it generally happened that they were left to their destiny, for the inner doors were committed to Caprice, who opened and shut them, as it seemed, by chance, and rejected or admitted without any settled rule of distinction. In the mean time, the miserable attendants were left to wear out their lives in alternate exultation and dejection, delivered up to the sport of Suspicion, who was always whispering into their ear designs against them which were never formed, and of Envy, who diligently pointed out the good fortune of one or other of their competitors. Infamy flew round the hall, and scattered mildews from her wings, with which every one was stained; Reputation followed her with slower flight, and endeavoured to hide the blemishes with paint, which was immediately brushed away, or separated of itself, and left the stains more visible; nor were the spots of infamy ever effaced, but with limpid water effused by the hand of Time from a well which sprung up beneath the throne of Truth. It frequently happened that Science, unwilling to lose the ancient prerogative of recommending to Patronage, would lead her followers into the Hall of Expeċtation; but they were soon discouraged from attending, for not only Envy and Suspicion incessantly tormented them, but Impudence considered them as intruders, and incited Infamy to blacken them. They therefore quickly retired, but seldom without some spots which they could scarcely wash away, and which showed that they had once waited in the Hall of Expectation. The rest continued to expect the happy moment, at which Caprice should beckon them to approach; and endeavoured to propitiate her, not with Homerical harmony, the representation of great actions, or the recital of noble sentiments, but with soft and voluptuous melody, intermingled with the praises of patronage and Pride, by whom they were heard at once with pleasure and contempt. Some were indeed admitted by Caprice, when they least expected it, and heaped by Patronage with the gifts of Fortune; but they were from that time chained to her footstool, and condemned to regulate their lives by her glances and her nods; they seemed proud of their manacles, and seldom complained of any drudgery, however servile, or any affront, however contemptuous; yet they were often, notwithstanding their obedience, seized on a sudden by Caprice, divested of their ornaments, and thrust back into the Hall of expectation. Here they mingled again with the tumult, and all, except a few whom experience had taught to seek happiness in the regions of liberty, continued to spend hours, and days, and years, courting the smile of Caprice by the arts of Flattery; till at length new crowds pressed in upon them, and drove them forth at different outlets into the habitations of Disease, and Shame, and Poverty, and Despair, where they passed the rest of their lives in narratives of promises and breaches of faith, of joys and sorrows, of hopes and disappointments. The Sciences, after a thousand indignities, retired from the palace of Patronage, and having long wandered over the world in grief and distress, were led at last to the cottage of Independence, the daughter of Fortitude; where they were taught by Prudence and Parsimony to support themselves in dignity and quiet. Mr. ELTON J. LAYTON, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, New Brunswick, N. J., May 24, 1948. Clerk, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: In connection with your notice of hearings dated May 15, 1948, I shall not be able to appear as a witness, but I do wish to file the following statement with the committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce relative to bills now before it pertaining to a National Science Foundation: In the interests of national security, world peace, disease control, and economic progress the United States should establish a National Science Foundation to promote research-both basic and applied-and to provide the opportunities for the youth of America to become the investigators of the next generation. Without such aid the colleges and universities will be unable to conduct the programs of research and training which are necessary to developed fully the intellectual potential of our preesnt and future citizens. Senate bill (S. 2385), or one essentially like it, should be passed at this session of Congress. The 2-year delay in establishing a foundation since the plan was first considered has already seriously handicapped scientific progress in the United States. A longer delay may be disastrous. Sincerely, ROBERT C. CLOTHIER. MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA, Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, House of Representatives, United States Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. WOLVERTON: I have been much impressed with the study of Dr. Clarence A. Mills of the University of Cincinnati, which shows that research funds in this country, almost without respect as to source, are distributed largely among the workers of a few of our larger institutions in the Northeast, running from Baltimore to Boston. There is some justification for this distribution but it certainly appears excessive as we could testify from some experiences we have had. It is hoped, therefore, that the National Science Foundation Act of 1948 will so set up a national system that regional favoritism can hardly occur. I judge Dr. Mills and others have brought this important matter to your consideration; on that account I shall not dwell at length upon it. With appreciation of your fine interest in the National Science Foundation project. Sincerely yours, Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, W. T. SANGER, President. MERCK & Co., INC., Rahway, N. J., April 30, 1948. Congress of the United States, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN WOLVERTON: In your letter of April 16 you inquired as to my views with respect to your new bill, H. R. 6007, a bill to establish the National Science Foundation. I have discussed this bill with a number of freinds and associates and find that it is our general reaction that this is a good bill. However, as I indicated to you in my testimony with respect to the bills previously submitted with regard to the establishment of a National Science Foundation, I feel that there would be advantage in the type of organization of the Foundation exemplified in the bills submitted in the last Congress, S. 526, H. R. 1815, H. R. 1830, H. R. 1834, and H. R. 2027. In other words, it still seems to me there would be an advantage to the Foundation in having the director appointed by the members of the Foundation or by its executive committee. However, if this is not politically feasible, it seems to me that some such proposal as is offered in your present bill, H. R. 6007, should be. feasible, and I think the same thing should be said for the current revision of Senator Smith's bill, S. 2385, as amended in report No. 1151. However, if the revision proposed in the Senate by Senator Smith and his colleagues should be accepted, it seems to me that the President, before appointing the directors, should be required to consider recommendations of the members of the Foundation. Returning to H. R. 6007 it seems to me that it would be wise to omit the establishment of the special commissions mentioned in paragraph 4 (a) 7. In my opinion it would be very desirable for the Foundation to limit its activities to the support of pure science. The commissions mentioned in H. R. 6007 are for the purpose of studying specific problems in the field of applied science. With respect to the support of research in the medical sciences and the establishment of a Division of Medical Research, I wonder whether this will not duplicate the work that is currently being carried on by the Public Health Service. As you undoubtedly know, the Public Health Service is contributing considerable support to colleges and universities for medical research, much of which is of a basic character. Personally, I think there might be some advantage in eliminating the Division of Medical Research and permitting the Public Health Service to make whatsoever grants in support of medical research in this country as the Government may feel desirable. The system currently used by the Public Health Service for this purpose seems to be working quite well. However, I wish to make it clear that in my opinion the important thing is that we have a National Science Foundation. In my opinion, the changes I have suggested would improve the bill. However, I hope that these suggestions will in no way impede or interfere with passage of a bill establishing a National Science Foundation. Sincerely yours, RANDOLPH T. MAJOR. MERCK & Co., INC., May 27, 1948. Mr. ELTON J. LAYTON, Clerk, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LAYTON: In Mr. Merck's absence, I wish to reply to your kind invitation for him to testify at the public hearing scheduled for June 1 and 2, 1948, on H. R. 6007 and S. 2385, the National Science Foundation bills. I have been in touch with Mr. Merck and find that prior commitments make it impossible for him to be in Washington next week. In any event, he does not feel that there is much he could add to the record at this time. The records of your committee will show that at the hearings held last year Dr. R. T. Major, representing Mr. Merck, testified in favor of this legislation. More recently Mr. Major has corresponded with Chairman Wolverton regarding certain aspects of the House bill. With respect to the establishment of the special commissions provided for in H. R. 6007, provision for which was excluded from the Senate bill, we are inclined to favor the Senate version for the reasons stated in Dr. Major's letter to Mr. Wolverton of April 30, 1948. We feel that this is a relatively minor point, however, and that disagreement over this provision should not be allowed to jeopardize the passage of the legislation. We should be satisfied with either the House or the Senate version. We hope that in view of the extensive record already made and considered by the Congress, the testimony at the June 1 and 2 hearings can be kept to a minimum, in order that the committee's report may be expedited and the legislation enacted at this session of the Congress. Yours very truly, CARL M. ANDERSON, 77488-48 Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, Chairman of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN WOLVERTON: In accordance with your request of April 16, I am enclosing a memorandum expressing the views of the NAM on H. R. 6007 to establish a National Science Foundation. We would have replied sooner except that the Patents and Research Committee of the NAM was desirous of giving your bill very careful study and also wished to examine the Smith bill, S. 2385, as it was amended and reported out by the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee. As you will note from the attached memorandum, the NAM continues to favor the creation of a National Science Foundation to procure the full development of this country's scientific and technical resources along the lines recommended by Dr. Vannevar Bush in his report entitled "Science, the Endless Frontier." In general, with a few qualifications, the NAM favors your bill, except that it would prefer that the director of the Foundation, who is to be the principal executive officer of the organization, should be appointed by the board and not by the President of the United States. In the event that this is not possible, we strongly urge that the director should be appointed by the President only after he has received recommendations from the Foundation. Other pertinent comments will be found in the afore-mentioned attached memorandum. The amended Smith bill, S. 2385, the NAM does not view with favor. It prefers, as between that bill and your bill, your bill. Sincerely, GEORGE E. FOLK, Patent Adviser to the NAM. COMMENTS BY THE NAM COMMITTEE ON PATENTS AND RESEARCH ON H. R. 6007 (WOLVERTON) FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION The NAM favors in general the Wolverton bill, H. R. 6007, which proposes to establish a national science foundation. The NAM views on this subject may be summarized as follows: The NAM reiterates its support of the creation of a national science foundation along the lines set forth in the Bush report, Science, the Endless Frontier. The Foundation should call for a relatively simple organization consisting of people well versed in the various specified scientific fields. Its policy should be determined by a part-time board composed primarily of eminent scientists rather than by one man. The members of the board should be chosen without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of their expressed interest in and capacity to promote the purpose of the Foundation. The board should prescribe the powers and duties of the director of the Foundation, who is principal executive officer of the Foundation, and he should be subject to the supervision of the board. The Foundation authority in the execution of contracts should provide for the disposition of inventions produced thereunder in a manner calculated to protect the public interest and the equities of the individual or organization with which the contract is executed. As to the appointment of the director, the NAM still considers it preferable that the director be appointed by the board and not by the President of the United States. If that is not possible, the NAM urges strongly that the Director should be appointed by the President only after he has received recommendations from the Foundation. H. R. 6007 is not entirely clear as to whether the Foundation membership is to consist of a part-time board or a full-time board. The NAM favors a part-time board, since it is of the opinion that only in this manner can the Foundation secure the type of person and the type of mind that is deemed so highly essential for these important policy-making posts. Section 6 provides that the Director of the Foundation is to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate "after receiving recommendations from the Foundation." The NAM has consistently pointed out the dangers involved if the Director were to be a Presidential appointee, for there is a serious question as to just what control the Foundation members would have over the activities of the Foundation under these circumstances. The NAM, |