tiers; but as Dr. Bush emphasized in his report to the President, in Science, the Endless Frontier, we have other frontiers which can be developed and science is foremost among those.

Out of scientific research there come new materials. You are fully aware of the extraordinary range of new materials available for our present use that have come out of the laboratory. You are aware of the fact that new processes are constantly being developed as a result of scientific research.

Scientific research is the basis for the discovery of new and more plentiful supplies of food. This is especially important at a time when our natural resources are being used at an ever-increasing speed, and I am not one who views this with alarm, provided we will utilize what science offers to us in the discovery of new sources of natural

resources.

Out of scientific research and scientific developments come new industries which will be the very foundation for our future economy.

Thirdly, I would say that the basis for the need for a National Science Foundation grows out of the continual expanding structure of our modern civilization which is already so largely dependent upon science and technology. Every new advance which is made brings with it new problems which must be solved by still more research.

I would remind you of the fact that transportation has come as a result of scientific and technological discoveries but we are fully aware of the fact that transportation as it is now developing requires considerable research in order to solve the problems which are evolving out of new methods. If you will consider for a moment air transportation alone, you will readily see that each new development in aeronautics brings with it new problems which must be solved by research. If the discovery of scientists and technologists are to be utilized and to be utilized safely, each new development in the field of medicine which improves human welfare brings new problems with regard to the development of people more wisely, after they have been saved from disease or have been rehabilitated physically.

Each new development of new materials makes possible the development of new processes but, if those new processes are to be utilized we must have research in order that the new contributions can be applied to the new possibilities which are opened up.

And so each new stage in our civilization, if we are to go forward, requires more research in order that we can utilize the past accomplishments, and I for one, do not believe it is possible to stand still. Either we will go backward or we will go forward. If we go forward it will be because of the greater and the wiser use of science and technological procedures.

In the fourth instance, I would state that the need for the National Science Foundation is accentuated by our present position of world leadership.

Whether we desire it or not, we now occupy a dominant position in the world. The fact that you gentlemen have taken the position you have with regard to the support of our fellow citizens in the democratic countries, shows that you recognize this fact; but if we are to exercise our position of world leadership, at a time when science is so dominant in the world as a whole, will we not have to assume responsibility in leadership in the field of science and technology as well as

in the mere provision of material resources? That, I take it, is one of the lessons to be drawn from Mr. Truman's point 4, as presented to you this past winter.

In the fifth instance I would say that the need for the National Science Foundation grows out of the necessity to supplement the research of governmental agencies which are directed to the more efficient operation of those agencies, with research which must be carried on in the universities from which come the new supply of scientists.

Those scientists are the only sources of science. I would not advocate any cessation of the scientific activities of existing governmental agencies. I would, in fact, argue for the greater development of science in those agencies, in order that they may carry out their functions more effectively; but I think that you will find that those engaged in governmental scientific research fully recognize the necessity for support of research in universities from which we derive the scientists who will be called upon to operate industry and government and carry on the research of the future.

And finally, I would say that the importance of the National Science Foundation evolves from the fact that we can no longer afford to leave scientific discovery and the solution of practical problems to mere chance; to the mere chance of private philanthropy. The development and production of natural resources has always been recognized as a primary function of the National Government. I can think of no national resource at the present time, which is of greater importance than scientific knowledge and scientific manpower and, therefore, I believe that the support of science through a National Science Foundation, is one of the most important functions of the Government at the present time.

I have referred to the fact that I do not believe we can afford to leave such a very important activity of the Nation to the chance support of private individuals. I would add to that the statement that it is so easy for many to see the value of practical contributions for research directed to immediate objectives, as compared to the necessity for suport of fundamental scientific research.

In the past the United States has been in the habit of drawing upon the fundamental discoveries of scientists in European countries. Because of our expanding geographical frontiers it has been natural that we should draw upon those fundamental discoveries and apply them to our immediate, practical problems. There was great opportunity as de Toqueville said 100 years ago, in discussing American democracy, it is a characteristic of a country such as ours has been to give greater emphasis to practical advances rather than to fundamental discoveries, but we are now in a position where we can no longer depend upon the fundamental discoveries of scientists of other countries, and this for several reasons: In the first place, the resources of other countries have been sadly depleted and they are not in a position to make the fundamental discoveries for us to apply, and furthermore, if we hold a position of world leadership, it seems to me that that carries the responsibility for developing fundamental research as well as for making the practical applications.

Finally if other countries are not able to make the fundamental discoveries which we have utilized in the past, from what source will

we obtain the basic information which we will need in order to carry on our technical civilization?

The advances which were made during this past war by the Office of Scientific Research and Development, have been frequently admitted to have depended upon the scientific discoveries of a fundamental nature which had been made in the past.

Unless we continue to lay the foundations for future practical discoveries, we will not be in a position to make future practical advances. And so I believe that one of the most important contributions of a National Science Foundation will be to support and strengthen the fundamental exploratory research in this country, upon which industrial laboratories, Government laboratories, and our many technological applications can be based upon a firm support.

If you consider the present support in the field of medical research, you will find that there are many who are prepared to contribute financial assistance either through governmental agencies or through private philanthropies for the study of cancer; for the study of infantile paralysis; for the study of rheumatism and for many other practical problems of great urgency which face us; but I would ask you how many there are among governmental agencies or among private contributors who recognize the necessity for supporting biologists who wish to investigate biological problems merely because of their curiosity and yet the whole history of science emphasizes the fact that it is the following of human curiosity of scientists which lays the foundation for the practical discoveries which can be based upon those initial investigations.

Unless we are prepared to support the biologists who are investigating the nature of life and the mechanism of living processes, without thought as to whether they are immediately applicable to a certain disease, I predict that we will soon be in a position where we will not have the foundations upon which we can erect a structure of practical medical advance and this will be one of the important responsibilities of the Science Foundation, to see to it that scientific investigators are supported even though it is not immediately apparent that their contributions will be of great human benefit.

If there were any need to cite examples of the past, I might point, as I have pointed before, to the discoveries of Michael Faraday, who, working in the Royal Institution of London, merely because he was curious about physical phenomena, discovered the laws of electromagnetic induction among other phenomena and because of those discoveries there is now available to us the incalculable benefits of the whole electrical industry which could not have been founded had it not been that someone was prepared to support Michael Faraday in following out his curiosity.

Many of you are aware of the progress which has been made in the development of agriculture because of our knowledge of genetics by Gregor Mendel, working in the garden of a monastery, at the instance of his curiosity, and who could not see what was going to come out of his discoveries, and yet it was those discoveries which laid the foundation upon which modern agriculture depends in very considerable part.

Another famous example is our own Willard Gibbs, working on the campus of Yale University, with no thought as to whether he was making any practical contribution to the welfare of the Nation, and

yet chemists will tell us that much of modern chemistry and the modern chemical industry depends upon the discoveries, theoretical and practical, of Willard Gibbs, who had no practical thought in mind at

the time.

And so if we are concerned with the future, as the Government always has been concerned with the future, in the protection of our natural resources, I would plead for a strong emphasis upon the support of scientists who are prepared, through their curiosity and their scientific training, to lay the foundations for the discoveries of practical value in the future; scientists who are prepared to blaze the way in undiscovered territory which will make possible a better and richer Nation in the future.

This leads me to say that another important contribution of the National Science Foundation can be the better development of more trained scientists, so that we will have more men capable of dealing with the practical problems which face us everyday; more men will be capable of lending support to the defenses of our Nation and who will be able, in case of a national emergency; and men who will be continually expanding the limitless frontiers of science.

But when I have said that I wish to raise the question as to whether it is appropriate for the Nation to depend entirely upon the chance of family fortune for the creation of a pool of scientists upon whom the Nation must depend.

The trained scientist requires not only his elementary and secondary education but also college and university training and usually 4 years of graduate training after that, often followed by another 2 years of specialized research training.

It is not possible for many of our ablest young men to finance this long, prolonged period of education; because of that it seems to me an important responsibility of our Government to provide for their training in order that we may be able to rely upon the best from whatever State or family fortune they may originate.

In this connection I think it is appropriate to comment on the Atomic Energy Commission program of fellowships. This is a farsighted undertaking to increase the pool of scientific potential of our country, in regard to men who are capable of carrying out the important undertaking of the Atomic Energy Commission; but unless this be done more generally, I do not see from what source we can derive the men upon whom our national future depends in such large measure. Following that, I would raise the question as to what will be the future of scientists trained in ever increasing numbers in order to meet our needs, unless there be some stability of financial support for their employment.

I return to my previous remark, that it is not wise at the present day to depend entirely upon the chance support of individual philanthropists, even though the number who are contributing to science is increasing very largely, indeed. Nor is it wise to depend on State support of institutions which are primarily directed toward educational procedures.

I believe that the National Science Foundation offers an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate how the Federal Government can cooperate with individual citzens and private institutions, and State institutions, and carrying out one of the most important functions of

the National Government at the time when science and technology are so essential in the whole workings of our Federal Government and our private industries and in the manifold undertakings which promote the welfare of our citizens.

Finally, in closing, I would like to refer, as Mr. Priest has done, to the many discussions which have been held concerning the various forms of the National Science Foundation as proposed and as desired.

I think it has been well that we should have frank and free discussion as to the form of organization, for this is a new undertaking; but I would say that having had these discussions and having had emphasis over and over again that freedom for the scientists is absolutely essential. We can now proceed with complete assurance that whatever bill is passed, it will be workable and will be acceptable to the scientists of the country, only provided they be provided with that freedom which is so essential.

I would stress that matter of freedom, because there is an appeal to the idea of having a central body which will direct large numbers of scientific investigators toward the solution of a specific end, and this has worked frequently, especially in the stages of scientific development when the end is apparent and when the means are available; but the basic research upon which all scientific progress depends cannot be directed.

It will depend, as I have said, upon the individual curiosity of individual scientists, no one can tell from what source will come a new and brilliant idea. At this point I might add that there are several reasons for believing that many scientists will be able to contribute many ideas rather than that many ideas will stem from a single mind directed as a mere workman, working under direction.

But, with assurance that the National Science Foundation will provide freedom for investigation by those who are trained to investigate and those who are endowed wtih curiosity, I believe that the form of the bill is relatively secondary.

Scientists have, during the past 10 years, learned as they had never known before, how to work and how to cooperate with Government. They have come to realize representatives of Government in both the legislative, executive, and administrative arms are desirous of having their advice.

I think we are all becoming more aware of the fact that under our democratic form of government, the operation of whatever legislation is passed, in the last analysis, depends on the citizens of this country, provided only that they are prepared to work in cooperation with you gentlemen, and you or your colleagues in Washington.

So I would express my personal conviction that whatever legislation is passed, directed toward the accomplishment of the general purpose of the National Science Foundation, will be acceptable and will be workable, and will command the support of the scientists of this country.

Mr. PRIEST. This committee is always happy to have you appear. You are always very helpful.

Before any questions are asked, the Chair on behalf of the entire subcommittee wishes to express deep appreciation for the presence this morning of our chairman of the full committee, Mr. Crosser, and also the ranking minority member, Mr. Wolverton, both of whom