Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 61.djvu/479

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first information made public in regard to the policy of the Carnegie Institution, beyond the original outline presented by Mr. Carnegie in his deed of gift and some very general statements made by President Gilman and other members of the executive committee, is the announcement that the corporation of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole has voted to transfer its buildings and equipment to the trustees of the Carnegie Institution. This gift can not be accepted until the trustees hold their November meeting, but it was stated to the corporation of the laboratory that the executive committee of the Carnegie Institution would recommend that the laboratory be made a branch of the institution and liberally developed, money being appropriated for buildings and $20,000 a year for current expenses. It is rumored further that a geophysical laboratory will be established at Washington and supported on a large scale.

The Carnegie Institution, the Woods Hole Laboratory and science in America are face to face with complicated circumstances, and difficult problems are involved in any solution. The institution can contribute greatly to the development of science either by establishing and conducting several great laboratories or by cooperating with existing agencies. The majority of American men of science prefer the latter course and will regret the apparent decision of the executive committee to recommend the acquisition of a biological laboratory. It may be said that the various scientific and educational institutions throughout the country and their officers are selfish, hoping to share in the distribution of funds or fearing a new rival. It has, however, also been suggested that the officers of the Carnegie Institution may aggrandize the institution rather than contribute in the most effective manner to scientific research. We, however, believe that both the officers of the institution and the scientific men of the country are entirely sincere in their efforts to make the Carnegie Institution the most potent factor possible for the advancement of science. The executive committee of the institution has appointed advisory committees of men of science in different subjects, and these committees are securing evidence and preparing reports. It is perhaps proper that these reports and even the names of the members of the committees should be kept secret until the executive committee has made its report to the trustees. We hope, however, that the trustees will not commit the institution to any irrevocable policy in November, but will make public all the alternative suggestions presented and permit careful consideration and full discussion before final plans are adopted.

Whether or not it is advisable for the Carnegie Institution to conduct a marine biological laboratory rather than cooperate with the Fish Commission and the various existing laboratories may be an open question, but it is undoubtedly true that most of those interested in the Woods Hole laboratory regret that it has been found necessary to turn it over to the Carnegie Institution. The Woods Hole laboratory is the only institution of national importance that has been conducted by