Report of the National Research Council. (1918)

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INTERNATIONAL AUXILIARY LANGUAGE. 17 far in the offices of Dr. Cottrell in the National Research Council. For the clerical assistance necessary to carrying on correspondence and work of the committee Dr. Cottrell has secured funds from gifts from various private sources. The committee has secured coopera- tion through the appointment of a special committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and similar committees from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Council on Education, besides securing active support from several American universities. The Classical Association of Great Britain and the Classical League of America have also appointed committees on the subject. At the meeting of the executive board on April 25, 1920, the chairman of the council was authorized to appoint a representative of the National Research Council on a special joint committee to make a preliminary study of the general subject of an international auxiliary language, to be composed of representa- tives of the National Research Council, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It is the purpose of the International Research Council’s committee to make a broadly constructive and nonpartisan study of the whole subject of international auxiliary language. EXTENSION OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. At a meeting of the executive board, October 12, 1920, on recom- mendation previously made to the board by the interim committee, a special committee on revision of membership of the executive board was appointed, of which Dr. James R. Angell was made chair- man and Messrs. E. D. Adams, Gano Dunn, Vernon Kellogg, and J. C. Merriam members. The purpose of this committee is to con- sider the advisability of extending the membership of the executive board so as to include a larger representation on it of the leaders of science, commerce, and industry not otherwise connected with the council. So large a part of the membership of the board at present consists of the general officers of the council and chairmen of its divisions that it was felt desirable to bring into the board a larger number of men whose interests were not already specifically com- mitted to particular parts of the council’s activities. A report of progress was made by this committee on December 14, but a final report from it has not yet been submitted to the executive board. JOINT COMMITTEE WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCE- MENT OF SOIENCE ON ABSTRAOTING AND LISTING SOIENTIFIC LIT- ERATURE. In April, 1920, the National Research Council and the American Association for the Advancement of Science appointed a joint com- 45997°—21——2 |

18 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. mittee to consider the matter of abstracting and listing scientific literature. This committee met in May and prepared a report which was formally presented to the executive board of the National Research Council in December. In the meeting of this committee special attention was given to the relation of the Concilium Bibliographicum (Zurich, Dr. H. H. Field, director) to the work of abstracting and listing scientific literature. The financial difficulties under which the Concilium Bibliographicum have labored for some years seem to make it necessary that special support be found for the concilium. In this connection it seemed advisable to review the work of the concilium and to consider if an arrangement could not be made whereby its work might be widened. The report of the joint committee recognized that the Concilium Bibliographicum should be perpetuated and might well serve as the nucleus of a proposed international institute for scientific biblio- graphic work. This committee decided that the National Research Council, because of its type of organization and its international connections, is the most suitable American agency to become respon- sible for the initiation of the international abstracting and listing of scientific literature. The officers of the council, therefore, have had several conferences with a philanthropic foundation to consider the financing of such an institute with the Concilium Bibliographicum as a nucleus, and have met with a cordial response from this foundation. Negotiations are now under way which it is hoped will lead to a satisfactory arrangement for financing the proposed work for a number of years. COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION OF INTELLIGENCE TESTS FOR ELEMEN- TARY SCHOOLS. This committee has completed the preparation of two scales for use in grades 3 to 8. Early in 1920 arrangements were made with the World Book Co., of Yonkers, N. Y., for the publication of mate- rials necessary in connection with the methods which had been developed. The commercial royalty from these publications, which are to be known as the National Intelligence Tests, is to be paid to the National Research Council for the support of similar research on methods of psychological examining. During the spring of 1920 an extensive experiment, the purpose of which was to supply data for the equalizing of five alternative forms of each of the intelligence scales, was conducted in the schools of Washington, D. C. Subsequently the scales were standardized, with the cooperation of Messrs. J. F. Guy and J. L. Stenquist and Dr. Helen T. Woolley, by their application in the schools of Wash- ington, Pittsburgh, New York, and Cincinnati.

PACIFIC EXPLORATION. 19 The record blanks for Form 1, scale A, and Form 1, scale B, scoring keys, and a Manual of Directions were finally prepared for press during the summer and published in August, 1920. The Manual contains, in addition to instructions for the administration of the tests, age and grade forms for Washington and Pittsburgh and tentative general age standards. The manuscript for four additional alternative forms of scale A and likewise of scale B has been prepared for publication, and it is anticipated that Form 2 of each scale, with appropriate scoring keys and revision of the Manual of Directions, will be published early in 1921. After 1920 the work on intelligence tests for elementary schools will be conducted under the auspices of the division of anthropology and psychology. The original special committee appointed by the executive board of the council, prior to the organization of the division of anthropology and psychology, has been constituted a committee of the division. The continuation of this work will be financed from the royalties received from the National Intelligence Tests. COMMITTEE ON PACIFIC EXPLORATION. The committee on Pacific exploration was authorized by the executive board of the council in June, 1918, to consider the need for research and exploration in and around the Pacific, the best methods for cooperation in furtherance of present work, and in the initiation of new plans. The first important subject to come before this committee was an invitation from the Territorial Government of Hawaii to call a scientific conference in Honolulu. Such a con- gress was organized on an international! scale, meeting in Honolulu in August, 1920. The countries represented were Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Philippine Islands, and the United States. The deliberations of this body resulted in a report on the problems most urgent in the Pacific and recommendations as to how they can best be taken up. At a subsequent meeting of the committee in Washington a recom- mendation was made to the executive board that its responsibilities be delegated to the division of foreign relations. This recommenda- tion was approved and a new committee under this division was appointed, to be known as the committee on Pacific investigations. AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION. The American Geophysical Union, organized in 1919, to serve as the ‘‘American national committee’’ of the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union, and to serve also as the committee on

20 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. geophysics of the National Research Council, comprises seven sections, as follows: (a) Geodesy, (5) seismology, (c) meteorology, (d) terres- trial magnetism and electricity, (e) physical oceanography, (f) volca- nology, and (g) geophysical chemistry. The last of these, section (g), was added to the union early in 1920 to make provision in the union for geophysical activities previously without representation in it. Originally organized as a committee of the division of physical sciences, the American Geophysical Union was, on February 14, 1920, made a committee of the executive board of the council in recognition of the breadth of interest of the sciences drawn together in its organization. The union held its first annual meeting on April 23, 1920, when its organization was completed and ratified by action of its assembled members. The function of this body is to represent the National Research Council and to care for the interests of the United States in the deliberations and activities of the Inter- national Geodetic and Geophysical Union, and to act as an advisory and initiatory body in promoting the advancement of geophysics in the United States. DEATH OF CHAIRMAN BUMSTEAD. Dr. H. A. Bumstead, professor of physics and director of the Sloane Physical Laboratory at Yale University, and chairman of the National Research Council for the year July 1, 1920, to June 30, 1921, died suddenly in the night of December 31, 1920, on a train which he had taken from Chicago to return to Washington. The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the interim committee of the council on January 3, 1921: Resolved, That the National Research Council learns of the death of Dr. Henry Andrews Bumstead, chairman of the council, with great sorrow and profound sense of loss. Dr. Bumstead in his association with the council had revealed to its officers and members not only a high capacity for administration, and a most loyal fidelity to the aims and work of the council, but also a sweetness of disposition and personal attractiveness which had won for him the devoted and affectionate regard of all of his colleagues in the council. In his death the council and the scientific world lose a man of most eminent attainments, highest character, and lovable personality. The National Research Council extends to the bereaved wife and family its deepest sympathy and condolence and wishes to express to them its full appreciation of the great value of the services which Dr. Bumstead rendered it in the period of his asso- ciation with it and the great loss which it suffers by his untimely death. But may we all remember that ‘‘that life is long that answers life’s great ends.”’

REPORTS OF DIVISIONS. 21 REPORTS OF DIVISIONS. DIVISIONS OF GENERAL RELATIONS. DIVISION OF FEDERAL RELATIONS. [CHarLtEs D. Watcott, Chairman.] (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) The division of Federal relations was provided for in the organi- zation of the National Research Council to carry out the provisions of the Executive order of the President of the United States of May 11, 1919, that effective prosecution of the council’s work requires cordial cooperation of the scientific and technical bureaus of the Government, both military and civil. It was first called the division of Government relations and later the division of Federal relations. At a meeting held on December 17, 1920, Dr. Augustus Trowbridge was elected secretary in place of R. M. Yerkes, resigned, and the following new appointments to fill vacancies were announced: Mr. Wubur J. Carr, to succeed Mr. Julius G. Lay as representative of the Department of State; Brig. Gen. Dennis E. Nolan to succeed Gen. Churchill as representative of the Military Intelligence Division of the Department of War; Rear Admiral Edward R. Stitt to succeed Admiral Braisted as representative of the Medical Corps of the Navy Department; Capt. C. C. Bloch to succeed Admiral Earle as repre- sentative of the Bureau of Ordnance of the Navy Department; Mr. Chester D. Jarvis to succeed Dr. Capen as representative of the Bureau of Education of the Interior Department; Mr. Earl H. Clapp to succeed Dr. Graves as representative of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; Mr. Ethelbert Stewart to succeed Dr. Meeker as representative of the Department of Labor. The division, as it stands on December 31, 1920, has as members representatives from the following departments of the Government: - Department of the Treasury: Department of the Navy: Public Health Service. Office of Naval Intelligence.’ Department of War: Bureau of Navigation. Military Intelligence Division. Bureau of Ordnance. Surgeon General’s Office.’ Bureau of Construction and Repair. Corps of Engineers Bureau of Steam Engineering. Ordnance Department. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Signal Corps. Bureau of Yards and Docks. Coast Artillery.! Air Service. Department of the Interior: Chemical Warfare Service. Patent Office. Department of Justice: Bureau of Education. Division of Investigation. Geological Survey. Post Office Department: Reclamation Service. Division of Correspondence. Bureau of Mines. } Representative not yet named.

22 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. Department of Agriculture: Department of Commerce: Weather Bureau. Bureau of the Census. Bureau of Animal Industry. Bureau of Standards. Bureau of Plant Industry. . Bureau of Fisheries. Forest Service. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Bureau of Chemistry. Department of Labor: Bureau of Soils. Information and Education Service. Bureau of Entomology. Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of Biological Survey. Bureau of Public Roads. The personnel of the division will be found in an appendix of this report, together with that of the executive committee provided for last year. Progress has been made in three important problems under consid- eration at the close of last year—the establishment of an information service of liaison representation from the various Federal depart- ments, the securing of closer contact among the bureaus interested in the statistical work of the Government, and the investigations of the joint committee upon relations between scientific agencies in Federal and State Governments. The recommendation of the joint committee upon relations between scientific agencies in Federal and State Governments was that a gen- eral report should be prepared showing the channels which have thus far been developed for research and for the application of scientific knowledge through cooperation between Federal and State agencies. The recommendation was approved, and the report when completed will be published as a bulletin of the National Research Council. The division has given consideration to the problem to make suggestions as to what research should be undertaken by the Gov- ernment, what should be left to the universities, and what to the . Industries. To contribute toward a solution of the problem, a com- mittee on scope of Government service was appointed to make a broad survey of scientific bureaus of the Government and recommend a research policy. DIVISION OF FOREIGN RELATIONS. {[GzorGE E. HALE, Chairman.] (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) During the year the division of foreign relations has assisted in the formation of American sections of the International Mathematical Union and of the International Union of Scientific Radio Telegraphy, contributing toward the expenses of the American representative, Prof. L. E. Dickson, of the University of Chicago, at the organiza- tion meeting of the International Mathematical Union in Strasbourg in September, 1920. Material has been assembled in preparation of a pamphlet to give essential information concerning all of the international scientific and technical societies, and particularly those in which the United States is taking part.

DIVISION OF STATES RELATIONS. 293 The division this year has had to consider the matter of neces- sary American support, through the payment of dues, for the main- tenance of the International Research Council and certain of its associated unions. These bodies, in so far as organized, are the International Research Council, the International Astronomical Union, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, the Interna- tional Mathematical Union, and the International Union of Scientific Radio Telegraphy. The council has been able to pay the American dues for these organizations for the current year by a gift from the William Ellery Hale fund. But as the dues from most other countries included in these international organizations are paid by the Governments of the participating countries, the division of foreign relations has car- ried on negotiations with the Department of State looking toward the payment of these dues in future years by the Government of the United States. The sympathetic attitude of the Department of State has resulted in the introduction by the department in its current appropriation bill of an item for the payment of the next year’s dues. Just as this report is being prepared the House committee of Congress has presented this item for the approval of the House in the Diplo- matic and Consular appropriations bill. The division has been closely in touch with the work of the coun- cil's special committee on Pacific exploration and has recommended that this committee be reconstituted and attached to the division of foreign relations on account of the fundamental international rela- tions which will be involved in the work of this committee. With the cooperation of the Research Information Service, the division is also engaged in the attempt to arrange for international cooperation in abstracting and listing scientific literature by the most efficient and convenient methods. DIVISION OF STATES RELATIONS. [JOHN C. MERRIAM, Chairman.] (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) The work of the division of States relations during 1920 has been directed upon two problems: 1. A study of the facilities for research at the command of scientific departments in State governments, such as boards of health, boards of agriculture, fish and game commissions, conservation commissions, offices of the State forester, State geologist, State highway engineer, etc. This inquiry includes also a study of the forms of State govern- ment in so far as the organization and relationship of these depart- ments is concerned in order to ascertain whether the governmental

24 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. machinery provided by the States affords the best means for develop- ing scientific knowledge and promoting its application. Reports upon the organization and activities of research activities are in process of preparation for 10 States. It is believed that in certain cases the best interests of this movement for strengthening the position of science in State governments can be assisted by the publication of reports of this nature. Arrangements have already been made for the publication of the first of these statements, which comprises a report upon the organization and activities of the scientific departments of California. 2. A study of the nature and extent of the cooperation in scientific work between Federal bureaus and corresponding State scientific departments or other non-Federal agencies. This project has been undertaken jointly with the division of Federal relations. It is hoped that the results of these studies can be made useful in connection with the present movement for the reorganization and consolidation in State government by indicating ways in which the organization of State scientific departments may be improved and their relationships to each other and to other agencies can be made more effective, their research power and output increased, and their activity in the application of scientific knowledge to the public welfare extended. DIVISION OF EDUCATIONAL RELATIONS. [VERNON KELLOGG, Chairman.) (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) The principal undertaking of the division during 1920 has been the continuance of the survey of the research conditions in the colleges and universities of the country. This survey has been made by correspondence and especially by personal visits. One hundred and sixteen colleges and universities have been visited by nine representatives of the council, of which six were chairmen of council divisions. The carrying on of the survey has been made possible by the financial support of the General Education Board. While conducting the survey, which seemed necessary before planning and entering on any extensive program for the encourage- ment of research and the training for research work in educational institutions, a beginning has been made in the encouragement of the establishment and cordial administrative and financial support of special research committees in the colleges and universities. About 60 of these committees now exist, a few of prewar standing, some established during the war, and some since the beginning of the division’s survey work.

DIVISION OF RESEARCH EXTENSION. 25 A gratifyingly cordial response has been received by the division from the colleges and universities in the course of its activities, especially in connection with the personal visits of its representatives and with its efforts to encourage the development of research com- mittees. In November an executive committee of the division was formed, which met in December and authorized the active prosecution of a plan whereby the division, in cooperation with the division of anthro- pology and psychology, proposes to institute a study of the possibili- ties in connection with the discovery and special encouragement of upper-class students especially capable of development into research workers. As a first step in the study, Dr. George W. Stewart, professor of physics in the State University of Iowa, will devote most of his time in the first half of 1921 to visiting a number of colleges and universities in States in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys to discuss the matter with administrative officers, faculty members, and students. Certain special reports, prepared and distributed for the purpose of stimulating interest in and comment on the research situation in the colleges and universities, have been sent by the division to college and university presidents, deans of graduate schools, and chairmen of research committees. These reports have been given much attention and have brought to the division a most enlightening series of critical comments and constructive suggestions. Altogether the division feels that it has a right to believe that its efforts are helping to stimulate a special interest among scientific men and university authorities in the present research situation in the institutions of higher education in the country, a situation which just now may fairly be regarded as critical. DIVISION OF RESEARCH EXTENSION. [HARRISON E. HoweE, Chairman.} (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) With but few exceptions the tasks undertaken by the division of research extension are long-time projects requiring considerable periods of time, not only for their completion, but for their actual organization. In addition to projects originating with the division or taken over by it at the suggestion of others, there are frequent calls upon it to assist various other divisions, notably those of sci- ence and technology, in perfecting plans for organizing work and in devising ways and means for securing necessary finances. The offi- cers of the division are also called upon to render assistance on nu- merous committees of the council and to take over a large part of the work in a number of important cases.

26 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. The following activities may be noted, and these will serve to illustrate the type of work which falls within the field of the division of research extension. Critical tables of physical and chemical constants.—The project to compile, and publish in English, critical tables of physical and chem- ical constants originated with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry of the International Research Council, and is America’s contribution toward the effort to provide better tables of scientific data and source books in the English language. Following a report by a special committee of the division of chemistry and chemical technology, a board of trustees was appointed—H. K. Moore, representing the National Research Council, Julius Stieglitz, representing the American Chemical Society, and E. P. Hyde, repre- senting the American Physical Society. To this group the chairman of the division of research extension was added in June, 1920, and later made executive secretary. The present work of the trustees is principally that of securing a fund of $200,000 which is to underwrite the very considerable work necessary in preparing and publishing the volumes of constants. Literature has been prepared by Mr. Paul Moore, secretary of the division, and at the close of the year there had been obtained in money and service pledged the equivalent of a little more than 45 per cent of the total budget of $200,000. During the latter part of 1920 the organization of the work was carried forward by the selection of representatives in various indus- trial centers, and steps were taken to interest chemists, physicists, and engineers in supplying information as to the importance of con- stants and preparing the way for securing subscriptions. It is believed that the publication of such tables affords one of the most direct and immediate means for stimulating research, and a great deal of attention, therefore, is being given this project. Crop protection rnstitute—In May, members of the division of biology and agriculture brought to the attention of the chairman of the division of research extension the opportunity for cooperation between scientific groups and industrial groups interested in the control of injurious insects and plant diseases. Subsequently a con- ference was called in Rochester, N. Y., and a tentative constitution outlined and circulated among those interested. This was followed in September by a well-attended meeting in Washington, where the constitution was ratified. The first meeting of the institute follow- ing this organization was held in New York in December, at the re- quest of officers in the Bureau of Entomology, Department of Agn- culture, to discuss ways and means to standardize calcium arsenate, and methods for its application in the control of the boll-weevil in the cotton districts. This meeting was well attended by both ento-

DIVISION OF RESEARCH EXTENSION. 27 mologists and manufacturers of the arsenate and dusting appliances, and it was the concensus of opinion that the meeting was very suc- cessful and demonstrated the good that could come from the coop- erative methods of the institute. Later in December it became apparent that the scope of the insti- tute would have to be broadened to care for new industrial groups interested in the control of insects and plant diseases, but not man- ufacturers of insecticides and fungicides, and preliminary steps were taken working toward the necessary revision of the constitution. Alloys.—A proposal to form an Alloys Research Association was the first definite project of the division, and during 1920 a number of difficulties which seemed to confront the plan were overcome, and at a largely attended conference of representative metallurgists with the division it was decided to organize an informational service as the first activity of the association. This work was intrusted to a special committee cooperating with the division of engineering and a tentative constitution and by-laws outlined under which the asso- ciation is now being organized. There have been several conferences with industrial and other in- terests regarding the matter, and, at their suggestion, the manage- ment of the association has been vested in a committee chosen from the divisions of engineering, chemistry and chemical technology, and research extension. The informational service of the Alloys Research Association 1s regarded by the division as an experiment in assembling and dis- seminating specialized knowledge with the hope that this activity will speedily lead to cooperative research undertaken by the mem- bers of the association as a means of answering important questions which can not be answered from the literature. Tanning.—The Tanners’ National Council, which has supported a research laboratory for some time, has become interested in the possibility of founding a school of tanning, a plan to accomplish in the United States objects similar to those of the tanning schools abroad. Through the activities of the division of research extension, the council has requested the National Research Council to assist them with their problem of deciding upon the.type of school, its field of activity, its location, etc. With respect to the research laboratory of the Tanners’ National Council, this is now being reorganized under an arrangement with the University of Cincinnati, and it is expected that it will undertake a new series of problems with promise of success. The chairman of the division has also been in conference with State authorities of Massachusetts where the possibility of establishing a trade school for tanning is under consideration.

28 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. Tobacco.—There are large annual losses in the tobacco industry from diseases which are not well understood, and the desirability of supporting research plans to produce better disease-resisting strains was brought to the attention of the division. Steps have been taken to interest large tobacco concerns and tobacco growers. It is too early to predict success for the project, but those who have been made acquainted with it are much interested in the possibilities, and the work of organizing the project is still under way. Forestry.—During the year $10,000, covering a period of three years, was secured from the Southern Pine Association for the sup- port of the work of the committee on forestry, division of biology and agriculture. Subsequently field work was organized under a regional director in the South and the research is under way. Glass.—Following a suggestion made to the American Ceramic Society, division of glass technology, a cooperating committee of three has been appointed by that society to consider whether or not there is an opportunity in America for cooperating research on the fundamental problems of glass making. This committee is now ob- taining suggestions from those concerned in glass making, so that definite recommendations may later be made to the industry for the support of a definite research program should it be found desirable to initiate cooperative research on glass problems. Macarom.—During the year the chairman of the division was in- vited to attend the annual meeting of the Macaroni Manufacturers’ Association, and there had an opportunity to take part in the move- ment to secure the services of a specialist to work upon some of the problems incident to the manufacture of macaroni and alimentary pastes. This is but the beginning of what may be expected to become an important research and control laboratory supported by an or- ganization of manufacturers in this special field. Cotton and tectiles—Work has continued with reference to inter- esting the textile industry in the application of science to its produc tion problems. Contact has been made with the National Wool Manufacturers’ Association through its secretary, for whom informa- tion has been secured, and an effort is being made to assist him in having the industries engage upon certain problems which they have selected as important for their progress. The chairman of the division serves as secretary to the preliminary committee on American cotton research authorized by the world cot- ton conference, and appointed by the chairman of the National Research Council, the presidents of the American Society for Testing Materials, the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, and the American Cotton Manufacturers’ Association. This committee has met, has enlarged the membership, and is at present engaged in learning those problems which are outstanding in the cotton field,.

DIVISION OF RESEARCH EXTENSION. 29 with a view to forming a definite program for presentation with a budget to those who should be interested. Through Mr. Paul Moore, secretary of the division, a census has been taken of the textile research facilities of the country, and a great deal of effort has been expended with a view to really interest- ing all those concerned with cotton growing and manufacture in sustained research. Cooperation of the division has been given the American Home Economics Association in evolving their plan for establishing mini- mum standardization for those fabrics which make up the principal] part of the wardrobe, and the facilities of the division have also been offered the textile division of the Bureau of Standards in the pursuit of their research program. Assistance to indiwidual manufacturers.—The officers of the division have been called upon to advise and assist manufacturers desiring to expand their research organizations, to install new laboratories, or to get in touch with those capable of rendering assistance on their manufacturing problems. The division has also offered to assist certain industrial associa- tions, including the American Gas Institute and the manufacturers of enameled metal ware. They have also taken steps to familiarize farmers’ organizations with the purpose, work, and facilities of the council with special reference to the division of biology and agricul- ture and its committee on food and nutrition. : Miscellaneous.—Contact has been maintained with the American Institute of Baking, in which the division has been interested from the inception of the institute, and some attention has been given the work to increase the facilities at the Marine Biology Laboratory, with special reference to biochemistry and biophysics. Efforts have been made to assist other scientific activities, such as the Mulford expedition to South America under the leadership of Dr. Rushby, the organization of the Tropical Institute, the food and nutrition program of the division of biology and agriculture, and various projects of other divisions. During the year the chairman of the division has made a number of addresses before industrial and scientific groups on the general work of the council and on that of the division in particular, and has also contributed a number of papers to the technical and lay press. Exhibits.—In February the wireless telephone exhibit was installed in the rooms of the Research Council in Washington, and remained there for some time, attracting a great deal of interest and favorable comment. It was then transferred to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where it appeared under the auspices of the division of physics, New York Academy of Sciences.

30 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEAROH OOUNOIL, 1920. During the meeting of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Science the exhibit was installed at the Art Institute in Chicago at the special request of the American Association. The purpose of the exhibit is to emphasize the necessity for sup- porting fundamental research, and its appearance was made possible by the American Telephone & Telegraph Co., the Western Electric Co., the Signal Corps and the Air Service of the United States Army. During the year the work of the division increased to the point where it was necessary to secure a secretary, and the division war fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Paul Moore. RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICE. {ROBERT M. YERKES, Chairman.] (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) The service as now organized consists of (1) a divisional committee of 39 members, (2) an executive committee of 7 members, (3) a resi- dent staff of 8 members. This resident staff is supplemented im- portantly by the cooperative assistance of the chairmen of the other divisions of the National Research Council, who act as advisors and consultants in matters pertaining to their respective fields of science and technology. The research information service has been organized primarily as a general clearing house for information concerning or affecting scientific and technological research. The chief purpose of the service is to advance science and productive scholarship by supplying individuals, institutions, or firms with desired information concerning results of research, problems, projects, methods, procedures, labora- tory construction and equipment, apparatus, publications, funds, sources of information or advice, personnel, et cetera. Every effort is being made to avoid duplicating the work of other informational agencies and to coordinate and utilize their activities and materials in connection with the demands made upon this service. It was originally believed, and it now appears that this belief is justi- fied by the facts, that an expert informational service can be made to encourage profitable cooperation in research, to lessen undesirable duplication of work, to increase the support of fundamental scientific investigation, to promote exchange of information concerning progress in closely related investigations, and to render possible increasingly satisfactory distribution of research effort and greater wisdom in selection of problems for investigation. During the year 1920 the service has replied to approximately 500 requests for information or advice. In almost every instance it was possible to supply either wholly or in part the information which was sought.

RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICE. 31 In addition to answering specific inquiries the staff of the service has compiled and prepared for publication certain obviously im- portant scientific data. It has also continued to develop and perfect the fundamental informational lists and catalogues which were in- itiated last year. Of the compilations of information referred to above, the following aretypical. Each task was undertaken by reason of repeated requests for the information in question. 1. A list of industrial research laboratories in the United States with important information concerning each. This was compiled by Mr. A. D. Flinn with the cooperation of Miss Ruth Cobb, of the Research Information Service, and published as a bulletin of the National Research Council. The demand for this list has been un- expectedly heavy and the prompt exhaustion of the original edition has encouraged the service to hasten the preparation of a second edi- tion, which will include many more laboratories than the original publication. 2. A list of scientific periodicals which publish bibliographies and abstracts has been compiled by Miss Ruth Cobb and published in the bulletin of the National Research Council. 3. In response to varied and numerous requests concerning sources of grants for scientific research, research institutions and foundations, the service has assembled information concerning funds which are available for medals, prizes, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of appropriation for the encouragement and support of research in the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences. This compilation is in press and will appear as Bulletin No. 9. 4. To meet varied needs, some of which have been -expressed by correspondents, reliable information concerning the cost of publica- tion and the financial status of approximately 80 of the principal scientific periodicals in the United States has been assembled and filed for consultation in connection with the study of problems of publication and the support of scientific periodicals. 5. As one method of keeping the research personnel file of the service complete and up to date, a list of doctorates of science and philosophy for 1919 has been compiled by Miss Callie Hull. This information, in addition to being made available in the files of the service, has been published in Science, November 19 and 26, 1920. Information, unless:assembled to meet a specific request, 1s com- piled for one or both of the following reasons: To render available in the research information service a complete up-to-date file, as, for example, in the case of research laboratories, research personnel, research funds, or to obtain material suitable for publication and distribution. Ordinarily, publication is merely a convenient method

| 32 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. of rendering the immediately available information readily accessible to those who need it. On the fundamental informational mechanisms, the development of which was undertaken during the first year of the service, report | of progress is made below. 1. Research laboratories.—This list is planned to include all scientific and industrial laboratories in which investigations are conducted. Concerning each laboratory the following information ordinarily is_ available, in addition to name and address: Personnel, date of organi- zation, classification as Federal, State, city, university, independent, and either scientific or industrial, rating as to equipment, space available, annual expenditure, chief lines of research provided for, and current investigations. This list is rapidly being increased and the information concerning each establishment completed to date. The numbers of records for the several classes of laboratories follow: Industrial, 350; academic, 800; Federal, 275; State, 750; city, 360; independent, 175. 2. It was initially attempted to secure the titles of current investi- gations directly from investigators in order that information should be available concerning work which is in progress within a given field. This has proved to be unsatisfactory because of the annoyance to investigators and the incompleteness of returns. The files now con- tain approximately 1,500 records of current work, distributed as follows: Agriculture, 225; astronomy, 75; biology, 250; chemistry, — 250; engineering, 100; mathematics, 30; medicine, 300; physics, 150; psychology, 50; miscellaneous, 50. This incomplete current investi- gation file is importantly supplemented by the research laboratory file, which for all of the principal research establishments of the country carries indication of the chief lines of investigation. Thus far in the development of the service, relatively little atten- tion has been given to data concerning research in Federal, State, or municipal laboratories, because this is to a considerable degree available through official reports and informational bureaus. 3. The personnel file contains essential information concerning approximately 13,000 men and women in the United States who are qualified by training and experience for scientific research. It 1s planned to perfect and keep this list up to date in order that it may be used both as a general source of information concerning scientific personnel and as a source of lists of eligibles for specified positions. As an experiment in securing greater efficiency in the use of the personnel file, the records of one group of scientists are being trans- lated into the Findex punch-card system. 4. The wisdom of the executive committee of the Research In- formation Service in urging the development of a library of scientific source books has been amply demonstrated by the experience of the

RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICE. 33 year. Funds have not been available for the purchase of any except immediately and urgently needed books, but effort is being made to secure by exchange or gift valuable series of bibliographies or abstracts which are now in the library of the National Academy of Sciences. It is planned that this special library should ultimately contain all of the important bibliographic, abstracting, and reviewing periodicals for science and technology, and in addition the essential compilations of tables, handbooks, digests, catalogues, etc. No such collection of works for the field of the Research Council’s interest is available in any single place in Washington, hence the extreme desirability of developing this projected library of sources as rapidly as the resources of the Research Information Service permit. 5. A list of informational bureaus and other agencies which are concerned partly or wholly with science and its applications is in course of preparation. This is utilized first of all to avoid undesirable duplication of informational activities. and secondarily as an aid to the satisfactory handling of specific informational inquiries. It is planned to include in the list not only specialized informational organizations but institutions, firms, and individuals which are recog- nized authorities on certain subjects. | Experience has indicated in connection with efforts to utilize exist- ing sources of information that it is more satisfactory to assemble information and forward it directly to the correspondent than to refer his request to a supposedly dependable special source. The service, as a result of trial, has adopted the policy of assembling information, so far as is possible, instead of referring inquiries with the request that the information be sent. 6. The informational file concerning funds for the encouragement and support of productive scholarship has already been referred to in the section on compilations. It promises to become one of the conspicuously useful files of the service. This information, which is available nowhere else, is needed in connection with the action of special committees, boards, and other agencies which are responsible for the distribution of funds. In order that the service may be self-improving, a system of classi- fymg and filing inquiries and the information assembled in response thereto has been devised and put into effect. This system will en- able the staff to locate and utilize promptly and conveniently any information which has come into the office, whether as the result of special search or by reason of the general activities and connections of the National Research Council. During the initial stages of the development of the Research In- formation Service it was deemed desirable to prepare for actual service by formulating plans and assembling certain informational lista and catalogues. No formal announcement of the availability of 45997—21——3

84: ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. the service was made until November 15, 1920, when a statement was issued for use in the scientific and technical press. The time has now come when the further development and improvement of the service must depend largely upon the creation of a demand for it and the guidance which inquiries supply. DIVISIONS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DIVISION OF PHYSICAL SOIENCES. [AvGusrus TROWBRIDGE, Chairman.) (For present personnel see Appendix A.) The organization of the division of physical sciences has been changed during the past year so that the membership of the division now includes one representative of the Mathematical Association of America and one more than the original number of members at large. Since the appearance of the last annual report of the National Research Council there has been formed under the auspices of the division of physical sciences an American section of the International Mathematical Union and also, under the joint auspices of the division of engineering and the division of physical sciences, an American section of the International Union of Scientific Radio Telegraphy. The project research committees made possible by the apecial grant of $20,000 by the Rockefeller Foundation were heartily indorsed by the division at its annual meeting in April, 1920, and the following new committees were formed during the year 1920: Acoustics, alge- braic numbers, atomic structure, luminescence, theories of magne- tism, orbit theory, parallaxes, research methods and technique, and spectroscopy. On December 31, 1920, the total number of research committees of the division was 16, with a total membership of ap- proximately 100. Reports from some of the committees formed in the latter part of 1919 were in the hands of the printer by the end of 1920, and from that time on should appear from time to time and be distributed to the members of the societies represented on the division, and other interested persons, in the form of bulletins of the National Research Council. At the close of 1920 the Rockefeller Foundation was furnished with a detailed report of the activities of these research committees of the division, and made a further grant of $15,000 for the continuance of the project for the year 1921. The formation of further committees on borderland problems between physics and biology and between mathematics and the sciences using statistics is under consideration. Since July 1, 1920, the chairman of the division has acted as the executive secretary of the fellowship board of the National Research Council. There were on December 31 15 fellows (4 in physics and 11 in chemistry). This represents an increase of 2 over the number

DIVISION OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES, 35 on December 31, 1919. Of the present fellows, 10 are on their second appointment and 5 are on their first appointment. The indi- cations are that there will be a large number of applications to-be acted on at the spring meeting of the board which will be held in March, 1921. There follows a list of the present fellows in physics, subjects of researches, and universities where work is being conducted: Emest F. Barker, ‘‘The fine structure of the infra-red absorption bands of gases.’’ University of Michigan. Leonard B. Loeb, ‘‘.\ study of the relation; Uetween the existence of so-called ‘free’ electrons in gases at low pressures, the abnormal mobility of negative ions at these pressures, and the mechanism of ion formation from electrons and neutral molecules.”’ University of Chicago. George P. Paine, ‘‘The measurement of free air humidities.’”” Harvard University. Louis T. E. Thompson, ‘‘General investigation of movement of small rigid bodies through fluids, ete.”’ Clark University. The project of the division for the founding of an instrument journal in connection with the Association of Scientific Apparatus Makers has not yet been carried to completion. The delay has been due to uncertainties as to costs and financial support and not to any lack of agreement between the council and the association as to the desirability of founding a journal which shall be supported by the association and edited by ao board representative of the scientific interests centering on the council. The project of the critical tables of physical and chemical constants, in which the division of physical sciences is jointly interested with the division of chemistry and chemical technology, is dealt with m another section of this report. (See Division of research extension.) Two projects brought forward by the mathematical members of the division have been approved. These are campaigns for the securing of funds to start a journal of mathematical abstracts and for a revolving fund to aid in arranging for the publication of mono- graphs. The council has subscribed $500 to each of these funds and will assist in securing the necessary further funds. DIVISION OF ENGINEERING. [Comrorr A. ApaMs, Chairman.) (For present personnel, see Appendix A.) Outstanding features are progress of researches in fatigue phe- nomena of metals and heat treatment of carbon steel, reorganization of American .bureau of welding, organization of advisory board on highway research, creation of committees on electrical insulation and other important subjects, and progress in developing the organi- zation of the division. For each broad field there is a general advisory committee of experts from the interested scientific,, engineering, and industrial

36 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1920. organizations. This advisory committee, with the assistance of the division officers, selects specific problems for research, plans modes of attack, finds men and means, and coordinates the work of the various agencies. Work on each problem is under the supervision of a research committee, whose chairman is a recognized expert. Results are published in the journal of the engineering society most interested. To stimulate interest in research, business of division meetings is curtailed and the time given to speakers on some phase of research. Executives of industries are invited as guests. Administrative expenses of the division are paid partly by the National Research Council and partly by the Engineering Foundation, but means for researches in general come from the interested indus- tries, including services of staff engineers, laboratory facilities, and materials. To facilitate cooperation with the engineering societies and engineering foundation, the division has offices in the Engineering Societies Building, New York. Work or COMMITTEES, The following committees were active during 1920: Heat treatment of carbon steel (Henry M. Howe, chairman) .—Object: To increase our now fragmentary knowledge of the influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of carbon steel, and espe- cially to learn the conditions which most economically and advan- tageously set up the sorbitic state, the most Valuable for engineering purposes. Method: To subject specimens of steel of the carbon contents most used for engineering work, 0.34 per cent, 0.52 per cent, and 0.75 per cent, and most suited to sorbitizing, to various heat treatments, and to test the mechanical properties thus induced. The steels are the same as are used by the committee on fatigue phe- nomena. The tests are expected to show the merits of sorbitizing treatment over crude annealing. Progress: The work of this com- mittee is an excellent illustration of cooperative research. Steel specimens are provided by the John A. Roebling’s Sons Co., and rolled into round bars by the Carpenter Steel Co. The heat treatments and some microscopic examinations are being conducted in the private laboratory of Dr. Howe. Microscopic examinations are also made at the University of Minnesota. Magnetic tests are made at the Bureau of Standards. The test pieces are being machined by the Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh, the Bethlehem Steel Co., the Never- slip Co., the General Motors Corporation, and the American Tool & Machine Co., without charge. The mechanical tests are being made at the Bureau of Standards and at the Watertown Arsenal.

DIVISION OF ENGINEERING. 37 Physical changes in iron and steel below the thermal critical range (Zay Jeffries, chairman).—Object: To correlate experimental results on deformation of iron and steel in the blue heat range and physical changes in iron and steel at ordinary and slightly elevated tempera- tures accompanied by a change in physical properties usually called aging; to study the effect of temperature on the mechanical prop- erties of iron and steel (particularly boiler plate). Method: Work is being carried on and directed by members at the plants with which they are connected. Materials are contributed by the companies and tested at their laboratories and at the Bureau of Standards. Investigations will be carried on indefinitely as they are important to the industry. Progress: Valuable reports have been presented and two members have published important papers. Elimination of inclusions from steel (Henry D. Hibbard, chairman) .— Object: To study solid nonmetallic impurities (sonims) or inclusions in steel, their occurrence, effect on hot-working physical properties, and resistance to corrosion. Progress: No experimental work has been done owing to lack of funds. In May, 1919, the chairman presented a paper to the American Iron and Steel Institute summing up present knowledge. Substitute deoridizers (J. R. Cain, chairman).—Object: To provide substitutes for manganese or economies in its use. Method: Since one of the most important properties of a deoxidizer is the formation of an oxide slag of sufficient fusibility and fluidity to separate readily from the metal, it was planned to test a series of combinations of oxides. The work was divided into two phases: (1) Laboratory tests of fusibility and viscosity of various synthetic oxide mixtures; (2) manufacture of the most promising mixtures and their try out in steel making. Progress: The first phase is finished and the second is organized. Two steel companies and one commercial laboratory are cooperating, and other companies will supply materials. Neumann bands (C. E. Munroe, chairman).—Object: To determine the relation (if any) between the speed of rupture of a piece of steel and the resulting number of Neumann bands. If a relation exists and is known, it might be possible to determine from the number of bands the violence of the rupturing cause, or at least to distinguish between an explosive and a nonexplosive rupture. Method: To produce explosions of known rates of detonation on plates of steel whose history as to manufacture, heat treatment, and chemical composition is known, and to examine for the presence of Neumann bands and their characteristics. Besides these, samples were supplied by the Army and Navy from plates or projectiles which had been subjected to explosive effects, in some instances to torpedo attack under water.