Methods and Expenses of Conducting Scientific Work under the Government

The National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on the Methods and Expenses of Conducting Scientific Work under the Government, 1908.

The Sundry Civil Act for 1908-1909, approved May 27, 1908, contained the following section:

“Sect. 8. The National Academy of Sciences is required, at their next meeting, to take into consideration the methods and expenses of conducting all surveys of a scientific character, and all chemical, testing, and experimental laboratories and to report to Congress as soon thereafter as may be practicable a plan for consolidating such surveys, chemical, testing, and experimental laboratories so as to effectually prevent duplication of work and reduce expenditures without detriment to the public service.

“It is the judgment of Congress that any person who holds employment under the United States or who is employed by or receives a regular salary from any scientific bureau or institution that is required to report to Congress should refrain from participation in the deliberations of said National Academy of Sciences on this subject and from voting on or joining in any recommendation hereunder.”[Stat. at Large, vol. 35, part I, p. 387, 60^th Congress, 1^st Session, chap. 200.]

Immediately upon passage of this Act, President Remsen appointed a committee consisting of R. S. Woodward, W. W. Campbell, Edward L. Nichols, Arthur A. Noyes, and Charles R. Van Hise to consider and report on the subject in question. The committee submitted its report to the Council on January 9, 1909, and President Remsen on January 16, addressed it to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It was transmitted to Congress by President Roosevelt on January 18 and referred to the Committee on Appropriates of the House and ordered to be printed. [It constitutes House Doc. no. 1337, 60^th Congress, 2d session.]

The principal conclusions of the committee are contained in the following paragraphs:

“From a general survey of the field of work under consideration three facts appear to be clearly established, namely:

“First. That the amount of actual duplication of work now carried on by the government bureaus is relatively unimportant; but that the duplication of organizations and of plants for the conduct of such work is so considerable as to need careful attention from Congress in the future.

“Second. That while the consolidation of some of the branches of work now carried on in several organizations is probably advisable, specific recommendations in reference to such consolidation can be made wisely only after a careful consideration of all the facts by the board hereinafter suggested or by some similarly competent body.

“Third. That there has never been hitherto and there is not at present anything like a rational correlation of allied branches of scientific work carried on by the Government.

“This last fact appears to your committee by far the most important one presented for consideration.” [Op. cit., pp. 3, 4.]

It was suggested by the committee that the permanent board referred to above should consist of the heads of the various scientific bureaus, two delegates from each house of Congress, and “five to seven eminent men of science not connected with the government service.”