ENDOWMENT FOR RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 7

ENDOWMENT FOR RESEARCH

NEW ERA OPENING CAMBRIDGE'S FINE OPPORTUNITY Scientific ami business men alike, were highly gratified recently at the announcement that a- magnificent gift of 2(i'0,U()0~ guineas iiad been made to Cambridge University for the endowment of chemical research (states the ".Morning Post"). As Lord Moulton says in the interview published below, the sum is big enough to enable things to be done. The idea of the honors is that the discoveries made by the school shall be placed at the disposal of British industry, which for too long despised the aid of the laboratory, with the result, that, some branches of industry wore lost, to the country and appropriated byour.enemies. It is hoped in cd'ucalional circles that this gift will be the precursor of many others, and that just as the pious I'oui'iders of many of our educational institutions endowed the learning of their day,, su will men who have grown rich out of industry now begin to endow with ample iumfs that sort of knowledge which, has become so important in the modern world.. .Probably no man in England has bad more reason during the last four years to appreciate what research work' can do for the country than Lord Monltqn. Soon niter the .Vlinistry of Munitio'n.v was started Lord Moulton was made. .Director-General of Explosive Supplies. One of the things that was found necessary was lo promote research, and when the proper lime comes to reveal what has been done, the story will be found very fascinating. A representative of the "Morning Poet'' found Lord Moulton bubbling over with delight id the news of this Litest giif for research to his oUi University. ''It is a magnificent gift," he said, "and its really great sizo will produce much improved educational facilities for Cambridge. Mr. H. Vi'nley Cohen, who communicated the news to the University— his own University, from which he holds a science degree—has assisted us, greatly throughout the war, as representing tho Shell and Allied companies, and associated with him have been Sir Marcus Samuel and Mr. Deferding. This most generous gift will enable the University to take the position- it certainly ought to fake in developing chemistry for the benefit of industry. Lessons of the War. "The lessons of th_j. past four years have been to show.the.enormous value of research, and just at the moment when the nation and the universities are having this impressed upon them a gift of this kind comes very appropriately. It is grand. Professor Pope, .through whom the news,of the gift was sent, has himself contributed most important icaearches during the war, which have been of very great value. What is happening in the world shows that chemistry is, by far the most fruitful field for research, and this gift will make us very rich in ■laboratories and all that laboratories mean. "During the war Mr. Waley 'Cohen's company, was able- to. .supply Borneo, .petroleum, which was the only source of toluol other than coal distinction. It contains toluol in KufficTcnlly substantial bropoitions to enable.us to -get a very important addition to our supplies. That was of very great importance .during tho war,, and it was through the donors of this gift that we were able- to gel it. ' "You, may lake it that, the school und the endowment will' bo managed by peuple who understand the needs of industry. Nothing, of coarse, is known as yet as to what will be done, but. it is o. very delightful position for a university, to hnveTiinds so big lhaf.it will havo In sit down and consider how best to use them. .American millionaires think it a duty to give money.to .universities, and (his is a iino example for. men in this country who. have done well out of business. Ton . ivilt'see thill Lord. Cowdrey and his son are among the donors, and if. is extremely fine-to-think that this, gift has come, practically from four! companies.. ■ "Jleseiirc-li work takes such varied forms," said Lord Moulton,' in answer to further ..questions. "There is nothing in .which research is more necessary lhan in. the question of. Ihe treatment. of oils, 'themselves—the cracking of oils, .experiments lo find out, whether they rnnnot change their forms infn the forms most in-demand, and so forth. Probably that 'branch.'' concluded Lord Moulton with a twinkle in his eye. "will not. bo forgotten in tho administration'of this new ■grant." . Sir James Bobbie, ; Principal of Hip Government Laboratories, also expressed his delight .at-the news. Ho said to our representative that ho hoped it was the beginning' of a new era in which business mon' would consider if a dulj lo endow research. "It is generally recognised," ho said, "that.- for purpose* of research our Universities are quite inadequately equipped. But llicre have been moiiy encouraging sighs of late. A number'of young fellows have left this laboratory, where they have hee-n helped by Government grants, fo take positions in businesses where formerly research chemists were not employed. Then there have been endowments, of course, on a smaller scale than this, both in Glasgow •and St. Andrews Universities." At the offices of the Chemical Society in Burlington Gardens the news was received with grateful'satisfaction.