A CHALLENGE TO SCIENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22456, 29 September 1936, Page 2

A CHALLENGE TO SCIENCE

CALL FOB LOW-COST HOMES In a brilliant article in ‘ Architecture ’ (American) Grosvenor Attcrbury chides science for its aloofness from certain human needs—particularly a comfortable home at moderate cost “ You can buy a first-rate automobile to-day for around 20 cents a pound —the price of ordinary, lard,” the writer declares. “ Twenty-five years ago you would have paid just about 10 times the price for a car incomparably inferior in every way. On the other hand, during the same period of time the price of a small house has about doubled—and it is probably not as well built to-day as it was 25 years ago. This comparison doesn’t seem to make sense. In fact, it indicates a serious economic and industrial dislocation. “We will not go into detail as to whoso fault it is. But if you think about it at all seriously you will perhaps ask what Science—with a capital ‘ S ’—the science of really great minds, has been doing in this crisis. And with science we must include the philanthropists whoso hundreds of millions have made tho work of science possible. “ What really interests us vitally today? Is it the discovery that my umbrella, if projected through space at sufficient velocity, will actually become shorter until, if Einsteins’ theory is what it is cracked up to be, it will disappear altogether? Scarcely. I can

lose umbrellas fast enough as it is; and the ownership of an umbrella is an academic question anyway. “ Or are we practically concerned that Nova Centuris ‘ went bust ’ in the outer darkness 13 centuries ago? It doesn’t hold a caudle to our little financial smash-up six years ago, from which we are still reeling. “ And now we aro spending millions to build 200 in telescopes to scan the universe and determine whether it is getting measurably smaller or incalculably greater. “ All of which, in the present state of the realm, seems brilliantly useless, especially when you consider the millions who cannot afford decent homes because none of our great minds have over been focused on the basic everyday problem of human shelter. “ Science needs an intelligent board of directors. With a small amount of such brains as are now focused on the speed with which the neutron penetrates the nucleus of the atom, and only 2 or 3 per cent, of the money now devoted to research into the living conditions at the dawn of history,'the cost of the poor rnan’s housing to-day could be cut in half.” MODERN ATTITUDE TOWARD ART LACK OF APPRECIATION “The artist contributes something very definite and pleasing to the enjoyment of the community,” said Dr Zwar recently deploring the modern lackadaisical attitude toward the appreciation of art while opening an exhibition of paintings by Mr Edward Heffernan in Sydney. In point of fact, he continued one was setting more real and genuine enjoyment in store for oneself by buying a painting or a water colour than in purchasing a motor car While on the Continent some years ago he had seen the original of Rembrandt’s ‘ Night Wa'ch,’ m w recognised as one of that_ groat artist’s most famous masterpieces Yet it had been associated with nothing hut tragedy and mis fortune. From then on Rembrandt was which continued until his dy.ng day. The seme story was repeated endless times in the'history of art. and he hoped that nearer home their own artists would not continue to lack appreciation. The talent of young artists, especially, should bo recognised. Dr Zwar added, in praising the work of Mr Heffernan, who had already achieved a reputation for water colours and drawing m chalk and charcoal. He referred to artistic pen pictures by his mother Mrs H. Heffernan. and the interesting productions of photography that was Dr Ilcffernnn’s bobby.