"In a recent issue of the Yale News the suggestion was made that Yale can carry on certain scientific experiments for the United States Government. These suggestions are valuable ones and have aroused keen interest in the scientific circles of the University. To do such work would assuredly be a step toward national preparedness and with the cooperation of colleges and Government many problems would be cleared that now confront the nation.
"I believe, however, that Yale with other large universities should investigate conditions of wider scope. Experiments of general industrial problems would have more direct influence for universal preparedness, to say nothing of the actual betterment of peace conditions.
"It is essential to realize that the war of today is not only a war between men on the flring line but a supreme test of industrial capacity and economy at home, of science and the application of science to the every-day routine. As was the case with England before the war so it is the case with this country today. England had the navy and the actual fighting machine, but unlike Germany she had nothing with which to supply that machine. America until now has been living off her vast natural resources without much regard or thought to the future. If we can manage to become a scientifically economic nation in the time of peace--which means a radical change in the present conditions--then I say we will be on the true road to a sound and lasting preparedness.
Yale's Facilities Excellent.
"Yale, with her engineering laboratories and extensive equipments for experiment is prepared for higher grade investigation in both the fields of science and applied science. The opportunities in this field are unlimited. If the nation and its universities could learn how much co-operation between the industries and laboratories would mean, there would be a revolution of incalculable value to science, to business, and to government.
"The colleges of this country have a large role to play in the coming struggle--whether it be actual war or peaceful competition. I can not emphasize too strongly this fact. We must be a strong country in the industrial as well as the martial world. We must conserve more and more of our natural resources and we must apply all our scientific knowledge to get the maximum output with minimum labor fatigue. Our universities can be the first to promote this nation-wide movement. Yale can be a leader of industrial preparedness just as it has been among the foremost in military preparedness. The combination of the two is the only true national service."