than scientific research.” Mellon Institute has been engaged
 in research for a number of associations of manufacturers
 since 1914—at present there are thirteen association
fellowships in operation—and its experience shows convineingly
 the valuable relation of industrial research to the
advancement of business in the manufacturing fields thus
covered.
Each association of manufacturers that is maintaining
an industrial fellowship in the Institute consists of those
rms in an industry having problems of common interest
which are so basic or of such general application that the
"esults of research thereon are of importance to all companymembers.
 This type of investigational work may be
carried on without interfering with competitive interests or
the relative commercial positions of the cooperating firms.
it has been demonstrated that competitors can work harmoniously
 on a research program, provided the problems
selected are of concern to all members of the association and
do not require the disclosure of confidential information by
any member of the organization.
For the most part, the Institute’s researches for associations
 have for their object the advancement of basic
knowledge of the industries, their processes and products.
It has been especially successful in work on standardiza-:ion
 of factory practice and manufactured products and on
»xtending uses of various chemicals and commodities.
The purpose of industrial research is to promote success
in manufacturing practice through scientific investigation;
in other words, to find new materials, new processes, and new
uses of products, for industrial development, and to advance
manufacturing operations through the application of
scientific methods to industry. Before things can be used in
any way they must be discovered, and it is the particular
‘unction of science to reveal them. It is the business of the
scientific investigator to discover and of the engineer or
‘nventor to recognize and apply the results achieved.
The spirit of all industrial research is sincerely scientific.
[t seeks to be open-minded toward new truth. It recognizes
the intricacy of its problems, it does not hesitate to admit
ignorance nor to suspend judgment. Its constant aim is the