Military Versus Private Industry Versus University Control and Administration of Military Research and Development
Abstract
The control and administration of Military Research and Development is becoming increasingly important. There exist today differences of opinion among individuals within and between our military departments, private industries, and universities as to how our military research and development program should be controlled and administered. Each of the groups involved feels that it has something unique to offer to the overall research and development program and each feels that it can do a better job than the next fellow. The Department of Defense Research and Development Program has been greatly influenced by current considerations for National Defense. These have been of overriding importance and have constituted the most important influence upon governmental organization for science. Defense research accounted for about 86 cents out of every Federal Research dollar in 1954 as against an estimated 20 cents in 1938. The National Science Foundation in its report on the Organization of the Federal Government for Scientific Activities reported that the heavy emphasis on defense research does not, however, imply a diminishing interest in research of other kinds. The new possibilities opening by scientific discoveries, combined with increased public interest, have led to a great expansion of research in a number of other fields, notably in the peace-time use of atomic energy and in the agriculture and medical sciences. The National Military and Defense requirements have raised the Federal Budget and the Federal Debt to such a level that it has become urgent to seek the most efficient means of organization in every sphere of activity, including the government's research program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 1957
- Accession Number
- ADA625849
Entities
People
- Edward E. Harriman
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology