Some Observations on Forest Products' Research

Every director of research, whether responsible for a state or federal laboratory or the research of a large private corporation, must convince budget officers, legislators, or board of directors that the work he directs is important. It is only natural, therefore, that they play up every discovery and speculate on its potential usefulness. Not to have new things to report each year is to run the risk of having funds reduced for future work. So directors dare not hold back information. The publicity that ensues may often go beyond prudent bounds. Overenthusiasm about new developments in wood products' research has emanated from both government and private industrial laboratories. Arneson points out how such publicity distorts lay opinion as to the true nature of research findings, neglects the long-term significance of basic theoretical discoveries, and ignores the huge financial saving brought about by constant enlargement and refinement of information in fields opened up long ago. His admonition should be heeded by budget officers as well as by research administrators and promoters. His penetrating observations on research staffs and the importance of size should be heeded by those planning new wood research laboratories.