Into the Hands of Little Men: First-rate administration of research grants demands high talent; the alternative is a drift toward mediocrity

T he handling of government grants in support of research is seeing the shadow of that constant menace of government activity—proliferating forms and complicated controls. The possibilities are disquieting. Sound operation of any organization which spends money calls for control and accounting applied with care and intelligence. Those elements are not only necessary but can be constructive. In the business and industrial world, return on investment is a measure of the successful use of funds. In the absence of the profit criterion, evaluations of noncommercial activities are not so precisely drawn; varied and powerful—but not necessarily expert—opinions on procedures and results can have a far greater range of influence. Members of the public are, as they should be, jealous of the use of their money. Their views on its use lend themselves to emotional molding. Thus, outspoken claim to guardianship is a rich field for cultivating political power. A deadening result of political emphasis ...