Accommodation of Scottish Scientific Societies

Abstract

THE movement for the accommodation of the Scottish scientific societies in the Royal Institution Building, Princes Street, Edinburgh, to which we referred in the issue of December 3, 1903, has advanced a stage. On Tuesday, January 19, Mr. Graham Murray, M.P., the Secretary for Scotland, received a representative deputation consisting of the council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and delegates specially appointed by the other societies interested. The deputation was introduced by Sir John Batty Tuke, M.P. Lord Kelvin, Sir John Murray, Sir William Turner, Sir E. Rowand Anderson, Lord Play fair, Mr. Bernard, Lord McLaren, and the Lord Justice Clerk made brief statements on behalf of the more important societies represented, each speaker devoting attention to some particular aspect of the scheme. The concentration of scientific effort, the practical unification of important libraries, which under present conditions could not be utilised to anything like their full extent, the enlarged scope the scheme would give for the encouragement of scientific research, the educative value of such a scientific centre upon the community at large, were all touched upon. It was also pointed out that the movement had its origin in the recent report of the departmental committee on the constitution and functions of the Board of Manufactures, and could not, of course, be realised until the schools of art at present accommodated in the Royal Institution were otherwise provided for. The Secretary for Scotland in his reply expressed his sympathy with the object aimed at, although it was impossible for him to commit himself at present to the furtherance of any scheme which might naturally follow the acceptance of the departmental committee's report. It must be remembered that there were other interests to be considered, and that it was impossible adequately to provide for all claims without removing from the Royal Institution some of the parties already in possession. It might be possible at a less cost and more efficiency to find accommodation for societies like the Royal Society in another building with a less expensive site. At the same time he felt that this was the fitting time for bringing forward a scheme of the kind advocated, when the whole question must be faced and the present chaotic condition of affairs done away with. Referring to some of the practical details which would have to be taken up in carrying out the scheme, the Secretary for Scotland asked if the societies interested had considered the question of the up-keep of the building, and Sir William Turner replied that that question had been gone into very fully, and that they were prepared to accept much the same conditions as held in regard to Burlington House and the various societies housed there, that is, that they were prepared to act the part of tenants if the Government would do the outside or landlord's repairs. Mr. Graham Murray concluded by saying that he would do his best to impress upon the Government the necessity of dealing adequately and generously with what had long been a clamant want.