U. S. Invest in Exiled Scientists? (Oct, 1933)
U. S. Invest in Exiled Scientists?
SYSTEMATIC investment by America in European scientists of proved ability now being driven out of their own countries by racial prejudices or by other features of the vast social disturbances abroad is urged by American scientific leaders.
Just now a large number of highly skilled and able scientists among German Jews are losing their positions in that country and are being forced to emigrate, as happened recently to Professor Einstein. In Russia and some other European countries emigrations of scientific men are being forced by other prejudices or by poverty. Why not endow in perpetuity five thousand of the ablest scientific men of the world with $200,000 each? It would be the most profitable investment ever made, it is argued.
A Billion dollars in the middle of the depression?
I’m not sure but I think they’d do it for a safe, clean bed, a lab, and a chance to apply their
theories. Who knows, they might even come up with something…
Comment by Stannous — February 23, 2008 @ 9:49 am
Or wait a dozen years and grab loads of them for no cost at all.
Comment by Adrian — February 23, 2008 @ 11:22 am
France, the UK, Canada, and Australia, and to a lesser extent South Africa and New Zealand, all had growing universities that were looking to hire these refugees. The US wasn’t the only country in the world with universities and research facilities, even back then, and a bonus would have helped attract the best and brightest.
Comment by Blurgle — February 23, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Sounds like a cynical comment to the tides of war and depression which happened in the early half of the 20th century. True, but cynical…
Comment by Roflcopter — February 25, 2008 @ 5:28 am