The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-30
LONG AND HILL SPEAK
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AND AS
sIsTANT SECRETARY OF STATE.
Tribute to the Massachusetts Institute
of Techn0lOgy-Dr. Pritchett
Announces Gift.

BOSTON, Dec. pa distinguished COM
pany gathered around the tables of the
Hotel Brunswick this evening to participate
in the annual reunion of the Massachusetts
Alumni of the Massachusetts, Institute of
Technology. Secretary of the navy Hon.
John d. Long, assistant of secretary or
state, Hon. David ]. HILL Lieutenant Gov
ernor John L. Bates, Prof Henry .
Pritchett the recently elected president
of the institute, were the principal speak
ers.
President Edward F. Miller, of the asso-
citation, introduced the speakers of the
evening. DR.. Pritchett, the first speaker,
was received by the company rising to their
feet. He read a telegram from Benjamin
Vaughan, of Hallowell, Me-, promising $50
toward the Walker memorial. He reported
other gifts aggregating s93.267 and an an
Eual donation of $500 for five years. Presi-
dent Pritchett was followed by Lieutenant
Governor John L. Bates, representing the
commonwealth, who paid warm tribute
to the institute.
The next speaker was Secretary Long,
who was accorded a magnificent reception.
Secretary Long, in substance. said: 1.-The
technical schools of the country are very
close to the Navy Department, and must
continue to play important part In the
successful development and construction of
the navy, for it is to these schools that we
look for recruits to supply the posts of
direction and responsibility in the ship and
engine building establishments of the
country, which are now rapidly increasing
both in number and capacity. The need of
such technical education as is given by the
Massachusetts, Institute of Technology is
greater to-day in naval architecture and
marine engineering than ever before in
our history. / think that / don't overstate
the case when L say that to-day our ships
are certainly not inferior to those or for
eign powers. This rapid advance has been
brought about largely by the technical cdu-
cation of our officers, ably seconded by the
staff OF the great ship-building establish
ments of the country. without whose active
cooperation II would not have been posi-
bly, II we compare a battleship like the
Kearsarge with OF the old sailing
frigates like the Constitution, we are struck
with the wonderful strides that have been
made I'm century and are more than ever
impressed with the obligation We are under
to the technical man who has been large
ly instrumental in bringing about this
transformation.
1.-THE change In the character Of our ships
has brought with ii a marked change in
the character and training of Cur officers
and seamen. 1t may truly be said of the
naval officer of the day that he is a tech
ncal man of the highest order, and of the
seaman that he is fast becoming, If not a
mechanic, at least a man familiar with the
n.anipula ton of mechanical appliances. and
to such a degree that the successful opera
ton of our ships bears constant testimony
t. his SKILL
Assistant Secretary of State Hill said:
"Our commercial expansion-amorg the no.
table phenomena of the century through
which our country has just passed, is the
complete inversion of its economic condi-
ton. In the year 1850 the great need of
the United States was for capital with
which TO develop its wonderful natural re-
sources. In the year 1900 a superabundance
OF capital is demanding new fields of profit
In which it may reap its natural reward
Two great agencies of change have wrought
this transformation-the application Of me
chanical power and the creation OF new
mechanism of credit. The problems OF
mechanical production and transportation
have been solved to point of perfection
where the supply of finished products,
placed where they are most needed, have
caused to be subject of serious Importance
ard in its place has arisen the new and
mere serious problem of finding an ade-
ouate demand for labor and capital.
when we compare our economic de-
velopment with that of European nations
we perceive that our undivided attention
has hitherto been directed toward the
building up of or domestic industries.
Mr. Hill referre at length to many in
stances of the country's growth, touching
particularly upon the development of our
great industries like iron and steel trade.
ard the outlook for great impetus in foreign
trade. He spoke of the need of a great
merchant marine. an isthmian canal and
more important yet, an ideal organism for
promoting international trade relations and
for educating consuls to broader knowl-
edge of their required duties.
On the conclusion Of Mr.. Hills speech
President Pritchett gave a general idea OF
che nropcSod Walker Memorial yruua.juu1
at the institute and the report of the COM
mittee was read. At the conclusion of
President Pritchett's remarks, some addi-
tionai contributions were announced.
amounting to more than $500. from repre-
sentatives OF different classes.