New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
LONG on TECHNICAL TRAINING.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY SPEAKS on
ITS EFFECT UPON OFFICERS AND MEN


Boston. Dec. pa distinguished company gath.
cred around the tables of The Hotel Brunswick this
evening to take part In the annual reunion of the
alumni OF the Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology. John D. Long Secretary of the
Navy; David J. Hill. Assistant Secretary
OF state; IAeutenant-Governor John l.. Bates and
Professor Henry S. Prtchett the recently elected
president of The institute we're the prncipal sneak
ers Before the banquet a business meeting of the
association was held which officers were elected
Charles T. Main. '76. being chosen president Presi-
dent Edward F. Miller of the association intro
duced In graceful manner the speakers of the
evening
Dr. Pritchett the first speaker, read a telegram
from Benjamin Vaughan, of HaloweIl Me-. prom
Using $500 toward the Walker memorial fund. Presi-
dent Prtchett reported gifts aggregatng S93 26 be-
sides donation of 500 annu4ll-' five years for
athletic prizes for the student showing the great
est improvement In physique. He reported l2SS
students an excess of nearly hundred any
previous year.
President Pritchett was followed by Lieutenant
Governor Bates. representing the Commonwealth.
who paid warm tribute to the institute and the
great work it had done for the country at large.
The next speaker was Secretary Long, and the re-
ception given him left no doubt to the high
esteem in which he held by those present. He
said in part:
The technical schools of the country are very
close TO Ihe Navy Department and must continue
TO play an important part in the successful de-
velopment and construction of the Navy. for it is
the posts of direction and Responsibility in the ship
and engine building establishments of the country,
whlch are now rapidly increasing both in num-
ber 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 before in history. 1
think that do not overstate the when say
that to-day % our ships are certainly not inferior to
been brought % @ about largely by the technical h ed1
of the great shipbuildng establishments of the
country. without whose active cooperation 1t
would nOSSih1e
The change in the Character of our ships has
brought with Y marked change in the character
truly be said Of the naval officer of the day that
the seaman that he is fast becoming if not me-
chanic, at least a familiar with the manipu-
gree that S the sGccess o9eTon Of our ships
bears constant testimony his skill.
Secretary IIill. speaking on our Commercial Ex-
pension said among other things:
Among the notable phenomena of the century
complete inversion OF its economic condition. In
the year $500 the great need or the united states
was for capital with which TO develop its wonder
dl natural r. g In the year sE0 eG IF
profit in which II may reap Its natural reward
transformationE application Of mechanical
power and the creation of a new mechanism of
During the whole of the last century the forces
bower of human muscles. and INGENIOUS devices
have been invented TO direct these forces toward
The problems Of mechanical production and trans
haTe solved to point Of perfection where
are most needed has ceased to be a subject of
and more serious problem of finding ade-
quate demand foE labor and capital.
ment has arisen the modern system Of banking, by
% %sn ereSt as &c aaf the
its financial side. At present people are not
at premiums IhicE illustrate the fact that they
possess large surplus OF unemployed capital but
Russian and German national securities find
ready market In this country.