Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
WORK FOR SCIENTISTS.
Some Things the Wise Men Should
Start at Once to Do.

From the New York American.
1t is common to talk about the wonder
full strides made by modern science, but
looking at the matter from another point it
is really astonishing how many things most
desirable for human welfare remain to be
done. Modern science is always being
praised. Sermons and pamphlets and maya
zine article vie with each other to laud it
to the skies. 1t is said to have achieved so
much. We are hidden to look at it's tele-
phone, the telegraph, the electric light, the
Roentgen ray, the steam engine, the huge
steamer and the thousand and one other
discoveries of the day. We think that life
is revolutionized from that which our
fathers lived, and that we have reason for
great pride, and, indeed, for thankfulness.
We are so eager eyed in viewing it's &C
complishments that we do not see it's fail
ures. The world which lies at it's feet seems
to us to be so vast that we forget the
greater world which holds it in scorn And
there is such a greater world. The tele-
phone the electric light, the steam engine
form, after all, but a small portion Of the
world in which we live. Modern science
has affected our actual living life, so to
speak, much less than we are apt to mag
ine In eating, drinking, sleeping, love MAX
ing, quarreling-we differ but little from our
ancestors of many centuries past. Look
d y,
ciple. Let us look at them. Calico de-
clared the modern scientific basis Of the
solar system. Newton announced the law
of gravitation. Since then how meager
have been the results in astronomy. To dis
cover planet, and name 1t, is not an
achievement which has any striking import
ance for humanity at large. Similarly is
the discovery of argon in the atmosphere
Of any positive value to any one? Modern
science has a knack Of declaring some
truth with an impressive solemnity. But
the really interesting facts it leaves to con-
lecture. What would we give to know If
Mars is really inhabited, and If there were
at one time great peoples on the moon?
Those would be Of interest and Importance,
but modern science chooses to be silent
If we come to our own earth we find
either battle science or are ignored by
scientists. AS civilization advances we need
moro and more to have huge buildings,
either for industries or for residence. Yet
SO ordinary a luxury as ventilation seems
to be outside the skill of the scientist. He
can fit up pretty buttons with bells and
indicators; he can arrange wonderful
lights, making the night to rival the day.
These are the fruits of electrical study and
research and herein modern science glories.
But the provision of fresh air through the
passages of huge buildings seems to be out
side human skill. Draughts in winter and
sitting heat in summer. characterize our
great halls, and even judges appeal in vain
for fresh air and protest to no purpose
Consequently our streets are packed with
pallid faces and illnesses are developed
which counteract largely the good influ-
ences of surgical and medical advance.
Even in lowlier ways science has short
comings. Is there anything more clumsy
than a shoe? There are leather stitches
and nails. The twentieth century can hit
on no better system Of dealing with soles
and heels. The Roman soldier of the Lee
gion and the American business man Of
today have almost precisely the same foot
and clumSV footwear 1t lS. knowing
but little Of the shape and comfort Of the
foot. The same applies to umbrellas, surely
the most insane Instrument ever invented.
The best umbrella is not better than the
original article invented 200 years ago in
Queen Annes time. 1t only keeps the hat
from getting wet.