The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-31

is theoretically furnished by the exper-
fence of his and other cognate COM
panies, and the records of public and
private bodies with the common rules
of interest, in fact 1t needs not only
great mathematical capacity, but great
practical sagacity to apply them to act
ual business; and no actuary of the
highest class is a mere mathematician.
In the early days. when experience
was still mostly to make, the actuaries
were usually the presidents of their
companies. In recent times a safe body
of experience has accumulated which
enables business men to head them,
and the actuary'S computations and ad-
vice relate to slighter variations or spe-
cial plans. In accident companies the
actuary needs to be, and usually is,
man of large practical acquaintance
with different employments, their haz-
ards. the meaning of given employment
names, and those under winch the more
hazardous employments are disguised
as less so: in fire insurance equally he
must know the character of different
risks
1t must be source of satisfaction to
Won as If is a matter of great interest
critical study of your requirements,
that membership signifies high attain
ments and admitted professional stand
ing.
Your congress in many particulars oc-
cupies a unique position. First, the
subject-matter of your deliberations Is
primarily scientific, based in fact upon
what may be termed a distinct branch
of applied mathematics. Second, it en-
braces in it's wide scope the professions
of law and of medicine, and its discus
sions contemplate the consideration of
formal contracts and questions allied
to various divisions of sanitary science.
Third, the relation of this subject-mat-
ter which has the attention of the con-
gress, to these academic subjects has
m a ri
great world of finance, and is intimate
ly connected with financial institutions
that are among the potential of our
modern economic factors; for these great
institutions include not only those of life
insurance, but the savings fund and the
pension offices. and similar agencies
which on the continent of Europe are in
so many cases governmental institu-
tons Fourth, it is altogether probable
and within the realm of sane statement
to say that rarely, if ever before has
there met in this country a body of
thinkers and workers more representa-
tive of the alliance of academic theory
with the application of the principles
of the learned professions to diversified
interests which occupy commanding
position in the business and Industrial
world. This means for the congress
great responsibility and great influence.
ON A PLANE OF IMPARTIALITY
Gentlemen, your relation to all mater
ial conditions of life is fortunate, for
YOU SldIlQ OH the HlRn plane Oh Impair
TALLY; you recognize in the broadest
sphere of your calculations neither race,
nor class, nor creed; you encourage
thrift; you are the friend of the toiler
as well as those in high places of power
and affiuence; you carry light and cheer
and comfort and hope into the earthS
dark places. You stand for things that
make for stability. You are the archi-
tectS of firm foundations upon which
rise institutions whose helpfulness is
far-reac ching and incalculable. Your
study is life, and the extent of your IN
fiuence is only equaled by it's benefi-
cence.
And so I can and do most heartily
congratulate you upon the character of
your high calling and upon the splendid
results that have thus far marked the
progress of your work. I would, how
ever, lose sight of what is, perhaps. the
greatest good. accomplished by these in
ternational meetings if. in referring to
the scope of your duties and their re-
lations to the actuarial science, 1 should
forget to mention and to emphasize an
other and a wider influence eXerted by
such congresses. In all walks of human
endeavor competition is keen, and the
struggle for position and profit among
individuals and among nations is active
and unfiagging. If the competition is
directed into right channels, if such
meetings as this. international in their
character, bring together representatives
from many countries for mutual inter-
change of thought and opinion on sub
jects of general interest, even though in
many instances members are COMPETE
! tors, who can doubt their helDfulness
| and their trend toward better feeling?
DEVELOPMENT OF RIVALRY
| Like other organizations of abundant
vitality and healthy growth, you will I'M
doubtedly develop in your meetings sharp
and persistent rivalry of thought and sug
gestion. But 1t will be on so high a
/ plane that we shall all be greater gamers
| by your deliberations. Let US have such
| rivalry, not only in your chosen profess
commercial relations The wholesome
/ activity that springs from the right sort
peace among the nations of the world.
1 The improved acquaintance which these
meetings make possible as to both men
/ and methods is one of the best safeguards
against internationa jealouses. You meet
upon common ground; you touch elbows
/ in a common cause. The many really
small differences disappear in the broad
1 discussion of themes that enlist COM
mon sympathy and support. There fol-
lows naturally and inevitably the great
result of an increased knowledge of the
subjects pertinent to your work, and OF
devote their time and energy to the
/ advancement of a science which finds to-
tinguished gathering it is my pleasure to
WELL NAMED A CONGRESS.
l am glad indeed to greet you, not only
as the representative of the government.
but of the department of commerce and
labor which is fortunate in participating
at the beginning of its career in so repre-
sentative and noteworthy a meeting as
this congress. The officials of the new de-
partment will watch your proceedings
with great interest for the more fully we
study the scope of the law which created
1t, the more clearly appear the points at
which our work touches the interests
which you represent.
You have chosen wisely In your designa-
ton OF these meetings as congress.
( They are in the broadest sense represen-
| tative-representative of the thought and
progress of the nations whose delegates
you have assembled. From your discus
sions and deliberations will come new
! principles and new methods in the science
to which you are devoted. but greater and
more beneficent than these Will be the
silent influences that spring from the good
| fellowship and better understanding fos-
tered in the friendly meeting of represen-
tatives of many of the world s great pow