Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-07-25
GREAT ELECTRICIAN IN ROME.
Marconi Is Not So Appreciated in the
United States.


United States.
Perhaps in no other country in the
world is the work of the investigator in
fields of scientific inquiry so little ap-
preciated at it's true worth as in the
United States. To be sure, the news
papers see to IL that no discovery which
can be readily colored with mendacious
spiendor to attract the public eye, is
allowed to go unacclapmed as the most
revolutionary that has been made i'll Il
century. But sensational recognition is
hardly the desire of any true scientist.
If Americans seem cold other nations
on the contrary seem more than warm
i'll their praise of scientific work The
opposite extreme of extrayagant admira-
ton in the form of popular demonstra-
tons seems often to be reached i'll the
southern countries of Europe. Not the
least striking example of the heights 10
which the enthusiasm of Il warm hearted
race may soar in its appreciation of the
brilliant scientific achievements of one of
its members. is afforded by the greeting
accorded to Marconi on the occasion of
his recent visit to Rome. We are as
fully convinced of the greatness of our
nation as Italians are of the glory of
theirs. Yet, what American scientist or
inventor was ever welcomed at rail-
way station by deputation of city au-
thorlties and by multitude % cheering
Countrymen! Still, such was the rccep-
ton of Marcon in Rome On May 1 of
this year. Not only the students of the
colleges shouted an Italian welcome to
him; but little school children seemed
carried away in the popular fervOr, and
added their voices to the outburst
of their elders Not even a heavy down
pour Of rain could check the Italian ar
dor. The horses were Embarrassed from
No md
one another for the honor of dragging
him to his hotel If the Italian papers
are to be credited, his journey through
Italy must have been a veritable triun-
plant procession. Indeed, the glamor of
his presence i'll Rome waned only on the
arrival of Emperor William, but soon re-
gained its brightness after the departure
Of the Kaiser. At a special session of
the city council of Rome and in the pres
ence Of his family, Marconi was made an
honorary citizen In the great hall of the
CampidogliO, reserved for kings and the
highest dgnitaries, and in the presence of
the King and Queen and of a gathering
composed of the foremost scientists and
of Rome S aristocracy, he read a paper,
1000 words in length according to his
own statement. ON his work in wireless
telegraphy. The next day the mayor
drove him to the wireless Geographic
station on Monte Mario, where kilograms
k0f congratulation were exchanged with
other Italian wireless stations. Then
followed Il series of banquets at which
orations were delivered, the chief topic
being. of course, Marconi. who. it was
plainly stated, was not only the most ia
nous scientist of Italy, but even of the
world. In pretty speech MarcheSa
Capranica del Grillo made him a mem
Der of the Italian Naval institute in the
house of Adelaide Ristori.
Much of this theatrical adulation,
which to an American or Englishman is
repulsiye, can, of course. be explained
by the ELUSIVE. emotional warmth which
has ever characterized the Italian tenn
permanent. The feats of an Italian, be
he scientist. soldier, poet or painter, are
generally viewed through Il telescope and
magnifed out of all proportion, We are
not prone to heittle what we have done
in vanquishing other nations in the cease
less war waged by commerce; we have
not utterly diSregardcd the commanding
place which we have lately assumed as Il
political power, and we certainly have
not failed TO impress upon our children
something of the glory of American his
tory Yet, it seems quite beyond the
power of the average American not only
to award to its scientific countrymen that
need of recognition which is properly
theirs, but even to remember their very
names. How many Americans have ever
heard of Langley and RemSen among liv-
ing scientists, not to mention Henry and
Marsh among those of the past?
1t is hardly necessary TO drag a scien-
tist in his carriage to his hotel as if he
were prima donna; to wait upon him
whenever he visits prominent city, or to
surfeit him with applause. Sore encour
agement, however, he surely deserves,
and that encouragement should he Civ
en- With becoming dignity and with some
what more generosity than the richest
country in the world. country, more
over, which owes much of its wealth TO
the work of applied science has been
wont to beStow ON its investigators.
Scientific American