New-York tribune., 1903-04-17
MINERVA LUNCHEON.
Members Hold a Debate as to the
Greatest of Human TnUentionS.

There is nothing like e debate TO sharpen the
wits" said Mrs Richard stearns. OF the Minerva
Club, yesterday. after the members had been en-
6eavo-ing 10 decide what invention had been OF
most use 70 the world. and II IS particularly good
for women. because OF their tendency 10 wander
from the point. They went OF at all sorts OF
tangents this afternoon-soared into the realms OF
the occult, rhapsodized about brotherly love. and
mentioned such things as Noahs ark as among the
worlds greatest inventions The debate was just
what We nesded. and dare say it did US al good
The discussion took place al the close Of the sec
ond subscription luncheon at Delnonico's, and was
arranged by Mrs. stearns, who led of with an
argument for wheels as the greatest Of human in
yentions-neaning thereby not bicycles but that
ps-t OF their mechanism from which they take
their name
TIE whole world moves on wheels. Mrs. stearns
Maintained Steam and electricity utilized by
their means. and practically al locomotion Is de-
rendert on them All the factories IN the world
are operated by means Of wheels. and even the uny
watch cannot tick without them.
This position Mrs steaTns maintained IN tne
teeth OF al ob3ectors. Mrs William Gerry Slade
thought that printing, by whatever means accom-
pIshed was the greatest Of human Inventions
bit Mrs. Stearns retorted that printing presses
could not run without wheels and that BOOKS
could net be transported from one place 10 an
other without the eid Of the same mechanism
Mrs. EDWARD BaIback puJ in e Plea for the pen
hut Mrs. Stearns replied tnat without the alo OF
wheels we would have 70 correspond with our
selves
MS Eeu GREY Taylor called attention 10 the
-avolr-ion wrought - steam engines. but mrs
s-ea-ns was unable see how the engine coUo
~11n without wheels Mrs IL & vincent oosei'eo
that before the invention OF the engine SHIPS
moved not tyv wheels but by the wind ana that
sails had been Of vast importance In the progress
g civilization II SO much that II il had nor oeen
for these old sailing vessels none o. US
pA where we are to-day. To this MIS- ote3iAS IL
-,le5 that the greater importance OF "neeIs We"
-. hat
means of navigation 49,. -,.o-la
sr-,e n-a-ie Neuhaus then observed that PeoE'ie
,-. v-aels were the most dangerous she hao eve
--er .r5 Mrs stearns retorted that II '0oA - ---
% -lr- the world .-,o--a-l,y-
- Ls-,-,er the gas steve, wireless teiegTaPns
-, -, So hand used by dentists TO keep tne
.t.-+ls mouth open and prevent coI1VefSaI4C+-'
$50 al, and pneurnatic arrangements were CO
mentioned as great inventions put mus % -
,rrs s-earns ruled out OF oroer; "-Ie-eS -
rsnhv because its results are Sun ~ - - - he
- c~-,nan~ as whole seemed 10 "@Ve- t
-, --1se1s and the printing press; ana tne P Ples
-, Ms Howard MacNutt said that that oOsH So
:. - sa.,.-e5 the greatest invention which olo
-nosr 70 promote human intercourse anu - 0----
rbe souls Of men together IN z POM =, .s.,
A. +.e close OF the luncheon MISS f-1se 49,
= - nrexican songs. and Miss Louie "o0o
,orr-fh,1tad s couple Of violin SOLOS, of the
Mrs Richard Henry Reed NSS.,e NSs ct,ei he1-E | Mrs
RECEPTION c37 5rs otto scholler, Mrs Lagr9a
Inges and Ms N ,iis7 q HiiSeT gerry sade Mrs Fred
Lz2te I,sE Of baltimore; Mrs JARVIS Aasi sLT -
2 Janlison and Mrs W - T4a-nett Mrs H. E.
present. were MTs- 4,sssi,t 3 PeeEe DR. Julia Mac
Sarah MacNutt Mrs J$1I.ia- lanes Ms
NJ q Matthews Mrs. \. E MhitaAer hJ-es Peg,
] Alfonso stearns, Mrs CPafISS Iant Miss Judson,
S1s 1+av ISABEL Fisk. Mrs. K A Conhiiis isssTIes
Hoffman, % MSS MISC nsqaG nsT5fng. Mrs Charles q
Push Mrs Z c. CalcWeiL S3I.1It 81 and Mrs G.
y5h5 n duncan. Mrs. A E Milnank anu Ms