The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-06
VOICES or THE GREAT TO BE PRE-
 SERVED IN HONOGRAPHIC PANTHEON

AnS paah OL preserving the voices of
 the great men of the present generation
 for the future by means of phonographic
 reproduction is at last about to be real
 ized The suggestion has been frequenl-
 iy discussed of establishing living pam tneon. to be carefully preserved for tine
 benefit of civilization centuries hence.
 As a rule. however, the public has re-
 fused to take the phonograph seriously
 or as anything more than toy. Within
 a few days, however, phonetic archives
 have been formally established at liar yard University, m the Congressional Library and in the National Museum at Washington. similar collection is con-
 templated at Yale.
 The three phonetic archives recently established have commenced their colicc- tions with several excellent reproduc- tions of the voice of the Emperor of Germany. The cylinders were prepared under the direction of pr. Edward W. Scripture. the psychologist of Yale Uni- veneity. Two cylinders were prepared with the Emperor's assistance. One of these, intended especially for Harvard, contains the Emperor's observations on
 Frederick the Great; the second is q short disquisition on "Fortftude in Pain.' The cylinders were obtained with little difficulty. pr. Scripture first secured an
 audience through the American Ambas-
 sador. and arranged to make the cylin-
 ders after the Emperor had returned
 from church on the following Sunday. Ths Emperor remained alone with the phonograph during the making of the cylinders
 First Suggested by Dr. Bleyer. The original plan for founding such a pantheon was suggested originally, it is
 believed. by Dr. J. Mount Bleyer, of New York. In discussing plans some years ago Dr. Bieyer said:
 What greater gift could present day philanthrophy bequeath to posterity than
 complete record of our life and liter | ature, not as expressed in books, but .n | living autographs? What books have done in past ages in recording their life and literature the autogram of the pho- | nograph migkt do for the present, and
 with far greater reality. Compared with
 such record the greatest of the worlds
 libraries must appear lifeless and inade- quate. And as books are collected and shelved in great libraries, these auro- graphs might be gathered and preserved
 in great living pantheon for the ben eft of remotest posterity. Could such records have been preserved of the great | orators, the poets, actors of the past, | ehACtk NaAUC SOudys HOL OIuy AS CEEiOcl- | ties but, for their direct educational
 value, would have been incalculable. In
 these days of great public benefactions l here is an opportunity to found a great pantheon as enduring as any library and of far greater historical value for the | future"
 In discussing tine plans for the present | collections now under way Dr. Scripture | says: 'The phonetic archives are to In-
 clude records from such persons as will presumably have permanent historical in-
 terest for America. An advisory com | mittee of eminent Americans has pre- pared Q list of ten living Americans
 whose voices will be preserved. His Mai esty the Emperor of Germany's voice Is | the first European record to be laid in | the archives"
 The practical difficulties of preparing | and preserving these autographs have I now been overcome. A, comparison be- tween the cost of producing these auto- l graphs and the printing of books will 1 show the former to be much the cheaper | of the two. It is, besides, possible to le- | new these records from time to time | without their losing their hfelikeaess. In | thls way the actual tones of voice may | be heard forever. The autographs ars
 less affected by the rayages of time than | books.
 Remarkable Treasures. l And a pantheon which would preserve
 such records need cost no more than a | library, although the building for the | purpose should at least be worthy of its
 remarkable treasure. Such a collection | would. besides, be as comprehensive as | any collection of mere books. since every l phase of human endeayor could be rep-
 resented and done full justice to.
 The founding of such a pantheon is
 thought by many to be anticipated in
 the scientific photographic work recent
 ly commenced at Yale University. These | investigations, which are entirely novel l in their way, are to be conducted by
 members of the faculty. The work Is
 made possible by an endowment by Mr.
 Andrew Carnegie. The plan comprises | the collection of distinctive dialects
 throughout. the country and their pres
 ervation in permanent form at New
 Haven.
 1 A national phonetic survey is to be | made under these auspices. A feature of
 the collection Is to be the dialects of the North American Indians. especially of the tribes which are rapidly disappear ing It is proposed to send a special car
 through the West this summer equipped l with the proper instruments and man. | ned by professors and students. The5e records will afterward be preserved at