New-York tribune., 1906-04-15
HTMPHRTES TALKS GAS.
4ttacks YeUOzc Journals and Recent
InUesti cation.

President c Alexander Humphries OF Stevens
Institute last night severely criticised the recent
gas investigation and the yellow journals. which
he included with graft reformers.
The remarks We're made the annual dinner OF
the Civil Engineer Graduates of Columbia Uni
versity, held the Hotel Astor. William Barclay
Parsons tOsstmaster-
President Nicholas Murray Butler was introduced
as the first speaker He said that the course OF
applied science was only forty-two years old, and
in the beginning had trouble in securing academic
recognition. He had recently met man who re-
turned from the Orient. who said that he had met
Columbia classmates come across their tracks IN
Siberia, Panama. South Africa and wherever he
went 81 don't know where the science of en-
gineering is going end. continued President But
ler 7 asked friend If he thought that they could
move Pixies Peak 20 Colorado City. He said that
he thought they could. but IL would be expensive
President Alexander C MunIhries. OF Stevens
Institute who she next speaker. spoke Of Re
form criticised the gas legislation and
the State Gas Commission. de blamed The yellow
journals for misnforU alton this and other suo-
jecs and said that there all kinds Of reform
ers, including graft reformers and yellow journal
reformers.
The yellow press" he said SIS the curse of the
country and the greatest obstacle TO reform" He
gave the recent gas investigation an instance
Of misdirected reform and said:
Let s consider case Of so-called reform AZ
home. In the case of a certain PUBLIC industry
Journals No doubt cause had been given for COM
plants, Dlt the causes were specire ana not gen
eral This was enough for the yellow journals 20
claim thar every feature OF management was wrong
Referring 10 the appointment Of the State Gas
Commission he said:
The business that the commission 10 consider
was Of such compexity that il was expected that
the Governor would appoint able and reputable
who already qualified 70 deal with the
problem and subject to political pressure. The
Undertaking difficult one Tor any competent
board 10 deal with along specific lines. but there
on the board either engineer q man
experienced in business management. All three
lawyers and apparently subject 20 political
influence. / make no reflections on the gentlemen
personally. I finding fault with the system.
None Of them had a commercial training, and ap-
parenJly would not be able take in the full and
true meaning of a statement Of account One was
Judge fortunately, and experienced in balancing
conflicting evidence.
Professor Humphries said the commission was
subjected the influence ~ public clamor sedu-
lousy and the yellow press. He then referred 10
the passage Of the gas legislation while the COM
mission still work its report, and said
What a parody upon justice and what reflection
upon the Governor and the Legislature in having
committed a board Of their making the
development of facts FOR future guidance and then
taking the matter out Of their hands because the
investigation took more time than the politicians
believed necessary
Henry r. Hornbostel and Professor ". II. Burr
also spoke briefly