The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-04-08

interest in it, but 1t has had its success
in England. and negotiations are under
way for German translation
The project OF the Pan-American
Railway Is dramatic in conception. In
execution the enterprise will rank high
among the great railways Of the future.
republics They will make for the
peace OF the western hemisphere. these
5000 miles of rail links which will cost
$500, 000.0 900, and will bring New York
into direct communication with Buenos
Ayres or Alaska and Hudson Bay with
Patagonia
For the United States the project IS
the commercial coroIIary of the Mon
roe doctrine The moral influence
makes for the increased stability and
political progress OF the various Latin
American republics. and there Is the
trade benefit of Industrial development
and enlarged commerce There is espe-
cially the reciprocal influence OF the
Panama canal And il may be added
that an additional good is derived from
the enforced knowledge Of geography
-Scrfbner's Magazine (ApriD.
The. recent publication OF book Of
extracts from the writings OF Dr. William
Osler under the title OF "Counsels and
Ideals has called forth disquisition on
the subject of The Spiritual Attitude
Toward Old Age" by Professor Felix ADD
Ter. leader Of the New York Society for
Ethical Culture. 1t Is published as Eth
cal Pamphlet No. 12- 1t will be remember
ed that Osler's book. "Counsels and
Ideals" Is not by any means written on
the subject Of old age, nor are the selec-
tons in it chosen with any special re-
lation to the doctrine or opinion popularity
known as Oslerism; but that is no matter
for the mere mention Of the name OF
Osler stirs up the discussion OF senility.
and as the thought Is much in print these
days II Is timely to hear announcement
from the head OF the ethical society
Professor Adler begins his essay by say
Ing, In re OF Osler's recent book: when
the physician speaks the world listens
The physician occupies in modern society
a position Of unique influence and i'm
portance. He is the custodian Of health.
often the savior Of life" This expert
In ethics praises some Of the counsels IN
the Doctors book Of ideals and is doubt
full OF others
Adler does not stick very closely to the
caption Of his essay. but to get swiftly
and briefly to his conclusions. his idea
OF the spiritual attitude toward old age
is similar % the ethical ideal OF the Bible
which says. Before the grey head thou
shalt rise
Probably the most interesting para
graph in the essay is one wherein he
explains special way in which such old
men as have preserved their faculties and
energies may have a usefulness to them
selves and to society so as TO make them
equally valuable to human welfare as are
the powers OF youth. Adler in advocating
the value OF old age does not try to mimi
nlize the worth Of young men His is the
sane conclusion that both are needed for
the best worlds work. The extract that
/ Will give you is interesting just at this
time from the fact that Congress IL Just
now considering the question of what Is
the measure of usefulness OF the old men
in the civil service. and OF greatly rsdr =
ing their pay. Here is the way Adler
puts one advantage Of old age:
Judgment is the ability to read given situa-
ticn. TO interpret IL and 10 decide on the ap-
propriate course OF action The OF judg-
nent Is the man. who. when placed face to
face with certain set or circumstances, viii
at once recall similar circumstances and
rapidly note the points OF difference between
the previous and the present group OF cir
cumstances and remembering the course OF
action which was adequate the previous
occasion Will quickly decide whether IL be
adequate on the present occasion whether
IL needs to De modified and how. 1t stands
to reason then that Judgment depends the
richness and variety OF previous experience.
en- ones having at command a store of els-
and it Is evident that richness and variety
OF experience are gained only IN the course OF
time and cannot very well be the possession
of young II Is Judgment that dis
tinguishes the seasoned man from the novice
and II cannot be acquired from a study OF
textbooks and formulas, but only from
perience-