Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1910-12-09
MAGNATE
PRAISES NORTHWEST
Pres. Elliott, of the Northern Pacific,
Addresses Students and
Tonwspeople.


TO by large number of townspeople
faculty members and students.
Harvard wants to make itself,
and feels perhaps that it is organic
ing itself into a national university
1t is looking to the west for students,
instructors and instruction. We
have three members of the governing
board living west of the Mississippi
river, one at St. Louis, one at st.
Paul, and one at Portland, Oregon.
That fact emphasizes the interest
which the graduates of Harvard, who
elect the overseers, take in the great
country west of the Mississippi
river
President Bryan spoke truly
when he said the railroads are inter
ested in higher education. The rail-
roads are interested in these things,
and particularly are they interested
in better education, better methods
of living, and in lettering country
life as compared with life in the
cities In the last 100 years there
has been a marked drifting away
from the country to the city. In
1900 only 81 per cent Of the people
Of the United States lived in cities
and the census just taken will prob
ably show over 80 per cent living in
towns and cities.
The great work Icing done in
this state under the leadership of
President Bryan in showing how to
make better use of the land, how to
make country life more desirable, is
great work in the whole United
States and especially is it a great
work for the young men and women
who have the privilege of coming
people who like to live in the coun-
try. We must have country life made
more pleasant. There is no better
life for the young man or young wo-
man than home in the country.
They can do better for themselves
there Scientific farming is just as
important, and in time will produce
just as good results as scientific
work in any other pursuit.
1T is thirty years ago last week
since | left college. My work has
been altogether with the railroads.
1t has been at times arduous and at
other times pleasant. In view of the
experience | have had, ! want to urge
upon you as students the great de-
STABILITY of learning accuracy and
thOroughness. Too often we have
young men come into the railways
who are not accurate in their state
ments, not thorough in their investi-
cations and when we ask them to do
something, they do not do it right.
Their reports are not complete when
they are handed in.
These are not the sort of men
who can succeed in railroad work, nor
in farming. In Washington, D. c.,
! have often observed a sign which
is over the door of a blacksmith
shop. 1t reads, Horses Shod Here
by a Horseshoer. In other words
the blacksmith was a specialist in
this business. The sign did not say,
Horses Shod by a Jeweler, or by
a farmer. They were shod by a
horseshoer who said he knew how
to shoe horses and was a horseshoer.
IF you are a farmer, you should
know about farming; if a merchant,
about that business; if railroad
man, you should know railroading.
In this college here you have a great
opportunity to learn many useful
things, but learn first Of all accuracy
and thoroughness.
Harvard feels thoroughly in SYM
pathy with the great growth Of the
state universities and colleges Of the
United States, and with the smaller
colleges as well. Everything of this
kind works for the cause of educa-
ton. Harvard cannot expect to
draw many men from the states west
Of the Bitter Root mountains, be-
cause excellent universities and col
leges are all over this country. But
Harvard does offer through its
graduate school special courses Of
much value, the equipment for which
may be lacking in younger institu-
tions. We welcome the people from
the west because they bring good
ideas, and a new atmosphere to the
college. 1t is one of my earnest
hopes that can get President Low
! ell IN make a trim through the west