Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12

least Ok SOUL, anO as the nfSC speaker
he introduced DR.. Drinker. "Prexy,' as
the younger graduates called him. told
Of the advantages offered by the cur
riculum Of "alma mater"
Work on Panama Canal.
In addition to saying some significant
things about Lehigh, DR.. Drinker told
OF the work on the Panama canal He
said, in part:
Il am glad to be able to give testi-
mony in Washington in regard to a
piece Of engineering work that our gov
eminent is carryig on in wonderfully
able manner. AS some of you know.
I have been an active member OF the
American Institute Of Mining Engineers
since the founding Of that great organ
ization. in 1871. AS a young engineer
I. was ono Of those present at the or
ganization meeting Of the institute. and
have always remained in active MEM
bership. The institute has a custom OF
holding some of it's meetings at distant
points, and this last autumn a Ham
burg-American liner was chartered for
object Of inspecting the work Of the
canal. BY invitation of President Taft
the members Of the institute were given
every possible opportunity for viewing
the work.
canal construction going on in all Its
phases. In going over il and inspect
ing the layout Of the buildings. shops
and plant the first impression made on
one is one Of overwhelming admiration
for the mastery and minute care and
ability with which the whole project is
being developed and managed-Quietly,
with little talk or fuss. but systematical-
ly, scientifically, thoroughly and ener-
getically. The systematic, orderly, expe-
ditious transportation Of cxcavated earth
and rock. the arrangements for dumping.
tho absence Of transportation congestion
or Of car shortage in handling the I'M
mense amount of material carried from
the cuts and on the railroad generally
show a perfection Of organization in the
transportation department that calls out
the enthusiastic praise Of experienced
railroad men. We were given the fullest
opportunity for inspection and study OF
this great work and came home pro-
foundry impressed with its magnitude and
prospective great value to our country
and to the world. and very proud as
Americans Of the admirable way in which
1t is being carried on.
Favor Lock System.
"Our party numbered some eighty-ave
engineers and business men. representing
as graduates thirty-six colleges or uni
versities. and as citizens eighteen states
of the Union. We came home unani-
mously convinced that the proper decision
had been made in determining to build a
lock canal instead Of a sea-level canal
that a sea-level canal is simply out OF
question, and at a meeting held on the
return trip this body of visiting engineers
unanimously passed resolutions commend
ing the present plan Of the canal as good
and expressing the opinion that the work
is in thoroughly capable hands. that 1t
is progressing satisfactorily. and that 1T
will be completed by the date set for it
January /, 1915, and probably earlier; that
the canal engineers are the right men In
the right place. and that they should re-
ceive the hearty support and encourage
ment of the American people"
Pays Tribute to Lehigh Men.
Rear Admiral Endicott briefly outlined
the benefits to be obtained from a thor
ough education in the sciences and paid
a tribute to Lehigh men Gardner r.
Williams. who was graduated from the
University of California in 1865 and who
is now president of the University Club
of Washington, told of his association
with Thomas Drown, late president OF
Lehfgh University. He also told of the
loyalty and earnestneSS that character
lied sons OF Lehigh in their work in all
parts of the world.
Maj William V. Judson, Engineer Com
missioner of the District Of Columbia.
spoke in jocular vein and concluded by
saying. "Pulpits and even the halls OF
Congress might be better filled If ensi-
neers were placed there"
Commissioner of Patents Edward Is.
Moore lauded the college spirit manifest
in this country and paid a compliment
to Lehigh men in particular. He eX-
pressed the hope that the democratic
House which convenes April would ap-
propriate funds for a new patent office.
He closed his remarks by telling the
alumni that engineers should never De
afraid that the scientific professions
would be overcrowded
The last speaker on the program MADE
one of the most interesting addresses OF
the evening. Sir Robert Hadfield, intro
duced as Englands most famous metal
lurg1st. began his speech by saving that
the advantages Of special training are
great Then he branched off and told
his hearers that International competition
is good for all peoples. I'VE would never
have had the leviathans. the Mauretania
and the Lusitania, were it not Tor German
competition in transatlantic trahc' ne
added.
With other things. Sir Robert said
Americans can truthfully say that the
United States IS the foremost nation in
the world. Admitting that the Philippine
States. he hoped Americans would never
let them go.
At the conclusion of the festivities the
diners arose and. joining hands Gang
"Auld Lang Syne."
Prominent Men Present
Among those present were J. A. Wat
son, vice president of the club; w. A.
Draper secretary-treasurer; T. c. Baily,
Clarence Barnard. r. P Barnard. Fair
fax Bayard. William Bowie, w. /. Boyd.
Z. c. Brown. II. c. Eddy. Felix Frey
hold. III Galliher S. J. Gass, Z. n. Gill
jr. L. n Gillis H. w. HoelSe. A. A. Hoeh-
ling. jr.. II. J. Jackson. Elwooh johnson,
B. p Lamberton. r. w. Lee, H. D. Nc
Caskey, E. r. Martin. J. G. Mathers, G.
A. Nixon, c. j. O'Neill. DR.. T. OReilly.
H. Orth, jr.. E. G. Grammer, Southland
Parker. A. e. Phillips. w. p. Richards,
H. W. Rowley. Achilles Sagrario. s. G.
Simpson. a. l.. Tunstali. S. s. Voorhees,,
J \ Watson and F. A. Weihe.