New-York tribune., 1911-03-26

~ vOrTD rather be professor OF
chemistry in Columbia University
l. than be President Of the United
States For more than twenty years 1t mas
been my dream. my ambition, 10 have ana 10
hold that Mace and now il has come TO me
without solicitation. While realizing the
,esnorsibiities cannot fully express the
satisfaction il affords me 10 be placed at
the mead OF the laboratory OF that great
American university-largest Of them all
with It's abundant advantages Tor pursu-
ing study and making researches.
In the first interview he ever granted 10
newspaper man DIR Alexander smith,
professor of chemistry in the University
Of Chicago who has accepted the ofer
Of the trustees 10 become the successor
OF Professor Charles Frederick Chandler
~ Columbia. voiced his sentiments thus
10 "a correspondent Of The Tribune as ne
sat in his Chicago home after the ter
mnaton of the negotiations that VIII
bring him 10 New York next June.
a long. brawny Scotchman. with heavy
dark nustache. strong features and large
penetrating eyes. is Professor Smith. That
he is a player Of our national game oi
baseball he admitted. atubutins his sue
cess on the diamond 10 his arms whlch
are so long. he said, that nobody was
ever able 70 knock a fly too high for nm
10 reach and then he turned his head
snd smiled. betraying the keen sense OF
LUmor that is masked by a serious counte-
nance
Tie Tribune correspondent had knocked
lcrg and loud at No. 500 Monroe avenue
MY wife has gone 10 the country and the
maid doesn't seem 10 be on the JOB,
said tie world renowned authority on
CHEMISTRY opening the door and greeting
hls visitor. whom he expected at hXed
hour as the result of diplomatic exchanges
over ire telephone
Or Smith led the way upstairs 70 a cosey
room a5ounding with art works and easy
chairs He selected one with pam
hard seat and straight back, placed It In
the centre Of the floor. and then drew an
other up TO II back 20 back. after Offering
his visitor rocker Planting himself IN
one Of the straight backs. he wrapped his
legs around the other reached into the
upper left pocket Of his waiscoat, and drew
forth all that il contained.
"Iave stocie?" Dc said. offering one 10
his visitor and placing the other in his
mouth YES" he continued, II suppose
am smoking them all the time when l am
where 7 can smoke He stopped a re"
seconds and blew several rings toward the
ceiling Then he leaned forward over the
backs of the two chairs and said. Il never
was interviewed and don't understand what
Is expected Of me- ! don't see why l should
be interviewed. anyway; have never done
anything
You have written several books that are
used in colleges the world over" was sug-
gested
The profound scholar blushed as might a
debutante on being told she was handsome
IL was plain his new experience confused
hlm
Maybe you could give New Workers a
Western educator s opinion Of the harem
skiFt," said the visitor
Dr. Smiths bushes and confusion dis
appeared for good in the quiet Laughter
mat he INDUCED in over the remark
No said he, my wife might be able
10 tell you about that. but you know the
song My Wifes Gone 10 the Country
Ias@er. she is in Memphis for d few days
iou see have devoted my whole life &c
"hat is commonly regarded az the cry
study Of chemistry and have no knowledge
W opinions 10 impart on fashions or the
h'ghsr criticism or anything Of that sort
couldn't start sensation II / wished"
II was evident he w1s thinking Of some
us eo-workers in the University Of Chi