New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-04
IN SESSION
Four Hundred Delegates at
Testing Material Congress.
GOV. DIX MAKES ADDRESS
Twenty four Foreigners il
Notable Gathering-Bixby
Speaks for Taft.

Scientists and engineers numbering more
than four hundred, and from twenty-four
nations. were present yesterday at the
opening OF the sixth triennial congress
| OF the International Association for Test
ing Materials in the auditorium OF the
Engineering Societies Building In West
3sth street Henry M. Howe, acting presi-
dent Of the association since the death
/ Of DR.. Charles B. Dudley. who was
elected president at tho last congress, was
the presiding officer.
| As the delegates to the congress entered
each received a small badge made up Of
the crossed flags Of his own country.
and these, together with the decorations
worn by many OF the titled foreigners.
made the scene an impressive one.
| Professor Howe, after making a short
address Of welcome to the assembled
members. introduced Robert w. Hunt.
president Of the American Society for
Testing Materials. who welcomed the
delegates in the names Of the various
engineering societies Of America.
General Bixby. chief of the engineers
Of the United States army, who was des-
ignated by President Taft as his repre-
sentative to the congress, speaking nj
| ternately In French and English. next ad
dressed the members. He said the Presi-
dent regretted his inability to be present
and he commented on Mr.. Taft's deep
interest In all matters pertaining TO
science and especially those having to do
with peace. He added that the President
Lstt
country was It's mutual interests in com
merce and manufacturing with other
countries.
The general declared President Taft
realized that the success Of our farms.
our habitations. our business concerns
lay to a great extent in the quality OF our
| iron. steel and cement and that this coun-
try wished to lend Its earnest cooperation
TO any effort TO bring these products to
a higher standard.
Governor Dix spoke on the necessity for
conservation OF natural resources. saying
that this was an agitative and expective
age. Responsibility for the safety OF life,
nc declared was worthy OF deep consid-
Grafton as We'll as the developments IN
the great activities OF the world. Waste
was an evil which. the Governor said. must
be avoided. and while this state was not
rich in mines or In oil. there were great
forests In the northern part OF the state
which should be conserved.
Controller Prendcrgast IN his speech
, used the problems OF this city as his
theme. telling OF how much had been
spent IN schools. colleges. docks libraries,
a.. q he
progress which this city had made In the
last few years was the best evidence OF
how deeply the city was Interested in
the matters which the congress was con-
siderlng
Professor Howe In his address u the
members said that one OF the most Inn
portant phaseA OF the work Of the con-
gress was the unincaticn OF a testing
method throughout the world. so that
buyer might the more readily and Justly
weigh the relative merits OF n product,
from whatever country II might come.
The acting president further said that II
was tho work OF the association to guide
and guard the interests OF the public.
Among those seated on the platform
were 4. Rcjto. professor 81 technical sci
enccs at tho University OF Budapest;
Prince Andrew Gsgarin. OF St Peters
burg: A. Foss, OF Copenhagen; 4. Mar
tens. OF Berlin: ~ Bclelubsky. OF St Pc
tersburS. and A. Mcsnsgcr. OF Paris, all
vice presidents OF the association.
Following his speech before the associa-
ton Governor Dix went 10 tho sixth floor
OF the Engineering Societies Building and
paid a visit to the American Museum 81
Safety. There Arthur Williams. the presi'
dent. conducted him and several OF the
foreigners about the rooms. where they
inspected various safety devices.