New-York tribune., 1912-02-11
THOMAS A. EDISON IS 6
Friends and Family Of Inventor
Give Him a Dinner Party.
DECLARES FOR ROOSEVELT
Is More Ready to Talk Politics
than Science-"Eats Well and
Sleeps Like a Log"

Forty former associates and present adj
nirers Of Thomas A. Edison gathered at
his home last night to feast him In honor
Of his sixty-fif,h birthday. which will occur
to-day He received a testimonial and a
loving cup. the one presented by Thomas
Martin. of New York, and the other by
Edward Fl. johnson, of New York. on be-
half Of the inventor responses were MADE
by Samuel insult Of Chicago.
The dinner was served at o'clock In the
music room Of Mr. Edison's house IN
LlewelIyn Park, West Orange, y. j. After
ward there was a reception. at which the
guests numbered many more. Mrs Edison
their daughter Madeline and son Charles
Participated in the tribute TO the inventor
Mr.. Edison, showing his appreciation of
It all with a pleased smile, sat In what ap-
peared TO be an ordinary mahogany chair,
but was one OF his latest inventions, re-
inforced concrete chair stained TO look like
mahogany.
The dinner was arranged by Robert T.
Iozier. of New York, and he was the mas
ter of ceremonies.
Tho tables were set in holloy square,
the centre OF which was a sunkca garden,
with a cement house, small but complete In
every detail, in the centre. On either side
Of the house was a tiny lake, IN which
swan goldfish and real ducks. Each lake
was spanned by a cement bridge. ~ one
end Of the lake was a fountain. and on the
banks a flower bed.
The toy landscape was surrounded by
hedge. out from which, al brief intervals
sparkled tiny incandescent lights.
nh az tNtsra
Of the inventor, and each guest received as
a souvenir a bronze paper weight bearing
favorite motto OF Edison's: "All things
come to him who hustes while he Walls
In one corner appears a view OF the MEMO
Park laboratory OF the eariy days, ard IN
another the laboratory of to-daV az West
Orange.
Between these emblems Of the past ana
the present is fac-simile OF Edlsons sls-
nature and the date OF the birthday cele'
bration. The souvenir also shows stock
ticker. one Of hts early Inventions, and at
the right the storage battery. one or MS
latest, and the dates lSi7 and 1912.
There was no menu. but in its place a
programme folder with a unique cover II
showed an incandescent Hight, with sixty
Nye luminous streams. each labelled with
Q
the name OF some Edison invention.
During the dinner and the reception the
guests we're entertained with the phono-
graph and the moving pictures
Edison has no more sentiment about
birthdays. however, than he has ABOUT
other things. He secs no reason Why ne
should he congratulated for getting old
although. so far as he Is concerned ne
cannot see that the addition Of the years
adds anything 10 his age.
ITO be sure, I'll be sixty-nve years oia
tomorrow" he told q group OF reporters
yesterday afternoon az his laboratory 'eut
feel as young as | ever did. eat well
and sleep like a log. ! guess anybody that
can say that can lay claim 10 good health
Last night turned in about midnight,
and ! was up and at It again about halI-
past four this morning. ] don't have to
use any alarm clock, either. like some OF
you younger fellows. SIX flights OF stairs
don't mean any more 20 me than 10 you.
Retire did you say? Nothing of the
kind In my mind II wouldn't do for me
10 lay aside any OF the work that | am
on now There are a lot Of inventions that
need my attention. There Is plenty for me
to DO"
The inventor was more ready 10 talk
politics than about himself. and he de-
cIared emphsticaly for Theodore Roose-
welt for the next President Of the United
States, scouting the misleading talk about
d third term
He will get the votes OF the people
the inventor predicted. because he al
ready has their confidence. lie is the man
with the strength Of character that en-
ables him 10 carry out his pledges He
can do as we'll as promise. Now Taft is
not that kind Of man"
Asked for his opinion about Governor
Wilson as candidate. Mr.. Edison ignored
the question, and said:
Roosevelt is the man for the oftce, end
the country needs him"