The Washington herald., 1913-01-12
HADLEY SPEAKS
FOR RAILROADS
Yale President Fears America
Will Lose Greatness Unless
1t Alters Its Tactics.
GERMAN WAY SUPERIOR
Educator Calls Attacks on Transporta-
lion Lines Unreasonable-Sounds
Warning Against Fatherland.

New Haven. Conn, Jan. u.-Fear is
felt by President Hadley. of Yale. that
the American nation may lose its great
ness II the temper shown by recent I'M
reasonable attacks on railroads is not
altered. In addressing the Chamber of
Commerce to-day. he referred to the SUI
periority of the German system of plac-
ing responsibility and technical educa-
ton. sounding a warning that Germany
stands ready to take advantage of Ameri-
cas- lack of Intelligence in dealing with
problems of transportation and educa-
ton. President Hadley said:
Il am afraid that neither the public
nor the government is awake to the real
situation. In our endeavors to control
corporations We too often try to lessen
their efficiency in stead of increasing it,
We are appalled, by a railroad accident
and We suggest that every engine should
have two engineers instead of one. A
fast train runs off the track and a gov
eminent officer suggests that people
ought not to want to travel so fast. II
these views prevail, the day of Ameri-
cas greatness is done. A people that be-
lieves in divided responsibility and waste
OF time has no future. For this is COM
petition between nations whether there
be competition within the nation or not
If We are content to take things easily,
Germany will be only too glad to get
ahead of us.
Rewards for Efficient.
What is to be done in the face OF
this state of thins? In the first place,
we must continue to reward the efficient
man. The fact that competition will no
longer do this automatically must make
us all as part of our public duty, try
to do this consciously. We must lend a
hand TO the men who are getting things
done. We shall deal with the problems
OF corporate regulation and with the
abuses Of corporate management more
effectively II we are willing to appreciate
efficient service.
In the next place we must develop
a system of first-class technical training
at low prices like that which has been
so successful in Germany. The great
obstacle to good technical training in
the United States in the past has been
the idea that public schools ought to he
free. A moderate fee. which lessons the
number Of the pupils in a technical
course and insures the active co-opera-
ton OF all who take il. enables the
teachers to do much better work under
the German system than under the
American.
Finally, we must insist on respon-
sibility and the discipline that goes with
i. In this respect our school system fur
nishes an excellent foundation, but pub
lie opinion does not hold our citizens up
To an equally high standard after their
school days are over. The nations of
Europe arc beginning to think that this
must be supplemented by compulsory
service in the army for everybody.
America Is far from being ready to &C
,ept this. But II we will not accept il. |
We must find some way of imposing upon
grown men by law and public opinion the |
spirit OF self subordination and the habit
4 obedience to law which is needed in |
his twentieth century