Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23

but knowing the enterprising character of the
Franklin Institute as do, the term vener-
able does not exactly ft. 1t implies weakness
along with respectability; 1t seems to echo
the past But, while 80 years ago the instl-
tute was the most progressive organization IN
its own field in this country, so 1t is the very
last word in modernity in science applied to
mechanics today.
And write this just because had my at
tentlon called to the reopening of the schools
of the institute last week.
T BELIEVE that probably half the popula-
L tion of Philadelphia, IL asked, would con-
fess to belief that the institute was founded
! by Benjamin Franklin. l do not know how
! this idea got abroad, but find there is
strong inclination to attribute to Franklin
| even more numerous achievements than he
| claimed for himself. But when it Is realized
| that the institute Is only now entering upon
| its 91st year it will be needless to assure any
one that the immortal Ben had no hand in
its organization.
However / feel sure that it was out of
compliment to the valuable contributions to
science made by Franklin that the group of
young men who formed the institute took
pride in associating his name with their
movement.
TN 1924, when the institute was formed, an
l. inspiring movement among young
chanics spread over the eastern part of the
country 1t led to the formation { { mechanics
institutes. l believe there were several of
them in this city at the time. But II was
rather exclusive. Because of the strngency in
their qualifications for membership, the very
names Of these organizations forgotten,
but the name of the Franklin Institute Is
held in high repute by scientists all over the
world.
Samuel Vaughan Merrick, afterward one Of
Philadelphia's most noted ironmasters, found
himself, as he once mentioned, the owner of
a workshop at q years, but without a me-
chanical education with scarcely me-
chanical idea. He believed he could improve
himself in order to properly superintend his
foundry if he could become a member of a
mechanics institute He applied for adms-
sion to one of them. But Mr. Merrck was |
promptly blackbaled, because he was not a |
mechanic. He employer.
TIE COULD not say In 1924 what a man in |
i i similar position today could say; he |
could not take his rejection lightly and turn
his steps to a technical school. If he could
not share the information with these young
mechanics, he must settle himself to learn
his trade and it's secrets by the slow process
of observation in his own foundry Mr..
Merrick did not choose to do that but deter
mined to interest others in the establishment
of institute that would be founded not
only upon more democratic principles, but
also would considerably expand the original
idea of mechanical Institutes.
THERE are not many young men of 81
l. with the force of character or the neces-
sary Initiative for organizing such an asso-
citation. But young Merrick managed to
interest such men as Matthias w. Baldwin
who. it must be remembered, had not vet
built his first locomotive; James Ronaldson
the type founder; DIR. James Rush. who
founded the Ridgway Library; William H.
ineass and Samuel r. Wood, among others,
n his plan.
Consider the method by which these
organizers obtained an audience for their
Meeting. They held it in what we now aIlude
o as Old Congress Hall, at Sixth and Chest
nut streets. They selected and sent invita-
ions to list of 1900 names taken from the
lirectory Unless you realize that in 1924
here was no postal service such as we now
njoy, you cannot appreciate the magnitude
# this attempt.
The meeting was attended by a large num-
er OF young men, and within two weeks ,
here were enrolled between 400 and 500
members. {
N ITS declared object-to promote and en-
courage the mechanic arts-the institute
ven in its infant days was true 1t held the l
rst industrial exhibitions in this country I
mall as these were at the start they grad ,,
ally became more important, and for many
ears were continued annually, attracting
and inventors from all parts +
I the United States The exhibition the in
titute held in 1874 in the old PENNSYLVANIA Z
'ailroad freight depot, on the site of Wanna =
1aker's, is remembered with pleasure bv Ii
lany Philadelphians The Electrical Exposi- h
on which the institute held at 32d and Mar a
ct streets in 1884 was the first universal =
howing Of the mysterious new force that
ne world had seen. II
NHERE are half dozen medals and pre- Z
miums at the service of the institute to n
estow upon inventors and dscoverers, and >
eed not tell you that they are priced far Of
oove their monetary value by their winners,
no are not always Americans They are
OF bestowed until a committee thoroughly
iamines the claims for the invention or dis h
very entered for the prize, and the award S
itself is proof everywhere of the value of
le idea that is accepted. ,
In the weekly lectures and meetings Of the e.
lrious sections of the institute each winter in
e visitors will hear the last word on the
test contributions to the mechanic arts. "
! know of no institution that is so young gl
I'd modern in spirit and feels So little the &C
fects Of age when passing its 9Oth birthday
the Franklin Institute of
GRANVILLE. al
Ethics and pnIi,;cs n