New-York tribune., 1917-06-08
The Experts Place in Democracy
Blu Francis 4. !. FitzGerald
r M Presidential Address at the american Electro
chemical Society,"


Society,"
sideratons of war b. distinguished icnthy-
ologist
Under an autocrscy there is truer appre-
citation of the expert and consequently
much more efficient use of mis- abilities his
patrons are members OF the governing class
and hence il is merely necessary TO satisfy
them in regard 10 his expert knowledge
far easier task than that of exciting the at
tenton and winning the confidence OF de-
mocracy True, the democracy has It's rep
resentatives who attend 10 matters OF gov
ernment, but the scientific or technical man
cannot depend upon these alone for recogni-
ton. These representatives are CHOSEN oy
the people. and before being chosen they
must convince their constituents that they
are more or less experts in their own line
To expect these representatives 10 convince
their constituents that the scientific or tech
nical men are worthy experts is expecting
TOO much That is obviously task which
must be undertaken by the sclentlhc and
technical men themselves.
There is no matter requiring more careful
consideration by the committee on public
relations than that OF cultivating in de-
mocracy true appreciation of expert opin-
is shown by the experience OF army and
naval experts. and indeed all technical men
employed BY the government. In their case,
however. the difficulties are exaggerated on
account of their relation TO the government,
which must inevitably curb their freedom TO
q certain extent The learned and technical
societies, however. are not handicapped in
this manner and therefore are perfectly free
70 exert every effort 10 win the interest and
confidence of their fellow citizens.
Expert Politicians Necessary
Besides distinctly constructive activity OF
this kind, the committee should remember
the necessity Of guarding against certain
dangers which are likely to be present in
democraces. One of these is the develop
ment of what might be described as political
experts as distinct from expert politicians.
The latter is a necessity, the former an in
furious nuisance.
We often have occasion to complain Of the
blunders Of our expert politicians, particu-
larly in their treatment of technical matters,
and are apt to imagine that could we take
their places things would be much better.
They would, in fact, be far worse, giving re-
suits such as might be expected If a politl-
clan were TO take charge Of the running OF
an electro -ch emcal plant. The electro-chemist
who tries to undertake political work IN re-
lation TO electro-chemistry will end by being
neither good electro-chemist nor good
politician. In politico electro chemical mat
ters we must remember that we can only
play a complementary part TO the politi-
clans The politician is useful a member
Of society as the electro o-chemlst, and the
whole profession need not be condemned be-
cause of those who are incompetent. An IN.
competent electro chemist is not an imposs-
bility.
Finally, let US remember that our special
activities contribute no mean part to the
great mass of scientific and technical WORK
which has done so much for the welfare Of
humanity and in so far this is true we
may fairly ask for the admiration of those
who, with the virtuous king of Brobdingnag
hold the opinion that whoever could make
two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to
grow upon a spot Of ground where only one
grew before would deserve better of man.
kind, and do more essential service to his
country. than the whole race of politicians
put together" But let US not forget that
this wise king, when Gulliver told him Of
certain wonderful machines developed by his
race was "struck with horror at the descrip-
ton / had given of those terrible engines
and the proposal had made. He was amazed
how so impotent and grovelling an insect as
these were his expressions could enter
tain such inhuman ideas, and in so familiar
a manner as to appear wholly unmoved at
all the scenes of blood and desolation which
had painted as the common effects of these
destructive machines, whereof. he said some
evil genius. enemy to mankind, must have
been the first contriver."
Let US then remember that no matter what
advances we make toward the development Of
new processes and inventions, we are only
doing half Of our duty. and cannot in justice
pose as benefactors OF humanity unless we
also do our part in seeing to it that the re-
suits of our labors wisely employed
that they will prove to be blessings rather
than curse.