Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-03
FOUNDERS DAY KEPT
BY THE UNIVERSITY
Grafton by G. II. Randall Of Phil.
adelphia-Students Speak
of World Problems.
1917 WINS THE SING"
Honorary Societies Announce New
Members-Julia Spear Prise
Reading.

Despite the unfavorable weather, there |
ercises in connection with the observance
Of Founders cay. at the university. which
were held in the gymnasium Tuesday
morning. The university battalion was to
have held a review and dress parade on
the campus preceding the exercises prop
er, but the men after falling in under
arms at the appointed time. were dis
missed when It appeared certain that
weather conditions would prevent the
carrying out Of this part of the program.
The usual boulder exercises were, how
ever, held around the boulder. the old
and new members Of the society being
present. President Benton in a brief
speech congratulated the old members on
what they had done for the university
and thanked them for their unfailing and
loyal support Of his efforts. He congrat-
ulated the newly elected men for the hon.
or which had been conferred upon them
and urged them to strive in every way
to deserve 1t.
The seniors in cap and gown. followed
by the other classes in order and the pub
lie, then marched into the gymnasium
which. had been profusely and tastefully
decorated with flags and Vermont ban
ners. Back Of the platform on which sat
President Benton. the deans Of the vari-
Gus colleges. the Rev. I. c. Smart. and
the orator Of the day. George Herbert
the university in the class Of 1891, large
picture Of George Washington hung above
the American nag.
After music by the orchestra and an
anthem by the choir, the chaplain Of the
day, tho Rev. DR.. I. c. Smart. pastor OF
the COLLEGE Street Church, read the scrip
ture lesson and offered prayer. The choir
and assembly then sang the English
| Ode" after which the first undergraduate
speaker, John R Berry. rs. OF Montpe-
lier. delivered an address on 1.-THE Econ
on1ic- Evolution in Society" Mr.. Berry
said in part:
THE ECONOMIC EVOLUTION IN So
CIETY
This may seem a far-fetched topic for
such an occasion which should be con-
secrated to the memory Of some distin-
ruished alumnus. But. in fact. the topic
il suggested by the notable career OF John
Heman Converse and might be called,
not inappropriately-the vision OF John
Converse.
The economic process has been in oper-
alton ever since the harmony between man
and nature was disturbed by the eating
OF the forbidden fruit in the Garden OF
Eden. From that time forth. man has
eaten hts bread in the sweat OF his brow
and he has persistently sought to secure
that vanished harmony which existed IN
his former paradise. But the economic
evolution with which we are concerned
IL only Of recent origin. It is in It's be-
ginning. II has hardly celebrated its CEN
n violent
conflict Of economic interests called the
industrial revolution and its impelling mo-
tive has ever been to overcome this con-
nict and put harmony in its place The
economic evolution IL an EFFORT to reor-
eanize tho very foundations of industrial
activity. to establish new industries and
expand the old ones under the guidance
Of strict economic analysis. under the
advice and leadership OF men who are ex'
perts in economic problems, and VINO, II
this evolution, have come to be recognized
a. the all-inaportant factors in the indus
trial and economic transformation.
And the aim Of this economic evolution
IA TO actually realize what our former
IYtopian theorists have dreamed. 1t pro-
noses to lay the solid foundation for a
genuine democracy by means OF an as
sured livelihood for ever worthy man
without which no democracy can MAINTAIN
, any degree Of permanence. And 1t ever
, contemplates the ultimate ABOLITION o.
, poverty-the goal Of all Utopias; the re-
establishment of the harmony OF Eden IL
TO be actualized. The factors and thu
forces for solving this stupendous prob
4 lem have been discovered. measured, es
, timated, and one may confidently antici
nate the outcome not tomorrow, not II
? this country. but sometime. A consider
able beginning in the solution Of THU
, great problem could be made by the elm
y ination OF waste
, Although this organization and econom!
a has been going on for years In this worie
Of industry and commerce. yet We nav
n only a vision Of what the possibilities o
= the economic evolution really are. Thinl
~ the enormous waste that Is caused b!
the lack of knowledge of the market, tn
!. lack Of training in the fundamental prin
ciples of economic forces: think OF tn
Z extravagant dissipation Of our limited ma
y tural resources: think Of the waste an
loss OF energy caused by the inefi1cienc'
. OF labor the insisting Of the man to hi
i work. or the insisting of the industr
> to the source Of raw materials or to IN
). market! When We have prevented thl
waste we shall have gone long wa
!. GOW4IQ9 tue pIOttuAu6 70 - ~S~~'~
= lihood for employe and employer and tina
r means for the whole of society.
4 Edward N. Hurley. former chairman o
!. the federal trade commission. made tn
/, statement that out Of 100000 corporation
A doing a business Of moro than $S,ooo
n wear. 5000 were barely existing and o
these, 100000 did not earn single penny
!. He estimates the annual waste In CUISINES
suff3cient to finance a long war. Inc req
son for all this waste In industry 10 Dc
cause the employers did not know tnel
market. did not know when and where I
} buy. did not know how to determine tn
selling price of their goods did not kno'
how to handle their labor OF distriout
). their products. And these $4,000 whic
Mp Hurley reports on are only frol
n among the more highly capitalized Arm
|, Think what the situation must be regart
\ inr the smaller shops, the jcbbing house
). and retail stores where this industri'
N organization has not begun to be fol
d This is waste. pure and simple. and ii
Il economic evolution Is bringing US to
J. point where We are taking steps towart
j. the prevention Of this appalling isnorant
/: Of economic forces.
y The economic evolution has meant
. great movement towards the conservatio