The Washington times., 1919-08-11

OF all the educational and scientific
institutions that bear the name OF
AndIew Carnegie, and whose work Is
made possible through his philan-
thropy, none is so little known ana
vet so fun Of possibilities as the great
observatory on Mt. Wilson, in Cali
fornia. For from the great dome Of
this new structure, perehed up on the
great, quiet hills, 5000 feet above the
sea level, in the clear air OF Calltornla
and overlooking the cities OF Los An
Eeles and Pasadena, no less than
sc, 900 new worlds-stars never oeheId
bv the eve of man-have already been
revealed to the patient sky investi-
gators. It is literally unbolting the
doors Of the secrets OF the universe.
Also IL is believed that Mr.. Car
negie took almost as much pride In
the observatory as in the numberless
libraries that bear his name. Its
director, Prof. George z. Hale, he
called "a young genius" and OF his
work he enthusiastically said:
saThe whole world is going to listen
IN the oracle on the top of Mt. Wilson
II is a triumph. indeed, for this young
continent of ours to be the revealer
to the world of the prime mysteries
OF the universe, and couldn't resist
aiding such an institution.
Mt. Wilson observatory is the great
est laboratory in the world Tor re-
search work in the field OF astronomy.
It was completed after the most ex-
asperating delays. Its telescope ouilt
bv the institution itself, is the largest
In the world. It has a 100-inch lens
to perfect the great surface OF which
a special grinding machine was
erected in the laboratory of the OBJ
seryatory. It marks a great stride in
the development Of telescope building.
The largest telescope now in use is
the 6O-inch glass, also constructed by
the Carnegie institution.
ReehartinE Seas OF the world.
Mr. Carnegie often talked glow
ingIy, too, Of the achievements OF
other branches of the Carnegie iBsti-
tuition, to which he has contributed
millions. OF the non-magnetic yacht
Carnegie, which is constructed en-
tirely without steel or iron, and has
been engaged in recharting the seas,
entirely free from magnetic disturb
ances caused by these metals In other
ships. the veteran ironmaster said:
'aThe Carnegie found two grave CT
rors in the British admiralty charts
in her VOYAGE to Great Britain. Again,
returning from the Azores, she found
that the captain who ran his great
steamship upon the rocks and de-
stroyed IL was not to blame. On the
contrary. he was sailing in the right
course, according to his chart, and
the institution yacht proved that the
chart was from two to three degrees
astray."
Proud OF His "InstitutIOH.7
But Mr. Carnegie grew really eIo-
quent when he told about the work
,of his Institution since 1t was foundel
in 1902.
since IL first came into being" he
proudly related, moro than l,5OO sci
entists have been employed to do
original work in research. 1t has
built two astronomical Observatories
and I'VE laboratories. 1t has acquired
or constructed ten vessels. 1t has
gone into thirty separate fields OF
investigation under twelve depart
ments, and has done work I'm forty
countries. It has published the re-
suits of its Investigations up to dat
in 170 volumes OF about 10000 pages. |
besides contributing to the magazines
of the world some 1900 articles of a |
technical sort"
Love for Books Seems Pose.
Probably it may prove interesting |
in this connection to learn something |
concerning the library of the greatest !
giver of libraries in the world. Mr.. !
Carnegie had a library Of his own that |
Is Wonderful-One of the most re-
markable collections of books owned |
by any private individual in the |
world. In his massive mansion on |
Filth avenue II takes up an exten-
sive and beautiful room which ad-
i