The New York herald., 1921-05-21
President, Making
Gift of Radium,
Praises Nine. Curie
NOtables i'm White House When
Scientist Receives Americans
100000 Offering.

WASHINGTON, May 2O.-Mme Marie
Curie. eminent French scientist received
from President Harding to-day the
gramme a radium purchased for her
by American women in the interest Of
humanitarian research.
The presentation took place in the
East Room OF the White House in the
presence of a notable group of Ameri-
can and diplomatic officials and leaders
OF science and philanthropy. Jules JUS
serand. French Ambassador. formally
introduced Nine. Curie. and she re-
sponded to the Presidents presentation
address in a few sentences in broken
English telling of her gratitude and her
regard for America.
Giving thanks for the gift in the name
OF the Government. Ambassador Jusse-
rand said the occasion was one Of many
manifestations of the generosity of "a
people who always are watching for an
opportunity to do good"
The radium. purchased at a cost of
100000, was locked in little ribbon
draped cabinet.
"On behalf OF the American nation"
said Mr.. Harding, II greet and welcome
you to our country, in which you will
everywhere find the most cordial pos
sible reception. We welcome you as an
adopted daughter of France, our earliest
supporter among the great nations. We
greet You as native born daughter of
Poland. newest. as it is also among the
oldest. of the great nations, and always
bound by ties of closest sympathy TO
our own republic. In you we see the
representative of Poland restored and
reinstated to its rightful place, of France
valiantly maintained in the high estate
which has ever been its right.
I'VE greet you as foremost among
scientists in the age Of science, as leader
among women in the generation which
sees woman come tardily into her own.
We greet you as an exemplar of liberty's
victories in the generation wherein lib
erty has won her crown of glory. In
doing honor to you we testify anew our
pride in the ancient friendships which
have bound us to both the country of
your adoption and that Of your ma
tivity.
1T has been your fortune. Nine. Curie,
to accomplish an immortal work for hu-
manity. We bring to you the need OF
honor which is due to preeminence in
science. scholarship research and hui
manitarianism.
"But with it all we bring something
more. we lay al your feet the tesu-
mony Of that love which all the genera
tons of men have been wont to bestow
upon the noble woman. the unselfish
wife, the devoted mother. If, indeed,
these simpler and commoner relations of
life could not keep you from great at
tainments In the realms of science and
intellect. 1t is also true that the zeal,
ambition and answering purpose of a
lofty career could not bar you from
splendidly doing all the plain but worthy
tasks which fall to every woman's lot
I'm testimony Of the affection of the
American people. OF their confidence in
your scientific work and Of their earn
est wish that your genius and energy
may receive all encouragement to carry
forward your efforts for the advance of
science and conquest of disease, l have
been commissioned to present to you this
little phial Of radium. To you we owe
our knowledge and possession Of it. and
so TO you we give It, confident that In
your possession II will be the means fur
tner to unveil the fascinating secrets OF
nature, to widen the field of useful
knowledge. to alleviate suffering among
the children Of man. Ii betokens the af-
fectiou OF one great people for another,