Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-23
5 100000 IN RAD|UM
GIVEN NINE. CUR|E
BY AMERICAN WOMEN
President, In Gracious Presenta-
ton Address, Creets Her as
Foremost Scientist of Age.
ExTOLS HER AS WIFE, MOTHER

Washington, May 21-A gramme OF
radiunl, purchased by the contributions
of thousands of American women. was
presented by President Harding late
yesterday to Madame Curie as token
OF the nations appreciation of her ac-
complishments and as an earnest ex-
preston OF American interest In the
advancement of science and humanitar-
ianism.
At the same time the President ex-
pressed fervent hope that the scien-
tific principle of radio activity estab-
lished by Nine. Curie in the research
work which led to her discovery of
rad,um. might be found to dominate
also the relations of mankind in the
present world crisis. SO that the yearn-
ings and aspirations of the many may
radiate a new spirit of service to the
souls of chosen leaders.
Formal presentation of the gift to
Mime. curie, who came to this country
expressly to receive II was made at the
White House at ceremony attended by
high officials of the government and
committee of those responsible for rails
ing the purchase fund OF 100000. The
radium will be used to continue research
WoIh ltf pltNc3titCh m thSNet1Nf
"on behalf of the American nation
said Mr.. Harding, Il greet and welcome
YOU to our country. We welcome you
as an adopted daughter of France, our
daughter of Poland, newest, as IL Is
earliest supporter among the great ma
tons. We greet you as native born
also among the oldest, of the great ma
tions. and always bound by ties of clos
est sympathy to our own republic.
I'VE greet you as foremost among
scientists in the age of science, as
leader among women in the generation
which sees woman come tardiiy into
her own. We greet you as an examplar
of liberty's victories in the generation
wherein liberty has won her crown OF
glory. In doing honor to YOU we testi-
| fy anew our pride in the ancient friend
ships which have bound us to both the
country of your adoption and that Of
| your nativity.
1T has been your fortune, Mme.
| Curie, TO accomplish an immortal work
| for humanity. We bring 10 YOU the
need of honor which is due TO pre-
eminence in science, scholarship, re-
| search and humanitarianfsn. But with
it all we bring something more. We lay
at your feet the testimony OF that love
which all the generations of men have
been wont TO bestow upon the noble
| woman, the unselfish wife. the devoted
| mother.
"A number of years ago a reader OF
one of your earlier works on radio
active substances noted the observa-
| ton that there was much divergence OF
| opinion as TO whether the energy OF
| radioactive substances is created with
in those substances themselves, or il
gathered TO them from outside sources
and then diffused from them. The
question suggested an answer which Ii
doubtless hopelessly unscientific.
have liked to believe in an analogy be.
| tween the spiritual and the physica
world. I have been very sure that thai
which ! may call the radioactive soul
or spirit. or inteIlect-can II what yot
choose-must first gather to itself
from its surroundings, the power that
il afterwards radiates in benefcence Il
those near ii. / believe ii is the sun
Of many inspirations. borne in on grea
souls. which enables them 10 warm. I,
seintillate. TO radiate. TO fllunline and t,
Let me press the analogy a littl,
further. The world today is appealing
to its statesmen, its sociologists. it
human1tarzans and its religious leader.
for solution of appalling problems
want to press home the fact that tn.
power and universally of that appea
will inspire strong, deyout, consecrates
men and women TO seek out the soIu
ton. and in the light Of their wisdom
to carry it to all mankind. ] have faitl
to believe that precisely that will hap
pen; and in your own career of fin,
achievement, I find heartening JUST
fcation for my faith.
I'm testimony Of the affection o
the American people. of their conf
dence in your scientific work and o
their earnest wish that your geniu
and energy may receive all encourage
ment TO carry forward your efforts 70
the advance of science and conquest o
disease, have been commissioned Z
| present to you this little phial o
radium. To you we owe our knowledg
! and possession of it, and so to you W
give IL, confident that in your posses
sion 1t viii be the means further TO un
veil the fascinating secrets Of nature
! to widen the field of useful knowledge
to alleviate suffering among the chill
dren of man. II betokens the affectio