Evening star., 1921-07-18
Editorial Digest
Einstein on Main Street.


Prof. Einstein's alleged criticism Of
Americas intellectual poverty as re-
ported in an interview In an Amsterdam
newspaper and later denied, made him.
temporarily at least, about as popular
in America as Carol Kennicott was
in Gopher Prairie, If the editorial col
umns are a basis Of judgment. There
are. however. writer's who feel, that the
discoverer of relativity spoke Sound II
unpleasant truths just as Sinclair Lewis
has his following Of good but self-criti-
cal Americans.
The New York World (democratic)
sees fit to comment on Prof. Einsteins
remarks despite the denial for, If re-
marks. ut was bound to follow II
only to complete the Berlin scientist's
experience with that of other celebrity
ties who have visited the country.
They come. they are feted. they de-
that has to be disowned." Eut the
World doesn't take the professors
charges very seriously: 1T is only
when a visitor from abroad voices
such views that our national sensi-
tiveness reacts to the charge and all
the main streets bristle with indigna-
tion.'
The professors analysis, II it is
bona fide, appears to be uncomfor-
tably near the truth" in the opinion
of the Chicago News Independently.
which goes on to point out that. in
telectually "the United States Is a
rather high table land. including
many individuals of many types and
classes. Europe has education emf
nences. representing select groups OF
highly cultured people that far over
shadow the broader but lower Ameri-
can level"
Just as there are hunks Of truth"
In Lewis main street." SO there is
"a lot of substantial ground for Prof.
Einstein's censures on similar lines"
says the Buffalo Times (democratic).
and instead of glowering at Mr..
Lewis and scowling at Prof. Einstein.
the part Of modesty and good sense
would be to see what can be done to
remedy what Is awry in our national
habit Of mind"
Perhaps the one point In the sup
posed interview which has brought
forth the most criticism is the Ger
man Doctors use Of the word
''comic" in connection with the EN-
thusiasm" which Americans displayed
is wrongly placed" says the Boston
Post Independent, democratic) for
"the Joke Is really on him. No Amer
ican cared a nickel for Prof. Elm
STEMS theory Of RELATIVELY. what
ever it is. We were just out to show
him along with his Zionist campaign.
AS to his other comments, they are
merely the stock ideas" long ped
died around Germany" to prove US
'barbarians."
The Hartford Times (democratic)
is another to suggest that the joke
is on the other side. The scientists"
regard his theory seriously. says the
Times. but 'the ordinary individual
finds in it something to make fun
Of and, above everything else: Ameri.
cans believe in getting . laugh out
of life"
The New York Mail Undependent)
addresses the critic as follows: mo,
Prof. Einstefn, you should have hewn
to a line with more curve in It. 1t
for everything worth while in life
that animated the interest in theory.
Possibly there was q great deal OF
pretense about some peoples under
standing 1t. But. men and women:
we were interested @ in in 1t a because sn OF
nent scientists say they have dis
covered a law which upsets all we
have learned In school We like to
give them run for their money:
Nothing that is human is outside OF
the sphere Of our interest"
life" which the doctor is reported to
look upon with such scorn 10 made
by the New York Globe Gndepend-
ent). The criticism may have held
good "ifty years ago" 1t asserts. but
no longer 1t continues: Scientific
students are no longer attracted to
middle European universities. The
post graduate physician has q better
chance in New York or Baltimore;
have in Berlin or Vienna. But why
multiply details? A learned man
spoke without thought. Still. in so
doing he provided entertainment for
that America whose boredom so
a n, kaned hia sYmnathY."