Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-23

srious appreciation of great occa-
sion. We have had in the past many
eminent guests, but, however signi-
fcant our meetings have been. no
on of them has made US realize as
think we do tonight, the feeling, even
deeper than reverence, that is in
spred by the presence amongst US of
this the greatest Commander in the
worlds history.
| like to feel, and in the presence
of this gathering the feeling is most
intense, that there is something pc
culiarly fine and honorable and
strong in our profession of workers
in iron and steel.
The painters of word pictures
have never been able to describe
graf and strong character better than
as "Man of Iron" The soldiers who
barred their breasts to enemy shot
and bayonet were described as men
with iron nerves and will of steel.
In our own day, when we seek
comparison for what is enduring. for
what is steadfast in character, we
cand find no better symbol than
STEEL"
And so, my dear Marshal, may
tell you in the language of the
greatest of poets that you have been
grappled to our souls with hoops of
steel.
Great as he was in all RESPONSE
bilities of war leadership, Marshal
Foch will stand as the supreme rep
resentative in all history Of unity of
action and command. Have you, my
friends, ever thought now frequent
ly this profound principle of action
applies in life and industry? Indi-
viduals and Individual interests can
accomplish but little; united effort
and cooperation under single leader
ship can accomplish anything. So it
is, in industry, our industry, all in
dustry; unity of action, unity Of
command is the most effective
means to great results.
When a battle is to be fought.
when a game is to be won, when
struggle of any kind is to be under
taken, we need first Of all the Great
Commander, the man with a vision
to see what should be done, the, man
with courage to undertake it, the
man with power of leadership to m
duce other men to follow him.
We Of the great steel industry
have much to learn from this prln.,
ciple. The greatness of industrial
Aemrica has been realized through
the application of it, and America
will continue to rise to still greater
heights of achievement as she al
Flows this principle TO have freedom
of action.
We in this country are in the
midst of a great business depression,
a depression which is affecting. the
steel industry quite as acutely as
any other industry IN the country.
To escape from this slough of |, des-
pond the various factors Of the
steel business must consider the in
terests of the whole rather than
merely. seek to promote their selfish
aims. -
|: In Judge Gary, the Pesrresident of
our Iron and Steel Institute we nave
a really great leader. Let us follow
him in his optimism and his dieter
mination to surmount the many PIT
falls. Let us share in his great Wis
ion, let us stand together in good
will and cooperation for the hasten
ing of thatM great era of prosperity
which is surely before US.
It is more a pleasure for NE to
be able to pay, my tribute. of res
pect and admiration for the brilliant
Marshal who our guest tonight. !
salute him, not aloffe because he is
50 great a Conrnander, but I salute
him with added enthusiasm because
ha comes from France, the France
which sent. US Lafayette IN our own
struggle for independence, the same
Franlce with whom the United
States have not only never had a