Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-21
EDISON IS AWARDED
U. S. MEDAL: COOLIDGE
TAKES PART BY RADIO
Continued from First page.)

return of the original photograph by
Ronald Campbell, charge d'affaires of
the British embassy. however was
longer. He looked with affection upon
the little machine rs he expressed his
hibition in the patent office museum
at South Kensington, London, for IS
years.
In addition to President Coolidge and
Secretary Mellon, Dr. John Grier Hib-
ben, president of Princeton University.
spoke, his remarks being In behalf Of
science and industry.
Laboratory Sparkies.
The laborato usually cluttered with
paraphernalia. was spick and span to-
night and decorated with huge chrys-
cnthemums and ferns. Guests at the
ceremonies include Henry Ford. Edi-
sons old friend and former employer.
and Mrs. Ford Harvey Firestone. the
tire manufacturer: Representative Ran
dolph Perkins and Mrs. Perkins, Senator
Walter E. Edge and Mrs Edge. Repre-
sentative Franklin Fort and Mrs Fort
and Representative Frederick ~. Lehl-
bach and Mrs. Lehlbach. Perkins IN
tro0llced the measure In the House
which resulted in the award.
The medal portravs bust Of Edison on
one side. with his name in large letters
at the top. On the reverse side is de-
picted power, in human form. a blazing
sun and group of buildings represent
ing industry. Inscribed are the words:
He Illuminated the Path of Progress
by His Inventions
Lists Great Achievements.
"His greatest achievements were "
the field of electricity" Secretary Mel
lon said. in presenting the medal. after
listing Edison's part in perfecting the
telephone, the typewriter and the tele-
graph. and inventing the monograph
the mimemograph. the stock ticker. the
alkaline storage battery and the motion
picture camera.
And so vast and varied have been
his contributions to its use that there
are some men who even believe that
electricity itself is merely another one Of
Edison'S Inventions"
The Secretary recalled that period
half century ago when the eyes Of
the world were on the laboratory where
Edison was working on the incandescent
lamp.
BY October lS. 1879" he said. "he
had succeeded in csrbonizing filament
OF cotton. It broke before it could be
connected with an electric current. but
he kept at his task without stopping for
sleep. and for three days the battle
went on At last on the morning OF
October 81. Just ~ years ago tomorrow.
the lamp gloved and new light came
into the world Edison knew then that
his patient struggle with nature had
been rewarded, and the world knew
that the new era of electricity had be-
gun"
Genius Beyond Nationality.
Secretary Mellon considered it inn
possible to estimate the value to the
world Of Edison's work.
Americans like to think of his genius
essentially practical and ultilitarian. as
peculiarly American. he said. but In
reality IL was beyond nationality.
1T has set him apart" he said. "as
one of the few men who have changed
the current of modern life end set 1t
flowing in new channels Such men
appear only at rare intervals in the
worlds history. They belong to no
nation, for their fame. no less than their
achievements. transcends national
boundaries. America Is proud that she
has given such man tn the world"
For his part. Mr.. Edison recalled
how more than so years ago he stood
before f1imsy little contraption OF his
own invention. recited Mary Had
Little Lamb" and heard the inanimate
machine repeat his words, the worlds
first photographic reproduction.
1T Is indeed a source of much graft