Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-09
Press Halls Edison's Choice
But Warns Hard Path Ahead

While the public is warm in its felici-
tations to young Wilbur Huston, Edison's
choice as the new Merlin of Menlo
Park, 1t is not quite willing to concede,
If press comment may be taken as an
indication, that one touch of the wand
will make wizard.
The Kansas City Journal-Post says
Here's hoping that, whether or not
Wilbur proves to be a genius. he will be
q regular fellow of good brains and
instincts and a credit to himself and
the great Edison, who wants to help
American youth make the most of
itself"
While recognizing that "young Huston
may never become the recognized wizard
of chemistry as his famous sponsor is
recognized to be the wizard of electric
magic" the Philadelphia Evening Bulle-
tin thinks that. given health and
years, it is pretty certain that he will
find happiness and perform useful serv-
ice in the field of chemistry, to which,
especially in its intimate relation to
electricity, civilization looks for the as
sured future of mankind"
Edison'S successor will be born. not
made" declares the Dayton Daily News.
while the Salt Lake City Deseret News
suggests that "the young man who will
do for the development and utilization
of electricity in the future what Edison
has done in the past and Is doing in the
present is perhaps as likely right now
to be burning the midnight oil in the
attic Of an obscure farmhouse or in
the hall bedroom Of a crowded city
tenement as in college or laboratory"
X X
The New York Evening Post "feels
quite sure that neither Mr.. Edison nor
hot Hr
Eastman or Col. Lindbergh-believes in
his soul that a genius can infalliby be
discovered by q system Of competitive
examination papers. Life would be too
simple If that were true" declares this
paper. "Al honor to Mr.. Edison's off,
cial protege, but q doubt still persists
in our minds" exclaims the Kansas City
Star, as it asks: How valuable is a
QUESTIONABLE for picking out future
Edison?"
If the selection proves to have been
correct, 1.-The wizard Of the laboratories
can credit himself with another great
invention in the solving Of problem
that has baffied the great Of earth
through the ages, namely, how to choose
fully qualified successor to carry on
the progress as well as the tradition"
declares the Manchester Union.
with 48 chances to 60 wrong and
only one Of going right, We beg to be
excused If we feel a certain amount of
skepticism regarding the wisdom Of its
choice" remarks the Roanoke Times,
a. Il, however, extends to young Huston
itB ~best wishes"
That the test has been valuable is
the opinion of the Wheeling 1ntellt-
cancer. since 1T gives likely boy an
opportunity which he otherwise might
not have and encourages 48 others to
improve q distinction that they have
already earned" Those who took the
test were all real boys. with well de-
veloped interests, with healthy hobbies,
sound bodies and alert minds" adds the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
X
None of the lads will go home with
a feeling of having wasted his time"
remarks the Spokane Spokesman-Re-
view, for after the Edison quiz any
examination the boys may take the rest
of their lives will seem like a quiet
hour with o Henty book" The Harris
burg Patriot finds it interesting that
"the competitors Immediately organized
themselves for the future. Twenty or
twenty-five years from now the real
result Of the examination will be re-
vealed," declares the Patriot.
The Charlotte Observer suggests that
1t may turn out that the new Edison"
had reached the height Of his posi-
bilities. He may develop no new quail
fications. In short, he may have been
.matured' at the time of his selection
and get no further. On the other
hand, there Is a possibility that some
one Of ths rejected boys might be just
in the making and that with further
experience and training he would de-
velop a genius far in advance of any
possible with the successful contestant"
concludes the Observer
SRnpdtaiy. for the winner M Ne ~;