Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-01
EDISON SCOFFS
AT RETIRING IDEA
OTIS Unhealthy" He Tells
observation-disclosures 40
Boy "SucceSsors.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
WEST ORANGE. N. j., August l.
Although he is choosing his unofficial
successor" Thomas A. Edison has no
intention of retiring.
In response to one of series Of
questions submitted by newspaper men
during a reception to the 80 youths
who are to take the examination today
for the Edison scholarship, the inventor
said
NO, I'll never retire. It's unhealthy"
The boys, one from each of the
will compete for the Edison scholarship
of four-year technical education and
recognition as "the brightest boy in
America"
They approached the examination
after a reception by the electrical
wizard and the committee of judges,
composed of Henry Ford Col. Charles
A. Lindbergh, George Eastman, Presi-
dent S. w. Stratton of the Massa-
chuSettS Institute of Technology, and
DR.. Lewis Perry, headmaster of Phillips
Exeter Academy. Short addresses of
welcome were made by Mr.. Edison. Mr..
Ford and DR.. Stratton, and Col. Lind
bergh bowed and grinned in answer to
loud cheers from the boys.
I congratulate you young men for
having been crosen in this Nation wide
contest" Mr.. Edison said. You are on
the threshold of your careers If you
wish to make them noteworthy, keep
your head clear and your feet on the
ground.
1T must be remembered that there
Is no test-no suitable yardstick which
positively can determine the relative
value of one human being compared to
another. Life and human relationships
are too complex, too involved, to permit
such determination. The race will be
rIn La stu
however. If everybody won.
The purpose of this scholarship con-
test is to stimulate the interest of the
youth of America in mental develop
ment, with particular emphasis on
scientific matters and more generally
In the high ideals that make for the
finest type of American manhood"
After the speeches. Mr.. Edison
answered set of questions presented
by newspaper men.
"Talkies'" Future Is Discussed.
The questions and answers were:
What do you think about the future
OF the talking pictures?"
without great improvements people
will tire Of them. Talking is no sub
stitute for the good acting we have
had in silent films"
rs the introduction of younger men
into your organization, as result of
this contest, an indication of your re-
tirement; and if so. when will it take
place."
mo, I'll never retire: it's unhealthy"
'Is there not danger of serious I'M
employment If so much weight is laid
on college and technical education and
too many are turned out for the re-
quirementS of industry?"
Industry is getting so complex that
there Is an immense shortage of the
right kind of men to manage affairs.
This Is getting more serious every day
as science discovers new phenomena"
What is the next invention or dis
covery you foresee?"
utilization of natural products.
Three Factors Of Success.
do you consider the will to work
and facing of realities of life as i'm
pOrtant for the youth of America as a
f1rst-class education?"
There are three things which insure
succeSS-ambition imagination and the
will to work. OF these. the will to work
accomplishes the most. Education of
the right kind gets quicker results"
DO you consider the prevalent craze
for the setting of records, endurance
tests. ETC., healthy for industry in gen.
eral?"
Yes"
Given the same opportunity az
forded the winner Of this contest, do
you believe your own success would
have been greater or earlier?"
Eyes"
will a similar contest be held next
year or at regular intervals In the
1uture?"
Don't know yet"
Disagrees With Wickersham.
do you agree with the proposal Of
George w Wickersham that the States
should assume the burden of local pro-
hibition enforcement"
No"
DO you think that the scientific
experimental field affords as great OPP
portunities to women as to men; and
why were girls not included in this
Contest?"
Nearly as great. The first expert
Fnent was with boys. As they act In
wider fields"
The boys were warned that the ex-
emination will be hard one. The test
is a written one and will be submitted
in the form of a long QUESTIONABLE.
Announcement Of the scholarship
award will be made tomorrow.