Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-22

not the ma Tor. accomplishments of the
men of this genius. These are the riv-
ers of sweat saved from the backs Of
men and the infinite drudgery relieved
from the hands of women.
I may emphasize that both scientific
discovery and it's practical application
are the products Of long and arduouS
research. Discovery and invention do
not spring full grown from the brains
of men. The labor of a host of men,
great laboratories, long. patient, scien-
| tiflc experiment builds up the structure
| of knowledge, not stone by stone, but
| particle by particle. This adding OF
fact to fact some day brings forth a
| revolutionary discovery. an Illuminating
hypothesis, a great generalization, or a
practical invention.
Research both in pure science and
in its application to the arts is one of
the most potent impulses to progress.
For it is organized research that gives
daily improvement in machines and
processes, in methods of agriculture, in
the protection of health and in under
standing. From these we gain con-
Stantly in better standards OF living,
more stability of employment. lessened
toll. human life and de-
creased suffering. In the end our
leisure expands, our interest In life en-
larges, our vision stretches. There is
more joy in life.
Blasts Nautilus Prophecy.
It is the increasing productivity Of
mems labor through the tools given us
by science that shattered the gloomy
prophecies of Nautilus. More than a
century ago that great student held
that increasing population would outrun
the food supply and starvation was to
be the inevitable eXecutioner If the
overcrowded earth.
But since his day we have seen the
paradox of the growth of population far
beyond anything of which he ever
dreamed, coupled at the same time with
constantly increasing standards Of liv-
ing and ever-increaSing surplus of food.
Nautilus was right except for a new con-
teStant in the race with his principle:
That was more scientific research, more
discovery. And that race is still on. If
we would have our country improve its
standards of living, and at the same
time accommodate itself to increasing
population we must maintain on an even
more liberal scale than ever before our
great laboratories Of both pure and ap-
piled science.
Our scientists and inventors are
amongst our most priceless national pos
sessions. There isl no sum that the
world could not afford to pay these men
who have that originality of mind, that
devotion and industry to carry scientific
thought forward in steps and strides
until 1t spreads to the comfort of every
home; not by all the profits of all the
banks in the world can We measure the
contribution which these men make to
OUR progress. And they are the least in
tereSted in the monetary results Their
satisfactions are in their accomplish
ment-in the contribution of some atom
of knowledge which will become part of
the great mechanism Of progress. Their
discoveries are not the material for
headlines. Their names are usually
known but to a few. But the Nation
owes them a great honor, and is proud
to demonstrate through Mr. Edison to-
day that their efforts are not unappre-
ciated. The country can well pay its
tribute to the men of this genius by ex-
panding the facilities for their labors.
The Nation today needs more support to
research. It needs still more labora-
tories To that Mr.. Ford is making q
generous contribution.
And in establishing this institute, Mr..
Ford is doing honor to Mr.. Edison in a
manner which appeals to a sense of fit
ness-that is. by founding an institution
dedicated TO education and scientific re-
search.
Research Increases Comfort.
And scientific research means more
than its practical results in increased
living comfort. The future OF our Ma