Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-07

The refreshing contrast between the
modeSty OF Nine. Curte with the I'M
dying fame she has achieved as the CO.
discoverer Of radium has stirred Amer
lea. The gift of $4,000 for the gram of
radium which is to assist In the adj
vancement Of her work Is accompanied
by warm tribute to her standing as
scientist, and President Hoover's part
in the presentation is viewed as SYM
bolic of the welcome extended by the
public.
IF the interest of the Nation was
inadequately focused beforehand on
scientific research and its import" says
the Atlanta Journal, surely that lack
was supplied spontaneously when Nine.
Marie Curie arrived upon our shores
almost coincidentally with the celebra-
ton of Thomas Edison's anniversary
of achievement. There would always
be In America cordial welcome for the
remarkable woman who was the CO.
discoverer Of radiunn with her husband;
for even II radium were less precious q
boon to mankind, very human adj
miration always must be accorded one
whose gifts enabled her to discover In
her husband a workable laboratory
partner. Perhaps President Sykes, In
comforting upon her the honorary de-
gree of doctor of science from st.
Lawrence University, had in mind the
rare quality of her accomplishment
doYska Curie, self-effacing and devoted
scientist, teacher and author, inter-
nationally known and loved, exemplar
Of the art of living while directing, to
henef1cent ends, powerful forces of ma
ture, single and persistent in purpose.
triumphant in research, fastening the
march Of civilization by the discovery
of radium, inspired and inspiring ideal
ist practical dreamer"
*
With emphasis upon her high place
among world characters, the Milwaukee
Journal recalls the circumstances of
her departure from Europe in the
words: Three celebrities left Cher
bourg the other day on the lie de
France. Vast crowds Grove: ga gathered tsI to, to do
timidly and unnoticed aboard the
great liner. The two who were so
wildly applauded were M. and Nine.
Maurice Chevalier, movie actors en-
route to Hollywood. The third was
Nine. Marie Curie, the worlds most
famous woman scientist, who came to
this country to receive a gift Of ra-
dunn, the wonder element which she
and her husband jointly discovered,
The Chevaliers are actors of some dis
tinction. They are reaping the harvest
they may. The Curies Of the world
would be the last to begrudge them
their fame or the public its choice.
For the CURES are of all time. They
shrink from public applause. They
live for and by their work. AS years
20 by and their discoveries add fur
Their to human progress. their modest
fame goes on and on, till even death
but adds to their glory. A thousand
years from now, men will cherish the
memory of Mime. Curie and all the
Chevaliers will be forgotten"
I'm marked contrast with the recent
visit to the White House Of the British
prime minister. Ramsay Macdonald"
according to the Louisville Courier-
Journal. was the nations reception Of
an unobtrusive, soft-voiced little
woman, whom the world has pro.
claimed one of the greatest living sell
entists. Marie Sklodowska Curie was
given no ovation. The visit to the
keeping with the simplicity and mod
esty Of the codiscoveYer of radiurn.
And yet the distinguished visitor was
as much an evangel Of international
peace and good will as the British
prime minister. The scientist knows no
nationalism; the politician is trammeled
by 1t. The scientist labors not for his
own country. but for the world; the
most progressive statesman has no such
viewpoint. The scientists greatest JOY
Is 10 give to humanity; the politician is
bound to a procedure based on national
egoism. Marie Curie is the symbol Of
this altruism."
&N&
lone practical scientist was speak
ing to another practical scientist" in
terprets the Brooklyn Daily Eagle,
when our President made the presen-
tation speech and handed over to