The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-02
Son of West Coast Bishop Is
Chosen Nation S Brightest Boy
in Edison Scholarship Test
Wilbur B. Huston Wins in
Brain Race: Indiana Boy
Is 'Runner-U Up
BY JULIUS FRANDSEN,
Tinted Press STAFF rorreSnnDden4

Seattle (Wash) Episcopal bishop
today won Thomas A. Edison'S
brain race which carries with it
a scholarship and expenses for four
years at the famous Massachusetts,
Institute of Technology.
He achieved mark of 81 in the
Edison questionnaire-a set of ques-
tions on subjects of ethical and
scientific nature which many a ma
ture and educated man would
funk
Though he headed a group Of
forty-nine lads-selected as the
brightest boys throughout the
country-and went through the
brain test with flying colors. Young
Huston took his honors modestly
and disappeared into the Seclusion
of Edison's home soon after the
award.
The questions weren't very diff
flcult, it seems to me-" said Wilbur.
He told inquirers he had never
worked to earn money for school,
and had spent recent summers col
lecting marine biological specimens.
-Four other lads unexpectedly were
given runner-up prizes of four years
tuition in technical colleges they
may choose. These boys we're:
Charles H. Brunissen, West Red
ding, Conn; Ivan A. Getting, Pitts
burgh, Pa; James Seth, Santa Fe,
N. M, and Bernard SturgiS, Butler,
Ind.
Hobby Is Marine Biology
Huston's hobby is marine biology,
but he faced the vast range of Edi-
son queries with remarkable sue
cess
His answers, however, will not be
made known to a waiting world, for
Charles Edison. the inventors son,
took his papers and locked them
away for safekeeping for the next
ten years.
IntervieWers sought from Huston
the answers he had made. But he
hesitated.
Asked what he had answered to
the inquiry as to the most needed
invention, Huston said.
Il don't want to answer that: am
afraid it might make ME look
foolish"
1t became known that, on the
question of what he would do with
S1000,o00, he had said in part he
would devote some of it to the
parish church in Seattle. Most of
the boys agreed they would devote
some of this money to education and
then seek wise counsel as to invest
ment Of the remainder. Many would
contribute to aid of their parents.
Has Studious Family
Huston comes of a studious fam
ily His father, Bishop S. Arthur
Huston of Seattle, his uncle and his
grandfather are known as careful
students and as expert plant
breeders. Huston has a younger
brother and sister.
Despite the difficulty Of the ques-
tions, none of the contestants
scored under 60-the passing"
mark.
Most of the boys agreed in
answer to the question as to what
they desire to do fifty years hence
that they would want laboratories
Of their own and be free to work
on scientific problems.
Further-to the amusement Of
Henry Ford. one of the Judges
most of the lads agreed the auto in
the future would probably be rele-
gated to use as trucks.
Ford and Colonel Charles A.
Lindbergh extremely were interested
in the answers and they served with
other conmitteemn until a. M, to-
day in correcting" the papers and
then resumed the work about Z a. m,
after short rest.
Tears Fill His Eyes
Young Huston, a clean-cut lad
neatly attired in blue serge, kept his
composure we'll as he was called
forward to be congratulated by Ed1-
son and the judges
He was also felicitated by Mrs.
Lindbergh, the former Ann Morrow,
and then his companions hoisted
him on their shoulders for a mo-
ment as they cheered.
II am thunderstruck,H Huston
stsrr7n1ered
The presentation ceremony was
held on the lawn at the Edison
home, Dr.. S. w. Stratton, president
Of Massachusetts, Institute of Tech
nology. made the announcement for
the committee. The other judges
were Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh,
Henry Ford, George Eastman OF
Kodak fame, and DR.. Lewis Perry,
headmaSter OF Philips Exeter