Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16

Having devoted q long lifetime TO
the service of others. Stephen Moulton
Babcock OF the University of Wisconsin
is supremely honored in death as q
great benefactor. His invention of the
Babcock test for determining the but
terfat IN milk. which has done so much
for the dairy industry might have
brought him millions in wealth, it Is
pointed out, but he gave it to the
public. His other work and the honors
he received through life are subjects
of comment
He declined with thanks to be-
come a millionaire" says the Min
neapolis Star, with the tribute that,
like DR.. Nicholson, he wanted nothing
better than an opportunity to keep
working. and, like him also, he was
willing to let fame and pelf go by the
board in the pursuit OF his chosen pro-
fession." The Portland Oregon Journal
believes he was amazing to the
money mad" and that paper adds:
Science and his love of it were his
pride. To him money was only a
convenience. not an idol as 1t is to
the millions who rush through the world
in desperate pursuit of it." The Journal
recalls that the National Country Life
Association of America celebrated a re-
cent anniversary of his birth by pre-
IllIn WIFI SO,UUU CdSH anu
a memorial plaque" and asks: In
how few instances does craftsmanship
in America equal the service to hu-
mainly OF Stephen Moulton Babcock?
How many American Presidents served
the country better7"
DIR. Babcock revolutionized the dairy
industry" declares the Madison Wis
consin State Journal, land will 60
into history as one of the worlds great
est hunger fighters. 1t is, of course,
as the scientist that the name of Bah
cock will live through the ages. His
laboratory equipment held for him the
secrets of the worlds greatest romances
and he approached his problems with
the same JOY that other men explore
jungles and fly oceans. AS an extremely
human and lovable character he long
will remain in the hearts of hundreds
in Madison and at the University Of
Wisconsin. A sparkling wit, love Of a
good joke whether it was by or on
himself, q complete disregard for money
and the things it could buy. DR.. Bah
cock was q delightful personality. His
delight in his work, his beauty Of
character, his unselfiSh love Of man
kind, all were characteristic of a great
man."
Here was man." remarks the Allen
town Call, who, with the opportunity
in his hands, absolutely refused to be-
come rich through it, 1t was not case
of failing to appreciate the value OF an
idea which has left many inventors
poor, but it was desire to help the IN
dustry with whose development he had
been associated all his life that he de-
clined riches. And Mr.. Babcock is not
q sole and solitary example Of such phi
lanthropy among Americans. The whole
field of agricultural development espe-
cially Is full of such examples. Consider
the case of Pennsylvania alone and the
development of the famous Pennsyl-.
vania A wheat, which has yielded
Pennsylvania farmers many millions OF
dollars without the imposition Of trib-
ute for the developers thereof, namely,
the men of State College"
His gift was in the worthiest spirit
of the scientific mind--to determine the
truth and make 1t generally available
without thought Of personal gain,"
states the Jersey City Journal, while
the Louisville Courier Journal offers the
appraisal: His discovery of the butter
fat test enriched his own State Of Wis
consin, not millions, but billions, con-
sidering continuous returns, and did as
much for the dairying industry the world
around. Having made this contribu-
ton by his own knowledge, intellect and
skill, there would have been nothing
wrong from any point of view in his
taking out a patent on the device and
growing rich from royalties. But he was
a member of the university's agricultural
faculty on a professors competence and
his time was the States. He gave his
invention to the farmers. Then he sue
cessfully turned his attention to i'm
proving dairy stock and finally perfected
the process of cheese making. which
added many millions more to Wiscon-