Evening star., 1932-04-24
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

IF George Washington could come
back from his grave for an hour to
participate in the observance OF
L his Bicentennial anniversary, he
doubtless would be astounded at the
changes that h& ge come over the face
of the earth since he died. In this new
world he would find things common
place which we're infinitely beyond the
boldest imaginings of his clear eight
eenth-century mind.
Yet If Washington undertook to an
alyZe the difference he might not find
1t so far-reaching after all Under the
basic institutions were about as he left
them. The changes would be quantita-
tive rather than qualitative. In his
day these institutions did not differ
very profoundly from their condition in
Babylon. the Judea of the apostles or
the England Of Chaucer. Nor have
they changed much since he died. He
would feel at home in law, politics, re-
ligion, morals, trade, art, literature,
music and philosophy.
But Washington would have a con-
fused awareness of a cataclysmic
change of some sort-some develop
ment since his death so revolutionary
that it tended to conceal the outlines
of all these ancient, conservative insti-
tutions which are the building stones of
ceeded in resolving this confusion he
probably would find that the change
had taken place in only one field Of
mans interests.
Tribute to Joseph Henry.
He would find the cataclysm centered
in mechanics-especially in the me-
chanics of communication and trans
portation. And he would find himself
sharing the public interest this week
with another American-born the year
he died-who, probably more than any
other American, was responsible for
this change.
American science has chosen this
year to observe the centennial of one
Of its supreme figures, Joseph Henry.
The National Academy of Sciences at
its annual meeting this week will de-
vote special session to commemora-
ton Of the discoveries of the first sec
retary of the Smithsonian institution.
Hardly a single one of the changes
which would be so confusing to Wash
lngton does not owe something to the
brain OF Henry, who, together with his
great British contemporary Michael
Faraday, developed the basic principles
upon which rest all electrical mechan-
isms. Henry's work literally changed
the face of civilization
Both the National Academy and the
Smithsonian Institution seek to restore
him to the public eye. It happens that
his most momentouS discoveries center
around the year 1882. Since he was
engaged in continuing researches, 1t is
difficult to date the more notable de-
velopmentS precisely. So this year has
been chosen for the centennial.
Joseph Henry, as pictured in the
publications of the Smithsonian In
sthution, whose destinies he guided for
science, forever leaving his conquests
over the mysteries of nature behind
him for the profit of others while he
rode on over the unexplored frontier
of the imagination.
Harvest for Others.
He discovered the basic principle of
the telegraph and promptly left the
harvest of profits and fame to be
garnered by others. He bequeathed
to the world the principle upon which
radio communication is based and left
it behind him. He developed the
principle Of the electric motor and left
1t for others to bring 1t to usefulness.
to the sum total of human knowledge
by discovering new truths. Their prac-
tical application I leave to Others"
He passed his life proudly, some
times almost dedantly, In the trackless