No. 4.] EDUCATION AND INDUSTKY. 87 



EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY. 



in W. E. STONE, PKESIDENT OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY. 



The essential basis and foundation of a nation's welfare is 

 to be found in its industrial conditions. In asserting this 

 truth one must not assume that national greatness consists 

 in industrial development and prosperity, that patriotism is 

 nourished by wealth, or that the best citizenship is a func- 

 tion of material progress. On the contrary, those abstract 

 qualities which contribute to national greatness and patriotic 

 citizenship are the offspring of ideals, rather than of mate- 

 rial things. But these can never come to their fullest fruit- 

 age without that substantial foundation aflbrded by rational 

 and well-balanced industrial forces. The highest develop- 

 ment of national ideals is like a flower whose beauty is 

 imfolded in the clear atmosphere, while its roots find anchor- 

 age and nourishment in the fertile stratum of an intelligent, 

 industrial democracy. 



On the other hand, the political, social and economic sta- 

 bility of the government does depend directly upon indus- 

 trial conditions and the character of the industrial classes. 

 No concrete example is necessary to illustrate this, but the 

 present spectacle of Russian helplessness and disorder is a 

 striking example to the world of conditions likely to result 

 from neglect of this principle. 



With this conception of the importance and relations of 

 industry to national welfare, it seems appropriate to discuss 

 before this Board, which is a representative of one of the 

 greatest industries, some matters pertaining to present con- 

 ditions and future developments in the industrial field. 



In two particulars America stands conspicuous before the 

 world to-day. First, for her industrial activity and pros- 

 perity, on a scale of which no nation has ever before 



