Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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ARTHUR ARTON HAMERSCHLAG. Sc.D.. LL.D.

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UU LMJ LMi 1917 THISTLE EU Hi tU TO THE THISTLE Now comes the hour when the United States is to test the patriotism and steadfastness of its citizens. History is in the making and the nations of the world stand on the brink of an era in which peace and good will become a dream. During these days of suspense the people of this country are to have their first test of unselfish service and I am very proud indeed that the students of this institution are planning to give of the best that they have when the nation issues its call. I am confident that the part that we are to play as an institution of higher learning will be worthy of the best traditions of other colleges and universities in the .old days. May wo face our task in the spirit of our forefathers who gave us a heritage of idealism to lead the nations of the earth in sacrifice for freedom. The true interpretation of higher education is that knowledge is powerful only when its use is for the purpose of uplifting the cause of civilization. Should the Faculty, Alumni and Students participate in the impending conflict they will carry forward the highest aspirations of the Carnegie Institute of Technology to aid in the upbuilding of mankind. From deep in my heart these words go to the students as my message for 1917. Arthur Arton Hamerschlag March Twenty-sixth, Nineteen Hundred and Seventeen. Fourteen

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mi mi imi 1917 THISTLE LIU UU E J THERE COMES A DAY Absence from Pittsburgh, on leave to do some work at Harvard, places me this year out of touch with the usual statistical information about Tech, which I annually contribute to The Thistle. For this, at the present moment, I am thankful. It gives me an opportunity to say a word on something that runs infinitely closer to my interest, in these days of a national crisis, than college statistics. It is College men—especially Carnegie men—and their duty in any eventuality which may arise—that is the vital question. Nothing has surprised me more, since coming East, than the eager attitude towards preparedness shown by such institutions as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. Where one expected to find the conservative pacificist enthroned, the militant patriot is in the saddle. The day diplomatic relations were broken with Germany, President Maclaurin wired President Wilson that Rost on Tech was ready at. a moment’s notice to mobilize its students, laboratories, and technical staff for the nation’s service. At Harvard, openly inspired and substantially supported by its administration, a corps for the training of reserve officers has just been established. One thousand students were called for; twelve hundred responded. This morning’s paper has it that a war clause is to be put in leases for next year’s college rooms, and that within a few days members of the corps will appear in class-rooms wearing the regulation olive drab. Harvard is ready to transform itself into a military training camp, should the need arise. Yale has a large artillery unit, Dartmouth an aviation detachment, and Brown sends a memorial to Wilson endorsing his utterances. There may shortly come a day when all the Carnegie clansmen, graduate and undergraduate, must also face this problem. With great satisfaction I note that the issue has already been taken up editorially in the last “Tartan.” That is good, but it is not enough. The task is laid upon every one of you to individually give most earnest and intelligent thought to what your course of action will be, if pending events make stern measures obligatory. When it is evident beyond all doubt that peace with honor is no longer possible, and patience has ceased to be patriotism and has become pusillanimity—then there must be no hesitation. I pray that the day we dread may never come, but if it should, the sons of our Alma Mater must be ready with a will and with a way. Arthur W. Tarbell. Cambridge, March ( , 1017. Sixteen