University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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GEM OF THE MOUMTAIN S ‘16 Convincing testimony that the University is discharging her third great obligation,—that of showing how these principles may be applied effec- tively and economically,—is afforded by each of the industries in which the principles worked out in research laboratories at the University have been applied with success and increasing gains. However, if the citizens of the State are indifferent to the modern and commanding ideals of education, there can be no hope of developing higher education nor secondary education in Idaho. That development depends wholly upon wise leadership which is willing to abide with the problems and work of education for long periods of time in order to give force and form to educational advancement. The people know these truths and it is merely a question whether they will act on the evidence of history and present economic conditions. It is confidently believed that they will act promptly and sympathetically if they are given the facts. MELVIN A. BRANNON 10

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necessary that the state make reasonable provision for library and lab- oratory supplies. Moreover, it is essential that provisions be made for extension of University teaching,—a field which has scarcely been en- tered by the University, which she cannot enter until provision is made by state appropriation. This primary function of teaching will never be performed in its most efficient and highest manner unless encouragement is given to the more fundamental educational work of extending the boundaries of know]l- edge. True, it will be impossible for the state of Idaho to make extensive appropriations for carrying on research work at her State University at present. But she can and she should have a sympathetic appreciation of this pressing need of seeking out new truth and seeking out new methods of applying this to the industrial and economic life of the state. If the students and the alumni of the University would serve their Alma Mater in a constructive and helpful way, they would lay hold of these three distinctive features of the University service: First, teach- ing; second, learning the truth about new principles in the sciences and industries concerned with the welfare of the state; third, discovering effi- cient and economic methods of applying these newly discovered principles. When the sons and daughters of the University of Idaho have clearly grasped these truths and discovered their educational, industrial and eco- nomic value, then it is a duty which devolves upon them to make these facts clearly known to the citizens of the commonwealth. Idaho has a citizenship which is small and wonderfully differentiated on account of industrial, racial, religious and political factors. Neverthe- less, it is a citizenship which believes in the right type of progress and it stands for the best in education, in economics and in law. The oppor- tunity is ours. It is one of the greatest opportunities for service pre- sented to the students of any state university in the United States. The University entrusts this to your keeping with the conviction that you will use your best endeavors to make the following truths known: First, that the state of Idaho thus far has granted very modest appro- priations for carrying on the great work with which our State University is commissioned ; Second, that notwithstanding this financial limitation, the University has performed her three-fold work with quite an unusual degree of suc- cess. The evidence that she has given an excellent account of her com- mission to teach will be found in the records of her students whether they have been for a short or a long time under her tutelage. Her discharge of the duties to discover new principles is evidenced by her contribution to the industry of mining where the pressing and increasingly valuable process of flotation has been the subject of successful investigation. In agriculture, definite contributions have been made in discovering the prin- ciples which control the milling qualities of grains, the factors concerned with improving breeds of livestock. In the field of forestry there have been notable contributions in discovering the principles which make for conservation of by-products and the processing of all kinds of woods.

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“GEM OF THE MOUMTMINS ‘16” | Traditions er a OLLEGE life consists very largely of traditions. This being true, So it may well be worth our while to see what they are, what disad- Rasy vantages they may entail, and what sort of traditions are worthy of perpetuation. Traditions are hwman. We do not speak of the traditions of the stars, nor of the mountains, nor of the flowers, nor of the beasts, permanent and unchanging as all these, in the ordinary sense, may be and are. They can acquire traditions only in their relations to man, for traditions are the opinions, practices, and customs handed down from one generation to another. Traditions are oral. They are communicated almost solely by word of mouth. We do not in general sit down and write them out for poster- ity. Rather, because of their intrinsic interest or value we tell them to our associates and they in turn pass them on to others. Traditions are an evolution. We do not say, “Go to now, let us make some traditions.” Instead, they come into being of themselves, and then, with the years, develop into some measure of usefulness or else are cast aside. A merely local or temporary occurrence or state of feeling may possibly grow into a tradition, but only when it is based upon some human trait which is universal and permanent. Taken collectively, traditions really constitute what we call conser- vatism. Thus, since the universities are said to be the very bulwarks of conservatism, we are naturally led to a consideration of our own tradi- tions. Are we wisely keeping only that which is best in the old, with minds alert for the possibly better new? For custom may become a tyrant. Lord Bacon says, “A forward retention of custom is as turbulent a thing as an innovation; and they that reverence too much old times are but a scorn to the new.” And the poet Cowper: “The slaves of custom and established mode, With pack-horse constancy we keep the road, Crooked or straight, thru quags or thorny dells, True to the jingling of our leaders’ bells.” Are we, in a young university like Idaho, in such danger? We are, so il