Address

It seems to me, Mr. Hunt, as if this key with which you honor me, as president of the trustees of the United Engineering Society, were the key of the whole engineering situation. It is suspended by the red, the white, and the blue — a color for each of the three founder societies, the three together forming a perfect union fittingly representing all the associate societies and standing for the engineering profession. May these all, without any loss of individuality, nevertheless form a grand enduring whole which shall typify the national federation of our states, and may our individual engineers shine as do the stars on the blue field of our country´s emblem. In this union there is strength. This key opens the great bronze doors of knowledge, of usefulness, and of accomplishment, and the building thus opened and dedicated is one of the world´s greatest storehouses of the records of engineering achievement. It shall be the trysting place of the guilds that plan the physical progress of the world. The great library which crowns it is already one of the most complete technical libraries in existence, especially along mechanical, mining, and electrical lines. When we can secure an adequate endowment, it will become even more important. It is happily situated within a stone´s throw of the new public library, which it is bound to supplement on engineering subjects. It is open for the benefit of mankind. This key stands, then, for freedom, coöperation, and the open door. With it we can unlock some of nature´s hidden secrets.