Scientists' Tribute to Lord Kelvin

Reception to Noted English Electrical Engineer at Columbia University.

Columbia University and other scientific bodies last night paid tribute to the achievements in the cause of science of Lord Kelvin in a reception to him and Lady Keivin at the university. The reception was arranged jointly by Columbia University, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, the American Mathematical Society, the Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Lord Kelvin, short, wiry and still vigorous despite his years, and Lady Kelvin, a tall, gray haired, stately woman, were warmly greeted by a large gathering. Dr. Francis Bacon Crocker, past president of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, who presided, presented Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, who made the address of welcome for the university.

In the crowded hall were Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler was enthusiastically applauded as he arose. Columbia's new president said that it was proud to share with the American deans and living masters of science the honor of welcoming one of Great Britain's greatest teachers and inventors. Lord Kelvin, he said, had not only gone out to more points in the unknown than most men, living or dead, but had made his information practical and easily understood.

Professor Elihu Thomson, for the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, saluted the guest as the father of electrical engineering, and said that nearly all of the progress of the last twenty-five years had been due to Lord Kelvin's theories, work and calculation. In fact, before his time there was no electrical engineering, he said.

Dr. Arthur Gordon Webeter spoke for the American Physical Society, and Dr. Robert Simpson Woodward for a number of societies, including the New York Academy of Sciences. He gave Lord Kelvin credit for the theoretical work and calculations which made the Atlantic cable possible.

Lord Kelvin, in response, thanked the people of New York for their kindness to him. He spoke with a pronounced Scotch accent, but was easily understood. He recalled the trials and the final triumph in laying the Atlantic cable, and told his hearers never to forget the debt due to Cyrus Field.

His reference to Edison was followed by a storm of applause, in which the speaker and Lady Kelvin joined, and compelled the American inventor to rise and bow to the audience. In conclusion he doubted if he would ever again come to America, but predicted that in a short time he would be able to speak to his friends here without the assistance of telegraph wires.