Ever since New York was first flooded with incandescent lighting it has been the annual custom of newspaper reporters to find out from Mr. Edison his opinion of the rising generation. Annually the ever more venerable wizard has risen to the occasion, passing judgment and giving advice. His ideas on every subject from the value of a college education to the morality, of modern dancing fill the back files of dozens of newspapers.

This year, however, Mr. Edison has changed his tactics. Seventy-eight years are behind him, and when he was asked the usual question on his birthday he refused advice because he knew no one would take it.

Seventy-eight years is a long life. It has just been crowned by Mr. Edison's greatest discovery. What enormous benefit will this nation derive if the respect is paid him which is his due! Politicians, merchants, street car conductors, and inventors will realize at last that advice is wasted breath. They can divert the energy once given to criticism to faithful ends, while the rising generation is left to rise unmolested.