Keynote Address
EDWARD N. COLE, President
General Motors Corporation
Detroit, Michigan
INTRODUCTION
This is one of the most encouraging things I've seen in a long time — 1,200 engineers
and technicians meeting to concentrate on a major problem. I've looked at your program
and am impressed by the range of subjects and the realistic approach.
The future of American business and perhaps even our competitive enterprise system
depends on men and women with your objectives, your knowledge and your experience.
Some time ago the English author, C.P. Snow, toured America. As he was about to
leave, he said: "Pollution... the American problem is enormous, but it is absolutely tailored
to the American genius."
I agree. The solution of the problem is tailored to the American genius. As a nation we
have lived downstream from a rapidly growing civilization for more than 300 years. We
have an enormous pollution problem. But the technical and industrial genius that advanced
our nation to world leadership is equally capable of improving the quality of the
environment without throwing our American way of life out with the polluted water or the
polluted air.
In the final analysis, solutions for our problems and progress for society will not be
made by those who stand on the sidelines silently or contributing only criticism. Solutions
and progress depend on the personal involvement of people with imagination, energy and
positive attitudes.
The headlines of our daily newspapers and the forum of legislative debate identify the
problems and challenges of contemporary America. They are many. Scratch any one of
them deep enough, and you'll find an engineering and scientific opportunity. In the past,
single-minded technology may have thoughtlessly and unwittingly had negative side effects.
The answer is not a blanket condemnation of technology. Quite the opposite. We must have
more technology — technology that is better directed and that considers the total impact on
society of its dynamic changes. And we must have a better understanding of technology in
corporate board rooms, in legislative halls and in academic classrooms.
This is an expanded responsibility for technology and one that ties closely to your
conference.
The history of this conference going back 28 years speaks well for the foresight of your
leadership. General Motors men have attended and participated almost from the beginning.
Through them, this conference has contributed to GM's progress in industrial waste
control, and I am sure to the development of waste control programs and progress in many
other organizations.
But in 1973 the need for waste control progress and solutions is greater than ever
before. This conference serves a greater need and you have a greater challenge. For a few
minutes, I'd like to emphasize three areas that are critical:
First, we must have managment with vision and continuing dedication.
Second, technical personnel must operate with courage and creativity, and
Third, legislators and government officials must have an understanding of technical
problems and their solutions.
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