The times., 1899-11-19

The recent experiments IN THIS country
with the Narconi system of wireless te,eg-
sarhy has not only aroused a great deal
0f popular interest, but has excited consid-
erahle scientific discussion.
Scientists in Washington have been un-
usually eager in their investigation Of the
details OF the MarcoLi system. and are still
deyCdng heir energies 10 the practical
study OF its various phases and apparent
possibilities
Prof Joseph Steiner Of this city, has
taken exception to a recent article on the
subject Of ether as a conductor, and has
given to a reporter for The Times his
views Cn the matter.
4 should like to take issue with the ar
ticle which appeared in the Morning Times
OF Tuesday. November :, under the heading
OF Ether as a Conductor" said he, and
in which il is assumed that the whole
realm Of space is permeated with the So
called ether. and which, as theory, 1
claim, has no foundation in fact or in the
nature OF things. Ny sole purpose is TO dis
pei this popular deIusi0n, which strikes at
the very fundamentals Of the subject, and
which. II not eraGicated, may prove Sc
rious stumbling block 10 future lnVesuga-
lion; but which, If removed, viii give us
q clearer and more rational conception Of
the nature and character Of electricity and
magnetism than now prevails In the sclen-
tihc world
That science as yet knows little or
nothing of the inherent character OF cleo
Jricity and magnetism. their inter-relation,
etc, IS evidenced by the manner in which
IL classihes these phenomena without any
regard 10 the requirements Of genitiTe law
just as 2 store clerk who knows nothing OF
bookkeeping were TO make his entries
without regard 10 the requirements of
In LrrHh f.r
ing a confusion Of ideas, which would have
10 be uutaugled before they could be made
available for use. Il is here my task be-
gins, and with a positive negalon al that,
20 wit:
That the force called electricity. when
correctly appreheLded is not electricity at
all. bur consists of magnetism curreutiZed-
The storm from which Franklin brought
q current by means OF kite as q cumulatoT
and vet string as conductor was mas
uetic storm, and earthquakes are eNhibl-
tious OF ths same power. A thunderstorm
is an atmospheric earthquake, and an earth
quake may be termed zublerraL5an lhul-
derst0rm. both ph5L0meLl beng caused Dy
magnetic restraint.
Every Planet Dynamo.
To explain; Every planet Is a revolving
dynamo. generating magnetism at its mag
netic centre; this centre is located midway
between the inner and outer surfsce OF The
earth's crust. with laya-beds on both sides
OF the centre. when the crust becomes too
ret=utire Of magnetism by more being gen
Grated than can BE- expelled through its US
ual channels c0rzisti-s Of polar vents ana
volcanoes. earthquakes occur 10 maintain
el1crC-magCeJic equilibrium. So, too
when. owing 70 formation Of cl0uLs. the
magl -.sm above the surface becomes TOO
restrained and fervid. We nave thunder
storms TO maintain electromagnetic equi-
iIbriUm between the atmosphere and ute
rior space. And ii is by this means. AIDED
by deposits on lis surface Of The resI6uum
OF defunct stars (Which constitute the food
supply OF the living ones, consisting of what
are called shooting stars metaors. azrio-
lites. grc.), by which the earth accomplisehs
its growth and baIalcemznts- such being
the case. instead Of applying the term cleo
tric' 10 The machinery operated by that
power. ne should say magnetic telegraph,
magnetic lights, magnetic cars, etc,
which would be q more truthful dCsgna-
lion.
This miznomer has its origin in t6aT
most fundamental error in astronomic sci
eHce known as &ewtou's theory Of grayita-
zion. in which ii is claimed that matter at
tracts matter. Up TO q very recent period.
science claimed that both magnetism. So
called. and electricity were material in their
nature, consisting OF an imponderabIe fluid.
etc, hence magnetic attraction, Tepulsion,
etc, none Of which is now known TO be
true.
Centres Of Electrical Recepuvity.
THE requirements Of genitive law teach
that, universally. likes repel and opposites
attract. and on the basis Of this law, as
seTt, without fear OF successful cOntradic-
tion. that no atom or compact of matter
ever attracts any other atom or compact
Of matter.
Il have in my possession clinic ther-
nCmeter. which. when in constant use. has
10 be corrected about once every three
months iu order 10 obtain correct record
OF temperature. The tube Of this instru-
ment is SO fine that a magnifying lens is
required 10 see the mercury in the tube
and the variation in the registry is caused
by the failure OF the particles 10 fall into
their original positions after the tempera-
tuTe Of the body is taken From the above
Il is evident that not particle of the ma
-erial 0f which tbe thermometer is com
posed touches or is IN actual but only
pr0Nimate, contact with the others; for, II
in actual contact there would be no room
for contraction and expansion. Here the
question arises What is IL that keeps
these separate pieces OF glass together
whose lack Of cohesive power as evidenced
by alternate expansion and contraction has
a natural tendency to drive them asunder2
There is bur one answer and that is he
Jractive power Of space "a vacuum is in
dominion over the pulsiye power Of the
matter OF which the instrument is COM
posed and the result is the cohesion OF
particles.
"Genilye law teaches that each stellar
individual and system furnishes a centre
OF magnetic radiations and among these
centres of magnetic radiation are vast vol
umes Of mstterless space that furnish cen
tres Of electrical receptiyity. That each
centre OF magnetic rsdiati0us has a sDe-
ciaI centre OF electrical recep;iyitv toward
which it ever moves and hence these cen
tres are ever changing their position in
space That the members Of each stellar
system are rendered q magnetic unit by
the blending Of their several magnetic
radiatlcns IN one magnetic sphere and
that consequently. each stellar system be-
haVes as an individual star
MutuaI Magnetic RcpuIsion.
Therefore t win b= seen that. instead
OF the planets being held al an equlibrl-
ated distance from each other by a5t-ac-
tion. they are held asuuder by system OF
mutual magnetic repulsi0u Whi each
planet has lis special centre OF e,eeui-al
Teceptivity lpure void spacej and which
through successive changes OF position
marks the plane Of their orb rs ar0.ud
the solar centre. the planet following its
electric centre 5ust as water follows q
vacuum in 2 piston.
Electricity is the fulcrum and magnet
ism tho lover Hr which stars arc Isa-f IN