The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-22
TO RECORD
MAGNETIC
CURRENTS
Engineer Cox Claims Hs viii
30 Able to Note Wave Signals
From Other Worlds.

indianapolis, lnd., March Zone OF the
most notable scientific discoveries in a
century is claimed by an electrical engi-
neer now i'm this city, III. Barringer Cox.
who is known throughout the scientific
world for his Investigations In electrical
phenomena.
This discovery II the long sought-for
law for the measurement OF distances be-
tween the earth and the sun and moon
and the other planets and stars I'm space.
Mr. Cox calls IL 1.-THE law OF inter-stellar
mea surements" In Importance it is
claimed 20 rank with Newtons law of
gravltstiop. Mr.. Cox hopes for his discov-
cry that it will become the one accurate
means for computing inter-stellar dis
tances. with. OF course. the assistance Of
electrical instruments made 10 record the
magnetic waves which. he holds have for
ages been sending their impulses through
space from planet 10 planet.
Although not an astronomer Of unusual
erudition Mr. Cox Is familiar with all as
Economical theories. He has long felt he
says, that the time would come when as
Economical investigation would reveal the
key 20 the problem on which he has
spent SO many years.
ASTRONOMERS GAVE KEY.
This key. he now believes. has been fur
nished by astronomers engaged In watch
ing and photographlng the minor planet
Eros for the purpose OF utilizing IL In
assisting toward the measurement OF the
true distances in the solar system.
Mr.. Cox proposes applying his knowl-
edge OF physics 20 the solution OF the
great problem OF computing inter-stellar
distances IL will be the first time, he
says that scientists have attempted 10
use electricity i'm their efforts at comput-
ing these measurements.
Mr.. Cox holds that his method will
work out as accurately as the electrical
instruments now compute distances on
the earth's surface
NEW SYSTEM DISCOVERED.
Mr.. Cox's discovery would utilize cleo
trical instruments for computing inter
stellar distances, but with system
never heretofore employed or suggested
in electrical computation.
Ii H. well known fact that electricians
are now able TO compute electrical meas
urements to the one-billionth part OF "A
unit and MIR. Cox holds that the delicacy
of electrical instruments has been per-
fected to such a degree that IL IL high
time they should he utilized to catch and
record the magnetic waves coming from
sister planetary bodies
Ills pfOpOsiuon, IN DrleI, IL 10 CdkCn
these wave signals and record them even
moresaccurately than IL would be possible
for light waves to be recorded from the
stars.
,Of what does your means OF measure
ment consist2' was asked.
My means OF measurement would be
both electrical and optical. with view of
establishing fixed standard of measure
ment--a sort OF unit for determining the
exact relationship OF bodies I'm space
What suggested this means To your
simply this: Recent discoveries in re-
gard TO the minor planet Eros have estab-
lished the fact that I'm it's revolutions IL
betrays eccentricities not furnished by
the observations OF any major planet or
other body in space. These particular &C.
centricities are the very ones necessary
to make a computation OF magnetic
waves possible.
"The plan which I will propose for my
measurement is by the use Of well
known electrical and optical devices. At
present I do not care TO make public the
technical means by which my deductions
make possible accurate interstellar meas
urements. but II Is no longer a theory
with me. Ii Is "A demonstrable fact, sim
pie OF solution and applicat tion, as simple.
in fact. as the famous egg demonstration
of columbus.
The method Of employing the means
OF computation is not so simple, however,
but requires technical explanation, as
sisted by illustrations and diagrams"