Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-26
CANDIDATES EXAMINED
Applicants for Degree Of Doc
tor Of Philosophy.
CONDITIONS IMPOSED
EXAMINATION TAKES PLACE AT
COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY.
Advanced Studies in Three Topics,
One Major and Two Collateral
Theses Submitted.


bian University occurred this morning in
the university hall at 10 o'clock, and con-
sisted Of the presentation of theses by the
candidates and their oral defense before a
board of experts selected from men Of
scientific standing who are not connected
with the institution. There were but two cam
didates for degrees-Rev. Frank Leighton
Day, pastor OF the NJ. E. Church South Of
Georgetown, and Nevil Monroe Hopkins Of
this city. Mr.. Day holds the degrees of
ABB. and M from Roanoke College and
BID. from Vanderbilt University, while
Mr.. Hopkins Is graduate of Columbian
University, from which he bears the de-
grees of BIS. and MS.
The candidates successfully passed the
examination and were recommended for
degrees, which will be awarded during the
commencement exercises next week Men,
berS of the faculty of Columbian Univer-
sity, members of the board of experts and
a number of those holding degrees of doc
tor of philosophy from the institution. to-
gether with the candidates Of this year,
lunched together at l o'clock today upon
the conclusion of the examinations and
rendering of the decisions
Requires Labor and Research.
The conditions imposed upon candidates
for degrees Of doctor of philosophy require
ulutH ldUOl III ieSSdl Cll anu eat VI
ity of thought. They are required to offer
themselves for advanced study in three
topics-one major and two collateral minor
subjects-and must pass examinations in
those subjects and be able to incorporate
the results Of their original research into
thesis which they are obliged to defend
before the board of experts.
Before submitting the thesis to the board
of experts the candidate must have it APP
proved in writing by the professor with
Hxyhn no tcx &c inr S11hio
must be approved, also In writing, by a CO.
referee, appointed from the faculty by the
dean. The faculty itself next passes judg
ment upon it, and finally 1t reaches the
board
The members of the board each read the
theses carefully previous to the examina-
ton and prepared a list of questions on
the subject matter, which the candidates
are required to explain and answer orally.
Mr. Hopkins thesis was on the subject of
Some Experiments Electrolytic Con-
duction With Reference to the Ion Theory"
and treated Of the electrical and magnetic
properties of those infinitely electrically
charged bodies known among modern scien-
lists as ions" Mr.. Hopkins conducted the
experimental work embodied in his thesis
and, it Is said, brought to light many new
properties of the IONS which are chemi-
cal atoms, or groups of atoms. possessed Of
electrical charges, either positive or mega
tive in character. This research work is of
special interest at present because of the
Loeb of the University of Chicago which
throws light upon the mysteries of life and
mind.
The two pieces of scientific investigation
have a direct bearing upon each other,
although Prof. Loeb was working in the
field of biological chemistry and the work
of Mr.. Hopkins was carried on indepen-
IDENTIFY in the field of physical chemistry,
and is in support of the ION theory ad-
vanced by Prof. Loeb.
According to the paper, Mr.. Hopkins dis
covered some new properties of the IONS
among which are the identification of a
new ion with the establishment Of the fact
that chemical molecule may form more
than two kinds of ions, depending upon
conditions. In his paper he shows that
ions are influenced directly by friction, and
has succeeded in stopping them and slow
Ing them up at will through the applica-
ton of friction, starting them again upon
their journeys as readily as he would a
handful Of marbles.
The ions may be moved by static induc-
ton, and (by a novel application Of a deli
cate galvanometer) the existence of free
ions may be proved. 1t is said this method,
is an advance over that employed by Prof.
Oswald Of Germany.
Among the other things in this field which
1t is said Mr.. Hopkins has brought out is
the indicating in two ways simultaneously
the breaking up Of molecule; also that
ions may be attracted by positive or mega
tive electricity; that Ions may not only
carry their electrical charges. but may at
the same time bear heat energy, and
through the medium of the heat their absp-
lutte velocities may be calculated.
Mr.. Hopkins has constructed a special
form of ''electro-chronograph." capable of
dividing a second into hundred thousand
parts, and he indicates the phenomena
which take place IN the one hundred thou
sandth part of a second. He defended his
statements before Samuel w. Stratton,
Ph.D., director of the national bureau of
standards Of the United States, formerly
VT
Prof. Robert B. Warder. Ph.D., professor
Of physics of Howard University, and Ar
thur L. Day, Ph.D., physical chemist in the
United States geological survey. Prof
Frank w. Clarke, Sc. D., presided.
Semites in Totem Stage.
The subject of the Rev. Mr.. Days thesis
was, Did the Semites Pass Through a
Totem Stage?' His paper was affirma-
tive answer to the question, he producing
evidence found in the Semitic field tending
to prove that the SemiteS in some pre-
historic time did pass through totem
stage and his assertions were sustained by
genealogical arguments from stock mains.
A totem is class of material objects,
either animate or inanimate, which saw
age regards with superstitious respect. be-
lieying that there exists between him and
every other member Of the class an init
mate and altogether specific relation. The
connection between a man and his totem
is mutually beneficent The totem pro-
tects the man. and the man shows his re-
spect for his totem by refusing to kill and
eat the object If it is an animal. or to cut
down or destroy If it is a plant.
Mr. Day devoted his researches to the eff
fort to produce facts, proving that the Jew
ish race passed through one Of these ear
lier stages of evolution. and at one time
participated in the worship of the totems.
The candidate defended his thesis before
Rev. George L. Raymond, L. H. D.. Of
Princeton, professor of aesthetics and the
author of many books painting and the
arts, as we'll as several volumes of origi-
nal poems: w. H. Holmes. B. S., we'll
known In Washington as the head curator
Of the department Of anthropology of the
National Museum and a recognized author
ity on prehistoric matters, and 1. NJ Cas-
anowisz, Phi D., of Johns Hopkins, cura-
tor of the national museum and a leading
Semitic scholar Professor Edward Farqu-
har. Phi. D.. presided.
Both candidates were particularly cool
and collected under the fire of questions
from the respective boards and answered
the interrogatorles quickly and with con-
fdence, showing thorough investigation in
their subjects. A number of persons inter-
ested in the candidates and their arguments
made up the audience attending the exam
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