The Rich Hill tribune., 1904-01-14
sDisoN ON RAOiuM.
Now the Great inventor Explains the
Scientific Problem.

Scientific Problem.
Thomas Edison hrs evolved and IN.
nounced theory which he believes !
solves the problem that has been pus
Hing scientists since the discovery |
made by Madame Curie Of the peculi. |
ar properties OF radium and the Kind |
red substances uranium and ,horium,
The phenomenon presented by these |
substances. as is generally known. is
their apparent property OF giving on
actinlc rays of peculiar chemical prop
critics, somewhat similar to the Roent'
gen rays, without any apparent loss OF
energy or bulk. Based on these OBJ
served phenomena several new theo-
ries OF matter have been pps forward.
all of which accept as fact she ap
parent origin OF the energy within the
substances themselves.
Mr.. Edison's theory eliminates
this contradiction Of accepted natural
laws, and indicates the possibility
that the energy emitted by radium is
merely reflected. as It were. from some
unknown source
81 have made extensive experiments
with the Roentgen ray and with radi'
um," said Mr.. Edison 20 a rep-es seEta'
tive OF Harper's Weekly, "and have to
come to the conclusion that these new
substances are not the sources cf ener.
gy, but are rendered auorescent by the
action OF some hitherto undetected
ether vibration or ray. Just as the
Roentgen ray and the Herz!an wave
remained undrcsmed OF tor centuries
after the phenomena Of sound and
light were well understood. so Il Is
not only possible bat extremely p.oba'
Bile that there are other rays IN the
immense gamut from soand TO al'ra'
violet which we have no. yet diseov'
cred. In my own experiments have
found that the ordinary electric arc
when raised to an extremely high ten
perature gives on a ray which renders
oxaIate Of nthium highly fuo.escen
In the same way the Roentgen ray
renders platinum.baryum cyanide.
tungstate Of calcium, and eupro-oya'
pide Of potassium highly huorescent--
tbat is the X.ray sets up in these sub
stances a condition OF activity which
results in the emission from them ot
actinic rays and small amount Of
of heat
"My theory Of radio-activity Is that
the rays which the uew elements emf.
are set up in the same way, the sub
stances being rendered fuorescent by
by some form OF ether vibration which
is undoubtedly all-prevadlng. but has
not yet beer isolated or measured, and
which may have some extra plan
: etary origin. To accept any other
> theory Is to declare ones belief in per
: petual motion. in getting something
/ for nothing.
ct Is not at all strange that only
two or three substances have yet been
found which exhibit this phenomenon
as there are only three substances,
> known which are rendered fuoresceni
by the Roentgen ray. It is a peculiar
coincidence, moreover. that the only
cne Of the known duorescent sub
& stances that is ever found In its natur
. al state, tungstate OF calcium. Is al
ways more or less associated with
n pitch-blend, from which the the radium
SO far made has been extracted.
81 believe this theory Is capable oi
proof. but shall be content TO let some
one else prove Il. am through for al
d time with experiments in radio-aoiyi
l. ~. Two of my assistants have beer
maimed for life by their close assooia
ton with the Roentgen rays. and
!. myself have one eye badly out OF 70
Gus and am suffering from severe
'r stomach disturbances from the sans
ie cause. The new darkroom laborn
:, tory which have just completed fo
y for such experiments win remain un
ir used or be converted TO some othe
a use."-Harper's Weekly.