The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-30
Has Science Created Matter?--B Prof c. F. Chandler
The Possibility That Sir William Ramsay's
Latest Experiments Mean the Creation of
Matter by the Enormous Energy Of Elec-
tricity Whirling in Vacuum Discussed
by Columbia's Distinguished Professor.
BY Professor CHARLES f. CHA
Department OF Chemistry, Columbia University.
Gin an Interview

TT HE latest experiments Of Sir William
Ramsay and his colleagues in London.
II correctly reported mean that an
element has been brought into existence
where II did not exist before
This achievement would be the most re-
markable ever made by man In the history
~ science the world
1t means much more than the creating
az lie, such as President Scha efer. OF the
British Association. and other scientists
have lately suggested TO be possible They
aim at the creation Of q living cell by put
ting PARTICLES OF ina tier together. but tho
, Ha nisay experiments appear to b We brought
about the creation OF matter itself. That
10 taking US back to the beginning OF things
In the orst place lie, me say that Sir
william Ramsays experiments should re-
REEVE the closest and most serious attention
from scientific men. He IL the discoyerer
OF the new elements aTson. heitum neon
Srypton and Sencn. which enutle him 10
as much consideration as suy living chem
ist He would be incapa bic Of trfckarx ena
81 IL equally absurd TO suggest thst bs
overlooked obvious precautions His col
leagues. Professors l. Mormon Collie snd
NS
oouaHy hfgh standing
Inc facts which have SO far reached th,u
side Of the ocean show that Sir William
RAMSAY found the element heltum IN old
'4E,1sE. tpbes; and that Professor. Collie and
Patterson found Drssoh' A..S, a,aYyy. in ,uho.
OF hydrogen through which the X.ray In In >
been passed. Sir William had. some tim.
before this. observed the Transformation Of
the radlum ena nations into helium
must say That In the reports OF those
latest experiments there IL an epnayent
mystery Why should the presence o, be,I
nm In H-ray tubes and in hydroren t,ho,
through which X-ray. had been passad no
regarded as similar phenomena? This i.
poin' "hich have no doubt Will be
cleared up when fuller details reach u.
me presence OF helium In X.ray tubes
"here no heium was previously present
would mean that this element had haan
created by electrical action in vacuum
- "ou'o i"rhish an explanation OF the
origin ~ MI matter and OF the whole mi
verse ""o'e UNI
ron must remainder, however thar .r.,
nh aoso'nte vacuum is nlled with ethor
Ethel is an immaieriAl substance uhIrh
"rN"aes an sphce and all substance Etner
"nVeya me vibrations Of light he,t and
eie1tr'clty We know that Il copvevS li.h,
ehu neat, because those properties reach Ne
Itom me sun through the ether. W. Enow
ahat II conveys the electric curront hons
tne ray Is produced by the currant n.s.
Ing through vauiuIn
Gtner mas been regarded as imn.,
nai, hypothetical substance which mu.. as
lst because OF certain other condition, wh,c,
are known TO exist. but II Is ouire nossihl,
1nst II VII yet be shown 10 be mattar
Slnliiary the composition of tho
s cur mas never been proved, but theorv
.as tasn.1y peep advanced that 1t is really
substance" 1t is said TO consist ~ 80.
IRONS, which produce different kind. ''e e,
e.eat1ic curFsntA according to their forn,
OF motion The eaectrons may be nsrtt I'm
of ether set 10 motion In any cnsa les re,
mnst imagine force that comes hsf, un
chem. WINS "eiors
hanum waA oreeted by the ,cno, .,
: a-raYs In vacuum. then ue have nha.
nomenon that VIII complete the nenmI,,
nPT'cf hesis OF the origin Of the solar sTe
: sern- which mas been advanced az MI
eeopners and AsDonomerA Aocordins -