Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-16
ASTRONOMERS QUARREL
ON MARIAN LIFE THEORY
REACHES BITTER STAGE
You Imagine Too Freely, 'SaysScoffer.
You're No Expert Replies Prof.
Lowell, WhoSaysE Every Reputable
Scientist Knows Planet Has Life.

BOSTON, Nov. 1.-Two noted au-
thoritiss in the realm of astronomy
Professor Edward Charles Pickering
head of the Harvard Observatory,
and Professor Percival Lowell, OF No
II West Cedar street, owner of the
famous observatory at Flaffstaff
ArIz.. have taken issue on the ques-
don Of the individuality Of the planet
Mars, which promises to rouse a
world wide controversy among sci
entista
NO astronomer in good standing
believes that there Is sufficient evil
dence as yet to warrant the belief
that intelligent life exists on the
planet Mars" declares Professor
Pickering. Professor Lowell has
used his imagination too freely in
making his deductions. He has not
used good judgment.
Not Experts Criticism.
Or. Lowell, in an interview given
in his office at No. So State street
at which Professor George Agassiz
and a stenogra pher were present,
said:
These criticisms of my deductions
perts, and who, therefore, have no
authoritative opinion on the subject.
Professor Pickering says:
LAS one astronomer suggested,
there may be a field of cabbages
on Mars, but what good would ii
DO us to signal a field of cabbages?' -
"AI astronomers who have devoted
their time to a study of the planet are
In accord as to the canals and other
evidences indicating intelligent life
there" says DR.. Lowell.
Bear Out Canal Theories.
While Professor Lowell makes no
reference in his statements to any
Individual astronomer, he insists that
every reputa BILE astronomer who has
faithfully studied Mars is in accord
with his views that Mar is inhabited.
There is not one SUCH" he says,
who has not corroborated our dis
coveries."
Professor Lowell has acquired an
International distinction on the Mars
life theory" His findings indicate
that canals exist on the planet; that
Jhese canals are undoubtedly the
work of human thought and human
hands, and his photographs Of the
surface markings of Mars he says
bear out these theories.
George Aga SSH, son of the late Pro.
fessor Alexander Agassiz, who has
studied the marking on Mars, cor
roborates the findings Of Or. Lowell
az does also Professor #. A. Sea-
grave, formerly instructor at Har-
ward, and a noted Providence astron-
Omer
Had "FeasibIe Plan"
A few years ago Professor William
Henry Pickering, brother of Professor
Edward and also a Harvard authority,
worked out what he asserted was a
feasible plan for signaling Mars. The
plan included the construction of q
series of mirrors to cost about $10,-
100000, whereby the suns rays could
be used upon this giant reflector to
flash messages to the neighboring
planet. But when a body of Texans,
inspired by the suggestion, wrote and
offered TO furnish funds for the con-
struction of this reflector, Professor
William Pickering asserted that he
had merely indicated what COULD
De done and not what should be done.
for" he asserted, 1--WE have not yet
sufficient evidence that intelligent life
exists on Mars to warrant such an
enormous outlay when the money
could be used to such greater ad-