East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-02-05
ny EEBRuARY

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who Is touring Britain with a view to
converting his fellows to a practical
belief in spritualism. Sir oliver con-
siders that practical application of dis
coveries will have to remain In the
hands of experts, as they cannot be
absorbed by the multitude without
danger.
/ Everyone who has heard or known
Sir oliver agrees that he is essentially
n man in earnest-simple, thorough
and fearless. His status as president
of Mathematical and Physical section
of the British Association-the highest
possible British test of attainment
proclaims him beyond doubt great
savant" and vet his looks belle this
description. There is n humorous
| twinkle in his deep-set eyes, around
his mouth are lines which denote his
human sensitiveness, and in talking
with sceptics there is note OF kindly
tolerance in his bell-like voice.
Tolerant of Skcptic
The learned professor of physical
science is an ardent upholder of psy-
chical research. Having satisfied him-
self as TO the results of this research,
he doesn't try to force his views on
others. In any public utterances he
always SAYS words to the effect that
he is merely expressing his own con-
victions, based upon many years OF
scientific inquiry.
1t has been said that his deep-root-
ed understanding of the artisan mind
makes him tolerant of scepticism and
undersirous of forcing belief. Indeed,
he has himself said that this attitude
is a Safeguard against superstition and
cranks even though he realizes that
people cannot receive proof as long
as they shut their minds to the evil
dence."
Working for Posterity
However, so convinced is he as to
his own discoveries he is content to
go on working exclusively at psychic
research. " do not expect a favorable.
scientific atmosphere in my lifetime"
he once remarked. 81 expect COM
tinuance of hostile prejudice. Never
theless / feel entitled to state the re-
suits of my experiments for what they
are worth-and leave judgement to
posterity"
He does not expect to be able in his
life time to do all the work necessary,
but firmly believes that ether and
matter will prove to have psychic
bearings-and if he does not live long
enough to provide final proofs he
hopes to make sufficient progress
along the road of discovery to warrant
its being pursued by his successors.
Says Spirits are Anxious
He saws: "The boundary between
the two states-the present and the
future-is still substantial, but it is
wearing thin in places. and like exca-
vators engaged in boring n tunnel
from opposite ends, amid the roar OF
water and other noises, we are begin
ming to hear now and again the strokes
of the pickaxes of our comrades on
the other side" According to Sir
oliver Lodge, the spirits are just as
eager to get into communication with
earthly beings as he is to get into
communication with them-so that the
influence works from both sides
He is great favorite among science
students, Though not too lenient a
master. his methods of keeping his
pupils up to the mark has a touch OF
humor One of the young men at
tending his lectures once gave con-
siderable trouble. Taking him by the
scruff of the neck Sir Oliver quickly
and quietly landed him outside the
door.
"If YOU behave like a school boy, I
must treat you like one he explained.
On another occasion he heard one
of his students for Plato. Sir Oliver
retorted; "A contempt, I am afraid.
not bred by familiarity"
Drinks ''Next to Nothing
In response to a question as to the
kind of food he most favored re re-
pIied. "No time to think about 1t.
eat whatever comes-too much prob
ably
AS regards drinks, though he is not
"dry" he says he drinks 'next to NTH
ing except on occasions of hospitality,
when he takes whatever is going"
He did not smoke at all until 40
years old and very little since; but in
all these matters he shows the broad
tolerance of the mastermind which
goes well with his fine upright ply
sique.
Pioneer of Wireless
Sir oliver is one of Englands fore
most electricians and pioneer or
| "wireless" He has published many
works on mechanics, educational sys-
| TENS. and general science. His last
| b k was Raymond the much discus
i ed spiritualist book purporting to be
series of long conversations with his
dead son. Raymond.
| This book called forth much crlti-
cism from his scientific friends, but to
them Sir oliver shows the same spirit
of tolerance which characterizes ms
attitude to all sceptics.
Confident of the result of his own
discoveries and the truth of the belief'
which he has built thereon he is con
tent to let the rest of the world walt
and see."