Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-09
SdUants Look
With Doubt on
Death Theory
EdisOn'S Suggestion of Com
nrHnicatiOn With Spirits
Causes Wide Comment

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, EUGENE,
Ore. Feb. s.-The faculty of the college
of psychology of the University Of Oregon
went into special session last night to
consider the startling statements of
Thomas A. Edison, as disclosed in an in
terview Tuesday to the effect that an
apparatus could be devised to receive
, communications from the dead.
DR.. Edmund S. Conklin, dean Of the
college of psychology. and one Of the
leading metaphysicians in America, read
the interview TO the faculty and an in
tensive study Of the great scientist s
theory was made. The savants reached
the decision that the realization Of Edi-
sons proposition is extremely doubtful,
but not impossible.
DR.. COnklin gave the written opinions
Of the faculty to the press and added
that a further study will be made with
the help Of the recent report of Professor
JastrOw Of the University Of Wisconsin.
who made an investigation Of the sub
Ject among the leading psychologists of
this country and Europe The student
body of the college Of psychology here
may be asked to study the theory fur
Their in concert with the faculty.
DR.. Conklin said:
bilIty Of devlsing an apparatus that will
receive communications from mind OF
memory. Extensive research and labora>
tory experiments have failed to reveal
the existence of any such communica-
tiOns. 1t would be very interesting to
say the least, If Edison should succeed
in constructing such an apparatus as it
would seem he has in mind. I say this
in face Of present knowledge. But in the
face Of present knowledge only is it i'm
possible"
CHICAGO, Feb. 9.-Prof. A. A. Michel
son Of the University of Chicago, who
has invented instruments for measuring
the exact size Of celestial bodies, does not
believe that Thomas A. Edison ever will
be able to invent a device by which
spirits Of the dead may communicate with
the living.
II don't see anything In it." Professor
Nicholson declared today. 81 don't be-
neve in communication with spirits be-
cause 1 don't believe In spirits"
BERKELEY, Cal, Feb. e.-Communi-
cation between disembodied personalities
and the living may depend upon their
control Of sources Of energy IN the opIn-
ion of Pr (. Charles Atwood Kofold, one
and head Of the department Of zoology Of
the University Of California. Discussing
Thomas A. Edison's theory of the posi-
bility Of communication between the liy-
ing and dead today. be said:
Science has not yet given US any clew
TO mechanism whereby one person may
communicate with another except as each
is embodied in a material body with
sense organs evolved to receive impress
sions created by the impact Of some form
or phase Of energy. Matter and energy
appear 10 be indestructibie and man has
long cherished the hope that PERSONAL
ties which We know as dwelling in mat
ter and functioning by the release Of
energy, are likewise immortal. Communi
cation between such disembodied person
alities and ourselves win perhaps de-
pend upon their control Of sources of
energy to US and upon our having the
| right kind Of receivers to catch the sig
mails. Mans control Of hitherto unsus-
pected sources Of energy has enormously
expanded with the last generation. II
memory and knowledge persist in disem-
bodied scientists our chances for receiv-
Ing Ineligible signals from the bourne
fran whence no traveller has yet returned
VIII Increase as knowledge grows and
our hope Of collection expands. Mean
while we have enough to keep US busy"