The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-28

will be under the special care Of William
Russell late of the United States Bureau
Of Standards Testing Laboratory. He Is
a technical expert and electrician Of high
standing. and has given great study to
wireless apparatus. The latter detail is
important because there is good reason
for believing that spirits may make their
existence known through the wireless re-
ceiving apparatus.
II is hoped that eventually many will
contribute to the bureau on account Of the
immense and universal interest felt in the
problems involved. A larger staff Of scien
lists of various kinds could be advantage
ously employed In the institute.
There is occupation for several doctors,
especially for neurologist. who would
study the phenomena of multiple and dis
ISOLATED personality of hypnonsm and the
trance conditions. 1t is believed that these
disturbances Of consciousness may point
the way to explaining what finally, happens
when death breaks up the personality.
There is also need OF stan Of experts
who have studied the different branches
of psychology.
e The American Psychical Institute and
Laboratory has already extensive laborar
tories at 40 West Fifty seventh street. It
happens that in close proximity there is a
large undertaking establishment with
mortuary chapel and the usual features.
It is believed by many that communica-
tons from the dead are most likely to
come from those who have recently passed
away and In the close vicinity of their
bodies. This view has been expressed by
the late William James, Maurice Maeter-
linck, Conan Doyle and others. Il is sug
gested that those who have long left the
flesh find especial difficulty in finding
earthly forms of expression, Maeterlinck
has reasoned that disembodied conscious
ness only exists for limited time after
death. Il .t..
From this 1t will be understood that the
proximity of the mortuary chapel increases
the probability Of communications from
the dead being received on the Institutes
recording Instruments There is special
room in the institute where the collins Of
deceased persons who expressed in life a
special interest in psychical problems may
be placed. Here there win be unusual OPP
portunities OF watching for psychical phe-
nomena-on account Of the nearness of
the dead and HIS wish to communicate.
The principal laboratory contains over
one hundred elaborate scientific instruments
for recording communications from spirits
wherever they may be and for making
psychical tests on living persons. Under
present conditions there is not sufficient
space for the best use OF all these instru-
ments.
There is room with very solid walls
and only one exit. where persons who
claim to be able to move objects without
touching them and exert supernormal pow
ers can be examined In a way to exclude
fraud Twenty feet away is similar
room, where communications can be reg.
istered from the dead or from persons at
a distance.
In the main laboratory is a series of
delicate instruments which win detect and
record communications from disembodied
intelligences. A brief description of these
instruments viii be OF interest:
There Is the machine for recording
spirit messages.
The mirror galvanometer Is an instru.
ment which Is planned to record spirit
presence or activities by the motion of the