Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-25
SPIRITS AND COLD LIGHT
A University Of Pennsylvania Com.
mission That Gave the Spirit Me.
diums- a Knockout - "cold
Light" Heralded az New
Invention, 10 Old
BY GEORGE NOX Mccain
nR. JAMES II. HYsLop. late head


- the American Society for Psychcal Re-
search, expressed to me the conviction. at
mis- home in New York n while before he
died. that the Seybert Commission OF the
University of Pennsylvania had very indif.
iierently and very unsatisfactory performed
All the members Of that commission are
now dead and DR.. Hyslop also has passed
to the beyond.
Adam Seybert was wealthy but eccen-
tric Philadelphian who was interested In
spiritualism and spiritua istic phenomena.
queathed 100000 for the establishment Of
q Chair OF Moral and Intellectual Philosophy
IN the University Of Pennsylvania
Inc condition attached to this legacy was
that "a commission - make thor.
ough and impartial investigation I.
particularly Of modern spirtualism.'
Inc commission was appointed and
NUMBER OF mediums, slate writer's and clair
cision was rendered adverse to the spiritistic
philosophy held by Adam Seyberk
HARRY KELLER, famous magician and
- prestidigitator, died the other day in
California.
He was Pennsylvania by birth and
was was personally and intimately known to
Philadephians Of a generation ago.
He was courteous and clever gentleman
and the highest exponent, possibly, of his
art in the world.
1t was Harry Keller who was responsible
for the decision Of the Seybert Commission.
Keller always insisted that he could dupli-
cate any demonstration Of alleged spirit
power presented by any medium, and by
purely natural means.
He maintained that naturalization, slate
writing and similar 'evidences' were pro-
cured by fraud.
1t was for this reason that the Seybert
Commission summoned him to appear before
1t and demonstrate the truth Of his asser-
ton and duplicate and expose the perform
ances that had been given BY so-called
mediums.
CUBSEQUENT to his seance with the
~ commission. Keller gave a private exhi-
bition to a number of newspapermen Of this
city in which he duplicated he declared.
his work before the Investigators.
His exposure had to do principally with
slate writing and rappings.
.. The former was designed to discredit DR..
Henry Slade, a famous slate writing me-
dium Of that day.
From the subsequent testimony Of the
press representatives present, the magician
had them all guessing. and fully sustained
his reputation as man OF mystery.
All Of this occurred back in 1883 and
Only small portion of the $50. 900 was
expended on this investigation Of spiritual
ism, the bulk Of it ultimately going to the
University for other purposes.
|, nR. HYSLOP charged, IN his talk with
- me. that the investigation under drec-
tion Of the Seybert will was insincere. slip
shod and not undertaken in n spirit OF fair
ness or desire to examine the fucts i'm
partially.
lie declared that he had letters in his
possession from member of the commits
sion confessng this fact.
. In the interest Of fair play, asked him
to send me copies Of the letters and other
documents bearing on the case which were
in his possession.
He promised to do so. Months afterward.
however. he wrote and told me he had made
a superficial search for the material but
could not locate it; that 1t doubtless was
stored with mass of other documents at
another residence which he maintained in
New Jersey.
1t was shortly after this that DR.. Hysop
was seized with his fatal illness.
l hope that DIR. Walter Prince, successor
of DR.. Hyslop as head of the American So
ciety for Psychcal Research, who has been
investigating the Antigonish sh mystery" will
ultimately come across the documents re-
ferred to among the effects of the lament ed
scientist and investigator.
A LOS ANGELES inventor has been dem
n onstrating what he calls "cold light"
before group of scientists.
His name Is NJ. j. Rtterrath and his dis
covery. he says, Is the result of four wears
research.
1t is possible. that Mr.. Ritterrath is the
same gentleman who demonstrated to me in
his suite Of Offices in Chicago In 1912 the
availability of "cold light for film projec.
ton purposes.
He Informed me then that he had been
working on the problem for a number of
years.
1t was designed to supersede the electric
light, utilized in motion pictures, which gem
Grated such high temperature that It added
an element OF great danger to every mo.
tion picture machine.
THE "cold light" of ten years ago WAS 4,
L fact.
placed my hand between It and the film
and held it there without feeling the slight
est discomfort, something impossible with
the ordinary light.
The great obstacle to its use in conncc.
tion with infammable celluod films was n
suitable apparatus for Its utilization.
1t required new style Of motion picture
machine, and the Chicago gentleman pro
q machine, but after fashion
Unfortunately, 1t did not work success
fully. 1t was not dependable and, besides T.
was too complex and ponderous
II was for this reason, I presume. his
''cod light never became a commercial suc :.
| cess so far as It's adoption generally bv
motion. picture people was concerned.
been invented for its use, and # is 'at th..
| which is being exploited 'N"'
Hritish Ambassador
| turtIy buried Eeddes was truthful