Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-28

In the arroyo bordering
Pasadena this last Sum-
mer, going inconspicuously about
his business and not making much
fuss. He had q folding chair under
one arm, paint box, his brushes
and his paper in the other. He was
out enjoying himself, out to make
some more water colors in the low,
pale key that he has found best
suited to his palette.
A generation has passed since he
was awarded the Nobel prize In
physics, the first American to be
80 honored. The same generation
has seen Einstein, bordering the
result Of one of this old mans ex-
periments, evolve the celebrated
theories that have given headaches
to the scientific world. The little
old man is II years old, but he goes
his way, painting his pictures and
seeing things before him that shall
appear neither in his foreground nor
his background.
Before long, probably this Autumn,
the elimination of this mans life
work-a life spent in the quest of
one of the few absolutes left us
will come to pass. For he has had
erected on ranch near Santa Ana,
about 40 miles below Los Angeles,
the worlds largest vacuum tube
exactly one mile long-through
which rays of light are to be shot
and measured in what may well be
the find attempt to establish for
all time lights exact velocity.
The little old man, of course, is
DR.. Albert Abraham Nicholson.
acknowledged the world over as
the final authority on optics, the
greatest student of light and, GER
tainly, one OF the few really great
men on earth.
MORE than SO years ago he set
himself to establish the velocity
of light and in the meantime he
has given tentative replies-tenta.-
tives, that is, so far as he is con-
cerned, though quite satisfactory to
the practical world. But Nicholson
has a passion for accuracy, and he
has not been satisfied; and now,
with the backing of Mount Wilson
Observatory and others whom he
did not name, he is to try again.
The tests would have been under
way by now were it not that the
pump for sucking the air from the
tube broke down and new parts
had to be made in Boston before
it could be repaired. So, while he
waits, he is giving himself unre-
STRANGELY to painting, and, if in
accoSting him you find him in a
suitable mood, he will tell you why.
Painting. if you enjoy it." he
says, IS one of the greatest relax
atoms I know. I have painted for
years, but about seven years ago
took it up seriously, and find that
when I return to my work I am
entirely refreshed and prepared for
work. Some of my friends thought
SO much of my water colors that
they suggested that I exhibit them
with the Quadrangle Club at the
Art Institute in Chicago. I did
that and I'm still at it from time
to time"
BY appointment met Dr. Michel
son at the Maryland Hotel In
Pasadena. where he and Mrs. Niche
been living temporarily, occupying o
cottages. OF less than medium heig
ly lacking in any eccen tricity of DIRE
hayior. he seemed like any one of the
of retired business men who find
such a pleasant place to idle away
iStence. Unlike these others, there
thing crisp about Nicholson, even
courteousness. He appeared much you
his years. despite a recent severe i'll
he insisted that he was feeling very
His vigor, no doubt, is due to his
activity and his interest in the life a
He has been a tennis player for yea
one of his associates was not misinfo
scientist gave his hospital attenda
worry not long ago when he escaped
window to get to the courts. Like m
mathematically inclined, he plays G.
as might be expected of precisionist,
indoor taste is billiards.
found him to be, as I had beer