Literature - Century for June

The two articles in the Century for June which are most calculated to attract attention are Nikola Tesla’s “The Problem of Increasing Human Energy” (illustrated by the writer’s electrical experiments, now first published) and Theodore Roosevelt’s “Latitude and Longitude among Reformers.” The former, except for the rather startling illustrations, may be said to have been to a very great extent anticipated by the newspapers (what is there that is not nowadays anticipated by them, whether it ever happens or not?); while, considered as a communication to the lay world, it is not as clear as it might be. For instance, one thing which most laymen keenly desire to know about wireless electricity is how it can be utilized at considerable distances for the transmission of energy. On this point Mr. Tesla says: “The experiments have shown conclusively that, with two terminals maintained at an elevation of not more than thirty thousand to thirty-five thousand feet above sea-level, and with an electrical pressure of fifteen to twenty millions volts, the energy of thousands of horse-power can be transmitted over distances which may be hundreds and, if necessary, thousands of miles. I am hopeful, however, that I may be able to reduce very considerably the elevation of the terminals now required.” But, since elevations of six miles are within the limits of perpetual snow and ice, this would seem like very little more than the expression of a pious hope that an apparently insurmountable obstacle may at some future time be overcome by some means not stated. This sort of vagueness is not compensated for by such predictions as that we are on the eve of an age of aluminum, and that aluminum “will not stop at downing copper,” but, before many years, “will be engaged in a fierce struggle with iron,” the issue of which “the future alone can decide.” As a vehicle of scientific exposition, we have rarely met with any style so disappointing as Mr. Tesla’s. Mr. Roosevelt’s article is intended as a reply to his critics, but it has the defect of not being what lawyers call “responsive.” The criticism which the writer conjures up and replies to is that he does not do all the good that might by possibility be conceived as feasible for one holding the office of Governor. But this is not the charge, as we understand it — at least we have never heard any “idealist” or “reformer,” either latitudinal or longitudinal, make any complaint of the kind. The charges are of specific failure to discharge the duties of his office in accordance with his oath and conscience; and the answer, to be at all interesting, must be as specific as the charges. The article is mainly an amplification of the platitude that perfection must not be expected of man. It is the reform counterpart of the apologia resorted to by our Van Wycks and Crokers — “What do you want us to be — eh? Angels? Oh, come off!” A noticeable essay is that on “The Poetry of William Blake,” by Henry Justin Smith. It received the prize in the Century’s competition for college graduates of 1898; Mr. Smith being a graduate of the University of Chicago of that year.