Cosmic Power

Nikola Tesla thinks he has discovered a principle that will make possible "harnessing cosmic power" to provide the world with energy, eliminating use of coal, oil, gas.

Mr. Tesla has rendered practical service to science, but it isn't likely that he will "harness cosmic power" on any "commercial basis," to put it mildly.

Things do not happen so suddenly. Men walked, then rode on tame buffaloes, built ox carts, stage coaches, locomotives, automobiles, flying machines. They did not hop from the tame buffalo to the flying machine.

They will not hop from coal to cosmic power. In days to come they will doubtless harness tides and the sun's power, making energy as plentiful as water or air. To do that now would be a calamity; men are not ready for it.

"Cosmic power" exists, doubtless, and the ocean holds in solution enough gold to make that metal cheaper than copper, but you can't get it out.