Doubts Value of Tesla Discovery

Professor C. F. Brackett Says Electrical Scientist’s Invention Would Not Work in Practice

Denies Its Originality

Asserts That Naval Warfare Cannot Be Terminated in the Manner Suggested by the Inventor

A. S. Brown Less Doubtful

Declares He Has Full Faith in the Inventor’s Ability to Carry Out His Ideas

Nikola Tesla’s declaration, made in yesterday’s HERALD, that he had discovered a system of applying an electrical current whereby such marvellous results might be obtained as the destruction of battle ships, balloons or land vehicles at a great distance, attracted deep interest not only on the part of the general public, but among electrical experts and scientists. In some quarters doubt was expressed as to the possibility of Tesla putting his invention to practical use. Others were confident that the inventor would in time be able to make good his declaration by practical demonstration.

One of those inclined to question the value of Tesla’s discovery was Cyrus F. Brackett, professor of physics in Princeton University and head of the Henry electrical school of Princeton, N. J., who is author of a treatise on physics.

When seen yesterday he said he placed no confidence in Tesla’s claims that by means of his appliance naval warfare would, of necessity, be abandoned. He believes that Tesla is a theorist, that his discoveries are useless and for the most part the reproduction under another form of the inventions of other scientists.

Not a New Discovery

Professor Brackett said: - “The shortest, most correct and most complete criticism which I can make in reference to this bold boast is that what is new about it is useless, while that which is useful had all been discovered by other scientists long before Tesla made this startling announcement. You will find the whole theory which he has applied in any up to date text book. What Tesla has done is simply to make theoretical application, which would prove to be absolutely ridiculous in application of inventions which had already been discovered.

“There is nothing new about this. The theory is perfect, but the application absurd. So throughout Tesla’s whole elaborate scheme, the theory is not at fault, although there is nothing original about it, but the circumstances under which its application would be necessitated are such that the only result would be failure.

The Scheme Not Practicable

“Do you suppose that in the din of battle it would be possible to put into execution those minute and carefully adjusted mechanical experiments, all of which are presupposed by his theory, which require the quiet of an uninterrupted laboratory to work successfully?

“Or do you think that the enemy would co-operate with the attack and place their vessels in exactly the correct position to be hit or that they would remain stationary while the torpedo boat approached?

“His theory would have to assume an affirmative answer in order to be a success; and moreover the torpedo boat would have to be seen from the base of operations in order to direct it. It would be discovered by the doomed vessel long before it reached its destination, and would be exploded on the spot, so how great an advance is this on the present mode of warfare?

“I do not doubt the validity of the scientific truth of the principles which the theory involves, for the experiments have been made repeatedly in physical laboratories, and I believe that on a small model the desired effects could be made. In my classroom I perform experiments by which the actions of a body fitted with the proper electrical mechanism can be controlled without metallic communication through wave motion by means of a lever which Tesla has utilized in controlling the action of his model vessel.

“In application the whole phase of the matter is changed and the thing becomes an absolute impossibility, owing to the mechanical and natural impediments which would have to be overcome.”

Has Faith in Tesla

A. S. Brown, chief electrical expert of the Western Union Telegraph Company, does not agree with Professor Brackett. He believes that Tesla’s discovery may prove most important. When I saw him yesterday he said: - I have not had an opportunity to read closely the HERALD article which sets forth Tesla’s discovery, but I may say that he is such a wonderfully inventive genius that we need not question the value and practicability of anything which he may discover. His is a wonderful mind, and his contributions to the cause of science have been most valuable and important.

“It has for some time been possible to produce a movement of a telegraphic sounder for a distance of some twenty miles without making use of a wire, but whether it is possible to extend this principle to a distance of three or four thousand miles, or say from New York to Paris, France, as Mr. Tesla says will be able to do, remains to be seen. I do not question his ability to do so, for I know what a wonderfully inventive genius he is.”