Martian Telegraphy Discredited

 WASHINGTON SCIENTISTS CONSIDER TESLA'S CLAIMS ABSURD.

Washington, Jan. 11 (Special) — Scientists in Washington are inclined to regard the reports concerning. recent experiments which are said to have facilitated the establishment of communication between the earth and Mars as wild theories, nor do they expect to hear of the success of such experiments. "It is a fanciful idea of Mr. Tesla's," said Professor Skinner, of the Naval Observatory, today, "and I do not think it is based on scientific principles. I believe that Tesla is an exceptionally brilliant man. He has done much wonderful work, but I take no stock in his new proposition, and, indeed, I have talked with no scientific men who do not consider Tesla's claim absurd." 

Professor Eichelberger, also of the Naval Observatory, said that he first heard of Mr. Tesla's plans when a friend called his attention to a newspaper clipping. "Had I seen the story when it was frst published I would very likely have glanced over it, thinking that it was not worth reading," he said. "I do not believe that anything is impossible which is to be performed in the future. At the same time I do not say that Tesla's claims are possible or even probable. Ten years ago no one would belleve in some of the remarkable work he has since made practicable, therefore we cannot tell what is to happen in the future. Although wireless telegraphy has been so established that it must be recognized as a method of communication, as yet the science is in its infancy and great developments are to be expected as the outgrowth of the principles embodied in the Marconi and similar systems. All that I can say further is that we will be glad to hear of Mr. Tesla's success in fully establishing communication with the Martians, assuming, of course, that the planet is peopled. I think he will have no difficulty in convincing scientists of the practicability of such a scheme when he produces the proper evidence."

Father Hargan of Georgetown College, has been iIl for several days with the gripe and was unable to talk about Tesla's plans to communicate with Mars, but he has been credited by other members of the faculty with having said that Tesla's plan was not an intrinsic impossibility. It is understood that he would not discuss the matter further.