Reverend Jozef Murgaš and President Theodore Roosevelt
The
following information was taken from the book…
“Rev. Joseph Murgaš: Priest – Scientist. His Musical Wireless Telegraphy and The First Radio”
A biography by Stephen J. Palickar, New York, 1950
What began as a study in
chemistry during Murgaš’ seminary days in Slovakia developed into proportions
of widespread interest of the entire scientific world and aroused the curiosity
of a famous President of the United States of America. During an annual rally
made up of members of “Father Matthew Society,” an organization in Scranton
PA devoted, at that time, to strict sobriety prior to the very thought of
prohibition in this country, President Theodore Roosevelt honored the gathering
as its principle speaker. The celebration, usually held on October 10, for some
reason was pre-dated for August 10, 1905. When more than 6,000 total abstainers
passed in review, the first request by “Teddy” Roosevelt was that he be
taken to the home of Father Murgaš in order that he might see there what it was
the priest was doing regarding a new system of wireless telegraphy. The parade
and rally was under the supervision of Father John J. Curren an early crusader
against excessive intoxicants. And as a close friend of Father Murgaš, Rev.
Curren accompanied President Roosevelt to Murgaš’ laboratory in Wilkes-Barre
where a special demonstration of the new wireless telegraph system was given for
the benefit of the honored guest. It was the first time President Roosevelt
witnessed such a phenomenon. Father Murgaš was highly complimented and
encouraged with a promise of government support.
In the early part of the
following November, Marconi himself paid a visit to Father Murgaš. He was
keenly interested in the operations of the “Tone System” and other features
of Murgaš’ wireless method. Several people whom this writer interviewed
attested to the fact that Marconi visited Father Murgaš’ laboratory a second
time the purpose of this visit will be discussed in another part of this book.
Father Murgaš considered
himself very fortunate and felt highly honored with Marconi’s visits. Being an
honest and simple man, Murgaš no doubt explained with childish pride the
details of his Tone System and other advanced discoveries in wireless, and it is
here that he may have erred to his own detriment. It was later rumored, though
without definite proof, that Marconi eventually introduced some of the
principles of Murgaš’ method into his own new system and then called it the
“Sonorous Method.” Professor Fessenden, another experimenter in wireless at
that time, was likewise found later to be using a similar Tone adoption and
other features found in Murgaš’ method, but Fessenden was never known to have
visit Murgaš’ laboratory. Of course, Murgaš’ patents were filed with the
United States Patent Office where anyone could have gained knowledge concerning
them.
Occasionally rumors were
current that Father Murgaš was “giving his secrets away,” and that science
was borrowing his knowledge without benefit to the priest, but Murgaš would
smile away all mention of “martyrdom” to the commercial urge. However, we
are now treading on a matter that will be fully dealt with as a special subject
in a later chapter.