Controversial Issues

The following year a banquet is being held in New York for Lord Kelvin, England's famous inventor, who is a dear friend of Tesla. People are milling around. Kelvin, Tesla and a small group are carrying on a conversation.

Kelvin is speaking, "I agree wholeheartedly with Tesla on two controversial issues. One - that Mars was signaling America and two - that the conservation of renewable resources is of critical importance to the world. Windmills should be placed on roofs at the earliest opportunity to run elevators, pump water, cool and heat houses."

A guest responds, "Edison doesn't agree. He feels we have another 50,000 years before the forests of South America are depleted."

"There are few of us that disagree with Edison. I must proclaim New York is the most marvelously lit city in the world, and probably the only spot on earth visible to the Martians," says Kelvin.

Tesla joins in, "Half the time I am a man condemned to death because of my views and half the time the happiest of mortals. All is still but hope. It may take centuries, but I feel it in every fiber it is coming for sure!"

The next day newspaper headlines read, "Mars is signaling… to New York." A man walks by the newsstand shaking his head, "Sounds like Tesla again."

A few days later Tesla and Scherff are discussing their financial woes. Tesla says, "Morgan's $150,000 is gone. I must put out something commercial to bring in some money."