Dr. Walter F. Prince and Houdini Debate at St. Mark’s

Dr. Walter F. Prince, research director of the American Society for Psychical Research, and Houdini, the magician, debated spiritualism and psychical manifestations yesterday at St. Mark’s-in-the-Bourie, after the regular Sunday afternoon service.

Dr. Prince pointed out that both the British and American societies are interested more in mental phenomena than in physical manifestations. He admitted that many so-called physical manifestations were bogus, especially when they are produced in cabinets and darkened rooms.

Houdini said that no medium had convinced him of his or her genuineness, as much as he would like to believe that spiritualism is a possibility. He gave instances of media who had admitted being frauds. Many, he said, are “plain crazy.”

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