Harry Houdini exposes spiritualist methods of trickery during a mock seance to members of the New York Federation of Churches at the New York Hippodrome, Feb. 3, 1925.

This Times photo shows Houdini as he demonstrated one method that is used in communication to William B. Millard, general secretary of the Federation. While Houdini's "foot" is held down by Millard, he shows how it is possible to ring a bell with his bare toes. It was reported in The Times that Houdini showcased other methods as well such as slate writing, table moving and other supposed phenomena. "Most people who go to a seance want to believe," Houdini told The Times in 1922, "but all of the ruses employed by mediums are merely the products of clever minds."