New-York tribune., 1900-04-29
SMOkELEss POWDER snoKE.
QUESTION OF A NAVAL. OFFICERS RIGHT
TO INVENTIONS MADE IN THE
LINE OF DUTY

Washington April 2s (speciaD-The vexed ques-
ton of naval officers right to patents for inven-
uons made directly In the line of duty has
arisen IN the cases of Captain George A. Con-
verse. who duty the Naval Torpedo Sta
uoa from 1870 TO 1889, and In command OF that
station from 1893 1897 and of Lieutenant John B.
Bernadou. who special duty at the station
from 1884 TO 1897 The principal work of the sta ton
at that time was smokeess powders the naval
Policy being opposed to purchasing the new pow
ders In the market but rather to develop powder
Of ITS own. Converse and Bernadou were experts
on the subject, they skilled in ordnance mat
ters, and finally they produced excellent
pound. They patented their process November
70. 1925. and got a patent apparatus for making
ne powder on December TO- 1896. Their invention
was due to their naval education officers in the
regular service, and the discovery made pos
sible by the material, laboratory and assistance
supplied by the Government at the Torpedo Sta
ton. All this work which they specifically
detailed performed IN Government time and
paid for by the Government and there
strict cOnsrruCtionists who that the Govern
ment entitled the full and free enjoyment of
their discoveries improvements. AS a matter
of fact, it is understood that the Converse-Berna-
dou patents sold by the two officers for $50 900
and that they are now the exclusive property and
in the sole control of the International Smokeless
Powder Company. of which l. Nixon, of New-Yorlt.
a graduate of the Naval Academy and formerly a
naval constructor, s president. The international
company, as its name implies. is in the business
of selling its Converse-Bernadou produ TO other
nations than the United States if 1t secure the
contracts. and the results of American naval
pe1ditures may at any time in of prove
destructive to American naval ships and men
This contingency is not the only that is now
the subject of comment in the service. Congress
last year appropriated 100000 to build snokeess
powder factory for the Navy, and the construction
OF this establishment is now in progress at the
Indian Head naval proving grounds. the Po-
tonac II Is not large factory and was not in
tended 10 drive private makers Of explosives out
OF the business, but only 10 supplement their sup
plies in case of such National emergency that
of two Years ago when neither the Army the
Navy possessed a ton of smOkeless powder. leading
TO the mOrtifying necessity OF American sailors and
soldiers fighting with old fashioned powder against
a fourth rate country that enjoyed the advantages
of the modern explosives. Congress last
year also gave the Naval Ordnance Bureau $500 900
for the purchase and manufacture of smokeless
powder"
Probably all of this, at least $4500OO of the
amount, will have be expended in purchasing
powder, the Indian Head factory is yet in
to get its powder from the owners of the naval
powder patents. When the Indian Head establish
ment is ready to make powder the Government
VIII also be under the necessity of leasing the rights
to use the Converse-Bernadou patents. with the al
tentative of settling claims for royalty in the
future.