Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-10

import that those of us who were here last
night believe it is time when all rules, official
routine, and regular methods must give way
in behalf OF quick accomplishment. We have
no time in which to seek special appropria-
t1ons but must take it upon ourselves to levy
upon the various budgets which are now open
for the considerable sums necessary to
prosecute this work"
One or two, who were evidently late arrivals
and had not heard the earlier discussions,
looked at each other with some hesitation. 1t
was hard to drop routine and dip into the
nations treasury on such short consideration
The high dignity of the presiding officer, how
ever, forbade any interruption, and he went
on unchallenged.
1.-The absolute preservation of OUR secret
is recognized by al! as vital necessity, and to
obviate all Ieakages the members of the army
and navy board suggest that Our work be car
Florida keys. On this they purpose to erect
a plant adequate to cast and perfect this
metal on which we depend, and as rapidly as
posi- Bile apply it to the vessels of our navy.
which will be sent there as quickly as prepare
tons can be made for their reception"
Norma, who had not been informed of this
part of the project. gave start of protest,
foreseeing that she too would have to share
in this isolation and become exile until
the experiments were concluded. Her father
turned a questioning look toward her, and
then reached over and patted her hand m
sympathy. The President was steadily sum
ming up the situation.
The Navy Department will attend to
purchasing supplies, including machinery and
crude metals necessary for the first work,
while Doctor Roberts will place his orders for
apparatus, and all will be consigned to the
collier Penobscot, which will transport them
to the chosen spot The gunboat Harper will
accompany her, and will be the first boat to
be experimental upon and equipped with the
new plates. Rear Admiral Brockton will be
assigned to her command for the present.
L
Dor. together with small transport which will
carry such engineers and mechanics as the
Navy Department may select for work OF
this Importance. Communication will be
maintained by such means as seem best to
Admiral Brockton. and more men and sup
plies will be despatched from time to time as
required. 1t is needless to say that the entire
experimental work, the casting of the plates,
and the general supervision OF everything will
be under the direction of Doctor Roberts,"
"And his assistant" the inventor again inter-
jected.
The Secretary of the Navy, obeying sug-
gestion from the chair, read off a long list of
figures, explaining them as he went, and con-
GLIDING with an unqualified Endorsement of
the plan. So infectious was his blunt enthusi-
asm and confidence, that those who at first
had hesitated at the irregularity of the pro-
cedure found themselves won over. and bound
with complete unanimity into a coterie which
was to assume responsibility for war. And
thus was the issue accepted.
The early hours of the morning were upon
them as they dispersed; but Norma. resting
back in the corner of the cab which conveyed
her homeward, did not share the elation of her
father, who was already building workshops.
conducting new experiments, and equipping
navy Yesterday she had looked forward
to confiding the story of their great success to
Guy Hitler: for in the preceding month, when
she and her father had been trembling on the
very verge of great discovery in unknown
fields. she had given intimation of their