The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-06-12

were cast and tested last night. l am
not going into scientific details; but
this much I'll make plain: A ship
coated along certain lines with that
metal, electrified only to a point where
she would not sink for lack of support,
car reduce her skin friction caused
by the water to a point where her
speed would be something hitherto un-
known. 1t would, of course, mean
lighter ornaments, because the light
er the dead tonnage the greater the
buoyancy. But a cruiser with a few
long range, high explosive guns, that
car travel at the rate of 40 or SO
miles an hour, or a submarine that
can make that speed for "a hours at
a stretch, would play havoc with any
navy in the world"
The room was alive with excited
men now as the full force of his state
ment came In all its clearness. If
that unknown metal had that proper
ty, and sufficient fighting ships could
be armored with It in time to meet the
demands made upon them, the seas
would be whipped into subsection and
legions Of troops transported before
they" could be interfered with. The
president himself had lost his calm.
ness and was gripping the arms Of his
chair. The secretary Of the navy,
having the practical point of view,
came out of his trance, and snapped
out a question:
How long would 1t take to equip a
cruiser with those plates?"
Roberts turned toward him. DE
ponds on the plant. The plates can be
cast and electrified Just as rapidly as
you could cast sheets of plain iron
and turn a current into them; but I
wish to experiment a little further
first and try them out on some old gun.
boat that wouldn't amount to much IL
lost"
The room was again filled with a
babel of sound, as the officials began
an argument; but on one point they
were agreed. The man before them
was so well known that the govern
ment was taking no great hazard in
afording him every means within its
power to carry out his work, and, If
he could do what he believed, and Of
that there seemed no room for doubt,
the solution of the approaching war,
or any other, was in their hands. The
president alone sat buried in thought,
his brows drawn into a frown.
Gentlemen" he said, and there was
that in his voice which demanded at
tention, Il should like to ask DR.. Rob-
erts a few questions. l wish to know
if this work of his can be carried on
sc secretly that nc other power-not
one, nor even the people of this coun-
try-can become aware of his discov.
cry; if he can suggest a means for
such concealment; if his work can be
done so expeditiously, with full gov
eminent support, that within three
months from tonight the American
navy can be so equipped as to make it
the most powerful in the world; and
whether he realizes the importance of
such haste"
The scientist threw his half-inished
stogy into the ash receiver before him
and became grave. He was the dig
nified, thoughtful man again, weighing
his words and speaking with delibera'
ton. "Mr. President" he answered,
Il am not completely beyond the ex-
detrimental stage; but 1 believe l can
plan such secrecy as you desire, and
with the aid of men and money make
the United States navy %invincible In
less than three months. l would al
most stake my life and reputation on
1t. But why, may l ask, do you de-
sire to keep it from the worlds knowl-
edge that You have such power?"
The president walked up and down
the room with his hands behind his
back as if in a dream, while the 9TH
ers waited for his reply. Because
we are facing war with Japan, a skill
full, advanced and cunning enemy, and
there must be no risk of its discover
ing our secret. Its spies are every
where in the land. Hostilities are to
be courted in this emergency rather
than declined, provided they can be
rendered harmless to ourselves and
humane to our ad%versaries. To talk
of power without demonstrating it, is
as idle as a braggart's boasting. To
maintain silence and then prove abil-
ity, is to make ones action doubly
impressive"
He started to say more, his big SOM
Der eyes glowing with some new
EfdE MfNNlM1NF1M1I 1mIf1lIIBJ |N(NTmE IMNlHE0