The Washington times., 1908-06-12

NEW YORK June Hiram Percy
Maxim, inventor OF the uoiseless gun.
which inventors and military experts
have been trying for years 10 produce,
gave E demonstration of its powers yes
terdfy afternoon in the meeting room OF
the board OF managers OF the Society for
tho Prevention of Cruelty 10 Animals.
The members OF the board and Henry
I3ergh. secretary and treasurer OF the
society, were present.
II was in connection with the offering
OF a prize by Mr. Bergh several months
ago for an invention to supersede the
present method of Strengthening cattle
which led to Mr.. MaXims appearance
In the society's building yesterday with
his nOiseless gun. Mr.. Maxim suggest
ed his gun as a substitute for the AK
now used In Strengthening houses. as
serting that it was the quickest and
most humane means OF dealing death.
The Maxim weapon appeared TO those
who attended the demonstration to be
an ordinary Winchester rifle of % cal
lber When ne took II out OF its case
one Of the managers suggested that as
several automobiles were Mandy lley
could run out into the country and let
Mr.. Maxim show what il could do
There were several skeDIics in the
party.
Fired in Room
There is no need of going into the
country" said the inventor. IN show
you what the gun can do right in this
Toom."
This announcement raised a number
Of protests, which Maxim sinally over
came. He put two city directories to-
gether against the wall l6veled the
weapon at the center OF the outer one
and pulled the trigger. There was
slight click: that was all Maxim drop
pea the weapon at his side and turned
10 the spectators, smiling
well" said one Of the skepucs,
-'what happened? Why didn't your gun
"Oh, it went off all right answered
the inventor Just take look at that
outside directory
The skeptic picked 1t up and found
that il had been penetrated about six
inches b. a sOft-nOsed bullet
You win, Maxim" he said.
Talks of Invention.
Mr.. Maxim is a guest at the Engi-
neers' Club. and when he was seen
there last night he said it was true that
he had given a demonstration at the
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty
t. Animals during the afternoon. He
declined, however, TO show the rifle tha1
lac had used.
Il should ike TO let you See" said
the inventor, but the patents have not
Yet been perfected and III justice 10
IlvSeIf L must maintain secrecy until
they are. / have been working on this
gun for about two years and a half
j have one under construction Tor the
Government ana in a month or two
a public demonstration VIII be given
either al sandy Hook or Springfield,
7 got my idea for the gun from the
muffier used on automobile engine eX-
haustg. I figured that II the noise of
the explosion of gas from auto engines
could be controlled the noise of the
explosion of powder gas In a gun could
he suppressed. That is what I have
done Instead OF the gas from the
powder escaping all at once 1t leaves
the barrel by degrees. Yes. I suppose
you might say that / have put a nun
Ter in the barrel There IS a contriv-
Gnce there 10 carry off the gas slowly
Feels Grave Responsibility.
But I feel dreadful responsibility.
Think Of it-a man walking along the
street may be shot dead by one Of these
weapons, without warning and without
alarm A criminal, or one having an
enemy, may destroy life with impunity.
"If legislation IS obtained installing
the guns in slaughter-hOuses ] viii in
sist that IL contain the provision that
the users shall have access to the wea-
pOns AT no other time than when they
are on duty.
Il have not made the weapons in any
quantity Vet. I am oppressed day and
night with the dread that some one viii
learn the secret and do so. The man of
fiction. who created the monster Frank
enstein, was IN no mora uncomfortable
position than I am.
Several officers of the United States
Army have examined the nOiseless at
taChment. which / have applied TO Serv-
ice guns. and Il may be adopted by the
Government, although no formal steps
have yet been taken IN that direction"
n DATN-NO 8IG9 DDTCEC