Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-02-13

versation, and some OF those who we're
not entirely familiar with the Iart
which she played in her fathers work
looked at her disapprovingly.
He, interpreting these glances, in
troduced her as his assistant, and con-
cluded by saying: IL can't do any
thing without her. She knows more
about my work than | do myself, and
as far as know she's the only woman
living who can keep her mouth shut"
They smiled at his manner and cyni-
cism, while the president rendered her
seat at his side and waited for the
others to resume their chairs.
All of you are familiar now with
the possibilities of the invention
offered by DR.. Roberts"
And his daughter Norma" inter-
jected the inventor.
The president accepted the altera-
tion and continued without a halt
and have gone over the reports OF
the four most expert men in the
United States, who have passed the
day with the inventor and his daughter
In their laboratory, are convinced of
the merit and practicability Of the
discovery, and have prepared state
ments of what supplies would be
needed. the time in which they could
be obtained, and their approximate
cost"
There was look of acquiescence,
and the secretary Of the navy, who
had been paying no heed whatever to
the chief executives remarks, rustled
the reports in his hand as he turned
another page to scan it's contents. The
room became still again, and the
speaker went on.
DIR. Roberts tells us that he does
not regard himself as beyond the ex-
perimental stage; but further expert
ments cannot decrease known values,
and may perhaps add to them. This
invention as it stands, in the opinion
of the four men who have passed the
day in testing it, is sufficient to en-
able us within three months to COM
bat successfully any nation which
might begin hostilities."
Norma looked at her father admir-
ingly; but he seemed oblivious to all
those round him, and sat absorbed in
thought, his eyes fixed in a blank
stare of concentration into space, and
the thumbs of his clasped hands re-
volving round each other aimlessly.
The president reached over to a mass
Of papers before him, referred to some
of them in quest Of data, and then
looked very grave and earnest as he
continued in g. lower voice:
Extraordinary times demand ex-
traordinary measures. We are with
out precedent, and are confronting an
emergency Of such immense import
that those Of us who were here last
night believe it is time when all
rules, official routine and regular meth
DDS must give way in behalf of quick
accomplishment. We have no time in
which to seek special appropriations
but must take it upon ourselves to
levy upon the various budgets which
are now open for the considerable
sums of money 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 Of
ficer, however, forbade any Interrupt
ton, and he went on unchallenged.
The absolute preservation of our
secret is recognized by all as a vital
necessity, and to obviate all leakages
the members of the army and navy
board suggest that our work be car
ried on in one of the most secluded Of
the Florida keys. On this they pur-
pose to erect a plant adequate to cast
and perfect this metal on which we de-
pend, and as rapidly as possible apply
it to the vessels of our navy, which
will be sent there as quickly as prepa-
rations can be made for their recep-
ton"
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 isola-
ton and become an exile until the ex-
periments were concluded. Her father
turned questioning look toward her,
and then reached over and patted her
hand in sympathy. The president was
steadily summing up the situation
The navy department will attend
TO purchasing supplies, including ma
chinery and crude metals necessary
for the first work, while DR.. Roberts
will place his orders for apparatus,
and all will be consigcef to the collier
Penobscot, which will transport them
to the chosen spot. The gunboat Har-
per will accompany her, and will be
the first boat to be experimental upon
and equipped with the new plates.
Rear Admiral Brockton will be as.
signed to her command for the pres.
ent. These two ships will sail from
New York harbor. together with a
small transport whic will carry such
pnpinporE and mechanics az tho navy