New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-13

". B. Kaempffert. managing editor Of
THE Scientific American was ready with
practical suggestions as to how unused
millions could be invested TO great ad-
vantage.
YES. even less than millions" he de-
clared, "a few thousands would go a long
way. There IS great need in this country
for big scientific workshop. provided with
plenty of apparatus and with some com
petent instructors. TO which inventors could
30 to make models. try experiments, be
shown their mistakes and when successful
receive aid in obtaining patents and safe
guards for their inventions.
4 wonder il people generally know that
we are to-day suffering inconvenience. often
danger, that We need not suffer if certain
revolutionary inventions that have been
perfected and proven had not been side
tracked through lack of funds on the part
of the inventor? There is an automatic
pump invented that would put an end 70
nearly all the mine disasters and save
hundreds of lives a year. This device was
patented by the inventor and then pur-
chased from HIM by a large concern that
at present has monopoly in the manu-
facture OF pumps.
LAS this firm already controls the bust
ness they would make nothing more by
I,rovement, so they bought the patent for
e song just 10 keep it out Of harms way
and then put II in closet
The same thing has happened to some
remarkable telephone devices which would
save hours Of time and great expense and
tloubIe. The telephone companies are
aNerse TO receiver and transmitter attach
ments. Why? Because it would cost them
lot to install improvements OF that kind
and because of fancied complications, and
as they already have a monopoly Of all the
business done they would not benefit by
the improvement; only the public would
benefit.
Admirable improvements on the parlor
car system, providing much greater safety
and comfort, have been likewise consigned
20 oblivion by the car manufacturing trust,
and a ike fate has befallen a device for
automatic railway stops which would guar
antee accuracy and prevent three quarters
of the appalling accidents that are happen
tnE every week.
"A large and we'll recognized institution
which could provide aid and instruction TO
inventors which would be sufficiently en-
dowed 10 enable il to procure patents for
such successful men could not afford TO
buy them, and which, by its power and
them publicity and thus save them from
oblivion. would do a great work toward
furthering improvements in every line and
particularly IN the safety and comfort OF
living.
Then there IS another suggestion as to
how money could De wonderfully well
spent, and that j. on the astronomical OBJ
selyatories. At present there are stations
al over tie world where very valuable
vcra is being done, but it is all scattered.
Now. IN order to do the most effeCtual
work these obseryatories ought 10 be
formed into what we might cali a trust.
with q large central station from which
instructions should be sent TO all the others.
There the arrangements could be made, the
calculations performed and everything pre-
pared for the observation Of every phenom-
enon occurring among the stars. Now there
s. too much useless repetition.
The opposition OF Eros in 1891. which
will show US exactly how far the earth is
from the sun-a thing that do not know
accurately at presents not being prepared
for. Yet it is one OF the most important
s.ents in all the history Of astronomy Such
a work as this combining of observatories
and the building Of central station would
take 81. coo. 900. perhaps. but would be amply
worth the expenditure"
Robert G Aud, author and scientist.
fellow Of tie Geological Society II London
and revising editor OF the American edition
o. the .'Encyclopsedis Britannica suggests
ttat institutes be founded IN different parts
Of the country for the purpose Of 'nstructing