The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-29

$500 on one order Of 1900 bushings.
Will Stimulate Genius.
Even though you may not Aho"
what these devices are, you now nave
a general understanding OF tie vary
ing amounts annually saved Uncle sam
by the bright ideas of these mechanics
And undoubtedly this invention genius
will be stimulated by the new prize
system. Indeed, is seems safe to pre-
dict that the increase OF economies
due to this stimulation will more
than pay in each year the $4,000 al
lowed for prize awards.
In the navy yards and naval gun
/ factories the system would work the
same Dement'S as il would in such
great mechanical plants as the minis
the bureau of engraving and printing
and the govement printing office. as
well as in the many technical iabora-
tories OF the various government bu-
reaus, particularly those Of the De-
partment OF Agriculture.
Perhaps you are thinking that q
government employe who perfects a
really wonderful Invention would pat
ent il and sell 1t to the government,
thus taking his chances on generous
and continuous royalties. rather than a
flat award. never over $1,000 But
ago. which forbids suit against tho
government for use Of any device pat
ented while the inventor Is in govern
ment employ.
Inyentions by Omeers.
An unwritten code forhidding officers
from deriving pecuniary profit from
ordnance Inventions has long obtained
in the army's ordnance department. IN
deed, there are a number of officers OF
this particular department who would
undoubtedly have waXed rich had they
developed in private life inventions
which they have given to the govern
ment in return for their comparatively
modest salaries and allowances.
Thus. General Crozfer himself invent
ed the wire-wound gun which the
army is still manufacturing in the
calibre- There had been
previous attempts to thus strengthen
our heavy ordnance, but they developed
no advantages over guns of ordinary
steel built-up construction until the
present Chief Of Ordnance got to work
on the problem.
In collaboration with his predecessor.
General Adeibert r. Burlington. who
was Chief OF Ordnance directly fol-
lowing the Spanish War. General
ICrozier invented also the disappearing
gun carriage now used everywhere in
cur coast artillery. The principle OF
this ingenious invention. which. mas
completely revised the science OF har.
Dor defense, originated with General
burlington. but the success of its final
development was due to Generai
Crozier. The two patented the device.
hut gave the government OF the United
states free and unrestrained use OF H.
General Burlington had previously in
vented improved methods OF manu-
featuring small arms. which also
would have enriched him mad ne oeen
in private life. like Maxim. He also
sight which was much ahead OF any
Thing used up to that tine.
This invention embodied a wind
gauge whose principles are stu IN use.
There is also the case OF our Lieu
tenant-Colonei Ormord Lassak. late OK
the ordnance department.. who while
on duty in the frankfort arsenal:
philadelphia, designed and perfected
a number of automatic macnlnes WhicH
SeyoIution,zed the manufacture OF
smaIl-arms ammunition, and which re-
suited in great economy in the pro-
cess. Had he resigned from the army
and patented these inventions no doups
he would have realized suostantial
ment two years ago there has been
before Congress bill approprfatinS
a small sum in recognition OF ms great
services to the army through these
messing this legislation he died only
last spring. The same bill has since
been urged in behalf Of his widow.
Ex1DS~ave Nance for Hin.
Another Of our ordnance omeers.
since retired. who greatly bene fitted his
country BY his inventions. Is Lieu
tenant-CoIonel Beverly w. Dunn. While
on active service with the ordnance
de partment he developed the high ex-
plosive known as "Duhnite, "hco
has been adopted by the army "nsn
uses IL with great success. He also
developed improved she'll fuses. now
used by the army Since his retire
ment he has been serving as head Of
the bureau Of safe transportation o.
explosives In New York City.
indeed. the army's ordnance depart
ment has such . high reputation Tor
deyeIoping inventive talent OF this
kind that outside enterprises are 8lad
TO obtain the services OF its experts
after they retire from active service.
Thus Major L u. Fuller and Mayor
Charles c. Jameson. upon uetirement
tom the deparsment became. respec-
lively general manager OF an auto
mobile factory and superintendent OF
. big harvester Manufacturing com
one OF General Crozier's present as
.,s,ants. Jaeusenant-co Colonel w. s
Peircr. 10 another inventive genius OF
the category thas could command 2
life. some years ago. n the sandy
Hook proving ground. while expert
meprjns with fuses for large gun
shells. he saw the Grea: need OF .
high explosive charee such as coubd
b. shot through amor plate without
expjcd.ng until reaching Q point be-
hind, where the greatest damage would
resufs 10 he developed q fuse which
could thus h used with an insensstive
rbaree Of explosive. and which. after
soU,c tests. went through heavy armcr
olase entirely behind which 70 worked
he havoc. several thousands Of these
1u,es were supplied during the spanish
war and the principle IL son stilise0
Nv the army In making castings for
Nee Auvgpsouoe0 AAsUo6
In recognition for sach inventive
Genius ~ this. Englan1 knigheod our
Hirsm Maxim, sne France snsSe nsm