The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-07-15
EDISON TO AID COUNTRY
With MATCHLESS GENIUS

WILL WAICllLLO1 uLNlUD
West Orange, N. j., July 12.-Thom-
as A. Edison has accepted the invita-
tion from Secretary Daniels to head
the advisory board of civilian inven-
tors for the bureau of invention and
development to be created in the navy
department. His acceptance will go
forward Immediately to Washington,
where the new plans await word from
the man "who can turn dreams into
realities.
Daniels idea of utilizing the inven-
tive genius of Americans in and out
of the military and naval service to
meet the conditions of warfore as
shown in the conflict in Europe, was
outlined in letter written last
Wednesday, asking Edison whether, as
a patriotic service to his country, he
would undertake the task of advising
the proposed bureau. 1t is the plan
to have several men prominent in spe-
cial inventive research associated in
the work.
Among the great problems to be laid
before the investigators, the secretary
mentioned submarine warfare, adding
that he felt sure with Edison's Won
derful brain to help them, the officers
of the navy will be able to meet this
new danger with new devices that will
ASSUME peace to our country by their
effectiveness
Developments of Secretary Daniels
idea of strengthening the national de-
fense by centralizing the inventive
genius of the country, Thomas A. Edi-
son, to assist in perfecting the navy as
a fighting machine hinged almost
wholly upon Edison's reply to the re-
quest that he head the civilian ad-
visOry board to the proposed new bu-
reau of invention and development.
Naval officers are generally enthu-
siastic at the proposed innovation, and
predict a great improvement in the
navy's construction and that better
organization will follow.
One of the first problems for the new
bureau will be the improving of the
navy's submarine and aeroplanes.
The imperative need of the develop
ment of these two branches of service
is recognized. '.
Washington, July 13.-The mobiliza-
tiOn of the inventive genius of the
country to aid in working out the naval
problems proposed by Secretary Dan
iels, was widely discussed by officials
of both the army and navy today. The
selection of Thomas Edison as the
head civilian to advise the board, has
met with unanimous approval.
Daniels is now preparing to invite
others among the noted inventors, and
technical experts to join in the work.
He would not say who will be selected,
but declared he would announce the
names when they had accepted. He
added that he was not prepared to an
nounce the full details of the plan,
which will be worked out in confer
ence.
Among the names suggested as pos
sible board members are: Charles
Steinmetz, one of the worlds authori-
ties on electrical engineering; Hudson
Maxim, inventor and maker of guns
and explosives; Orville Wright, aero
pianist; Simon Lake, submarine inven-
tor; Lewis Nixon, shipbuilder; Alexan-
der Bell, inventor of the telephone, and
John Hays Hammond, Jr.
Washington, July 13-The report
of the board of army officers working
out military policy to be submitted
to congress probably will be COM
pleted, it became known today, early
next month. This will give Secretary
Garrison ample time to prepare his
estimates by October and in time for
a special session of congress should
one be called for that month. No
hint as to the increases in men or
guns to be recommended by the board
has been given out.
A general review Of the work thus
far accomplished will be made We'd