The Washington herald., 1915-10-08
WARLABORAT0RY
IS aim OF edison
Consulting Board Adopts
Resolution Embodying
Daniels Idea.
WOULD COST s5,OOo,ooo
Secrecy Governing Factor in Proposed
Walled City'-Naval Experts
Wouldn't Go to Sea.
WOULD COST s5,oOO,ooo

On motion of Thomas A. Edison.
the naval consulting board yesterday
passed a resolution recommending the
establishing of an immense laboratory
so equipped as to permit members OF
the board and naval officers TO work
out plans and problems with view
to making the American fleet one OF
the most powerful in the world. The
naval consulting board, which has
heretofore been known as the naval
advisory board. fixed upon s5.O0o,ooo
for the laboratory. and it estimated
that an annual allowance OF from
se5O00OO to S3.000.000 should be au-
thorized for maintenance. The ldea
of q research laboratory was submitted
to the board by Secretary Dahieis a'
the first meeting.
II is the purpose of Secretary Dan
ieIs to ask Congress to make an ap-
propriation for the proposed laboratory
along lines indicated in the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Edison. The
Edison resolution was passed by
unanimous vote
Secrecy Governing Factor.
If Congress adopts the recommended
ton made by the consulting poaro
the navy will soon have at Its disposal
the best equipped laboratory Tor war
purposes in the world. 1t was sus-
.s hy Mr. Edison that in the
management of the laboratory "secre-
cy should be the governing factor.
Mr.. Edison would have the experts
work in a walled city, the institution
TO be inhabited only by those engaged
in the service of the government he
would place this reservation in COM
mand of a naval officer OF high rank
He would locate the laboratory OH
tidewater of sufficient depth 10 per
NIT a Dreadnought to come 10 the
InoL The plan. as outlined in the
resolution. provides that there shall
be:
pattern shop. a brass foundry.
cost iron and cast steel factory, ma
chine shops for large and small WORK.
sheet metal shop, forge shop 1or large
and small work. marine railway large
enough to build experimental sunna-
rines of 150O. tons, wood working shoP'
chemical laboratory. physical laoora-
tory. optical grinding department. mo-
tion picture developing and printing
denartment, complete drafting rooms
electrical laboratory and wireless iao
oratory, mechanical laboratory ana
testing machines, explosives laporator!
separate from main laboratory. Inc
resolution continues:
Won't Go to Sea.
"A naval officer of rank should pe
in charge He should be especially
fitted. Under him should be naval
heads of broad experience in labora-
tory methods and sciences in general
practical as well as theoretical men.
they should not go to sea. secretary
should be the governing factor. Inc
place should be surrounded by hlGh
fence and guard maintained at all
hours No visitors allowed. Facillties
should exist for enabling the inventor
TO assist in the development OF the
idea he has presented. provided he is
a practical man.
Edison was chosen chairman OF the
board, Peter Cooper Hewitt. OF New
York. first vice chairman; William l.:
Saunders, of PIainfield, n. j.. second
vice chairman: Thomas Robins. OF
Stamford Conn. secretary; NJ. H.
Hutchinson. of Orange. n. j.. assistant
to the chairman.
Another meeting of the board Will
he held in Washington just before
Congress assemblies.