The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-11-18

ments. A standing army isn't worth
anything unless it is on war footing,
which is absurd. We do need an enor-
nous number of trained officers and
drill sergeants, however. These should
be trained right along, even more than
apparently would be needed, then
turned back into industry.
"They should be kept in touch at
stated intervals with the latest things
in warfare so that they would be ready
as soon as telegraph and railroad
could summon them, to go into active
service. ~ft.
1--WE can gamble on volunteer
army because the American is the
quickest-minded human being In
things mechanical. He could learn
the use of machinery of war with suf-
ficient dispatch for army use.
I'm short, the new soldier will not
be soldier, but machinist; he will
not shed his blood, but will perspire
in the factory of death at the battle
line" H5~
Explains Work of Board.
HAS the general inventions board
anything new up its sleeve'?" he was
asked next. At
Please don't call it an inventions
board" he replied. 1T is a general
science board. It's function is not to
invent, but to offer inventions to the
government. Q
when the navy or army has q
tough problem before it, or hard nut
to crack, it will turn the problem over
to the board and ask for an answer
Have any such questions been
asked?" was the next question.
We'll, l should say there have" he
chuckled. You better believe they
gave us some tough questions to an
swer, too. They're hard nuts to crack,
but, of course, we'll get them straight
ened out all right. We have made
plenty of progress now. Our principal
work laid out to date was in sub
marine and aerial engines, and in COM
municative apparatus, both for trans
ferring intelligence and directive
power for machinery"
What is the principal aviation de-
ficiency laid before your"
ooh, the motor question" he replied.
1.-THE motor situation is only fair
| abroad, although their motors are the
best now made. But we ought to be
able to get a much better one, and we
need it."
What do you think of the use of
liquid fire and asphyxiating gases?"
"They are perfectly proper for use
in defense, but not for offense. A man
has right to claw, scratch, bite or
kick in defending himself, but when
| he's on the offensive, no."
Have any ideas Of material value
been submitted to the general science
board?" was the next question.
Ideas" he calculated. We'll, bless
your heart, we are being engulfed
with ideas.
What is more, say for us that we
want them to keep coming, the more
| the better You know the American
people are the champion idea-creators
| in the world. You would be surprised
| to know that in such a Heterogeneous
collection of ideas that at least one
in every fifty is good, in some meas
ure, and worthy of consideration.
Bankers and Messengers.
Bank presidents send them and
| messenger boys. One of the best ideas
| we have had sent in to use touching
upon offensive warfare has come from
young messenger boy, who has not
| yet cast his first vote.
"Often the ideas strike some of us
as valuable aside from any war sense,
and then the sender is given bit of
advice. This is only in rare instances,
however"
How can America prepare itself in
the shortest time; that is, how can this
preparedness be brought about?"
THE newspapers and congress are
all that can do it," he said. "Just keep
the public thoroughly informed of what
actually is going on abroad and how it
came about; just what our condition
is and what it would be if we were not
prepared, and keep people advised of
how congress stands on the questions.
The people and then congress will do
the rest"