Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-20
PLAN OF DANIELS
TO GET BEST MEN
Eight American Scientific Socie-
ties Asked to Name Two
Members Each.
THOMAS A. EDISON CHAIRMAN
Scientists Selected Will Form
Advisory Board of Proposed
Bureau of Invention.

WASHINGTON. July 1o.-sixteen
American scientists to form with
Thomas a. Edison as chairman. the
advisory board for the proposed bureau
Of invention in the Navy Department
Will be selected by leading scientific
societies OF the country Secretary
Daniels announced to-day he had writ
ten to the presidents Of eight societies
asking that two members he selected
by each organization TO become mem
bers OF the board
Following are the societies addressed:
American Chemical Society. president.
Charles II. Hcrty. Chapel Hill. " c.;
American Institute OF Electrical Engi-
necring. president. Paul NJ Lincoln,
Pittsburgh; American Institute of Min
ing Engineers, president. BENJAMIN r..
Thaycr, New York City: American
Mathematical Society. president. e w
Brown. Yale University: American So
c!ety Of Civil Engineers president,
liunter Macdonald. Nashville. Tenn:
American Society of Mechanical Enri-
neers. president, James Hartncss.
Springfield. VI: American Aeronau,jcal
! Society, acting president Frederick w
Barker New York Citv: Inventors
ark. y. J.
DESIRES TO SECURE
COUNTRY'S ABLES'T MEN
Much depends on the personnel of
the committee" Nj Daniels said i'm an
nouncing his plan, and I have been
desirous. first OF all. that 1t should be
made up OF the ;tblest men IN the coun-
try. who have demonstrated their
leadership in their profession.
After consultation with eminent
men in the navy and civilian life.
have decided to ask eight societies
having large memberships each to Sc
, lect two members. who will make up
! the advisory committee. In this way
feel sure we will have the hearty
! cooperation of the thousands Of
trained experts who make up their
mem bership. The members of these
societies WI! naturally see to it that
| their most eminent representatives are
chosen. We will. therefore, obtain for
the navy the direct advice of those Sc
iccted TO serve on the committee and
also the interest of all the members Of
the societies who make the selection"
Mr.. Daniels explained that the selec-
tion Of the eight societies did not cx-
clude other organizations of tho same
character. which il might he found
advisable to call upon later He said
that societies OF marine engineers. in
many cases composed largely Of present
and former navy officers. had not been
included for the reason that navy Of
ficcrs would constitute the new bureau
within the department which the COM
,nittec would aid
LETTER TO PRESIDENTS
OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
III his letter TO the presidents, the
secretary wrote:
Il am writing 10 ask the member
snip OF your society TO give practicable
ana valuable aid and needed co-opera-
ton by selecting representatives CT
their body 10 serve as members OF the
advisory committee. am going
TO ask you by poll by letter Of your
members. or in whatever way seems
10 you most certain of securing the
men desired by the majority Of YOUR
organization, to choose two of YOUR
members to serve on this board. and
IL VIII give pleasure when you have
| furnished me these names TO extend the
gentlemen the formal invitation of the
| department.
We are anxious to begin as soon as
possible, and If your society can fur
Hish me the names AZ an early date II
VIII help tho prompt organization Of
tho advisory board very much. In
adopting this course I have the ON
Hhatic approval OF Mr. Edison, and hc
agrees entirely with me that your So
cletN should be represented in this way
and that no better method Of getting
the kind Of men could he devised