The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-16
GUIDES FOR
Secretary Daniels Explains More
Details Of His scheme.

WASHINGTON. july l5.-Before leav-
ing Washington TOR Orange. y. j., where
ne had "A conference tonight with
Thomas \. Edison relative to the per-
sonnet and purposes OF the proposed
board of inventions. Secretary Daniels
made public "A statement In which he
further outlined some OF the details OF
his plan.
Mr.. Daniels is of the opinion that a
tcard composed % the men OF the cali
bro of MIR, Edison and others who have
been mentioned for membership IL GER
tpin 10 evolve ideas that will greatly in
crease the efficiency of the navy and
ether branches of the military service.
While Mr.. Daniels has not said so,
Il is known hat he is OF the belief that
plans for navy unbuilding submitted
T., Congress with the approval OF such
OILS consideration than recommends
t.cns coming FROM other sources.
Mr., Daniels believes also, 1t is UNDER
stood, that the creation OF the board
with Mr.. Edison at its head will stimu-
late interest in he navy and the mill.
tary science generally. lie is enthusl-
asiic over the proposal and evidently
eatertalns the hope thai the creation
OF the board. which he expects will UNI
doubtedly be approved by Congress, will
mark an important step in naval his
tory in the United states.
II have been asked said Mr.. Daniels
to-day, Just how the creation OF better
facilities for the handling OF inventions
or suggestions received will actually in
crease the number OF such useful ideas
for the navy.
while il is perhaps going a little
ahead of the programme, think enough
of the plans which are being worked
into shape may lie given to answer that
question. improvements in our ships.
particularly devices to Increase either
their offensive powers or to strengthen
their defensive resources. are extremely
technical and are uut'easily comprehend
ed except by those who have II thorough
knowledge of naval architecture,
Most Urgent Needs Unknown.
"In fact, some of the most crying
naval needs in this country and abroad
are probably absolutely unknown TO all
except "A very few persons. who have
made a specially OF studying the sub
ject. No better proof Of this Is shown
than by the character of the suggestions
We now receive.
~ great many suggest devices to ac-
complish things which have been already
accomplished by our naval experts in
other and better ways. Another large
percentage are vague and general ideas
which are technically impossible. al
though they would seem reasonable
enough to a layman, and il is only uc-
casioHally that an invention relating to
q particular matter, where tine need Of
an invention has been felt for a long
time. is received.
in other words, the inventive genius
of the country, So far ~ the navy IL con-
cerned, has been largely misdirectod
through a lack of understanding of the
problems, and | think 1t is Obvious that
II We could instruct the inventors among
our " people as to what We really
need, aud thus concentrate the inventive
thought ON the tnings most useful, we
would speedily get many suggestions
along practical lines that would be
worthy Of adoption after they nave been
perfected"
Soec'1i 'piit Nespnich Ia Tur S.