Evening star., 1915-07-16
u. s. TO ACQUIRE
HA|MMOND'S DEVICE
invention for Radio Control of
Torpedoes Believed Practi-
cal by War Department.
PLANS IN POSSESSION
OF SENATE Committee
Secretary Daniels, Returning to City,
Discusses Plans for Ad-
visory Bureau.

visory Bureau.
oficials of both the Navy and War
departments today took an interest out
of routine in invention and engineering
subjects connected with the military
preparedness Of the United States. fol-
lowing the return to Washington Of
Secretary Daniels Of the Navy Depart
| ment. after q conference with Thomas
A. Edison at the latter's home at West
Orange. N. J., as the result Of an un-
derstanding that the War Department
intends to acquire the rights of John
Hays Hammond, jr., to a device he has
invented for the radio control of tor
pedoes.
Mr.. Daniels announced at the depart
ment today that he had . highly salts
factory conference with Mr.. Edison on
the subject of the proposed naval ad-
visory board on invention and engi-
lneering, to be composed OF civilians,
and that as soon as the board Is or
ganized it will be asked to come to
and his aids. The Secretary said he has
received letters from all over the coun-
try indorsing the idea of the naval ad-
visory board which Mr.. Edison has
Der Of letters from senators and repre-
sentatives who express themselves as
pleased with the idea, and who have
offered cooperation when Congress
convenes again.
It was said at the Navy Department
that oflcials there have not expert
mented with Mr.. Hammond's inven-
ton. as it is understood to have been
offered to the division of coast artil-
lery of the War Department. oficers
~
be quoted on the subject beyond con-
firming the fact that Mr.. Hammond has
actually invented an apparatus for the
control of both boats and torpedoes by
United States patents on the devices
Officers See Devices at Work.
War Department officers say they
have seen the device at work in
Gloucester harbor, near the Massachu-
setts summer homo Of John Hays
Hammond. and that it does the work
claimed for 1t. Naval wireless experts
also say that they know of the inven-
tion and believe 1t to be practical as
so far developed.
There was great interest in the Ham
mond invention among the naval radio
experts, and comment was made that
this invention is of similar character
to the new ideas in general which Sec
retary Daniels proposed the naval ad-
visory board will have to pass on when
1t gets to work.
It Is understood that complete plans
for the Hammond devices are now In
the possession Of the Senate committee
on appropriations, and there Is dis
position to regard as true reports
from Boston that there Is a desire to
establish radio-controlled torpedo units
for the protection Of the countrys har-
bors.
No confirmation could be obtained to-
day. however. Of the report that first
unit of that character will be estab-
lished At Fishers Island. Long Island
Persons who have seen the Hammond
invention say that boats have been
controlled under 1t from shore radio
pointed out at the War Department
that in his annual report Brig. Gen.
E. M. Weaver, chief of coast artillery,
in speaking Of the invention. said. In
part:
Attention Is invited to the promis-
Ing experiments which have continued
during the year with the Hammond
radio-controlled torpedo. Mr.. Ham
mond has, in the opinion Of the chief
Of coast artillery, at the present time
worked out the details Of radio-con-
troll so as to make 1t possible to apply
1t in the form OF spar torpedo to a
motor boat. His further experiments
point TO a Satisfactory SOLUTION OF In0
problem of applying his equipment to
submerged torpedo under radio-con-
troll from the shore. The cohtrollable
mobile type Of torpedo has always been
considered to be desirable as a feature
Of coast defense armament, but no prac-
tical solution Of the problem has here
tofore been offered"
To Urge Purchase Of Patents.
Purchase Of Mr.. Hammond's patent
rights undoubtedly will be recommend
ed to the next Congress by Secretary
Garrison Of tho War Department. Mr..
Garrison was not in the city today, and
Assistant Secretary Breckenridge de-
clined to discuss the departments in
tentions. - The inventor first offered
his devices to the government several
years ago. officials OF the board OF
ordnance and fortifcations, which
masses on inventions for the War De-
nartment, and which Is similar to the
civilian boards of naval advisers which
Secretary Daniels proposes, examined
Mr.. .Hammond's invention and were
greatly impressed with 1T.
They believe the result OF the inven-
ton will be to give a concealed shore
merged torpedo within the limits Of vi
sion. and to enable man ashore to d.
rect an attack against an approaching
battleship that the ship would have
little chance to evade-
since Gen. Weaver's report was made.
army officers have seen the possibility Of
Greatly extending the usefulness Of the
Controlled torpedo through the aid Of an
aeroplane scout.
The observer in the aeroplane. flying
high and out Of range. could see the
torpedo in the water, and by radio di-
rection to tho operator at the control
station ashore direct the attack when
the hostile ship was out of sight from
the shore station. The suggested type
of torpedo for that use is suspended
from a float on which the antennae of
the wireless device is erected. Tho cost
is estimated at about $4,000.
The float and antennae are the only
ohiects at which the enemy could direct
his fire. It Is intimated. however, that
Mans for the adoption of the radio
Control system to the most modern
navy torpedoes operated by compressed
air. and with q speed Of more than
forty knots an hour are under con-
sideraion At that speed 1t would be
almost Impossible to hit the slender
masts of the control system.
Plans for Board Discussed.
Secretary Daniels today talked over his
n,ans for the naval advisory board on in
and an0ineerin1 With Admiral