New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

Il it should have been forging
ahead"
So said Thomas Edison in his laboratory the
other day while discussing the question OF
present manufacturing and scientific oppor-
tunities in the United States. AS usual the
wizard was so deeply absorbed in his problems
that he had found scant time for the more
trivial matters of dress and personal appear
ance. Stubble was on his heavily lined cheeks
He was wearing the old blue suit that his as
sociates are all familiar with, and that must
have been with him when the phonograph was
invented Every line of his face and inquire
showed that he had been working hard-but
still was not weary of working. There is
DYNAMIC force about Edison that is recognized
nv his intimates With all his geniality his
employees stand in awe OF him. There is little
questioning Of his wishes, but much haste to
obey them
In some ways 1t is difficult TO interview the
inventor, in spite of his cordially. He Is very
deaf With his shrewd, humorous smile he in
olnes his head until his ear is only few
inches from the mouth Of the questioner-and
even then question is a shout. His replies
are given in a decisive manner They are
pointed replies, and in the present case should
40 much 70 remove the assurance Of certain
magazine writers who have loudly trumpeted
that America has already taken the place in
the sun" that the war has offered her.
EDISON THINKS THIS COUNTRY HAS
GONE BACK.
The war has been far from awakening US,
said Edison. at has done exactly the oppo-
site. Il has had a soporihc and deadening
esec, upon this country. We have not even
stood still. in the face of our great opportunity
we have receded from it,
Then you are not willing to proclaim the
scientific independence Of America" he was
asked.
Edison shook his head.
America has by no means become sclen-
thcally independent. There are no signs that
we shall do so. We seem to be deader than
ever! We have not done anything worth
while in a scientific way since the beginning
Of the war At least have not heard OF any
great inventions, if that is what you mean
II is true that there has been some progress IN
plain engineering, as you say, but it has been
the sort of progress that takes place IN every
n.w country. In Europe that pioneer work
has been finished
Don't you think the transcontnental teIe-
phone amounts to something
But there is nothing new in that, the idea is
old, Old
How about surgery and medicine|
On surgery think we are holding our own
and have nothing to complain OF. am much
interested in that science and have read
great deal concerning it. AS for medicine
am not so well prepared to say.
DO you think that we are asleep as tar as
our army and navy are concerned as wen aS 10
OIL, industrial opportunity? Or that we
should trust to luck in that respect and de-
veIop along other lines?
The inventor smiled dryly.
Trusting TO luck seemed to be all right De
fore last July" he said. But since that time
think YOU will agree with me, the world has
concluded that man is not what we thought
h. was Far from i'll Mankind is not nearly
50 beautiful as we believed. And it behooves
us 70 20 to work right now and get ready 10
defend ourselves. We should trust to luck no
longer. but have good forts and big guns, ana
an up-to-date and efficient navy with plenty OF
submarines"
THE INVENTOR PLACES GREAT FAITH
IN THE SUBMARINE.
The United States should develop the sub
marine. which was an American invention in
the first place. 1t is a terrible weapon, danger
GUS at all times-and it is cheap. Submarines
could be one Of the biggest arms OF our de-