Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
TO REV0L|.UT|0N|H
THEORIES OF WAR
Gathmann and De Forest Say
Their Inventions Will Frus-
trate Aerial and Sub
sea Attacks.

Chicago, July 1e.-The question of
the national defense likely will be one
of the most important problems 10
come before the next sessions of con-
gress. The present European war has
conferred the attention of the American
public on the state of it's fighting
forces and equipment. Widespread
interest has been created in the new
board of naval advisors composed of
great American inventors now being
created by Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels.
The contrary is wondering Just what
will be produced by this board of ex-
perts. The Chicago Herald has asked
several of the inventors who will com
pose this board what contributions
they hope to make to the American
defense preparations with the follow
ing results:
Hudson Maxim. scientist and ord
nance inventor, said hat he recently
has offered the government an impor-
tant invention for employment in sub
marine torpedo boats. He added that
he has several new inventions to Of
fer the government.
De Forest Has Plan.
Lee De Forest. wireless expert, aid
that he was working secretly on a
unique invention which. when perfect
ed, will minimize danger from outside
sources and with an adequate con
gressional appropriation should remove
all danger of aerial and particularly
undersea warfare. He added hat he
will offer the invention to the govern
ment with the distinct understanding
that 1t will be used only by the army
and navy of the United States and the
working plans kept secret from all
nthnr np>x,orc forpvar Mr. no ITorac<
stated he also is working on another
invention which scientists consider
will be one of the marvels of the age.
This also would be valuab in the
general scheme of defense, he says
Glenn H. Curtiss. the ~aeroplane de-
or FLYING boat can be developed into a
very valuable adjunct in repelling d
naval invasion and preventing the
bonbardment of coast cities. 1t is a
question of development. rather than
invention, he says. Orville Wright CO.
incides in the views of Mr.. Curtiss and
expresses the belief that this country
should be equipped with from 1000 to
1,500 air craft OF all sorts.
Gathmann's Invention.
Louis Gathmann, ordnance expert, an
nounced that he hes a new method for
protecting vessels against torpedo. sub
marine. high explosive and armor pier
ing q y thlllSS JIG odS ut-
lenses should be equipped with larger
guns GS-inch) and high explosive
shells. ?
Mr.. Edison. the wizard of modern
science. has not yet announced that he
has anything to contribute Immediately
to the development of the national de-
Tense. Mr.. Edison is quoted as once
having said that. if ne turned his at
tention to the invention of war instru-
ments. he could make war so horrible
that the world would never participate
in armed strife again.
John HAYS Hammond. jr, an expert
In wireless research. is developing his
wireless controlled torpedo. 1t is UNI
derstood that experiments will be con-
Quoted to increase the range of these
new torpedoes by means of signals Civ
en- from aeroplanes to the ontro sta
ton on shore. Secretary Of War Garri-
son has announced that he will ask
congress to purchase the patents COW
ering his invention.
Secretary Daniels today announced
ne would issue a statement Monday
developing his plan for a civilian naval
board of which Thomas A. Edison is to
be the head.