The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-11
NO TIME FOR LUNCH
AS NAVY BOARD met.
Dr. L. II. Baekelahd Of YOnkers
Tells How Discussions
Were Conducted.
TALKS BEFORE CHEMISTS

Details NJ the discussions and
ments advanced by the member OF Sec
Rotary Danieis's Naval Consulting Board
at the meetings OF the board At WASH
ington in early October were made pub
lie for. the first time last night by DR..
l.. II. Baekeland OF Yonkers, a research
chemist and member Of the board. In .
paper entitled THE Naval Consulting
Board of tho United States" which DR..
Baekeland read at a Joint meeting OF
the American Chemical Society. the New
York section Of the Society Of Chem
ical Industry and the American Eiec-
trochemical Society at Rumford Hall. SO
East Forty-frst- street.
Let us hope" aid DIR. Baekeland.
who In his paper expressed regret that
the objects and duties of the board seem
to be so generally misunderstood by the
public. that the publication Of this brief
resume of various arguments which were
submitted nay help to dispel some Of the
ideas of the public. which imaRines that
the board contemplates the immediate
erection OF n IS, 900. 900 laboratory build
ing where the members OF the Naval
NOuSuftllk ISDdTu YAH cAptf iIItht "
their hearts content in company with
long haired inventors"
When The consulting board met at
Washington during the hrst week In
October DIR. Baekeland instad Of hnd-
ing an assemblage Of long haired
inventors" rent upon prolonged expert
mentation saw instead. he said. a body
Of experts who impressed one more as
alert American business men Of the do
Ns ,-.~,ts ...s tknr leanraara
80 little time was given to formali-
ties" said DR.. Baekeland In describing
the first day OF the Washington meet
ing. that even a regular lunch wa
dispensed with, beyond the distribution
OF a few sandwiches. while discussing
various matters"
A visit to the Indian Head Proving
Ground to obtain first hand information
about ordnance and ammunition was
with a night meeting the same day
back in Washington, only a few minutes
for a hasty dinner. SO called. being per-
mitted before the night meeting. The
members not only receive no salary
but pay their own travelling and hotel
expenses and pay for even the s%tationer,
used.
ITO any one who Is acquainted with
all the pose n ov~erbrearing attitude OF
AS1h b'N
said in the course Of a tribute to the
departmental heads OF the navy with
whom the board members came into
contact during their deliberations. land
who might fear that this nation might
bea the incubus of militarism. direct
acquaintance with men like these would
soon dispei this apprehension"
One matter dwelt upon At the meetings
was that there was little use in SPEND
ing 50 many millions in fiying machines
% long as there was any doubt con.
corning the reliability of their engines.
and until an absolutely well tried and
standardized engine a been developed"
Another member brought out the
fact" DR.. Baekeland continued, that
even conservative industrial concerns
found II necessary and profitable to
spend at least 2 to s per cent. of their
gross receipts on research n expert
ments. AT this rate the contemplated
expenditure Of $500. 900. 900 In Ave years
ION the navyl would certainly warrant
an expenditure of at least IS, 600, 900
for research during that period.
without mentioning any spectacular
problems OF modern warfare" said the
speaker in discussing other economies
dwelt upon at the meetings. such a
prosaic detail as the corrosion OF con
denser tubes in our warships involves
an annual damage of about $4,000. 900.
II 81 1000, 900 were spent on research
work on this problem alone. with the
result of reducing the damage to one-
half, the total outlay would be COM
pcnsated In "A short time"