New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-14
Bell, Wright and Ford Are
Among Those Who
May Aid Edison.
DANIELS SEES HOPE
IN BIG INVENTORS
Calls on Persons Throughout
Country to Give Ideas to
Committee.
[Frnm he Trihune Rnr,.u. ]

Washington, July 1--we are ask
ing the genius Of the country to aid IN
the development Of the American
navy" Secretary Daniels said to-day,
commenting on Thomas A. Edisons ac-
ceptance Of the Craftsmanship OF the
new Naval Advisory Committee. ut IS
our hope by this plan 10 encourage and
stimulate inventors to perfect devices
and appliances that may revolutionize
naval warfare"
This work is in the hands Of various
bureaus and some excellent results
have been obtained; but the routine
work does not leave time for the deyel-
opment of new ideas.
"This war has taught US number OF
valuable lessons" the Secretary said,
"and has amply demonstrated that it is
not so much the perfecting of old
methods as the discovery Of new that
marks naval progress. / would be Will
ing to have fewer ships if | could spend
the money for new ideas"
Secretary Daniels said he had not
yet decided on the personnel OF the
committee II is considered likely that
Orville Wright will be asked to serve.
Other we'll known inventors, engineers
and scientists mentioned are Alexander
Graham Bell, Simon Lake, Charles +.
ctcinmotz, Lewis Nixon, j. Is. NalRer,
Professor X. A. Fessenden, John Hays
Hammond, jr, Hudson Maxim ana
Henry Ford.
All these men are eminent in their
felds-Dr. Bell as the inventor OF the
telephone, Mr.. Lake in submarine con-
struction, Professor Fessenden as a
wireless expert, Mr. Maxim as an in
ventor of arms and explosives, Mr..
Hammond for work on torpedo con-
trolling devices and experiment with
high explosives and Mr.. Ford as a gas
engine expert
Pleased with EdisOn's Acceptance.
Secretary Daniels gave out tonight
a statement outlining the plan and
stating the reasons for the committee.
Il am very much gratitied,' he says,
"by the acceptance Of Thomas A. Edl-
son of the position Of head of an adj
visory committee, composed OF men
who have been recognized by all the
country for their inventive genius, TO
assist the Navy Department in develop
ing such ideas for new things as may
be presented. u
far-reaching and important expert
mental work done by Admirals Griffin,
Strauss and Taylor They and their
assistants have for months been study
ing every new development brought
out by the war in Europe, and already
they have contributed TO increased
naval efficiency. They will be given
additional experts to carry on the
work.
THE selection Of the members Of the
advisory committee requires careful
thought. In a broad way the under
lying idea is to make available the
latent inventive genius of our country
to improve our navy. 1t is American
inventive genius that has made practi-
cal the ironclad, the submarine and the
aeroplane. In one way it is our great
est military asset, which, in the past,
has been Of more value TO US than
many regiments of troops or ships of
the line, and feel sure II will not fail
us now.
81 feel that our bureaus should re-
ceive the help Of the country at large,
that men Of inventive minds should be
encouraged to submit their suggestions
for improvements or for new devices.
To examine carefully and to improve
and make practical such as are found
worthy Of consideration would be ut
terly beyond the capacity OF our bu-
reaus as at present organized.