The Washington times., 1915-07-14
Experts Say Practical Character
Of Suggestions From Edison
and Wright will Make U. 5.
Supreme.
Notable Absence of Professional
Jealousy seen-other Amer.
lean Scientists Are Mention
ed in Personnel.

According to army and navy ex-
perts, the new naval board Of in
vention and development, upon
which Orville Wright, Thomas A.
Edison, and other famous scientists
and inventors are to serve, is evil
IDENTIFY destined to enter Upon work
Of the most practical character
from the very outset Of its career.
Wright has declared for an
American fleet of 1000 aeroplanes.
Edison has already expressed his
conviction of the importance OF
submarine development.
EXPECT GREAT THINGS.
Between these two, said the authori-
ties, even II there were no other MEM
bers of the board, the greatest things
for the navy might naturally be ex-
pected With the addition Of other ex-
perts, they assert, the board will become
an organization that may make the
United States invincible along the lines
to which work will be devoted.
Upon one fact there Is much comment
the absence of any manifestations Of
jealousy among professional naval men
at the plan for the creation Of a civil
Ian board to aid in raising the DEPART
ment to the nth power efficiency. If
II had not been for the character OF
the men first selected, these might have
been such disposition, some said. but
even the most finicky Of officers could
hardly fail to recognize the value of
the aid sure to be- rendered through the
advice of such men as Wright and
Edison.
Forecast Congress Action.
The suggestion that the Government
cannot legally accept unpaid services is
regarded seriously. 1t is remarked that,
as the Secretary said. he could ask ad-
vice Of whomsoever he pleases."
Aside from that. It is predicted that
when Congress meets. plan will be
submitted for making the new board a
regularly and legally organized body.
That the lawmakers will acquiesce
readily in such a proposition is con-
sidered q foregone Conclusion.
In Orville Wrisht's assertion that the
United States should own 2,oOo aero
planes on peace tvsis both army and
navy experts concur warmly. They
sgree that the European war has re-
vealed just what weaknesses must be
overcome to render heavier-t han-air ma =
chimes invaluable il, military and naval
operations. Under such direction as Sec
retury Daniels purposes for their de-
velopment. they predict that hitherto
along this line-and perhaps, Incident
ally. in aeroplane development for peace
DofRoses.
Personnel of Army Board.
Without seeking to minimize the
value of the work done by the army
.board of ordnance and fortificat ton,
which has been mentioned as similar to
the one Secretary Daniels Is organizing.
even military men say the comparison
failed to do the latter Justice. The army
board is praised highly lut Ii can hardly
be said. the critics remark. to include
in its personnel such inventive geniuses
as Orville Wright or Thomas A. Edison.
In some quarters there Ia a disposi-
ton to suggest that the new board will
be too valuable to confine its work
solely to naval development-that 1t
should give advise for the armys bene-
fit also.
Other names mentioned today as possl-
tilities for membership are Alexander
Graham Bell. Hudson Maxim. Prof
r: A. Fessenden, Lewis Nixon, J. B.
Walker, Simon Lake and Charles p.
Steinmetz.