Evening journal., 1915-07-13
edison AND WRIGHT
TO STRENGTHEN NAVY
Submarine and Aeroplane
Services to Be Most Formi-
dabIe of Any Nation
TO LAY OUT PLANS
AT EARLY CONFERENCE
BY The United Press.


WASHINGTON. July 1S.-orville
Wright. the aviator, is scheduled to
Join Thomas A. Edison among the
members Of the naval bureau of in
vention Secretary Daniels is organic
ing. it was understood in navy cir
cles here today.
Edison will devote himself especi-
ally to submarine development, it was
said; Wright. naturally. to problems
of fight.
Neither will be limited to any par
ticular field, according to officers in
touch with the navy secretary's plans.
but IL was acknowledged that he re-
cards the submarine and the aero
plane as the two things calculated to
play the most important part in the
sea warfare of the future and is
especially desirous that they receive
the most thorough attention by the
new board
With Edison as the navy's expert
on undersea craft and Wright as its
authority on vessels of the air, it was
agreed the department will have the
greatest combination in the world.
Edison's formal acceptance Of
place in the bureau had not reached
Secretary Daniels early today, but it
was momentarily expected. press dis
patches having announced that the
great inventor would be glad to take
the post offered him as head of the
civilian advisory board Of inventors,
which the secretary plans.
Concerning the balance of the bu-
reau's personnel, it was said, the sec
retary will consult Edison himself
That he had made a definite offer to
the latter was not known until the
fact WAS made public that he would
accept. but the suggestion for the
board was made some time ago. Ever
since the navy head has been turn
ing the subject over in his mind and
finally. having fully matured his
plans. he wrote concerning them to
the candidate he had chosen as the
central figure OF the bureau.
"One OF the imperative needs of the
navy" he said. "is machinery and IA
cilities for utilizing the natural in
ventive genius of Americans to meet
the new conditions of warfare. as
shown abroad and IL is my intention
to establish q department of inven-
ton and development TO which all
ideas and suggestions. either from
the service or from civilian inventors
can be referred for determination as
to whether they contain practical
suggestions for us to take up and
perfect"
Summing up the great advantages
which be felt sure would result from
such an organizations creation he
appealed TO Edison's patriotism to be
come fits initial member chairman anC
advisor. The appeal. as events prov
ed, was effective.
Orville Wright also expressed hii
willingness some time ago TO take
position on the board other sug
gestions for membership included
he names of Nikola Tesla, Henry
Ford, Cooper Hewitt and Prof. Levi.
Johnson.
Despite the fact that mention o.
the bureau is not a new thing. ths
fact that Secretary Daniels had mad,
so much progress with it came as {
surprise. II was understood Edisor
having accepted that he and Daniels
would hold a conference shortly anC
the schemes execution hastened al
much as possible.
It has been no secret for months
that the secretary considered thu
European struggle has upset all pre-
vious ideas of naval construction ant
methods. He has freely expressed
the view that a point has, been reach
ed where the vital rebuilding Of al
navies is necessary.
OF the various persons whom thu
Secretary has considered for thu
work In hand, 1t is understood tina
he was most anxious to secure thl
services of Edison at his submarin,
expert, Wright as his authority ol
Reroplanes, and Of Henry Ford, as hi
advisor on the practical application
Of all sorts OF inventions, and Incl
dentally, as a general efflcienc,
doctor" for the navy.
No further selections, It was said
we're likely to be announced, how
sver, until the secretary and Edisol
have had a chance to confer.