The Washington herald., 1915-07-15
An Obstacle IN the Law.

navy advisory board, composed of Thomas
A. Edison, Alexander Graham Bell Orville
Wright Henry Ford, and Hudson Maxim, would
be most valuable adjunct to the Navy Depart
ment if these great inventors and manufacturers
were free to accept such service and abandon
their own business interests. But Congress has
created no such Offices nor appropriated salaries
can create office provide salary. Con-
gress made a law some years ago prohibiting
the executive departments from accepting any
voluntary service That was to guard against
claims presented for such service in after years,
either by the principal or heirs That law wa
not made to prevent this plan of Secretary Dan
ies, but President Roosevelt found that it did
apply and prevent him from creating fine arts
commission. Congress must therefore provide
a remedy for the present situation before Mr..
Daniels advisory board can become reality.
There is, however, a greater possible cmbar
rassment to the navy from advisory board
composed of men of such eminent fitness. The
Navy Department is looking for Mr. Edison to
perfect motor for submarines that will be su-
perior to any in use and that will make the
engine safer and better than it now is
1t is said that Mr.. Edison has invented such
motor and is almost ready to enter into contract
with the department to build such motors. But
as chairman of the advisory board he could not
recommend his own invention or the making of
contract with himself We have laws to pro-
hbit member of Congress or an executive Off
Ger from voting recommending deciding any
question favorable to any contract in which he
has personal pecuniary interest
Mr.. Edison ought not to be placed in posi-
ton which would embarrass the government
well as himself. in employing his inventive genius
IN legitimate contract OF reciprocal. advantage to
both. The government needs the inventor and
manufacturer Edison more than it needs the ad-
wiser Edison. The same objection applies to Or
vile Wright, Henry Ford, and Mr.. Maxim. Mr..
Wright is the inventor and manufacturer of flying
machines which the government needs and al
ready has contract with Mr. Wright to furnish.
1t would embarrass both Mr.. Wright and the gov
ernment to ask him to advise larger contract
ior his machines. Mr.. Ford makes auto
trucks and the government needs auto trucks
and Mr. Ford would not care to be asked as an
official adviser to the government which is the
best auto truck made and what is fair price for
the government to pay Mr.. Ford does not need
government contracts, and, placed in such posi-
ton, he would feel compelled to recommend some
other machine. Mr. Maxim is connected with
big powder company and that company supplies
powder to the navy.
If Congress should create such board as that
contemplated by Secretary Daniels and provide
salaries for the positions so that such gentlemen
as those named could give up their present posi-
tons manufacturers, and be free to advise
without the suspicion of favorng their own finan-
cial interests they would be of valuable service
to the government. But under present conditions
to take these men from positions of independent
citizens competent to deal with the government
and place them in advisory relations to the Sec
retary OF the Navy, would be to deprive the gov
crnment OF their ability as great manufacturers
1t would be better to keep them in position to in
vent and make war material for the government
than to make them mere advisers of the Secretary
OF the Navy.