The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-09
EDISON GAVE
NO NAVY SECRETS
Daniels willing Humanity
Should Benefit by Lessening
Submarine Danger.
no OBJECTION BY L. s.

wAsHfSGroS. March S--Sccietary
Daniels announced to-day that A far as
the Navy Department is concerned there
is no objection TO the information made
public in catalogue form by Thomas \.
Edison concerning details OF the Edison
submarine batteries now ;,eing tried ont
for the American navy.
\ description OF the catalogue. which
gives the process OF making the bat
teries. their characteristics and speciflca'
tons and the chemical reaction formula
upon which they are based and invites
further inquiry concerning their per
f~ormances. was published IN THE SuN
this morning.
Secretary Daniels added 90 his state
ment that he would have no objection 10
Mr.. Edison selling to foreign govern
ments n improvements on the batteries
which may result from the special trials
now being made under supervision OF a
special board OF naval ofhcere.
Common humanity" said NJ. Dan
, iels. dictates that we should not object
TO my foreign governments having the
benefit OF improvements which would
| eliminate the dangers from gas explo'
sions in submarines"
In his prepared statement Secretary
Daniels said:
The Edison storage battery IL nor
and never was a navy secret. tn" Edf'
son storage battery In small units was
an accomplished fact aid a paying com
! mcrcial proposition before Mr.. Edisor
thought of adapting IL 10 naval uses II
submarines. In July. 1910. Lieut.. A. II
Miles, AN experienced submarine officer
visited Mr.. Edison and placed hefor" hin
a complete analysis OF the shcrtcomine'
OF IN. batteries then in use, and con
vinced him Il, was his duty 10 undertake.
the development OF a battery that Woulo
overcome the objections.
The principal features Of the new
| development WAS 20 manufacture II
larger uni,s and 20 design a containe'
adapted 70 ms, illation IN submarines
To determine the suitableuess of tn,
Edison type % battery certain tests wer'
conducted at the New York Navy Yard
and are continuing this * the sam
procedure taken IN regard ~ the othe'
type % batteries or other eqnipmeil
that the Navy Department considers
purchasing. Tho chemical reactions ar'
matters OF common knowledge to chem
lists aud can he found Ia text books %
electric chemistry.
Il invited Mr. Edison to 40 down n
u submar.n. with me tn study the c"nd4
tons and urged upou HIM the importance
OF a satisfactory battery. "a, | would an
manufacturer who was wiling to under
.ak. q, great personal expense To- he
vclop u batter, adapted to n pur
poses.
In his last annual report 20 the Pres
ideut Secretary Daniels made the FOL
lowing recommendation
II recommend additional Legislation
tina, Will giVe the Government tn" nigh
,o the use % any patent on munitions 4"
war or any new inVc'tiou or turin" 4"
war that may Il" needed tor puhlic lie
foucc. such Use SHOULD I've guarantee
the Government without heirs ohiige'
To- obtain consent Of The pa',ntcc
Proper compensation should be paid u
'hc paieute,, as proper regulations ma!
determine 10 he far TO HIM and 10 tn
Government.
Laws SHOULD also y" enacted 20 -
ulirr the iatcute. To- kccp III. invention
secret u the public welfare requires II
and to render aul personal asSiSiar'. u
the Guyrrnmsrt IN applying the iu'or
ton to Government purposes