New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
Announcement by Chair
man Saunders Discred-
tied by Associates
Edison Doubts 1t;
Navy Is Divided
Elmer Sperry, Inventor of
the Gyroscope, Says
1t Is Correct

William l.. Saunders, chairman and
director Of the Naval Consulting Board,
announced yesterday that a way had
been found to solve the worlds U-bost
problem.
His startling statement developed
most unusual situation in the Naval
Consulting Board itself. Five men,
bers Of that body-all of them proml-
nent in mechanical science and en-
gineering -emphatically denied any
knowledge of such a discovery and ex-
pressed their skepticism. These were
Hudson Maxim, DR. L.. II. Baekland.
Frank J. Sprague, Alfred Craven and
Thomas Robins.
A sixth member of the bosrd-Elmer
A. Sperry, inventor OF the gyroscope-
stated with equal emphasis that Mr..
Saunders's announcement was cor
rect"
Thomas A. Edison, president OF the
board. is convinced that no adequate
means Of dealing with uudersea craft
has vet been devised, The Tribune was
informed last night.
Perhaps the most surprising diversity
of opinion was found among naval su-
thorities in Washington.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Sec
retary Of the Navy, knows nothing OF
the plan, he informed the Tribune bu-
reau. Other officers in the Navy De-
partment we're inclined 70 place more
faith in the announcement, according
10 Associated Press dispatches.
Daniels Hopes Saunders Is Right
"I hope Mr.. Saunders is right said
Secretary of the Navy Daniels last
night. american inventors and genius
will solve the problem" he added.
Mr.. Saunders, for obvious reasons, ne
stated. was unwilling to speak OF the
nroiect save in the most general way.
He said:
"The Naval Consulting Board for the
last three or four months has been con'
sidering at the rate of thirty-hve
day inventions relative to the battle
against German submarines. All OF
these that have seemed worth while
have been tried out by our sub-com'
mittees. A number of them have been
nut to practical application at our ex-
detrimental stations along the Atlantic
coast.
"From this vast material, few sug-
gestions have come TO the top OF wnien
we can make practical use in the plan
we have now mapped out. do not say
the nroblem of the submarine has been
solved. 1t will not actually be solved
until the German U-bosts are driven
from the Atlantic. But | do say that
ve now have plan whereby elimina-
ton of this menace can be accom-
plished.
"The new inventions that figure IN
this plan are hll tbe WIN W
cans. We invented the submarine IN
this country, and we are going TO be
SHARED the humiliation OF admitting
that we cannot destroy what we our
selves invented.
Plan Is Offensive
"Our idea is TO 90 after the suoms-
rine extensively not defensively'
When you want TO extermlnate rats or
hornets you get after the nests"
Mr. Saunders was shown c. W. Gil
bert's article from Washington which
appeared in yesterday mornings Trib-
une. He pointed to the paragraph in
which Mr. Gilbert set forth the Ameri-
can idea Tor bo;tling up the north end
of the North sea, just as the south
end has already been bottled up, and
said:
There is 4 direct relation between
this and the plan Of the Naval Consult
ing Board.
"One part Of the proposed plan in
voives the destruction Of submarines;
.he other involves destruction on land
think IL may be permissible TO say
that many Of the present methods OF
combating U-boats are to be used
namely. destroycrs, submarine chasers,
aeroplanes. observations towers and
other devices
"Has your plan been submitted to
the Navy Department." he was asked.
lit mas"
And has it been accepted" >"
That you will have 10 learn from
Washington
Does any new device that is TO be
used come from Mr. Edison9"
Not directly. But Mr.. Edison Is re-
sponsible for certain important phases
Of :he plan"
Not Solvad. Maxim Believes
Hudson Maxim. when asked lsv
night II he was aware that the solu-
tion Of the submarine menace was in
sight. saiu;
sc