Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-10
DEVICES PROMISE
TO CHECK U.B0A7S
Inventions Now under Trial
"Show Good and S~atisfac.
tory Progress"
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
Remark by w. l.. Saunders That Sub.
marine Antidote Was Probably Dis
covered stirs washington.

washington. May 6.-Advices from the
naval consulting board concerning prog
ress made toward finding a solution for
the submarine nae referred to in New
York y stcrday by Chairman w. L..
Saunderg of the board. had not reached
the navy department tonight, but we're
expected tomorrow. Secretary Daniels
said that while no information would be
made public as to the nature Of expert
ments which have been in progress. he
was satisfied that American ingenuity
eventually would check the undersca
boats.
Mr.. Daniels spoke. however. without
knowledge of the specific devices with
which the member Of the consulting
board have been experimenting and his
confidence was based wholly upon the
lrecord for mechanical nventiveness which
American engineers and scientists have
maintained for years.
A telegram to the Associated Press from
Lawrence Addicks of Elizabeth. N. j..
chairman Of the special laval problems
committee of the consulting board, served
to clear UP somewhat Misrepresentation
concerning Mr.. Saunders statements yes
terday. h message follows:
II fear some of the statements in the
morning papers regarding the naval con-
SutNitIS n uloy uiN " WIOIIS
impressions regarding progress made in
combating the submarine menace. and
that conclusions are likely to be drawn
that the problem has been either fully
solved or given up as hopeless.
While it is evident that specific infor-
nation as to progress made would be con-
trary to public policy at this time, as
chairman of the mmit of the board
dealing specifically with the marine menace
I feel justified in saying that good and
satisfactory progress has been made and
that we have now under practical trial
some novel devices of great promise.
This committee was formed at the time
of the break with Germany to take over
all problems relating to the detection and
destruction Of submarines and the defeat
of the torpedo and has under it's direc-
ton the various experimental stations de-
voted to this work. In addition to this.
Mr.. Edison is separately conducting a line
Of experiments in his own laboratory, re-
garding the results of which I am not
qualified to speak"
Mr.. Addicks' statement confirms the
understanding officials of the depart
ment have had of the progress being
made by the inventors. They have
been at work for months on various re-
search studies In since the declara-
1tion of a state of war with Germany
have redoubled their efforts to find a
way to cope with the r-boat menace.
In many instances naval experts have
been called into consultation by the
board members or have aided in direct
experiments. Every precaution has
been taken by the department. how
ever. to prevent any knowledge of the
nature Of the experiments from becom-
ing public. That policy will be pur-
sued. The department is determined
that If the hopeful indications from
the consulting board are borne out and
one or more new ways Of meeting the
submarine discovered. the German au-
thorities will be prevented from secur.
ing any inkling of what is in prospect
and thus be denied an opportunity to
prepare against any new weapons In
advance.
II have great faith that America,
ingenuity will find a mean Of com
batting the submarines said Secre
tary Daniels tonight:
although I have in mind 80 specia
device among the hundreds which
have been proposed to us to fight tn
menace I truly believe something will
be developed that will be effectiv
against the underwater boats.
Experts of the naval consulting
board and Of the nav department ar
working hard experimenting with tn
devices which may be go along way to
ward giving us victory. Some probabl.
hav merit. and others not, but all ar,
being given fair tests. The precis,
nature OF any cannot be disclosed o
course"
The statement made by Mr.. Saunder.
was that Americans had made a mum
her of inventions since the European wal
began. and that these. in his opinion
would solve the submarine problem. Elab
Grating his opinion, he said that thu
American inventor has already accom-
plished results which will solve the U-boa
problem as soon as they can be put int
effective operation. His opinion was no
expressed as chairman Of the naval con
sulting board. 1t called forth sharp criti
cism from government circles at Wash
ington. as an utterance not in conformit.
with recently shaped policies tending t,
discourage the furnishing OF information
to the enemy.
Mr.. Saunders enjoys the highest stand
ing both as inventor and as an engineer
He is president Of the American ~Institut
of Mining Engineers. His experience I
photographic work is extensive. He ha
invented apparatus. still generally
use. for drilling rock under water n 70
pumping compressed air. He has bee
frequently honored by engineering socie
ties and scientific bodies. He is a directo
Of the Federal Reserve bank of New Yor
and is an officer in many corporations.
Mr.. Saunders has the reputation Of talk
ing little. He has written frequently 70
scientific magazines. but he has avoide
interviews.
John II. M'D0WELL OF