The Washington herald., 1917-05-07
U.BOAT 'REMEpY' HID
CONTINUED FRoM PAGE ONE.
not been confirmed in ofncial reports 4
the Navy Department.


New York. May 6-Thres members Of
the Naval Consulting Board issued state
ments yesterday to eounteraot impress
slons that device, after lengthy exper-
lments. had been evolved to wipe out the
U-boat menace
The statements were given out by
Ihomas Edison, president Of the board;
william L. Saunders, chairman of the
board who on Saturday made public an
opinion that such an instrument had been
invented and Lawrence Addicks, head of
the committee of special problems.
Although formally disproving the ac-
tual recognition of an invention that
would rid the seas of the dreaded subma-
rines, Chairman Saunders and iAddieks,
In their statements, declare that wholly
Practical devices are being tested with
excellent prospects. Mr.. Edison, who has
locked himself in his private laboratory
and Is working Is hours day on the
problem, would say nothing of any de-
vice or Its existence, so far as he IL con-
eerned
The columns devoted to speculation OF
instruments held in mind by Chairman
Saunders we're worth but a paragraph,
he said today:
my announcement" he declared Mr..
Saunders told a reporter that many de-
vices to defeat the submarine peril have
been submitted TO the board. These in
struments are being tested now along
the coast. Certain OF them already have
been found of practical use and be
lieved to solve' the question. but Mr..
Saunders explained that he had none OF
these instruments in mind when he made
Saturdays confusing announcement. He
continued:
For many weeks, Mr.. Edison had
barred himself from all interviewers. He
has virtually locked himself in his labor
atory where, over testing tubes, lathes
and other machinery and paraphernalia,
he has studied a problem of which he
has seadfastly refused to speak. 1t is
known to be in connection with the sub
marine question. with view TO Kidding
the seas, II possible, OF the underwater
craft"
Gave Out Statement.
Today though, he called in his son
Charles, and gave him the following
statement to make public:
''The statement that the submarine
question had been solved was news to
Mr.. Edison. He did not know that any
such statement was to be issued nor
does he know how the question was to
be settled, as there has not been a meet
ing OF the board"
From this, it is evident Mr.. Edison Is
working independently on a device in
tended to combat the sub-sea menac ce.
1t was recalled yesterday that on occa-
sions when Mr.. Edison has denied him
self virtually to the outer world, such
as lately, that he has brought forth an
astounding invention.
Mr.. Addicks who has charge OF ex-
periments with underwater devices 70
detect submarines, gave out this state
ment:
IT fear some OF the statements made
during the last few days regarding the
Naval Consulting Board may unwilling.
ly give the wrong impression regarding
progress made in combating the sub
marine menace, and conclusions are like
ly to be drawn that the menace has been
fully solved or given up as hopeless.
while II is evident that specific in
formation as to progress made would be
contrary to public policy at this time,
as chairman OF the committee OF the
board dealing specifically with the sub
marine menace, I feel justified in sa aying
that good and satisfactory progress has
been made and that we have now under
practical trial some novel devices of
great promise