Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-13
Baker Tells Story of In
uention Which Is to Es-
fabish American Su-
premacy in Air.

WASHINGTON, September l2.-The
Liberty motor. the airplanc engine
upon which the United States is rely
ing TO establish definite air supremacy
over the Germans on the battle fields
OF France. has passed it's final test.
and is complete and gratifying sue
cess. Secretary Baker announced to-
day.
In 1.500-word announcement. Sccrc-
tary Baker told how all the best brains
and business of American motordom
had contributed its secrets and achieve
ments TO the government to produce
the Liberty motor. which is to carry
the thousands OF American airplanes
over Germany.
Secretary Baker said tho motor is
now the main reliance of the United
States in the rapid production in large
numbers of high-powcr battle planes
for service in the war
"In power. speed and serviceablity
and minimum weight" he continues.
the new engine invites comparison
with the best that the European war
has produced. The engine was brought
about through the cooperation OF
more than score OF enI.aeers. who
in the war emergency"
Back Of that announcement stands
the fact that American aviators in
high powered American-built ma
chimes will begin to appear in large
numbers on the lighting lines early
next year.
Secretary Baker coupled with his
announcement a formal request to the
press Of the country to refrain from
publication OF any information regard
ing the Liberty motor other than that
included in his statement.
FOR FIRST TIME TELLS
STORY OF INVENTION
For the first time Mr. Baker told the
story of the invention of the Liberty
motor; how two of the foremost en-
Eineers of the nation were called to
| Washington and for five days re-
mained in the local hotel, finally
emerging with the completed plans for
| the engine.
| Il regard the invention and rapid de-
velopnent OF This engine as one of the
really Big accoripl Ishments OF the
| United States since it's entry into the
war. The engine has passed it's final
| tests. They were successful and graft
| flying.
b
through the cooperation Of more than
score of engineers, who pooled their
| skill and trade secrets in the war emer-
gencry. working with the encourage
ment of the aircraft production board
the War Department and the Bureau
| of Standards.
The story of the production OF this
engine is a remarkable one. Probably
the war has produced no single greater
achievement.
One OF the first problems which con-
| fronted the War Department and the
aircraft production board after the de-
| claration OF hostilties was to produce
| quickly Il dependable aviation motor
| Two courses were open. One was to
| encourage manufacturers to develop
| their own types the other to bring tho
best of all types together and develop
a standard.
THE necessity for speed and quan-
tity Of production resulted in a choice
OF the latter course. and a standard
motor became our engineering objec-
| tive
| Two of the best engineers in the
country. who had never before seen
each other, were brought together at
| Washington. and the problem Of pro-
ducing an all-American engine at the
earliest possible moment was presented
to them.