Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-04
ANNAPOLIS WANTS
NAVAL LABORATORY
ReneWs Fight to Have Mr..
Daniels Approve Site
Recommended.
DISTRICT SEEKS IT ALSO

ANNAPOLIS, Nd. August 4-Citi-
zens of Annapolis. official and unoffi-
cial, have renewed the fight to make
certain the location of the new naval
experiment and research laboratory
in the vicinity of the Naval Academy.
,, The selection of site was referred
| by Secretary of the Navy Daniels to
the naval consulting board, and that
body, by a vote which was unanimous
except for that Of Thomas A. Edison,
had recommended that it be located
! just across the Severn river from the
Naval Academy. That report was in
| the hands of Mr.. Daniels just before
| the United States entered the war,
| and the beginning of the work of
poned.
Decision Expected Shortly.
iels would accept the recommendation
| OF the board, to which he had referred
the matter, but all attempts to make
him state his decision definitely have
| been unsuccessful Now it is realiz-
ed here that it will be in favor of the
shortly, and though it is still believ-
ed her that it will be in favor of the
Annapolis site, there is enough doubt
about the matter to cause some worry,
1t being pointed out that unless the
| Secretary was in some doubt about
! accepting the recommendation Of the
board he would have announced his
approval and SO ended the matter. For
! this reason, representatives of An
napolis have taken the matter up, and
have been to Washington this week to
| try to secure action in favor of An
| napolis.
| Mr.. Edison Favored New York.
Mr.. Edison favored a site on the
water near New York city, holding
that the matters of prime Importance
were proximity to the experts in that
vicinity and material and equipment
| which the laboratory would need. A
strong fight Was made for Washing
| ton, Its claim being supported strong
~ by Admiral Griffin, head of the bu-
reau Of weights and standards. Bal.
| timore also wanted to have the 1abo-
ratory, but it is understood that az
Annapolis has been recommended by
the consulting board. it will Withdraw
its claim SO that the Maryland con-
gressmen will present q solid front
for Annapolis.
| Washington Still Working.
The advocates Of Yorktown, Va, are
| the latest to enter the lists for the
location Of the laboratory, and it is
that fact. together with Information
that the supporters Of Washington
Secretary Daniels. that has aroused
the activity Of the people of An
napolis, together with many naval
officers who believe that the labora-
tory should be in touch with the Naval
Academy. For Yorktown it is claimed
l ho IL
ground available and that war yes
sells Of the greatest draught can enter
the harbor and approach the wharves
without difficulty.
Annapolis Arguments Presented.
A great many strong points are
claimed for the Annapolis site, where
the government has already estab.
lished an experimental laboratory a,
where it has ample grounds for its
indefinite expansion. Satisfactory
conditions Of water and surroundings
| are claimed for Annapolis, with a sit
uation which lends itself to complete
of the proximity Of q large city, with
sewerage contamination Of the water
and pollution of the air through
fumes. is urged as another advantage
for Annapolis.
4 NO OA6CSS SuulCuIs however,
which is presented for Annapolis as
the location Of the laboratory is the CO.
ordination Of the work with that of the
Naval Academy, and, particularly. that
of the postgraduate school, whose work
has been renewed after the war, and
| which il to be steadily enlarged and ex-
banded. Secretary Daniels has express
ed great interest In postgraduate edu-
cation in the Navy, and it is proposed
to work for condition where every
officer will return after some years of
sea duty in some special line.
$4,000, 900 Appropriated.
It is pointed out that an experiment
tai and research laboratory here
| would be Of tremendous value, en-
abling the student officers to do a
great deal of special and research
work and making possible the employ
ment Of the experts of the laboratory
- H. - A.