Evening star., 1919-03-20
Roosevelt's Statement.

/ Acting Secretary of the Navy Roose-
welt in his statement asserted that the
allies in the early stages of the war
recognized the high military value Of
heIium and soon after the entrance
Of the United States into the conflict
ample supply. Whereupon, Mr.: Roose-
welt says, the Army and Navy depart
ments promptly allotted funds to the
bureau Of mines for the developments
OF proper apparatus to produce the gas.
Mr.. Roosevelt declared that the bu-
own apparatus, though. the. War am
Navy departments advised against
such procedure, which would be the
cause of long delays. The acting Sec
retary of the Navy asserts that moth
ing could be done at the time, and that
nothing was accomplished until two
high officials Of the British navy
visited this country and pointed out
the great need for. the gas. The state
ment asserts that it was then the
matter was brought to a crisis
Says Departments Provided Funds.
It is pointed out by Mr.. Roosevelt
that additional funds were given by
the War. ana Navy departments to
the bureau Of mines with specific in
structions to call upon qualified COM
designs. The bureau made contracts
with two companies. and within four
months suitable apparatus was in op-
Grafton. During this period, says the
statement, the bureau advised that the
companies, e1perimental work be
and Navy departments. it adds, in
sisted that It be carried forward, with
the result that ''if the war had lasted
until next spring. the British and
American governments could have
sent helium.fi1led rigid airsaips over
pable Of dropping total Of ten tons
or more OF high explosives"
Helium was known "over0eas'' as
"Argon." = camoufiaged name. Up to
June, 1917. it was produced in small
It's cost Of production was then 81, 700
per cubic foot. Fred e. Norton Of
Worcester. Mass, had q process of
separating oxygen from the air and
the utilization Of. this oxygen for
of mines is said to nave been inter-
ested, and 10 also said to have nut
Norton and his associates in COM
munication with the people who
would aid them
Norton Process Questioned.
There developed between the
bureau Of mines and military and
effectiveness of the Norton process
when the matter of the construction
Of plants arose. At the request Of
the Navy Department, the National
Research Council is said to have ap-
question Of processes, and after two
months it, was decided to start a
Norton plant at Petrola- Plants were
also established at Linde and Claude,
All Of e, these ,o piaoes sID, being In Texas;
daily production Of 1000 cubic feet
The Army and Navy has allotted
the sum Of $5,oo0.ooo for the purpose
new pipe line and additional units.
The Lfnde plant, or the bureau Of
mines plant at Petrola- was COM
Dleted In October Of last year. and
since that time its various parts have
Editorial Credits Burean
tn, ssS Masy zsg,:,sfs sae.ss T. e
of mines on its work during the war
say :srhe bureau of mines has the right
to claim that, because 1t started this
work on gAs .war1are re an ana wes reee'ved s,,s;
Navy d1partments, the country was
in July. 1s18 months ahead Of what
hi would otherwise have been In the
production OF gas masks and otaer
devices.Sr;s,
Manning Differs.
Mr.. Manping in commenting on the
statement said that in one or two
respects It was right. but in most. 1t
Vas wrong. That the high military
value Of helium was recognised by
the allies IN tha early stages OF
the war, he admits. but he denies
that the country was urged to CO.
onerate in obtaining a large supply.
High military onicials who came
hese. he said. were attracted by his
report on helium. Likewise. Mr.. Man.
ming asserted the work OF the bureau
|of mines attracted first tho atten-
tion of the War Department, which ap-
Nropriatd to tho bureau 32S,000 to
Soutinae- the work. :WAsreupon the
Navy Department. be said. bscams In
terested. and appfoprasteA for the
,,ae Of tho bureau Ia the deyolopmoot