Evening star., 1926-12-12
WILBUR PRAISES
NAVAL RESEARCH
Work Done at Laboratory
Here Justifies Costs, Sec
] rotary Says.

Results produced at the Naval Re-
search Laboratory at Bellevue, TINS
city, during the three years of its
operation, have given cogent evidence
of it's value as an important econom-
ical factor in increasing efficiency
said Secretary Wilbur in his annual
report. It's activities have gradually
expanded to meet an increased aprre-
citation of this naval value, ana ne
outlines some of its work. as follows:
Further investigation of the laws
governing radio waves has contrib
uted TO a better scientific knowledge
of the atmosphere surrounding the
earth, has resulted in determining
the cause of the fading out OF radio
signals, and has indicated means Tor
the elimination of such fading. Work
ing in conjunction with the Carnegie
Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism.
Photographic records have been OBJ
.ained showing the difference in time
required for a radio wave to travel
3stween two points, directly and by
-enection from the Kennelly-Heavi-
side layer, thus giving a further check
on the actual height of this layer
above the earth.
'tThe development of high-frequency
radio apparatus which gives increased
range of communication with lower
initial cost and with greatly reduced
cost Of operation has continued and
the laboratory's accomplishments in
this field have been unequaled. The
laboratory has rendered material as
sistance to other governmental de-
partments in the solution of their
radio problems and in furnishing
them with high-frequency apparatus
suitable for their needs.
Aircraft Radio Research.
Especial emphasis continues to be
given to the development of radio ap-
paratus suitable for aircraft where
weight is of prime importance. The
exacting requirements as to range, re-
liability and ruggedness make this a
very difficult and specialized problem,
and many hours are being spent in
fight tests and experiments. For the
submarine branch of the service work
in development of improved communi-
cation facilities between submerged
submarines or a submerged subma-
rine and surface vessel has continued
with encouraging results.
considerable work has been done
in measuring high pressures. and a
pressure test which will more ac-
curately indicate the condition Of con-
denser tubes while in service has
been perfected and will materially re-
duce the cost Of upkeep of the ma
chinery of seagoing vessels.
Studies Of stress distribution by
photoelastic methods have been
carried on, and the work has ad-
vanced to a point where this method
has proved Of considerable value in
the design of naval structures in in
suring a maximum strength at all
points and eliminating unnecessary
weight.
Quartz Costs Cut.
Continued studies of the piezo-elec.
trio properties of quartz and the best
methods for fabricating quartz oscilla-
tors have materially reduced the cost
of this important article. With the
assistance of the Geological Survey
and many State mineralogists the
Navy has made an extensive survey
of quartz deposits In endeavor to dis
cover and develop a domestic source
of supply of quartz crystals of suit.
able quality. There being no COM
mercial source Of supply of quartz
oscillators available at present which
meet the exacting requirements, the
laboratory is supplying the needs of
several other governmental depart
ments for this article.
The instruction Of enlisted radio
personnel in the principles Of radio as
an aid to increased material efficiency
has continued, justified by the in
creased eff1ciecy reported by the
naval forces af1oat. The laboratory,
with its technical force and new ap-
paratus under development, is
especially well fitted to carry on this
work.
The transmission of standard radio
frequencies for the checking of naval
radio transmissions has afforded anna
teur radio stations welcome oppor-
tunity for celebrating their frequency
meters and receivers. The endeavor
to obtain apparatus suitable for use in
naval radio has resulted in a higher
grade product being supplied the
Navy, frequently at greatly reduced
cost. Manufacturers, taking advan-
tage of information supplied, have
been able to produce better article,
and thus raise the standard of
American radio apparatus with bene-
fit to all commercial users.
The laboratory staff communicates
results of their work to interested
scientific organizations, and business
organizations benefit by the results of
discoveries and developments unless
naval policy requires secrecy.