Evening star., 1939-10-15
Inventive Genius
Al Annapolis Is
Ordered Encouraged
Boord Of Visitors
Asks Move to Meet
Technical Needs

Search for latent talents among
the midshipmen Of the United States
Naval Academy and younger naval
ohicers, with the idea of encouraging
it to the end that the technical needs
In the way Of instruments and equip
ment might be developed within the
service, has been recommended by
the Board Of Visitors of the naval
institution. The group called at
tention that at present most of the
new instruments and equipment in
use on naval vessels are the result Of
either foreign of civil developments,
and 1t was with the idea Of freeing
the service from the dependence Of
such outside talent that the recon-
mendation was made.
When such inventive genius and
| talent is found, the board urged that
they be encouraged by having them
recommended for further study by
later postgraduate training. Con-
fronted with the fact that present.
day equipment in the Navy is almost
entirely technical, and there is a
constant need for new devices both
In the propulsion of ships, their safe
navigation and ordnance, gunnery
and fire control, the belief was ex-
pressed that there is large field for
the training of the young naval Of
ficers, so talented, to search out
these needs and perfect the devices
fulfilling them.
Rapid Changes.
In this connection the lizard
pointed out that the art of machine
construction is changing so rapidly
that it recommended that the mid
shipmen be taught the principles of
design rather than present construc-
ton, and that emphasis be laid on
this matter. The board said that
it was impressed with the work be-
ing done in the postgraduate school,
pointing out that the recall of young
officers for the purpose of further
study and research was considered
most valuable 1t recommended an
increase in the facilities for this
postgraduate work and urged con-
tinuance of the practice now in
vogue of bringing experts to the
Academy from various fields.
1t pointed out that the indoctrinal
fight training given the midship-
men does not serve as recruiting
agency for aviation, but acquaints
the future naval officer with an
inside view of aviation and its rela-
ton to the other arms of the service.
While it said that it was cognizant
Of the pressure of technical and
practical courses at the naval
school, it nevertheless recommended
that no reduction be made in the
time devoted to cultural subjects.
Mathematics Stressed.
The board asserted that the de-
gree of attainment in technical SUBJ
jects is dependent upon mathemat-
les, and approved an extension in
the course on this subject. 1t added
that it was desirable that the en-
tering student should have as much
preparation as possible in this field.
Conditions at the academy were
found to be crowded, but this was
held to be due both to the lack of
buildings and also to the lack of
building space, and it recommended
that consideration be given to re-
location of the post graduate school,
which would provide space for fur
ther additions needed within the
groups for academic work. In this
connection it said that the present
| f,,S,
emy appear to be hampered by the
limited areas available for outdoor
physical education and exercise.