board shall be satisfied, after due inquiry, that the Government of the United States has a lawful right to use the inventions involved in the construction of such gun, gun carriage, ammunition, or implements, or that the construction or test is made at the request of a person either having such lawful right or authorized to convey the same to the Government.

GENERAL OPERATIONS.

The statute requires the board to submit annually a statement of its general operations. Brief statements are made, under appropriate headings, of the subjects for which the board has made allotments from time to time, showing their present status. The increased appropriations have enabled the board to extend its work largely.

The flood of crude ideas and inventions inspired by the European war continued with little abatement, and when the United States became involved in the war it received a further impetus. It was then found necessary to relieve the bureaus of the War Department of the work of considering these ideas and inventions. The board made provision for doing this work in its office by securing the services of Col. George L. Anderson, United States Army, retired, and two additional clerks.

Among the projects inaugurated, the construction and test of targets representing different types of parapet for seacoast fortification, and the development of a self-propelled, oil-electric, armored railway car, are particularly important.

RADIO CONTROL OF TORPEDOES.

The Radio Engineering Co. early in 1913 presented to the board a proposition for test at its own expense of an apparatus for the radio control of submarine torpedoes. To permit of tests being carried on at night the board made an allotment on May 1, 1913, of $350 for the installation of a searchlight at the company's laboratory. As the result of certain demonstrations before officers of the Coast Artillery Corps, John Hays Hammond, jr., the designer of the apparatus, appeared before the board in February, 1915, and submitted several alternative propositions that would enable the War Department to obtain control of the system.

On February 12, 1915, the board recommended that the United States at once purchase all the secrets, patents, and developed methods pertaining to the Hammond radio dynamic system of torpedo control. This recommendation was renewed by the board at its meeting February 15, 1916, and was supported in hearings before congressional committees. The fortification appropriation act, approved July 6, 1916, provided $750,000 for the purchase of the rights to the invention, in addition to $417,000 for procuring and installing one unit of the system. The appropriations are, however, limited by the requirement for approval of purchase by the President after a satisfactory demonstration before a board of three Army and three Navy officers. The testing board has been named and the tests are in progress.

While this legislation was pending, the board made an allotment on April 8, 1916, of $10,000, and on June 3 of $7,000 additional, for the development and test of the radio control of torpedoes from an aeroplane in flight under the Hammond system. Preparations for these tests are practically completed.

EXPERIMENTAL EMPLACEMENT.

On March 1, 1915, an allotment of $50,000 was made for the construction of an experimental emplacement at Fort Morgan, Ala., and the erection therein of a gun and disappearing carriage to determine the effect of hostile fire on men and matériel. The Navy Department actively assisted in carrying out the tests by having certain ships fire at the emplacement with their heaviest guns at varying ranges. The tests were successfully carried out in March, 1916, in the presence of members of the board, and useful information was obtained and published for use in the military services. The gun and carriage were dismounted and sheltered in a convenient location in order that they might be remounted without undue difficulty in case further firing tests were considered desirable.

PARAPET FOR SEACOAST FORTIFICATIONS.

On October 24, 1916, an allotment of $62,000 was made for the construction at Sandy Hook Proving Ground, New Jersey, of experimental targets, representing five different types of parapet for seacoast fortifications, in order to test the effect of fire thereon from 12" and 14" guns at ranges corresponding to those which may be anticipated in long-range bombardment by a hostile fleet. This allotment was increased May 4, 1917, by the sum of $8,000 for the construction of an additional target. Work on the construction of the targets is now in progress.

SELF-PROPELLED ARMORED RAILWAY CAR.

For the development, construction, and test of a railway car propelled by a 200-horsepower oil engine with electric drive, fitted with an armored cab, searchlight and conning tower, and carrying a normal armament of two machine guns, the sum of $74,000 was allotted February 19, 1917. Work on construction of the car is in progress.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Portable searchlight for field artillery.-October 4, 1906, the board made an allotment of $6,500 for the development of a portable searchlight for use with the field artillery. On October 3, 1907, the allotment was increased by $4,500 for the same purpose and to cover the expenses of test, including such alterations as experience might show to be desirable.

Development of the outfit met with many difficulties, but it was finally completed and turned over to the Field Artillery board for test.

On April 2, 1915, an allotment of $750 was made to cover the cost of such alterations as were necessary to fit the outfit for further use and test, and the material was turned over to the Engineer Department for use in conducting experiments, which are in progress.

Photographic apparatus. An allotment of $500 was made on June 6, 1913, to enable the Chief Signal Officer to develop an apparatus by means of which photographs taken in the field could be enlarged for immediate use of commanders or projected on screens. The apparatus constructed was so promising that on May 1, 1914, an

The tests

additional allotment of $559 was made for the construction of two more outfits for use and test under service conditions. demonstrated that the apparatus does not possess sufficient merit to warrant its adoption. The three outfits procured were turned over to the Chief Signal Officer for use in the service.

Leon device for submarine mines.-On July 11, 1913, an allotment of $3,600 was made for the construction and test of submarine mines containing the Leon device for automatically controlling the depth of submergence. Tests were first undertaken at the torpedo depot at Fort Totten for the purpose of perfecting the operation of the device and have been continued at points where the depth of water and currents will determine the value of the device under service conditions. So far the results have been encouraging.

Warner objective sight.—An allotment of $640 was made on April 2, 1915, for the purchase of a number of these sights, which had been developed by Mr. R. L. Warner, to make a comparative test with the service sight at the School of Musketry. The sights were subjected to test at Fort Sill, and as a result Mr. Warner submitted a modification in design. The advisability of procuring and testing at Government expense a number of sights of the new design is now under consideration.

Searchlights and flare bombs.-On October 1, 1915, the board made an allotment of $1,500 for the purchase and test of small searchlights and star bombs and flares. As a result of the tests, a type of trench searchlight has been adopted for issue to the service; the illuminating bombs procured were turned over to the Ordnance Department for further development; and the conclusion was reached that the adoption of a standard type of flare was not necessary, it being a simple device readily obtainable in suitable form. A balance of $350.35 remaining unexpended has been withdrawn from allot

ment.

Motors for ponton boats.-October 1, 1915, an allotment of $500 was made for the purchase and test of detachable motors to determine their adaptability for the moving of ponton boats into position. Several different types of commercial outboard motors were procured and tested. As a result of the tests the outboard motor of the type represented by the Evinrude motor was approved for use with ponton boats. The unexpended balance of $136.50 has been withdrawn from allotment.

Four-wheel drive truck.-October 1, 1915, an allotment of $5,000 was made for the purchase of a Clintonville four-wheel drive truck equipped with electric generator driven from the truck transmission, including switchboard. The truck was intended for use in the development of portable searchlights. Due to the later inability of the manufacturers to furnish this equipment, the allotment was changed on December 3, 1915, to provide for procuring a Jeffrey truck under the same specifications. The Jeffrey truck was delivered, returned to the factory for alteration, and is now being tested under service conditions.

Antisubmarine net. December 3, 1915, an allotment of $2,000 was made for the construction and test of a light type of net suitable for use against submarine boats. It having been learned that a satisfactory type of net had been developed and put into use by the Navy Department, the funds were withdrawn from allotment.

Turntable mount for siege artillery.-January 28, 1916, the board made an allotment of $3,000 for the development of a type of turntable mount for use with siege artillery, and on February 2, 1917, $3,500 additional was made available for this purpose, the original allotment having been found to be insufficient owing to the increased cost of material. Work on the designs for this mount and preparations for the test are in progress.

Solano targets.-An allotment of $500 was made on April 8, 1916, for test of Solano targets purchased abroad, and on November 3, 1916, $20.53 additional was made available to cover expenses incurred in connection with the installation of the targets. They were tested at the School of Musketry and the material was shown to be well suited to the purpose for which intended. The question of adoption of this device for use in the service is under consideration.

Portable radio set.-An allotment of $8,500 was made on December 3, 1915, for the construction of one portable radio set. Designs for the set are now in progress.

Navigating instruments for aeroplanes.-An allotment of $4,000 was made on December 3, 1915, for the development of types of navigating instruments for use in aeroplanes. The work is being carried on by the Chief Signal Officer.

Cameras for aerial photography.-An allotment of $5,000 was made on December 3, 1915, for the purchase and development of cameras for use in photographing from aircraft. The work is still in progress.

Armored railroad car.-An allotment of $6,000 was made by the board on April 8, 1916, which was increased by a further allotment of $1,500 on October 6, 1916, for the construction and test of an armored railroad car. The car is designed to mount a 3-inch gun in the center and has brackets and ports for a number of machine guns in addition. This car has been completed and tested and will be turned over to the Engineer Department for use in the service.

Illuminated compasses.-On July 7, 1916, an allotment of $100 was made for the purchase and test of illuminated compasses. Several types of marching compasses have been procured and are undergoing test, and orders have been placed for other types.

Railroad mount for 7-inch howitzer.-On August 19, 1916, the board made an allotment of $4,500 for the construction and test of a railroad flat car mounting a 7-inch howitzer, and May 4, 1917, $7,000 additional was made available for this purpose, the original allotment having been found to be insufficient due to unprecedented changes in market conditions during the time that elapsed between the preparation of the estimates and the completion of the design. This car has been completed and delivered; work on the mount is in progress.

Detonating trinitrotoluol.-For the purpose of conducting at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground, New Jersey, experiments with trinitrotoluol to determine its usefulness as a general military explosive the sum of $5,000 was allotted February 2, 1917, for purchase of the explosive and other material required and payment of expenses incidental to the tests. The tests have been completed and a report thereon is in course of preparation.

Submarine detector.-For developing a submarine detector to give warning of approaching vessels, particularly submarine boats, $200 was allotted by the board February 19, 1917. Several detectors of different types have been constructed and tested with surface power vessels, but no conclusion can be reached as to their usefulness in accomplishing the purpose for which designed until the use of a submarine boat can be made available by the Navy Department.

ESTIMATES.

The board has submitted to the Secretary of War for transmission to Congress an estimate for $150,000 to carry on its work for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919. It is recommended that the appropriation be made as heretofore in a single amount.

The sum asked is the same as that estimated for and appropriated for the year 1918, and is believed to be sufficient with what may be left over from the present appropriation to continue the development and test of experimental material.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

On July 1, 1916, there was available a balance of $2,103.94. There was appropriated $450,000, and revoked from prior allotments $2,564.14, making a total of $454,668.08 available. The allotments during the year amounted to $176,820.53, so that a balance of $277,847.55 remained at the close of the fiscal year covered by this report, except for the sum of $593.39 under the act of August 18, 1890, for purchases abroad only.

In compliance with the act of February 24, 1891, which requires a detailed statement of all contracts, allotments, and expenditures made by the board," Appendix A, accompanying this report, gives a detailed statement of allotments and expenditures from July 1, 1916, to June 30, 1917. No contracts were made by the board itself during the fiscal year except for rent of office rooms, which item is included in the running expenses.

TASKER H. BLISS,

General, Chief of Staff, President.
E. M. WEAVER,

Major General, Chief of Coast Artillery.

WILLIAM CROZIER,

Major General, Chief of Ordnance.
W. M. BLACK,

Major General, Chief of Engineers.

WILLIAM F. HASE,

Major, Coast Artillery Corps.
J. R. THORNTON,
Civilian Member.

Jos. H. EARLE,

Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Recorder of the Board.