AmerICA AWOKE ONE MorninG a few weeks back 
and thrilled as it read in its morning paper the news of 
the unparalleled feat of the German submarine, Deutsch- 
land, in crossing the broad Atlantic, while the powerful 
British fleet looked helplessly on. Americans, so pro- 
Ally a moment before, felt a tremor of admiration for 
the hardy German sea captain who had accomplished a 
feat of navigation which seemed to take second place 
only to that of the sturdy Columbus. But, after the 
import of the achievement had sunk home and reflection 
had sobered enthusiasm, a sense of humiliation came over 
those generous Americans who had applauded the skill 
of the Teuton navigator. Why should the honor of bring- 
ing about the highest development of the uses of the 
submarine belong to other than an American? Why 
should another nation glory in the greatest naval achieve- 
ment of modern times? Certainly not because America 
has produced no inventive genius; the submarine is the 
invention of an American, Simon Lake,—so much keener 
the humiliation. 
It is on occasions like the above mentioned that we 
are thrilled with pride at the thought that the inventive 
ability of Americans made possible some of the greatest 
scientific achievements, but at the same time we are 
ashamed at the truth that it has been left to other nations 
to bring to perfection the wonderful brain products of 
an American genius. America gave the world the sub- 
marine, the aeroplane, and scores of other marvels. of 
modern times, but America as a government has been 
shamefully ungrateful to her sons who have added glory 
to her name by their accomplishements. When Lake 
invented the submarine he offered his patents first to the 
American government, but how his offer was. spurned 
is too well known to need repetition. When he turned 
to the British government with his invention he was 
met with open arms. Germany likewise seized upon his 
inventions and brought them to a degree of perfection 
that has astounded the world. 
Only a space of a few months has elapsed since the 
word went forth that a young man living on the North 
Shore had produced a device, after years of experiment, 
which threatened to outrival the submarine as a means 
of offensive and defensive warfare. John Hays Ham- 
mond, Jr., son of the famous mining engineer, exhibited 
his invention of a wireless-controlled torpedo before a 
commission of American army and navy officers, and they 
received the achievement with awe. It was pronounced 
the most wonderful defensive weapon ever offered a 
nation in the history of the world. The young inventor 
was offered tremendous sums of money by foreign pow- 
ers to make known to them the secret of his invention, 
but with rare patriotism he spurned all offers and offered 
to America the first chance to develop and use the won- 
derful apparatus. The invention was possible only be- 
cause of the unlimited means at the disposal of Mr. 
Hammond, and he is said to have spent nearly a million 
dollars to bring it to the point of practicability. A move- 
ment was started to have Congress take over the invention 
and reimburse the young inventor, and for a time it 
appeared that it would break the bonds of its conserva- 
tism—to its everlasting glory. But the same spirit which 
made itself felt in the days when Lake offered his sub- 
marine to America is at work to defeat any effort to 
secure for the United States this formidable instrument 
of protection. Perhaps it would be unjust to ascribe this 
spirit in Congress to anything more than a mistaken sense 
of economy, but there is an element in Congress far from 
patriotic. It is to be hoped that Mr. Hammond’s. in- 
vention will meet with a better reception than did Mr. 
lake’s. 
It is to be regretted that there are not more men 
in Congress of the sturdy American type which Con- 
gressman Gardner represents and that administration 
is not found in the hands of Americans of the stamp 
of Charles E. Hughes. But hoping and doing we may 
vet realize! 
Mayor Henry L. Hiccinson has expressed an 
opinion concerning the present railroad situation, and 
his judgment may be relied upon because of his native 
good sense and long experience in railroad and other 
business enterprises. He says: “Pray put it distinctly 
before your readers that in the end the public pays for 
what it gets, and that if the railroads are to give excel- 
lent service, the public must furnish the money—that is, 
it must buy railroad shares or bonds; and that if the 
workmen are to receive higher wages, the public will 
inevitably pay these wages. The example of the Boston 
& Maine railroad, which has earned and paid dividends 
for years, gives us food for thought. The unlucky Bos- 
ton & Maine stockholders, chiefly people of small means, 
must now pay an assessment of forty dollars per share 
on their shares: that is, the public pays for the increased 
wages, which cut down the net receipts. It is all right 
to increase the wages, but, at the same time, people must 
be tempted by a fair return to’ invest their savings in 
railroad property. The careful investor, rich or poor, 
controls the purse and uses his savings as he pleases. 
Chiefly he is seeking security. The railroads are fettered, 
but not protected by the government; yet they are essen- 
tial to everybody, including the government. The work- 
men and the public may require from the railroads: what- 
ever they choose, but in the end they will not get more 
than the public pays for and the workmen are a part of 
the public.” This is the judgment of a man of experi- 
ence and it will be well to consider the advice he has 
given. Unfortunately, protesting classes are not likely 
to look beyond their own selfish interests. 
Tue Minirary Forces of Great Britain are laying 
plans for the campaigns of 1917 and ’18. These plans 
are far-reaching, demanding time, treasure and men. 
They do not indicate that the British people are entertain- 
ing any false hopes of an early peace. 
Tur Rep Sox BAsEBALL TEAM has. been! playing a 
wonderful game of baseball and they are in line for the 
pennant. The fans of New England are looking forward, 
and with reasonable hopes, to seeing another World’s 
Series, 
