This collection consists primarily of letters exchanged between Edison and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, along with related correspondence. Many of the typewritten letters are accompanied by drafts in Edison's hand. The two documents in this folder are from May 1917. Edison's letter broaches the idea of using nets to protect armed merchant ships from enemy torpedoes. The response by Daniels expresses skepticism about the practicality of the plan. One additional item pertaining to Report 37—a May 17, 1917 letter from Edison to Daniels—can be found in the Josephus Daniels Papers—Thomas A. Edison Correspondence, Library of Congress.
This project is described on pp. 176-177 of Lloyd N. Scott's Naval Consulting Board of the United States.
[X128C37A], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Josephus Daniels, May 14th, 1917 1917-05-14
[X128C37B], Letter from Josephus Daniels to Thomas Alva Edison, May 15th, 1917 1917-05-15