Found this record and thought it might be of interest to someone....can anyone identify
this T.M. Cato? I wonder what happened with his invention?
Reports of the Bureau of Investigation, 1908-1922. NARA. Publication #M1085. Case
#88190. T.M. Cato.
Report of Robert L. Skilve, Agent. Spartanburg, SC. Nov 13, 1917. Re: T.M. Cato,
inventor.
At Spartanburg, SC. T.M. CATO, Saxon Avenue, Spartanburg, SC, now employed as carpenter
at Camp Wadsworth, reported to Agent that he was the inventor of a device for
counteracting the combative forces of all missles, that said device had been given partial
tests, and that he had plans, designs, etc whereby vessels may be rendered proof against
torpedoes. He said that application for patent was pending and that he intended to market
his invention.
In view of Title 1, Sections 1 and 2 of the Espionage Act, Approved June 15, 1917, Agent
considered this matter worthy of investigation, and on this day examined said Cato. Cato
exhibited a letter from the Naval Consulting Board requesting plans and specification. He
explained that he did not know anything about this Board and feared writing anything down,
and requested Agent to write said Board in his behalf requesting a personal interview in
the event he, Cato, should come to New York. In response to this request, Agent wrote
Thomas Robbins, Secty, Naval Consulting Board, 13 Park Row, New York, setting forth
Cato's fears and asking, for him, if a personal conference could be arranged.
Cato has boundless faith in the efficacy of his device, and stated that no one else knew
anything about it save himself and L.A. Green, W. Washington Street, Greenville, SC who is
Cato's partner and is financing the patenting of the device.
posted by
Cynthia Benua