There was always a danger with regard to the introduction of new features in the Navy, that the voices of naval officers best informed and most actively engaged were the least likely to be heard. The rank of Admiral attached to the name of a newspaper correspondent naturally carried more weight, although the gallant officer may have gained his experience in days when the subjects upon which he wrote were undreamt of. Retired officers had much time on their hands with the cacoethes scribendi, and the appetite grew with what it fed upon. There were regulations that prevented officers on full pay from airing their opinions, even when they were disposed to do so. For this reason the general public's opinion was apt to fall into a somewhat antiquated groove; furthermore the general public's opinion held more power than it should have with regard to the framing of the naval estimates. The discussion held at the United Service Institution in early May 1892 had given serving officers a chance to voice their own opinions on the value of the torpedo and torpedo boat in naval warfare.