h l a y , : ~g I 7
T H E JOCR-Y.4L O F I S D I - S T R I A L A X D E-VGISEERIIC’G C H E M I S T R Y
fertilizers. Kansas City is in t h e heart of t h e corn belt and of t h e grass section Natural gas a n d crude oil constitute a great source of wealth, t h e oil being rich in kerosene and gasoline. He further called attention t o t h e large zinc industry, especially as typified in t h e Joplin, Missouri, region, t h e abundance of coal, extensive Portland cement manufacture, glass factories, deposits of gypsum, salt, etc. Kansas City has remarkable railroad facilities a n d its freight tariffs are based on hlissouri River rates. On Wednesday afternoon there was held a n interesting a n d largely attended symposium on t h e subject of “Petroleum a n d Katural Gas,” under t h e chairmanship of Dr. H. P. Cady. I n t h e evening a compliment a r y smoker was tendered, a t which t h e members were entertained by a n interesting program presented b y local talent a n d by t h e students of t h e Cniversity of Kansas a n d t h e University of Missouri. On Thursday divisional meetings were held. I n t h e Division of Industrial Chemists a n d Chemical E n gineers interest centered in t h e symposium on t h e “Chemistry a n d Metallurgy of Zinc,” presided over b y Dr. John Johnston. T h e divisional meetings were continued in t h e afternoon until 4.30, at which time a n automobile trip was taken over t h e famous boulevard system of Kansas City. This remarkable civic development of a young western city, embracing a system of more t h a n seventy miles of city boulevards, proved a n eye-opener to all a n d was especially instructive in t h e methods of its financing a n d in its effect on t h e upbuilding of t h e city. I n the evening t h e annual subscription banquet was given in t h e Hotel Muehlebach. Many novel a n d delightful features characterized t h e menu a n d its service, while t h e after-dinner speeches varied markedly from t h e usual t y p e a n d served t o stir t h e patriotism of all present b y their high appeal. This was especially t r u e of t h e stirring address of hlr. J. H . Atwood of Kansas City, who received a n ovation a t its conclusion. Dr. Chas. H. Herty acted as toastmaster. The speakers and their subjects were as follows: President Julius Stieglitz. “The Chemist in the Rble of National Defense ” Vice Chancellor W. L. Burdick, of the Cniversity of Kansas: “Patriotism.” Dr. E. W. Washburn, of the University of Illinois: “What England’s Chemists Have Done in the Service of Their Country during the European War.” Mr. J. H. Atwood. “Smerica’s Rble in the Present Crisis. Mr. Ellwood Hendrick “The Press and Publicity Work of the Society.” Col. Kealy, of the 3rd >lo Regiment (now mobilized) : “The Army.” On Friday morning t h e divisional programs were completed. a n d in t h e afternoon t h e members divided into groups for excursions. One group visited t h e plant of t h e National Zinc Company, a t which t h e roasting of zinc blende a n d t h e manufacture of sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids were inspected. Another excursion was t o t h e Soap a n d Glycerine Works of t h e Peet Bros. hIanufacturing Company. The plant of t h e Southwest Milling Company was of interest t o those concerned with t h e manufacture of flour. The es-
445
cursion t o t h e Armour Packing Company attracted many who were unfamiliar with this great industry, while t h e Standard Oil Company’s refinery a t Sugar Creek, in addition to t h e usual methods of petroleum refining, gave opportunity for seeing in operation t h e Burton process for cracking petroleum. Saturday was set apart by t h e University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas, for t h e inspection of its grounds a n d buildings. A somewhat novel feature of t h e meeting was t h e attendance of a number of members of t h e Society at a luncheon given by t h e Engineers’ Club a t which a number of addresses were made emphasizing t h e necessity of close cooperation by engineers a n d chemists. At a luncheon with the City Club, a n organization composed of t h e business men of Kansas City, stress was laid upon t h e r61e of the chemist in commercial development. The visiting ladies were entertained by a committee of ladies of Kansas City and of t h e University of Kansas a t a n afternoon t e a and a theatre party on Wednesday. They also participated in t h e automobile drive on Thursday. X fine spirit was developed a t t h e meeting, partly as a result of t h e wise provision of t h e local committees in arranging for all meetings t o be held a t t h e Hotel hluehlebach, which was headquarters for t h e meeting. The thanks of t h e Society were expressed both formally by t h e Council a n d informally by the individual members for t h e generous a n d delightful hospitality shown throughout t h e meeting by t h e Local Section, t h e industrial plants and t h e University of Kansas.[EDITOR. ] AN APPEAL TO THE WIVES AND DAUGHTERS OF CHEMISTS
“ C a n I not help you in some direct way in your work?” This question, asked by a feminine voice in all earnestness, is doubtless familiar in all families where chemistry constitutes t h e means of livelihood. The affirmative answer is now a t hand-the woman and t h e opportunity are met. Among t h e many substances made use of by the chemist, one of t h e most important is t h e element platinum. I n t h e laboratory it is indispensable for many operations, particularly in t h e advancement of t h e science through t h e medium of chemical research; in t h e plant i t is of fundamental importance in many processes, especially in t h e manufacture of sulfuric acid by t h e contact process. On t h e continued growth of t h e output of sulfuric acid t h e welfare of many other chemical industries directly depends. So too, in t h e modern method of making nitric acid b y oxidation of ammonia, platinum is t h e all-important factor. These two acids, sulfuric and nitric, are t h e main reagents in t h e production of guncotton a n d coal-tar high explosives which are essential in modern warfare. Unfortunately t h e properties of platinum, together with its normally high price, have led t o its large use in jewelry manufacture with consequent diminution of t h e amount available for chemical use. This
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T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
is not
as cheap alloys are now known which every requirement of jewelry BS t o luster, hardness and durability. Moreover, t h e chief Sources of Supply Of this metal, Russia and Brazil, have severely restricted its Output owing t o the exigencies of the war in which both of these countries are now engaged. The resolution contained in President Stieglitz’s address, in this issue, points out clearly t h e necessity of conserving our present limited supply of platinum and of avoiding its use in jewelry. The National Academy of Sciences has passed a resolution similar t o t h a t of t h e American Chemical Society, while t h e delegates t o the convention of the Daughters of t h e American Revolution, held this week in Washington, D. C., pledged themselves b y formal vote “ t o refuse t o purchase or accept as gifts for t h e dura. tion of the war, jewelry and other articles made in whole or p a r t of platinum, so t h a t all the available supplies of this precious metal shall be available for employment where they can do t h e greatest good in the service of our country.” Lend a strong hand to this important movement, wives a n d daughters of our chemists, in conversations with your friends, through club addresses, through your publications, a n d b y public appeals wherever gatherings are held. You will thus aid directly those who are now charged with t h e additional responsibility of supplying t h e products essential for t h e defense of our country and the triumph of t h e noble ideals which led US into t h e World War!
Vol. 9, No. s
favorably a n d without amendment reported back to t h e Senate by Senator Hitchcock on April ,g, 1917, and immediately passed by t h e Senate. On the following d a y it was taken from t h e table of the Speaker of t h e House and referred t o the Committee on ~~~~i~~ Affairs. I t i s sincerely and confidently hoped t h a t this Committee and the House of Representatives will act with the promptness and unanimity which characterized t h e Senate action on this important emergency legislation. Whatever divergent views may exist as t o the details of regulation or control of power development f r o m the waters of t h e Niagara River, i t should be remembered t h a t t h e electrochemical industries are not concerned with Power development except as purchasers of Power from the Power companies. On t h e other hand, these industries play a r81e of the very highest importance in t h e war program which is now being formulated by t h e President and t h e Congress. They do not constitute any experimental phase of t h e development of chemical industries, for already a t Niagara Falls, through t h e brilliant achievements of its chemists and engineers, there exists t h e greatest electrochemical industry in t h e world. How closely the efficiency Of Our Army and Navy is dependent Output Of this industry upon the stated t h a n by a n extract from a letter be more we have received*
Niagara power has a very close relation t o “preparedness” and the best example perhaps is the dependency of the steel industry on f e n 0 alloys. The steel industry would be quickly paralyzed if there should be any failure in the supply of ferro silicon, the major portion of which is produced a t Niagara. The present situation on ferro silicon is very acute and steel works not having contracts are practically unable t o obtain this LEGISLATION FOR EIJETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES alloy at any price. Three-fourths of all the open hearth steel requires ferro silicon in its manufacture and when we further AT NIAGARA consider that specifications for shell steel for shrapnel and high week Of the last Congress, During the projectiles call for high percentages of silicon we see what a Wadsworth of New York on three consecutive days, shortage of this alloy would mean in the program of “preparedFebruary 2 7 , 2 8 and March I , asked unanimous con- ness.” Ferro chromium is another alloy which has its seat a t Niagara. sent for consideration of his Joint Resolution J. It is absolutely essential in the manufacture of armour plate, Res. 218) giving relief t o t h e industries dependent on armour piercing projectiles, not t o mention its indirect hearing on “preparedness” because of its use in high speed steel and power derived f r o m the Niagara River by extending special castings. t h e time of t h e extra withdrawal of 4400 CU. f t . of water Silicon metal is necessary in making electrical steel for per second (discussed in our February issue) from July alternating current apparatus. The latest type of dreadnaught is the electrically propelled hatt!eship. Each ship has an 1, 1917, t o JUlY 1, 1918. On each Occasion Senator electric power plant of 180,000horse power and silicon steel is Husting of Wisconsin objected. Further considera- required in all this apparatus. Silicon metal is an important preparedness product in the generation of hydrogen for dirigible tion of t h e matter was thus prevented. balloons. The Allies are using large quantities of this product On March 9th Senator Wadsworth wrote THIS and it is of such importance that the British Government is (‘ASSoon as t h e Congress convenes in extra now erecting a Plant t o insure a JOURNAL: Niagara Falls has become the seat of the electrode industry session, I shall renew my efforts t o have t h e Permit for of the United States and three of the largest works are located t h e diversion of t h e forty-€our hundred cubic feet of here. Electrodes either of the graphitized or amorphous type are basic elements in the manufacture of products in the ekewater extended,,? The Senator has promptly carried trolytic cell as well as in electric furnace products such as ferro out his determination in this matter, for, on April 4, alloys, calcium carbide and abrasives. Artificial abrasives are 1917, among t h e very earliest joint resolutions intra- an essential element in the metal working operations of arsenals, navy yards and all munition manufacturing. Shells, rifles and duced in the Senate during the present session was his bayonets call for enormous quantities of grinding wheels. Joint Resolution, S. J. Res. 1 3 , as follows: Aluminum is a structural material of great importance in Resolved, etc., That public resolution No. 45 of the Sixfy- engines for aeroplanes and automobiles as well as many articles fourth Congress, approved January 19, 1917, entitled a “Joint of military equipment. Of course aside from the direct uses of resolution authorizing the Secretary of War t o issue temporary products of Niagara Falls bearing on munition work they all pernits for additional diversions of water from the Niagara have more or less of an indirect bearing on many of the basic River” is continued in full force and effect, and under the same industries of the country. conditions, restrictions and limitations, until July I , 1918. The total output of these Niagara plants was re-
(s.
This Joint Resolution was immediately
referred
t o t h e Committee on Foreign Relations and was
qujred for normal needs previous t o 1916. Since t h a t time there have been withdrawn or will soon have been
