THE J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y .
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t o be hampered b y restrictions. I n the case of wood spirit of turpentine less objection was encountered b u t in both cases it was felt t h a t in order t o draw stringent specifications i t would be necessary t o carry on considerable experimental work in order t o determine the effect in practice of the variation in gravity, boiling points, etc. It will undoubtedly be possible, however, t o prepare a general specification which will enable the consumer t o obtain a fair quality of material free from adulteration and escape the gross adulteration which has been practiced in the case of turpentine. The CommRtee on Nitric and Mixed Acids has found some inertia on the part of its members, b u t is of the opinion t h a t specifications for these materials are superfluous and unnecessary. So far as mixed acids are concerned your committee is inclined to agree with its sub-committee, since the strength and quality vary in almost every case where they are employed. I n the case of nitric acid, however we are of the opinion that a general specification should be prepared covering the usual grades for the guidance of those who have only general knowledge regarding the material. The Committees on Muriatic Acid and Sulphuric Acid have submitted progress reports and i t is to be hoped that communications from the other committees will be received in time to present a t the Washington meeting. Your committee feels that it is unwise t o submit further specifications a t this time, owing to the fact t h a t * considerable discussion has arisen as to the proper procedure to be followed in the case of specifications involving methods of analysis. This matter has been made the subject of a communication t o the Executive Committee of the Industrial Division, who will undoubtedly outline a definite order of procedure for its committees. H. J. SKINNER, Chairman; F. G. STANTIAL, ROBERTJ O B .
COMMITTEE ON DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL TERMS. INDUSTRIAL DIVISION.' REPORT O F C O M M I T T E E .
Your Committee on the Definition of Industrial Terms has the honor t o report t h a t i t has, by correspondence and otherwise, made continued efforts since our last report of a year ago, t o determine whether'it will be possible t o accomplish the objects for which the Committee was formed. In t h a t report it was shown that the efforts of the Committee had met with little support and approval, and in many cases with direct opposition. Since that- time there 'has been no improvement in the situation. The general inertia and decided opposition t o the definition of industrial products, especially by manufacturers, has continued. I n ad1
1911.
Presented at forty-fifth meeting A. C.
s.,Washington, December,
Mar.,
1912
dition, the requests of the Committee for the expression of individual opinion on this subject and approval of the project have met with no general response. It seems t o the Committee that the difficulty arises from the fact that neither it, the Division of Industrial Chemists and Chemical Engineers, nor the American Chemical Society have any authority to define industrial terms, nor to enforce their use after they are defined. We are in much the same position as if the Society, before the passing of the Pure Food Act by Congress, had attempted t o define and enforce definitions of what constitutes pure' food. If industrial terms are t o be defined, this will have to be done so that definitions can be enforced, or at least accepted. It is suggested that the Bureau of Standards can take this matter up and make recommendations to Congress, but it hardly seems possible that the American Chemical Society can do much in this direction, unless it sees fit t o memorialize Congress on the subject. The Division of Industrial Chemists and Chemical Engineers has a Committee on Standard Specifications, covering materials for which definitions are in almost all cases necessary. I t seemed t o your Committee on the Definition of Industrial Terms that in drawing specifications for various materials that definition of the material would be necessary, I t has, therefore, communicated with the various subcommittees on specifications, with a view of obtaining an expression of opinion from their chairman, as to whether, in preparing their specifications, they would undertake t o define industrial terms, and as t o whether they thought i t practicable t o do so. Replies to the inquiries have been received from the chairmen of all the sub-committees, and in general are unfavorable. Under the circumstances, your Committee can do no more than make a statement of the present situation to the Division for its information. It is possible that some lines of less resistance than have been encountered in the past may be developed in the future, and the Committee does not, therefore, ask to be discharged a t the present time, unless it is the opinion of the Division that this would be the most satisfactory thing t o do. At any rate, the subject should be discussed carefully by the Division, and an expression of opinion given in regard t o what is considered the best method of procedure in the future. If no general interest in the matter develops, it would seem that i t had better be abandoned. CLIFFORDRICHARDSON, Chairman, GEO. P. ADAMSON, J . B. F. HERRESHOFF.
-----COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS. INDUSTRIAL DIVISION' Received January 5 . 1912.
Your Comm3ttee beg t o report that after a careful consideration of the subjects, i t is their belief 1
Presented at the forty-fifth Meeting A. C. S . . Washington. Decem.
bur. 1911.
