December’s HEADLINES Events of Interest to Chemists, Chemical Engineers, and 7 DECEMBER 1. Twenty-first Exposition of Chemical Industries opens in New York; 17 of 21 exhibitors interviewed predict chemical industry faces record year.--A. L. Viles, president Rubber Manufacturers Association, New York, and John L. Collyer, president B. F. Goodrich Co., recommend to a House Armed Services Subcommittee that the Government retain control of its synthetic rubber plants temporarily.-NU. S. Atomic Energy Commission discloses U. S. atomic proving ground is being created on Marine battleground of Eniwetok atoll.--OwensCorning Fiberglas announces it will transfer its Fiberglas textile products development laboratory from Newark, Ohio, to Ashton, R. I., and willestablish a textile division in New York, N. Y.-Texas Co. plans to open in January firit large privately financed industrial laboratory for study of new fuels for jet-propulsion engines and rockets at Beacon, N. Y.’ 7 DECEMBER 2. David Lilienthal, chairman AEC, at annual conference American Society of Mechanical Engineers, says plants for producing fissionable uranium and plutonium are going through large-scale improvement and expansion program that in next several years may double atomic energy expenditures to date ($2.5 billion).--Fifth anniversary of birth of Atomic Age observed with dedication of plaque a t Stagg Field, University of Chicago, where first successful operation of a nuclear chain reactor took placb.--John A. Wheeler, Princeton University, outlines before Cooper Union Forum possibility of new type of fission of uranium or heavier metals in which energy liberated would be 50% greater than that released in explosion of atomic bomb.--Department of Commerce announces removal of all restrictions on manufacturing uses of natural rubber latex except in seat cushions.--Dewey & Almy Chemical Co. triples size of Montreal plant for manufacture of special pulp-based materials.--Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists says no statement will be made on results of conference of 47 of nation’s leading scientists held a t Princeton pver week end. 7 DECEMBER3. Rust Engineering Co. announces entry into chemical process engineering field with formation of new process engineering division. --Unprecedented demand for chemical products results in 150% production increase over 1935-39 average compared with 86% increase for industrial production as a whole, Northern Trust Co., Chicago, points out.--John L. Collyer, president B. F. Goodrich Co., urges eerly congressional action to end wartime pooling of synthetic rubber research development.--W. C. SchroedeF, chief Office of Synthetic Liquid Fuels, U. S. Bureau of Mines, speaking a t meeting of ASM.E in Atlantic City, urges U. S. not to wait for emergency before establishing plants for production of synthetic liquid fuels needed to supplement our natural crude oil reserves.--Alfred H: White, professor emeritus of chemical engineering, University of Michigan, presents Chemical Engineerzng biennial award to Merck & Co. a t dinner in New York for “a very substantial contribution to the war effort,” adding that its rapid postwar development of streptomycin from test tube to full plant scale has been a spectacular accomplishment in a relatively new field of chemical engineering.--U. S. notifies United Nations it is closing Eniwetok atoll in the trust territory of the Pacific Islands for security reasons.
EXeCUtive$--Reviewed
6 y the fditors
plant Jan. 1.--Momanto announces plans for construction a t Decatur, Ill., of small plant for manufacture of glues and adhesives.--Secretaries of the services name six top-ranking Army, Navy, and Air Force officers to complete membership of Research and Development Board.
7 DECEMBER 5. Hugh H. McNair and James J. Duggan, firecontrol specialists with Carbide and Carbon Corp., tell ASME in session a t Atlantic City that water treated with chemicals to increase its wetness has been tested successfully in fighting WestChester County woodland fires. 7 DECEMBER6. R. B. Tucker, executive vice president Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., says new type of glass which will conduct electricity is being developed.--Assembly of giant steel magnet for world’s most powerful cyclotron is completed at Columbia University’s new nuclear physics research center a t Nevis, Irvington-on-Hudson, N. Y. “President Truman, in address dedicating new Everglades National Park, pleads for end of University adds waste in U. S. natural resources.--Indiana 50-ton magnet t o its cyclotron.--USAEC announces 100 more stable isotopes of 29 elements are available for distribution to research laboratories in U. S.1 7 DECEMBER7. Thorndyke Saville, dean New York University School of Engineering, suggests in place of prolonged training for B. S. degree a single 4-year curriculum leading to bachelor of engineering be instituted as a “terminal degree.”-Western Electric begins quantity production of new aluminum and plastic telephone cable sheath for Bell System. 7 DECEMBER8. Undersecretary of Commerce Wm. C. Foster asks Armed Services Subcommittee t o establish a permanent national rubber program whereby the Government could continue control of rubber supplies and could dispose of some of its synthetic plants to industry.--Calco Chemical Division, American Cyanamid Co., notifies customers it will discontinue sales to those who make exorbitantly priced resales for exporta.--Department of Commerce decides to sell t o the “Big Three” aluminum producers government-owned aluminum reserves. 7 DECEMBER9. D u Pont Co. announces award of 81 postgraduate and post-doctoral fellowships to 47 universities for the 1948-49 academic year, an increase of six fellowships and one university over last year.-NAdministration asks Congress tb authorize return to “full war powers” for nitrogen and nitroge; nous fertilizer materials.-43herwin-Williams announces completion of $750,000 solvent extraction plant for new castor oil process in Cleveland, Ohio. 7 DECEMBER10. Smith College opens 4-day run of play on atomic energy, “E Equals MC Squared.”--War Assets Administration announces special offering of chemicals and plastics and used chemical cylinders to priority claimants and commercia1 buyers. --Maurice H. Lockwood, president National Fertilizer Association, appearing before House Subcommittee on Fertilizers, urges transfer of Army Ordnance nitrogen-producing plants to commercial operators. 7 DECEMBER 11. Basil O’Connor, national chairman American Red Cross, at 2nd annual dinner National Vitamin Foundation, New York, N. Y . ,urges enactment of laws to maintain standards
7 DECEMBER4. Heyden Chemical says full-scale production of ortho- and para-dichlorobenzene will begin at Memphis’, Tenn., 1
...
Chem. Eng. Newa, 25, 3804 (Dea. 22, 1947).
2
183
Ibid., 3785 (Dec. 22, 1947).
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of nutrition comparable to pure food laws.--President Truman discusses with Alexander R. Smith and Representative Charles Wolverton possibility of harmonizing differences which have prevented establishment of a national science foundation.
7 DECEMBER12. F. I. Colligan, acting chief State Depaitment’s Division of International Exchange, returning from trip to seven European countries, urges doubling number of foreign students now in this country.-NVannevar Bush, in annual ieport a president of Carnegie Institution of Washington, says government’s financial support of basic studies has changed future of research in fundamentally important ways.“Chiefs of National Security Resources Board and hlunitions Board recommend to a House Armed Services Subcommittee that legislation be enacted to provide market for synthetic rubber and for transfer of government rubber plants to private ownership Representative Curtis reveals before same committee that thr present U. S. law protecting synthetic rubber industry runs afoul of proposed International Trade Organization charter being negotiated in Havana.
l’/ DECEMBER13. Attorney General Tom C. Clark files antitrust suit in U. s. District Court in Washington, D. c., against D u Pont for unlawfully monopolizing cellophane industry. 7 DECEMBER 14. Du Pont denies Justice Department charges. --Westvaco Chlorine Products Co. plans to build an clectric. furnace to make pure elemental phosphorus near Pocatello, Idaho.--Office of Alien Property officials say Justice Department’s plan to sell its $60,000,000 interest in General Aniline R: Film Corp. has been delayed indefinitely by U. S. Supreme Court.”National Association of Manufacturers says replies to its patents and research committee’s questionnaire show an increase of 27Oy0 in apticipated expenditures for industrial research in 1947 or more than 10 times amounts spent in 1939. 7 DECEMBER15. Du Pont announces development of a thin panel which resists heat of more than 2000’ F.---U. S. Department of Agriculture approves new and improved uses of citrus products and design and construction of a satisfactory press for commercial recovery of juice from pears and other fruits and fruit wastes.--President’s Commission on Higher Education recommends doubling college enrollment by 1960 and increasing attendance at graduate and professional schools from 175,000 to 600,00O.--Joint Congressional AEC begins investigation of labor problems a t U. S. atomic energy plants. 7 DECEMBER16. Chas. Wesley Dunn, general counsel for American Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, says drug industry is spending $72,000,000 or more than 13% of its $550,000,000 gross volume of 1947 business for scientific research and scientific control of production.-NParke Davis & Co. reveals that new drug, etamon chloride, on which research has been in progress for two years, is in production, and is an aid to persons afflicted by both functional and organic diseases of the blood M. Hutchins, chancellor University of vessels.--Robert Chicago, announces Westinghouse and Aluminum Co. of .4mericit have joined university’s program of atomic research.
7 DECEMBER 17. Gen. A. G. L. hlcNaughton, Canada’s chief atomic spokesman, tells U. S. we can count on atomic supremacy for some decades, but meantime we should increase our leadership by every method at our command.--President Truman sends to Senate nomination of Maj. Gen. Leslie R. Groves, chief of military’s atomic activities, for promotion to lieutenant general. --Government charges Abrasive Grain Association and five of its members-Xorton Co., Carborundum Co., American Abrasive Co., Evelon Co., and General Abrasive Co.-with fixing prices in violation of antitrust laws.--Du Pont signs long-term lease with Florida for ilemite-bearing lands which will free the company from dependence upon foreign sources.
Vol. 40, No. 1
7 DECEMBER 18. Torking committee of UNAEC agrees that control committee should proceed with work on structure of proposed international atomic control agency when it reconvenes in January. “Alabama Polytechnic Institute, in cooperation with Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, opens 3-day conference a t Auburn, Ala., where atomic energy developments are envisioned which would assist in unparalleled enrichment of soil,-w Scientists exploring human endurance a t University of California survive 14.5 minutes’ exposure to temperatures up to 250’ F.-Srmy Secretary Royal1 says he will appoint scientific assistant and establish a scientific section to assure the department “the best possible guidance in its research activities.” 7 DECEMBER 19. Britain offers to send experts to U. S. to negotiate new rubber pact, Harold Wilson, president Board of Trade, tells House of Commons. 7 DECEMBER 20. Representative Dirksen introduces revised fertilizer bill which allows $1,000,000 yearly for use by the Secretary of Agriculture for a national fertilizer and soil fertility laboratory. 7 DECEMBER 21. Stanolind Oil & Gas Co., subAidiary of Standard Oil of Indiana, agrees to buy from Carthage Hydrocol, Inc., all chemical by-products to be produced at its synthetic gasoline plant under construction a t Browneville, Tex.--Attorney Gen-. era1 Tom C. Clark, Office of Alien Property, will make available to American industry a large number of patents now held by corporations in which Government has seized a controlling stock interest under Trading with the Enemy Act. 7 DECEMBER 22. Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. plans construction of multi-million-dollar plant for industrial chemicals manufacture at Tonawanda, N. Y.--U. s. Department of Agriculture estimates 1947 world production of soybeans at 490,000,000 bu., 4% drop below 1946.--Glenn Haskell, president U. S. Industrial Chemicals, declares in year-end statement that natural gas as volume source of basic chemicals will spotlight industry’s research program during 1948.~-Glenn H. McCarthy, president hfcCarthy Oil & Gas Corp., announces he has submitted to President Juan Peron $290,000,000 plan to develop oil and gas resources in Argentina.
7 DECEMBER 23. Linus C. Pauling, chairman Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, elected President-Elect of ACS.N-President Truman is firmly opposed to sale of government’s synthetic rubber plants to rubber companies, Senator Kilgore reports.--Federal Research Board announces industrial production hit a new postwar high in November when it climbed to 192% of 1935-39 average. 7 DECEMBER 24. U. S. completes removal of Eniwetok’s 142 inhabitants t o make way for atomic weapons testing ground. T[ DECEMBER 25. Department of Commerce reports Canadian imports of ‘chemicalsand allied products increased by more than $16,000,000 during first 9 months of 1947.
7 DECEMBER 26. National Lead co. officials reveal titanium dioxide production is now a t all-time high, 75 times greater than 1927.
7 DECEMBER 28. W.4A rejects big-business bids on surplus experimental alumina plant in Salt Lake City, Utah, in favor of encouraging small business competition in fertilizer field.“ Department of Commerce announces 1947 chemical production reaches new high of $9,000,000,000, exceeding 1946 output by 10%. B DECEXBER 30. Stanolind Oil & Gas Co. plans construction of $90,000,000 natural gasoline plant near Hugeton field of Kansas for completion in January 1950; estimated annual production to include 100,000,000 lb. chemicals.
