Jan. , 1922
THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Appreciation and a Wish
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Distinguished Service
Five years ago, on January the first, 1917, Dr. Chas. H. It is really remarkable how our SOCIETYhas grown and how it has become a potent factor in everyday life. Herty entered upon his duties as editor of THISJOURNAL. I n quietly going over its several publications evidence They have been years of great events in the world a t large appears that it is interested not only in pure science, but and years of extraordinary activity in the field of our proin the application of the principles of the science to all in- fession. During all this period of development and stress dustries dependent upon such principles. the Journal of Industrial and Enaineerina Chemistrzi under Dr. kerty’sguidance has faithOne must feel proud of the fully reflected the advances in splendid contributions which the applications of chemistry, fill the pages of the Journal of to industry and warfare, which the American Chemical Society, This people of Washington and Lincoln are have so profoundly influenced and one must also recognize conquering the diflcult problems of io-day, no both. But it has done much the worth-while things apless worthily, and with the faith and conJidence more. It has voiced in ag. pearing in the Journal of which they bequeathed to us. We are sure to gressive and convincing ediIndustrial and Engineering find the ways to restored prosperity and our torials the sound Americanism Chemistry. The contributions meed of happiness.-wARREN G. HARDINU. of the chemists of the country. to the latter Journal are It has consolidated opinion. most helpful to the great rank It has made clear to all who and file of American chemists, would read the close relationwho are giving, in a very unThe above message is the first ever signed ship between the chemical selfish way, their best efforts by a President of the United States for industries and national prosto the establishment of indusbillboard purposes. It is being used in a perity an$ defense. tries in the home land, a goal prosperity campaign by the International To reach a wider audiefice to which American chemists Association of Rotary Clubs. and extend the influence of the have aspired since the foundSOCIETY Dr. Herty established ing of the Republic. the News Service, through Again, Chemical Abstracts which, with the cordial comust ameal to everv member of the SOCIETY. It has meant very much to me in my own operation of the press, the notable advances in chemistry work. It has directed me to hundreds of papers which, have been placed before the public and their bearing upon perhaps, would have escaped my attention, or which I would the affairsof the community made manifest. To this Service the present general recognition of the vital significance of have discovered only after long, tedious search. One of the happiest moments I have had during the past chemical science is largely due. In pursuance of his clearly defined policy of establishing year was when it was determined to institute a section on Chemical Education. Our teachers deserve the very best American chemistry in its true relation to practical affairs, that can be provided. Most of them are also investigators, Dr. Herty developed a singular aptitude for the presentaheroically devoting themselves to instilling the principles tion of its claims before Congressional Committees and pubof chemistry into the minds of vast student bodies destined lic bodies. He convinced by the cogency of his facts, perfor future industrial activity. Much of this noble work is suaded by the charm of his personality, and inspired by the being done under most unsatisfactory conditions. The splendid courage of his convictions. The influence of Dr. Herty as an educator, his efficiency first meeting of teachers of chemistry, in New York last and his September, showed clearly how eager they were to be of as an administrator when president of the SOCIETY, service in this fundamental preparation and to make sacrifice distinguished success an an editor were due not only to his chemical scholarship, but in large measure to his exceptional for the best interests of chemistry throughout the land. I can’t refrain from expressing the wish that as all the personal-quality. He combines the courtesy of the Southern marly interests, represented in the great membership of the gentleman with the aggressiveness of the crusader. His SOCIETY, are working for the upbuilding of American chem- remarkably wide acquaintance is a working asset of the ical industries, sight will not be lost of the fact that reci- utmost value, for he has a habit of converting acquaintances procity is only fair; and that the industries as they arise, to friends. ‘ For many years Dr. Herty has been an outstanding figure develop, and succeed, shall see to it that ample means are CHEMICAL SOCIETY.Few, if any, have provided for research in pure science, for the erection of lab- in the AMERICAN oratories, for the maintenance of a well qualified group served it more variously and effectively. He has earned of experimenters, and last but not least, for the payment and carries with him to his new environment the gratitude of adequate salaries to our self-sacrificing teachers, that and good wishes of the chemists of America. they may be easy in mind and able to throw themselves A. D. LITTLE wholeheartedly into their particular occupation. There is no reason a t all why such should not be the case; Do You Remember? and it ought to be our purpose to acquaint our neighbors of the great laity as to what chemical science is, how closely It seems only a few days ago that we were being urged to i t comes to every man, woman and child of our country, make America independent in essentials and the then Secrehow its pursuit is, in the end, their happiness and comfort, tary of the Interior was urging men to “rediscover America.” and that they should be supporters and benefactors of a Among other things we warsted a potash industry. We profession of which it is an honor to be a part. wanted it so badly that every source was sought and tried. The achievements in publication and in other directions The Government experimented with kelp, we heard much of have been due largely to the loyal mpport given the SOCIETY.feldspar, of greensands, of alunite, of natural lakes, and of Continued support may be counted upon to accomplish our California deposits. Progress was made, millions were future tasks. spent, and some research and chemical engineering of a EDGARF. SMITH high order performed. Chemists and investors knew some-
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THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
thing of the competition to be met when normal times returned, but they counted on Americans meaning what they said when they clamored for a potash industry. So research was recognixed as the key to the situationpurer product at lower cost. In one large plant, if we take the cost per unit of KzO during the first four months of 1919 as 100 per cent, it was 55.3 per cent for the same period of 1920 and in 1921, 32.6 per cent. Quality was assured. Production ran into thousands of tons although the inspired daily press articles would have you believe there can be no American potash industry. To have a potash industry there must be a market for potash. Before us is a copy of the contract between “The American Agricultural Chemical Company and others with Deutsches Kalisyndikat, G. m. b. H.,” dated September 28, 1921. The full list of buyers who are partie‘s of the second part follows: The American Agricultural Chemical Company Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company International Agricultural Corporation Armour Fertilizer Works Swift & Comoanv
Darling & Company E. Ranh & Sons Comuanv Federal Chemical Compa’ny F W. Tunpell & Cpmpany Georgia Fertilizer & Oil Company G. Ober & Sons Company Griffith & Boyd Company Gulf Fertilizer Company I. P. Thomas & Son Company Miller Fertilizer Company Mutual Fertilizer Company Olds & Whipple Piedmont-Mt. Airy Guano Company Read Phosphate Company Reliance Fertilizer Company Richmond Guano Company Robertson Fertilizer Company, Inc. Rogers & .Hubbard Company Smith Agrtcultural Chemica! Company Southern Fertilizer & Chemical Company W B. Tilghman Company, Inc. Wuichet Fertilizer Company Wilron & roomer Fertilizer Company , York Chemical Works
Vol. 14, No. 1
Creating Good Will I n the Journal of Commerce, New York, issue of December 2, there appears the following paragraph under the caption “A. C. S. Not a Mendicant:” It is refreshing to find one organization which can hold its convention and practically pay its own way and which a t the same time is willing to do so. The usual thing in conventions is for the committee on arrangements to solicit as much money from the business men of the community as is humanly possible, spend whatever part of it is necessary and talk of refunding the balance pro rata. Somehow these refunds are never made. The recent convention of the American Chemical Society furnished the refreshing contrast to this attitude on the part of societies and organizations in general. Plans were early matured by the committee in charge calling for the payment of as great a proportion of the expenses of the meeting by the members themselves as possible. It was, of course, necessary to do some soliciting of funds. So successful were the efforts of the committee, however, that the society was able to pay approximately 80 per cent of its own expenses. The really remarkable thing, however, was the handling of the surplus. Pro rata return of all funds remaining after the payment of expenses was made to the firms who contributed. About 40 per cent of the solicited funds were returned in this way. Is it any wonder that many cities compete for the honor of the American Chemical Society meeting? Of course the Journal did not appreciate that on several have been equally .occasions Local Sections of the SOCIETY successful in managing national conventions. People generally are finding that many chemists are good managers and that when a Section of the SOCIETY undertakes a project of this sort it is put through on a sound business basis.
Who Will Be Next? I n these days when an honest effort is being made to bring about an era of brotherly love, we would like to believe that after all our bitter lessons we have reached a point where there can be straightforward dealing and fair, stimulating competition for such business as the world affords. But we are rudely shaken by the following official report and made to realize anew that “eternal vigilance is the price of safety.” We reproduce the document in its entirety from Idea Nazionale of August 28, 1921.
These firms agree to purchase a t least 75 per cent of their requirements on this contract, this amount, 35,680 tons, being lumped together to obtain extra quantity discounts. The contract is too long to reprint. We quote: 1-Such participant shall state in its price lists that Potash can now be had in all required quantities, and that it is adGERMAN EMBASSYAT ROYB visable to buy mixed goods containing as high a percentage of No. 1784. General Private Potash as is suitable to the respective crops; and Rome, 25th May 1921 2-Such participant shall instruct its selling organization and salesmen to sell and recommend mixed goods containing as T O THE MINISTERFOR FOREIGN ABBAIRS, high a percentage of Potash as is suitable to the respective BERLIN. crops. I reply to the invitation contained in Circular of 13th May Such cooperation is rewarded by an extra discount! to all commercial attaches, to report to your Ministry as to the And as for anti-dumping: situation, and our activity and our commercial development Seller hereby also assumes and agrees to pay any tax or duty abroad, and I have the honor to report as follows: affecting deliveries under this contract which may be imposed The figures of German commerce in Italy show that after the or assessed by the United States Government under the Anti- Armistice our traders were not inactive in reconquering the Dumping Act of 1921 or any amendment thereto which may be Italian market compared with France, England and the United hereafter enacted provided however in case of such amendment States and maintaining our supremacy, but that does not mean Seller shall not be required to pay any tax or duty in excess of that we have reached the state of your circulars of 20.8.1920 amount of tax payable under existing provisions. and 29.8.1920. In order that we may create for ourselves a favorable political Now what of the remaining 25 per cent, an amount which situation, taking advantage of the malcontent of the Italian our industry can supply? Bids were asked November 14 people, and especially of the Nationalist and Nittian parties to be made within a week, November 16, American potash against the Powers of the Entente, a political situation which was offered to meet any foreign quotation, even though that might in due course be favorable to us when Germany should meant a loss to the producers. The reply came that if the be faced by fresh complications, it is necessary to strengthen this discontent in order to consolidate our situation through bid had been made a few days before things might have economic action. been different but contracts had already been made with To this end, the point a t which we have arrived is only a quarFrench interests. Do we want an American industry? We ter of the way. We must create such economic interests and would like t o know more about the factors at work and bonds with Italy that whatever happens, Italy will have to follow our political Iiad. whatever other side there may be to this transaction. First of all, it is necessary that a systematic supply of GerMeanwhile research goes forward even though the ware- man goods be sent here, even below cost price to a considerable houses are full of American potash which Americans refuse extent. Inundating the Italian market with German goods we will not only have a place sympathetic to Germany, because, to purchase. Do we want the industry?
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