Dec.,
1920
T H E 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
of Peace” were so active with their treacherous propaganda. We studied the two articles more closely and also comparatively. Here is the result: SSCRBTARY RICHARDS’
EXHORTATION
“FRIENDS OF SCIENCE” PROPAGANDA
“recoramended for passage without amendment by the Committee of Finance of the United States Senate. (Report 4459) .)I
“recommended for passage without amendment by the Committee of Finance United States Senate. (Report 45’9) .”
“repeals section 573 of the tariff act of October 3, 1913,. for dutyfree importation of scientific instruments and scientific glassware by educational institutions.”
“repeals section 573 of the tariff act of October 3 1913 for thedutyfree irnportatidn b$ educational institutions.”
“This bill will soon be presented for final action in the United States Senate.”
“This bill will soon be presented for fina!,action in the United States Senate.
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Each urges t h a t readers write t o the “Chairman of the Senate Committee of Finance, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.” Even the erroneous “of” for “on” is duplicated by the Secretary and by the “Friends of Science, interested in its development.” We got busy. A telephone call t o our correspondent a t Harvard elicited the information t h a t t h e pink slips were being distributed by a representative of E. Leitz, Inc., of New York City, importers of German scientific instruments. An unknown representative of THISJ O U R N A L called a t the salesrooms of E . Leitz, Inc., and after some cautious questioning received direct from their representative another copy of the pink slip. Later by telephone this same representative received from some one at E Leitz’s a n admission t h a t they were responsible for t h e writing and printing of the circulars. Evidently, from the comparison of the two pieces of printed matter, the Secretary of the American Electrochemical Society had fallen for the bait and was playing their game. No one can question his right as an individual t o fight t h e Bacharach bill, however much all interested in the continuance of our American industries might regret i t ; but t h a t this plea should be put out in a n official document over his signature as Secretary was amazing, for we did not believe the Electrochemical Society had taken such action or would endorse any such request. We immediately wired the Secretary asking if the statement represented official action of the American Electrochemical Society. We also wrote Dr. W. S. Landis, President of the Society, asking the same question. On Monday, November 22, the Secretary, who we understand had been absent in Washington, replied “Statement not official Society action.” On the same day President Landis wrote us as follows: “This matter has not received attention from either the Board of Directors of the American Electrochemical Society or at any of the general meetings of the Society. I am, therefore, desirous of correcting any erroneous impression that might become current that the American Electrochemical Society has officially taken such stand on this Bill as is indicated in the Bulletin. In fact the majority of the Board of Directors are opposed t o such elimination as has been urged by the Secretary of the Society.”. The question of secretarial prerogatives is one which lies between the Directors of the American Electrochemical Society and the Secretary. The incident represents the kind of stuff American manufacturers who have capably filled the country’s need in a critical period have t o contend with while the Senate waits on Senator Penrose t o give the word.
TI47
MACHINERY INSTALLED-LUBRICATION NEXT A great gathering of Anglo-Saxon chemists in New York City is assured. The editorial suggestion in our July issue made its appeal t o all and the machinery has now been installed with which t o carry out this important process of “rope-making.” The British Society of Chemical Industry has accepted the invitation t o meet with its Canadian Sections during the last week of August 1 9 2 1 , in Montreal. Following an extensive excutsion, the last stage of which will lead t o New York City, the travelers will be welcomed by the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry and by the American Chemical Society, which is t o hold its Annual Meeting in the same city from September 7 t o I O , 1921. The Seventh National Exposition of Chemical Industries has been advanced t o the week of September 1 2 t o 17, 1921. The next step is thorough lubrication. We mean the appointment of efficient and energetic cooperative committees which will plan wisely for the smooth functioning of so potent a joint assemblage. It may be counted upon as a certainty t h a t this work, already begun, will be well done. It is hoped sincerely t h a t between now and the time for the actual rope-making t o begin our respective governments will provide adequate plant housing in the form of protective legislation. There are those who will leave no stone unturned t o prevent this, but sabotage must not be allowed. Too much is at stake. CAUGHT U P We are happily in position t o announce t h a t we have now (‘caught up” in the publication of original papers. This is the result of the thorough work of the reviewers and the fine-spirited acceptance by authors of recommendations for condensation and elimination of inessentials. There is now no reason for delay other t h a n is consistent with careful review, provided, of course, t h a t papers are concisely written and free from unnecessary details. IN THE GAME I n this editorial work which has fallen t o our lot, we have t o browse about a good deal. I n the course of these browsings many things of interest turn up. The constantly increasing total of capital invested in the chemical industries, the logical combinations of allied chemical organizations, the continuous growth of industrial research-these are easily apparent and give rise t o feelings of confidence as t o the future security of our industry. But t h a t which fascinates us most is the growing number of small groups and particularly of individuals who, guided by the one thought of making America economically independent, and somewhat in the spirit of entering a sport, have selected certain needed individual products, and by applying the methods of research combined with the American spirit of daring and ingenuity, are doing real stunts in developing these products in quality better than ever known. Recently we lunched with a chemist who has set himself the problem of giving t o American artists
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