18.7%
M a d e no chmge
EXPENDITURES OF CHEMIFIGURE 1. CHAXGEIN RESEARCH CAL
FIGURE 2.
INDUSTRY IN DOLLARS
CHANGE I N RESE.4RCH EXPEXDITURES OF ALL INDUSTRIES IN DOLLARS
Chemical Research in the Depression A ~ A U R I C E HOLLAND AND
u'.
Kational Research Council, Washington, D. c .
SPRARAGEN,
T
HE chemical industry has been largely founded on the results of the research laboratory. It is not
surprising, therefore, that even in times of adverse business conditions the leaders of this industry should turn to research as a useful tool in maintaining their profits and reducing losses to a minimum. These facts are brought out in a survey recently made by the Sational Research Council through its Division of Engineering and Industrial Research. The sixteen hundred industrial research laboratories listed in one of its bulletins were circularized with a questionnaire. Sixty companies from the chemical industry responded. Of these, forty reported their expenditures in dollars in 1931, and they show an annual average of $195,000. Comparative figures are available in connection with thirty-four of these companies as to their expenditure in 1929 when the average was $146,000. The figures for individual companies range from a few thousand dollars to several million. An average increase of 31 per cent is indicated. Based upon the replies received, Table I shows that out of forty-six reporting companies 67.5 per cent increased their research expenditures in 1931 as compared nith 1929, 8.7 per cent made no change, arid 23.8 per cent decreased. Translated in percentage of sales, 75 per cent of the reporting companies are spending a larger percentage of their sales in research, 15 per cent are making no change, and only 10 per cent are decreasing the proportion spent on research. If we separate these compaiiies into large (expenditure over %100,000), medium ($10,000 to 8100,000), and small companies (annual expenditures less than $10,000), we find the percentages change only slightly, as indicated in Table I.
Again, if we interpret the expenditures for research in percentage of sales, we find that all of the larger companies are spending a greater percentage of their sales income on research. While the proportion of medium-sized companies that increased their research expenditures in percentage of saks is not so large (72.3 per cent) as in the case of the small companies (80 per cent), nevertheless, if we add those that made no change in their percentage of research expenditures, we find that only 11 per cent of the mediumsized companies actually decreased, and 20 per cent of the smaller companies found it necessary to decrease their percentage of sales spent for research. I n other words, research has been found to be of distinct aid to the chemical industry, regardless of the size of the company.
EFFECTITESESS OF RESEARCH PROGR~JI~ It is noticeable throughout the analysis that there is no great distinction between the effectiveness of the research work of the small, medium, and large companieq. This is indicated in Tables I1 to 5'. I n Table 11, for example, we find that half of the smaller companies are spending over 5 per cent of their sales income on research, whereas equivalent figures for the medium and large companies are, respectively, 28 and 33 per cent. This indicates that the management of the smaller companies has found that research is a paying proposition.
TABLE11. RESEARCH EXPENDITURES IN SALES,1931 S17E O F COMPATIES
TABLEI. SIZEO F CordPANIES
Large Medium Small General
AS
COMPARED WITH 1929 DOLLARS--
C H A N G E Is P R O P O R T I O S O F S a L E B Made ComMade De- panies re- Inno DeInno porting creased change creased porting creased change creased
-CHANGE
IN
C,ompanies re-
% Largea Mediumb Smallc Generald
7 23 11 5
71.4 61 73 80
Total
46
67.5
% 14.3 8.6 ,,
,
%
% ,
20
8.7
14.3 30.4 27 , , ,
,
23 8
Spent over $100,000. b Spent from $10,000 t o $100,000. c Spent under $10,000. d Did not report size of expenditure Q
EXPENDITURES I N 1931
CHANGE I S RESE.4RCH
4 18 10 8 43
%
100 7 2 . 3 i6:i 80 6 2 . 5 37:s
75
15
%
ii ..
20 10
Total
PERCENT4GE
OF
PROPORTION O F S ~ L EIXCOIIE S DEVOTED TO RESEARCH COMP~NIES R E P O R T I ~ G Over 10% 5 t o 10% Vnder 5 % % % % .6 16.7 16.7 66.6 18 11.1 16.7 72.2 10 5
30
....
20 20
80
39
15 3
1s
66 7
50
There were several questions designed to find whether research would greatly affect the future development of t h e industry. Of course these replies are based upon the opinions of the directors of research. However, certain factual data were also presented to strengthen these opinions. These data are summarized in Table 111. We find that a large percentage of the reporting companies are of the opinion that 936
IKDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
August, 1932
9.57
TABLE 111. TECHXICAL DEVELOPYESTS, 1931 HAVEMADETECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTR USEFULTO OTHERINDUSTRIES Companies reporting Yes pi0
WILLB E ~ F F E C T E Dny FUTURE TECXNICAL DEVELOPMENTS Companies reporting Yes Possibly NO
SIZEOF COMPAKIES Large Xedium Small General
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
23 11 13
85.7 69. ,5 81.8 61.5
14.3 13.1 9.1 15.4
l7:4 9.1 23.1
8 19 11 12
75 73.7 63.6 83.3
25 26.3 36.4 16.7
8 21 11 13
87.5 100 100 92.4
12.5
54
72.2
13
14.8
50
74
26
53
96.2
3.8
I
Total
their industry will be materially affected by future technical developments. There is no great variation in the opinion of the directors of the large, medium, or small companies. A portion of Table I11 indicates the resourcefulness of the laboratory management in making use of products developed not only for their own industry but also for other industries. I n this field the smaller company apparently is not a t any disadvantage. Moreover, the portion of Table I11 on the extreme right indicates that practically all of the companies have produced new products which have been developed as a result of research during the past two years. Table IT.’ indicates, in the opinion of the direct,ors of research, that the laboratories have been a distinct aid to their companies in the present business depression. Some of the ways in which this aid was rendered are as follows:
TABLE v. M.4JOR EMPH.4SIS O F RESEARCH PROGR4M.3, 1931 BY-
SIZE OF
CoxPASIBS
Large Medium Small General
TABLE IV. R.ESEARCH AS BUSINESSAID, 1931 COMPANIES H.ASRESEARCH HELPED TO MAKEPROFITS REPORTING O R LIMITLOSSESI T PAST 2 T E A R S ? Yes NO
% Large Medium Small General
5 19 10 13
Total
47
NEW PRODUCT REDVCTZON IMPROVEFIELDS NEW PANIES OF PRODUC-M E K Y OF N E W OF APPLI- MAREPORTITGTinx Cosrs Qr.kLirY PRODECTS CATION TERIALS COM-
75
%
%
%
9 24 10 13
11.2 20.8 10 7.7
33.3 37.5 20 30.7
33.3 41.7
22.2
46.2
10 7.7
7.7
56
14 3
321
447
7 1
1 8
60
....
% t . .
... ...
This demonstrates the flexibility of research as a tool of management to meet a wide variety of situations. The report published in 1928 carries the following significant paragraph:
4. Customers’ good will 5 . Maintenance of profits 6. Elimination of competition
SIZEO F
7:s
product or senice and on the reduction of production costs. The direction of emphasis of the research programs in this new survey is indicated in Table \-. Regardless of the size of the company, the first emphasis has been placed on the development of new products to coax the consumer’s dollar back into circulation.
Total
1. Reduction of cost 2. Improved products 3. Development of new products
COMPANIES
H A V EPRODUCED N E W PRODUCTS COXXERCIALIEED DURING P A ~ T 2 YEARS Companies reporting Yes No
%
80
20
100
100 92.4
I t would seem, then, that the ‘4merican manufacturer has arrived at the conclusion that he can best meet the keen competition of the day by offering improvements of the products which have been tested through years of practical application rather than by flooding the market with new products tempting the consumer because of their novelty.
.... ....
This increased search for new products has been a t the expense of efforts made to reduce production costs.
4.3
RESEARCH as AFFECTI,NGPROGRESS I n Table IV a n attempt is made to analyze the effectiveness of research programs of companies of different sizes. It
7.6
95.7
EMPH.ksIS O F RESE.4RCH PROGR.IMS
As in other industries there has come about a gradual change in the emphasis of the research program. I n 1928 a survey was made by the Division of Engineering and Industrial Research of the activities of some eight hundred companies of which there were twenty-eight in the chemical industry. Of these, only four gave major consideration to the development of new products. Practically all, however, placed major emphasis on the improvement of quality of
has been suggested that there might be some difference in the viewpoints of the directors and attitude of managements of those companies that decreased or increased their research expenditures. Such a n analysis has been made in Table VI. As may be expected, a larger percentage of those companies that decreased their research appropriations in dollars are of the opinion that their industry will not be affected by future
TABLE VI. EFFECTOF CHANQES IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES ON TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT (1031 compared with 1929) HAVEMADETECHNIC.AL WILLB E AFFECTED B Y FUTURE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS USEFULTO DEVEI~OPMEKTS OTHF.RINDUSTRIES Companies Companies reporting Yes Poesibly No reporting Yes NJ
% Companies who Companies who Companies who Companies who question
increased made no change decreased did not answer this
Total
%
%-
%
28 3 11
75 100 63.6
17.5 9:1
CH.4KGE I S DOLLARS SPENT O S 7.2 27 74 2 100 27:3 10 70
12
66.6
8.4
25
11
54
72.2
14.8
50
13
H A V E PRODUCED NEW PRODUCTS COMMERCIALIZED D U R T N Q PAST2 YEARS Companies reporting Yes NO
%
%
%
RESEARCH
30
26
28 4 11
96.5 100
72.7
27.3
10
93
74
26
53
96.2
3.8
..
100
3.5
..
I
.
10
CHANGE I N PERCENTAGE OF S A L E S DEVOTED T O R E S E I R C H
Companies who Companies who Companies who Companies who question Total
increaeed made no change decreased did not answer this
29 6 4
83 33.3 25
..
3.4 66.7 50
28 5 4
71.5 80 50
28.5 20 50
29 6 4
96.6 100 100
3.4
25
13.6
15
80
13.3
6.7
13
84.6
15.4
14
92.3
7.7
54
72.2
13
14.8
50
74
26
53
96.2
3.8
..
..
958
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING
technical developments. This fact is still more strikingly brought out in the second half of Table V I which gives figures in percentage of sales. The same general conclusions may be drawn in connection with developments, made by the laboratories, which are useful to other industries and from which the companies are deriving some benefit either in direct sale of products or license fees. However, practically all the companies regard research as a business aid, as indi-
CHEMISTRY
Vol. 24, No. 8
UNVERSITYRESEARCH The university is growing in importance as a research partner with industry. More than ever executives are turning to the university for the conduct of research on many of their fundamental problems. This does not mean necessarily that the industrial research laboratories do not themselves undertake fundamental research. Quite the contrary. The laboratories do undertake many problems for study but they find i t advantageous to farni out to t h e universities problems which require long periods of study. National Research Council proposes to undertake a survey of the facilities of the universities for the conduct of research, giving due regard to personnel, attitude of the heads of the university toward research, equipment, and facilities.
RESEARCH AND
THE
INVESTOR
I n a recent study of the 852 firms whose stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, 224 were found to have laboratories which were included in the bulletin mentioned above which lists sixteen hundred research laboratories. This represents more than 26 per cent. If we include those companies which make use of other outside research facilities (university, consulting, or government) and eliminate the purely merchandising and holding companies, the perFIGURE 3. CHANGE IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES OF CHEMI- centage becomes still larger. CAL INDUSTRY IN PERCENTAGE SALES T o carry the matter farther, a survey was made of t h e oated in Table VII. As a matter of fact, only one out of latest annual reports of these 224 companies, and i t was the forty-seven companies reporting stated that research found that 56 or exactly 25 per cent devoted a portion of their annual report to some mention of their research was not a distinct aid t o the company. activities. These references vary from a few sentences to TABLE VII. EFFECT OF CHANQES IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES several pages. This indicates the position research h a s ON BUSINESS attained as one of the fundamental industrial factors t o be (1931 aompared with 1929) reported on t o stockholders along with finance, markets, HAB REREARCHH ~ L P E DTO MAKE operations, labor conditions, general business conditions, PROFITSOR LIMITLOBSESIN PAST 2 COMPANIES YEARS? and outlook for the future. REPORTING Yes NO Typical of the statements regarding research made to t h e gr, % CA.4NGE I S DOI.I.4HS S P E N T O N R E S E A R C H stockholders of chemical companies are the following: Companies n-ho increased 25 100 .... Companies who made no A i r Reduction Company Incorporated. The entire carbide-oxychange 3 66.6 33.4 Companies who decreased 9 80 11 acetylene industry has substantially broadened in scope and Companies who did not continues to do so through development work done by both t h e answer this question 10 100 .. . manufacturers and consumers of our varied products. To this Total 47 95.7 4.3 in large measure may be attributed the operating results obC H l N G E I S P E R C E N T A G E O F SALES D E V O T E D TO R E S E A R C H tained by your Company in 1931. Companies who increased 26 100 .... Atlas Powder Company. Research and Development work Companies who made no carried on in the Laboratories of the Company for maintaining change 5 80 20 a t highest standards the quality of products and methods of Companies who decreased 3 100 .... Companies who did not manufacture, has produced gratifying results. answer this question 13 P2.4 7.6 D u Pont Company. Your company has adhered to its policy of maintaining large chemical and engineering research organizaTotal 47 95 7 4 3 tions. This year approximately $1,600,000 was expended for chemical control of quality and yields of existing products, and TRADE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES in addition, approximately $5,400,000 was expended for the The Division of Engineering and Industrial Research improvement of present processes and products and the deof the National Research Council also made a survey of velopment of new processes or products necessary to hold and rove your company’s position in the chemical industry. trade association research activities. Some seventy leading im A ew ! of the interesting contributions to the development of the trade associations reported that they are actively engaged chemical industry by your company during recent years have in research work. Annual expenditures range from a few been: thousand dollars to several hundred thousand. The problems Moisture-Proof Cellophane nu Prene involve fundamental research work as well as practical Rubber Accelerators and AntiDuco oxidants application. While some associations maintain their own Methanol (Developed first procSynthetic Resin Finishes ess in this country for manulaboratories, others avail themselves of the splendid facilities facture of synthetic methanol of such organizations as Mellon Institute and Battelle ..............1 Ammonia Oxidation Memorial Institute. Still others maintain fellowships in Window Shade Cloth Everbright colleges and universities. A large number utilize the facilities of governmental departments such as the United Eastman Kodak Company. After two years of planning and States Bureau of Standards. construction, the new Research Laboratory at Kodak Park was There is a growing tendency for trade associations to completed and occupied in the summer of 1931. It is one of the and most completely equipped buildings in the woFld undertake research work that is of common interest to largest devoted entirely to research. The seven stories, covering the industry they serve. This movement is supported by 93,000 square feet of floor space, are divided into more than both large and small companies. 270 laboratories, darkrooms, and offices. Ample provision has ~
August, 1932
INDUSTRIAL AND
ENGINEERING
CHEMISTRY
9.59
tion for the specific purpose of furnishing to producers and to been made for future expansion. The research staff includes 215 persons, nearly 100 of whom are professionally trained users of steel the specialized information and technique that scientific men . . . . . . . . , . . . . New sensitizing methods dis- will be helpful in solving their specific problems through the use covered in the Laboratory in 1930 were applied a t the beginning of alloys.. . . . . . . . . . . . , Through successful research the efficiency of Stellite cutting metal was doubled, bringing about an of 1931 on a large scale to certain Eastman sensitized products. The company was thus enabled to introduce a number of new improved compet,itive position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Vinylite prolines of film of increased value to consumers, owing to their duction unit started operation during the third quarter and is great speed and color sensitiveness. Among these should be now furnishing this synthetic resin for a number of industrial applications, among others for mentioned super-sensitive mothe new Vitrolac, the longplaytion p i c t u r e n e g a t i v e film, ing phonograph record. Vinylsuper-sensitive panchromatic ite is used for the preparation flat sheet film, super-sensitive of surface covering materials, Cin6-Kodak Film, and Kodak plastics, a n d m o l d i n g comVerichrome Film. pounds and while at present it I n 6he new Laboratory speis not sold in great quantities, cial rovision has been made the interest shown in its valufore! t ex ansion of research able characteristics i n d i c a t e s work on t i e photographic use that it will come to have comof x-rays. This field represents mercial importance. a n important s e c t i o n of t h e This systematic development Company’s business, and speof synthetic processes has made cial equipment has now been possible the production of a installed by which knowledge wide range of organic chemiof the p r o p e r t i e s of photocal products giving great flexigraphic m a t e r i a l s w h e n exbility in manufacturing operaposed to x-rays is likely to be tions. Furthermore, the techincreased. A considerable part nique and the experience have of the Laboratory staff is enlaid the basis for further exgaged in the study of cellulose tensive research. derivatives such as cellulose The C o r p o r a t i o n has conacetate, in cooperation w i t h IGURE 4. CHANGEIN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES OF AL tinued its fixed policy of main: the m a n u f a c t u r i n g departINDUSTRIES IN PERCENTAGE SALES taining extensive research and ments especially c o n c e r n e d development activities. The with this subieot. T h e Mathseson illkali W o r k s , Incorporated. Our research complete technical force has been kept intact and the same effecactivities have continued as in previous years and the current tive research organization maintained. In addition, the CorporaAnother new year will see no curtailment in these activities. tion continued its investigation of many projects and developand patented product for commercial purposes has been de- ments, brought to its attention from outside sources. veloped by our Research Department which will consume some of our basic products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The past year forcefully CONSULTING LABORATORIES demonstrated the wisdom of developing new and special products which added to our earnings, inasmuch as our standard products The story is a little different if we examine the returns such as Soda Ash, Caustic Soda, and Chlorine suffered severe price declines. from some of the consulting laboratories operating in the Monsanto Chemical Works. Research has always been chemical field. Some thirty-four of these laboratories reemphasized by Monsanto. This work is the lifeblood of an industry whose products are capable of infinite new uses. ported, of which eleven, or nearly one-third, showed increased $463,955 was so spent during 1931 in laboratory work? pilot expenditures in 1931 as compared with 1929, whereas twoplants to prove laboratory processes, and atent protection on thirds indicated a decrease in expenditures. It is significant, worthwhile inventions. The character of %onsento’s research however, to note that of the eleven that reported increase is changing. That of the past decade was in greatest nature devoted to refinement of process for existing products and less in expenditures the average expenditure in 1931 was two emphasis was placed on new products. New and better methods and one-half times that of 1929. On the other hand, those of producing present products will always be sought. but when t h a t reported a decrease in expenditures averaged 57 per cent yields approach the theoretical, when labor costs have been ~
new P r o d u c t s New
Products
Improrenent of quality Reduction O f produotlon
R e d u c t i o n of
COD$
Ne.
fields
E 19.1%
FIGURE 5 . CHANGEIN MAJOREMPHASISOF RESEARCH PRO- FIGURE 6 . CHANGEIN MAJOREMPHASISOF RESEARCHPROGRAMS OF ALL INDUSTRIES GRAMS OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY reduced to a very low point, when former heavy repair charges have been avoided and when quality has been perfected, the avenues for profitable exploration are materially reduced. The work necessary to bring us to this position required much the greater part of our attention in the past. Our present products will always receive the emphasis their importance warrants, but our efforts from this point on will be in increasing degree directed toward finding new applications for current products, the conversion of them into higher states of manufacture, into products for which there are known markets and searching for new ones for which unfulfilled needs exist. Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation. The Corporation maintains an extensive research and sales development organiza-
of the amount spent in 1929. I n regard to the emphasis of their programs, more than 50 per cent of the consulting laboratories report t h a t their major emphasis has been on the development of new products, although nearly 30 per cent report that their major emphasis has been on quality and service. The question was asked as t o whether the researches completed in the last two years materially aided their customers in making profits or limiting costs. Of the thirty-four reporting laboratories, twenty-eight stated that research
960
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING
was of assistance, three were doubtful, and three reported definitely that it was not. An analysis of the three that reported unfavorably indicates that the clients either had difficulty in financing the development of the new products or in their marketing. Many of the consulting laboratories state that the qmaller companies are undertaking only such resCarches as promise a n immediate return. These laboratories report greater scrutiny in the choice of subjects and of expenditures.
SEW PRODUCTS FOR CHEMICAL INDUSTRY Some of the directors of research volunteered information as to possible new products that might be marketed as a result of research. Some of those reported are: Fertilizers Synthesis of petroleum products New resins and solvents Synthetic resins Liquid oxygen explosives Carbon dioxide explosives Solvents for nitrocellulose Ken, alloys Synthetic resins Dyeing processes and supplies Cheaper and better resins Floor polishes Kew uses for liquid and solid carbon dioxide Increased use of vat dyes New dyestuffs Synthetic resins Synthetic butyl alcohol and butyl acetate Utilization of helium and hydrogen sulfide
CHEMISTRY
vol. 24, No. 8
Improved life of process Improved methods of handling solid and liquid carbon dioxide New dry-cleaning soaps
COMPARISOX WITH OTHERINDUSTRIES I n all, there were 309 laborat,ories from nineteen industries that gave sufficient detailed information to lend itself to analysis. S o doubt people in the chemistry industry will like to know how the figures for this industry compare with the other industries reporting which include : iiut’omotive, building, ceramics, cement, chemicals, drugs, electrical, food, instruments, machinery, metal products, nonferrous metals, oil works, paint, paper, public utilities, rubber, and textiles. Figures 1 to 6 give these figures. Table VI11 summarizes the results. It will be seen that, as far as dollar expenditures go, a smaller percentage of companies decreased such expenditures as compared with the average for all industries. The actual figures are 23.8 and 30 per cent, respectively. However, in percentage of sales there is little or no difference. T.4BLE
VIII. CHAXGEs I S RESEARCH EXPENDITURES IN CHEMICAL AND OTHERINDUSTRIES (1931 compared with 1929) C H a N G E IN
All industries Increased Made no change Decreased
DOLLARR CH.4NGE I N P E R C E N T A G E OF S A L E S Chemicals All industries Chemicals
%
%
%
%
51.3 18.7
67.5
75
30.0
23.8
75.3 15.7 9.0
8.7
15 10
RECEIVED J u n e 27, 1932.
BOOK REVIEWS FIXED NITROGEN. Edited by Harry A,. Curtis. A. C. S. saltpeter, whereas the production in Chile, formerly the prinMonograph No. 59. 517 pages. Chemical Catalog Com- cipal supply, has remained at about 2,000,000 tons per year. pang, Inc., 419 Fourth Ave., New York, 1932. Price, $12.00. S o t only for purposes of industry, but for reasons of national safety, plants have been built since the World War in every important nation, except China. These facts are not only of THE subject is very satisfactorily covered in all its most im- major industrial importance, but also have fundamentally portant technical and scientific aspects. Its 13 chapters are influenced world politics. The seas no more must be free for packed with readable information, and many charts and tables nitrate supply from Chile. give compact physical and chemical data and statistics, including The data and statistics, in general, cover only the period up complete reference indices. to the beginning of the world depression. The nitrogen industry The introductory chapter on the world’s nitrogen balance has suffered even more seriously than most industries because and the general distribution of fixed nitrogen is especially in- its rise had been more spectacular. formative. Fixation of nitrogen by living organisms through This monograph is destined to become, at least to English bacteria and leguminous crops, and actual balancing of the readers, a classic book of reference on the subject of fixed nisoil nitrogen budget in Germany, compared with the deficit in trogen, comparable to Lunge’s “Sulphuric Acid and Alkali” in the United States and other agricultural countries, are interest- the heavy-chemical field. LOUIS C. JOSES ingly presented. The Chile nitrate industry, the arc process, the cyanamide process, ammonia oxidation, production of fixed nitrogen in the coal by-product, industry, and the development of technical processes leading up to the present great synthetic industry, are topics well, covered historically and technically. A solid foundation is thus formed for the dis- COLLOID CHEMISTRY, THEORETICAL .4ND APPLIED. cussion of the great industry now operating to produce fixed VOLUME IV. SECOND SERIES OF PAPERS OK TECHnitrogen, particularly by the direct synthesis of ammonia from SICA4L .4PPLICA4TIONS. Edited by Jerome -4leznnder. hydrogen and nitrogen. i\s is logical, the great bulk of the 734 pages. Chemical Catalog Company, Inc., 419 Fourth devoted to the Haher Bosch ammonia process. The book is -4ve., New Tork, 1932. Price, $11.50. history, research, and important patent involved in its development, and the technology of its variou steps, such as the production of hydrogen and nitrogen, theil purification, and finally THISvolume concludes the series begun in 1926 under the able their synthesis by means of a catalyst, constitute the most editorship of Jerome illexander. Some forty chemists have complete compilation of this information yet presented. In written chapters for the final volume on Carbohydrates (inthis connection, special reference should be made to data re- cluding Cellulose), Wood, Paper, Explosives, Sugar, Starch sulting from the excellent work carried on in the Fixed Nitrogen Products, Sizing, Dyeing, Rubber and Carbon Black, Plastics, Research Laboratories. The various commercial forms of Tanning, Photography, Coatings (including Paints), Color nitrogen fertilizers are described, both as to manufacture and use. Lakes, Foods, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Solidified Alcohol Tabulations show that the synthesis of hydrogen and nitrogen and Fire Extinguishers, Water Supply, and Sewage Disposal. There may be some objections to authorship by squadrons, to produce ammonia, using as raw materials only air, water, and energy (hydroelectric or fuel), has developed to a total but ivhere else than in this volume can the hurried reader find world capacity in 1930 of 10,000,000 tons in terms of Chile in compact form such a wealth of source material relating t o
