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Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Pa.
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Entered as second class matter at Easton, Pa. Issued three times a month; Industrial Edition on the 1st, News Edition on the 10th and 20th. Subscription to Industrial & Engineering Chemistry. $7.50 per year; News Edition only, $1.50 per year. Single copies, 10 cents. Subscriptions should be sent to Charles L. Parsons. Secretary. 1709 G. St., N. W.. Washington. D. C.
M A Y 20, 1926
Leather Chemists Program The twenty-third annual meeting of the American Leather Chemists' Association will be held at the Traymore Hotel, At lantic City, June 2, 3, and 4. The program is as follows:
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, J U N E 2
Editor: HARRISON E. HOWE Managing Editor: ROBERT P. FISCHELIS Assistant to the Editor: N. A. PARKINSON Associant Editor: D. H. KILLEFFER
Vol.4
Editor
WEDNESDAY MORNING, J U N E 2
NEWS EDITION EDITORIAL OFFICE : 700 Hills Building, Washington, D. C.
News
Opening remarks by the president J. S. Rogers R e p o r t of secretary-treasurer H . C. Reed Committee report: "Direct Measurement of Plumping Power of Tan Liquors" R. E . Porter "Determination of Moisture in Leather" F . P. Veitcli "Determination of Hide Substance in Leather" R. W. Frey
Published by the American Chemieal Soeiety Easton,
CHEMISTRY
No. 10
Chemical Warfare Service Consultants From time to time in recent issues of the News Edition we have published the names of consultants to the Chemical War fare Service. We now print the complete list as furnished by the Chief of the Service: John J. Abel, Roger Adams, Gellert Alleman, W. H. Bassett, A. V. Bleininger, Marston T. Bogert, Cecil E. Boord, D. B. Bradner, Harold C. Bradley, W. C. Bray, G. A. Burrell, F. K. Cameron, E. M . Chamot, N. K. Chaney, J. B. Conant, F . G. Cottrell, G. O. Curme, Jr., D. J. Demorest, C. R. Downs, A. C. Fieldner, E. C. Franklin, F . C. Frary, J. C. W. Frazier, W. C. Geer, H. W. Gillett, R. A. Gortner, B . C. Goss, W. D. Harkins, R. T. Haslam, Yandell Henderson, C. H. Herty, Arthur D. Hirschfelder, H. N. Holmes, Henry Howard, M. H. Ittner, D. D. Jackson, John Johnston, Lauder W. Jones, F. G. Keyes, M. Kharasch, Victor Lenher, O. A. Lentwiler, G. N. Lewis, W. Lee Lewis, Arthur D . Little, E. K. Marshall, E. Mallinckrodt, Jr., Harlan S. Miner, H. F . Moore, Hugh K. Moore, Charles E. Munroe, William MacPherson, J. F . Norris, J C. Olsen, W. A. Patrick, W. A. Peters, Jr., A. H. Pfund, L. V. Redman, Ε. Ε. Reid, Allen Rogers, Walter Rautenstraugh, R. Norris Shreve, Bradley Staughton, E. C. Sullivan, John E. Teeple, Frank P. Underhill, D. D. Van Slyke, Edward Washburn, E. R. Weidlein, H. B. Weiser, Gerald L. Wendt, T. L. Wheeler, F . C. Whitmore, W. R. Whitney, A. C. Willard, F. W. Willard, R. E. Wilson, and James R. Withrow.
Congress of Industrial Chemistry to Meet at Brussels The Sixth Congress of Industrial Chemistry will open at Brussels on September 17, 1926. This year the Congress will be devoted to the leading chemical industries of Belgium, and the meeting will revolve around the six large permanent groups of the Société de Chimie Industrielle : I—Plant and Laboratory, II—Combustibles, III—Metallurgy and Mineral Industries, IV—Organic Industries, V—Agriculture and Agricultural Industries, and VI—Economic Organization. In order to facilitate discussion these groups are subdivided into various sections. In order to take part in this meeting it will be necessary to be registered as a member of the Congress. Registration cards may be obtained on request to the Secretary of the Congress, 65, rue du Canal, Brussels, Belgium. The delegates from the American Chemical Society to this Congress are George W. Muhleman, professor of chemistry at Hamline University, and J. V. N. Dorr, of the Dorr Company.
Address F. M . Moffat "Properties of Shoe Leather" J. A. Wilson G. D . McLaughlin and 'Bacteriology of Goat Skin Soaking J . H. Highberger and ' F u r t h e r Notes on Animal Skin F a t E . R. T h e i s " C h r o m e Tanning at the Iso-Electric Point of Collagen" Rosalie M. Cobb and Frank S. H u n t THURSDAY MORNING, J U N E 3
"Comparative Tannin Analysis" (Committee Report) U . C . Reed "Micro-Tannology" \ G. D. McLaughlin and F . O'Flah."Sheep Skin Preparation" ) erty and Kenneth Moore Committee report: "Follicular M a n g e " R. W. Frey Committee report: "Veiny Condition in Hides". . .E- W. W h i t e THURSDAY AFTERNOON, J U N E 3
"Cresylic Acid for Tannery Use" "Modern Views of Atomic Structure" "Theory of Oil Tannage" "Chemical N a t u r e of Vegetable Tanning"
Allen Rogers Robert C. Gowdy B. N . Matlnxr A. W. T h o m a s
FRIDAY MORNING, J U N E 1
"Nitrogen Content of Hide Substance" Margaret W. Kelly "Sampling and Analysis of Raw Tanning Materials" Committee report H . C. Reed.
Chemistry in Agriculture After a year or more of effort, The Chemical Foundation, NewYork, has succeeded in sending to the press t h e first authoritative book t h a t ever covered in popular language the very vital p a r t played by chemistry in the advancement of agriculture and t h e whole problem of food production. This book, known as " C h e m istry in Agriculture," is well worth a place in every chemical library beside the other popular books on chemistry that h a v e already been issued from the same source. Twenty of the foremost authorities on agricultural chemistry have collaborated on "Chemistry in Agriculture" to tell their stories of what the chemistry of the soil, the plant, the animal, a n d of the human body itself means in furnishing the food t h a t m u s t sustain life. Chapters concerning vitamins, nitrogen, n u trition, cereals, sugar, fruit, and meat appeal to broad h u m a n interest, while every man, woman, or child who cares for plants o r animals will revel in the chapters treating every phase of farm activity. Bound in conformity with the two volumes of, "Chemistry i n Industry," "Chemistry in Agriculture," a two-dollar book containing some fifty interesting illustrations—can now be sup plied a t $1.00 per copy which is actual cost.
Canadian Chemists to Hold Meeting at Montreal The ninth annual Dominion Convention of Chemists u n d e r t h e auspices of the Association of Chemical Industry, Technical Section, Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, and the Canadian Institute of Chemistry will be held a t the Windsor Hotel, M o n treal, May 31 to June 3. Technical Sessions will be held at 1 1 A . M. and 2:30 p. M. on Monday; 9 :15 A. M. and 2:00 P. M. on T u e s d a y ; and 12:15 p. M. on Thursday. Public lectures will be given o n Radium Monday evening and on Rayon Tuesday evening. T h e sessions on Wednesday will be devoted to a symposium o n cellulose.
Bloede and Hoffmann Scholarships
National Lime Association to Meet Next Montfat
Candidates for the two scholarships of the Chemists' Club are asked to communicate with Dr. F. G. Zinsser, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ν . Υ., as both of these scholarships are open beginning with the school year 1926-27. The holders of the Bloede and Hoff man scholarships will complete their studies with the present collegiate year, thus making both scholarships available to new scholars for the coming year.
The eighth annual convention of the National Lime Association will be held at the French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick:, Indiana, J u n e 8 to 11. A well rounded program touching upon t h e economic and technical aspects of the industries represented b y the Association has been worked o u t and ample opportunity will be given for a discussion of t h e various problems confronting t h e members.
May 20, 1926
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Announced Programs of Local Sections
Local Section Activities
By vote of the Council at the Baltimore Meeting the programs of local section meetings as furnished in the reports of their respective secretaries, formerly published in J. A. C. S., will be printed in the News Edition. Pro grams will be found in this Section and details of the meetings may be given elsewhere in the News Edition.
T h e following items of general interest have been submitted by local section correspondents recently:
Ames. April, 1926: "Modern Analytical Chemistry," by H. H. Willard of the University of Michigan. California. April 9, 1926: "The Problem of the Chemical Identity of FatSoluble Vitamins," by George O. Burr. Central Pennsylvania. May 1, 1926: "The Priestley House at Northumber land and Plans for the Celebration There in September,'' by Gerald L. Wendt, of State College, Pa. Cincinnati. April 21, 1926: "Organic Compounds of Mercury and Then Uses," by Prank C. Whitrnore, of Northwestern University. Evanston, 111. Cleveland. April 20, 1920: "The Peroxides: Their Manufacture, Proper ties, and Practical Uses," by M. J. Kentschler, of J. H. R. Products Co., Willouguby, Ohio. Columbus. April 30, 1926: "The Work of the International Nomenclature Committees," by Austin M. Patterson, of Antioch College, Xenia, Ohio. Connecticut Valley. May S, 1926: "The Progress of Chemistry in America and the Relation of the American Chemical Society to It," by 11. E. Howe, Editor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Delaware. April 21, 1926: "The Technical Applications of X-Rays," by Ancel St. John, of New York City. Detroit. April 7, 1920: "The Rayon Industry," by L. D. Yorse. Lehigh Valley. April 29, 1926. 'Coal Processing," by W. H. Fulweiler, of the United Gas Improvement Contracting Co., Philadelphia, Pa Lexington. April 14, 1926: "The Chemistry of the Most Commonly Used Cosmetics," by Miss Virginia Routt; and "The Isolation and Uses of Phytolacine," by M. J. Cox, both of Eastern State Teachers College, Richmond, Ky. Louisiana. April 14, 1920: "Liquid Ammonia as a Tool in Research," by Chas. A. Kraus, of Brown University, Providence. R. I. Milwaukee. April 30, 1926: "The Importance of Chemistry to the Amer ican Railroad," by Wm. M. Barr, consulting chemist of the Union Pacific System, Omaha, Neb. Minnesota. April 23, 1926: "Modern Analytical Chemistry," by Η. Η. Willard, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. April 30, 1920 "Illinium, Element 6 1 , " by B. S. Hopkins, of the University of Illinois, Urbana, III. New Haven. May 4, 1926: "The Chemical Action of Ionized Gases," by Samuel C. Lind, of the Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. New York. May 7, 1926: "Glycol Ethers as Solvents for Cellulose Esters," by J. G. Davidson, of the Carbide & Carbon Chemical Corporation, New York City. North Carolina. Joint meeting with North Carolina Academy of Science at Wake Forest College April 30 and May 1. "The Present Status of the Vitamins," by J. O. Halverson; "Electrometric Titrations of Copper Solutions," by J. M. Bell; "Cotton Classification," by W. M. Mebane and F. C. Vilbrandt; "The Analytical Separation of the Platinum Metals," by S. C. Ogburn, Jr.; "Latent Heat of Fusion of Some Nitrotoluenes," by H. D. Crockford; "Lubricating Oils for Internal Combustion Engines," by J. G. Simmons, W. M. Lofton, and F. C. Vilbrandt; "Electro-plating Aluminum," by F. F. Jones and F. C. Vilbrandt; "Sodium for Potassium in Technical Analysis," by A. R. Smith and F. C. Vilbrandt; "2-Aminob-nitro-p-cymene," by A. S. Wheeler and C. R. Harris; "2-0-Diaminop-cymene," by A. S. Wheeler and E. de W. Jennings; "2-Amino-ô-nitrop-cyinene," by A. S. Wheeler and F . P. Brooks; and "Analysis of North Carolina Coals," by F. C. Vilbrandt. Northeastern. May 14, 1926: "The Romance of Carbon." by A. D. Little, Boston, Mass. North Jersey. April 19, 1920: "Coffee the Beverage," by David L. Davoll chemical director of Arbuckle Bros., New York City. Northwestern Utah. April 30, 1926: "Chemical Industry of Alsace," by F. K. Cameron; and "Catalyst in Fentons Reagent," by C. J. Christensen. Omaha. April 0, 1926: " T h e Smelting of Lead," by Emil Wurgler, of the American Smelting & Refining Co., Omaha, Neb. April 29, 1926: "Illinium, Element 6 1 , " by B. S. Hopkins, of the University of Illinois. Urbana, 111. Oregon. April 24, 1926: "Some Phthaleins Containing a Pyrone Group." by Charles H. Johnson; "Some of the Problems of a Laboratory Supply House, by Leonard Cooper, and "Growing Hard Wheat with Irrigation," by J. S. Jones. Pittsburgh. April 15, 1926: "Flame," by H. F. Coward, of England. Rochester. April 19, 1920: "The Origin of Salts," by K.' C. D. Hickman, of the Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, Ν. Υ. May 3, 1926: "The Manufacture of Alkali from Natural Saline Deposits," by R. Norris Shreve, of New York City. Saint Joseph Valley. April 21, 1926: "Causes and Effects of Internal Stresses in Metals," by Edward G. Mahin, of Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana. South Jersey. April 20, 1926: "Silica Gel," by W. A. Patrick, of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. Syracuse. April 16, 1926: "French Towns and Universities," by Ε. Μ. Chamot, of Cornell University, Ithaca, Ν. Υ. University of Illinois. April 19, 1926: "Modern Analytical Chemistry," by; H. H. Willard, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Virginia. April 10, 1926: "Artificial Silk," by George Juer, of the Tubize Co., and "Isotopes," by W. G. Guye, of the College of William and Mary. Washington, D. C. April 8, 1926: "The Chemical Behavior of Gaseous Ions," by S. C. Lind, and "Ionic Catalysis in Gases—A New Type," by D. C Bardwell, both of the Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. Western New York. April 13, 1926: "Metallic Tantalum," by C. W. Balke, of Fansteel Products Co. May 4, 1926: " T h e Cracking of Hydrocarbon Oils into Gasolines," by Gustav Égloff, of the Universal Oil Products Co.
The Lock Haven Meeting last month was a greater success t h a n was expected. A party of fifty-three were drawn by the unusual opportunity to inspect a dye plant, and were impressed by the modern efficiency of the paper mill. Guests from Bucknell University, which is outside the Section, were present, and the suggestion was made a t an enthusiastic meeting in Roster's R e s t a u r a n t that the Section apply for an extension of its territory t o include Lewisburg, Sunbury, and Northumberland. As the Section will be host to the American Chemical Society a t Northumberland on September 5, this proposal will receive attention a t the M a y meeting.
New York and North Jersey Sections to Publish Joint Bulletin A new local section organ is soon t o appear under t h e joint auspices of the New York and N o r t h Jersey Sections of the American Chemical Society according to a unanimous vote empowering t h e executive committee of t h e New York Section to p u t t h e plan into t h e effect a t its meeting of M a y 7. This publication will be an enlargement of t h e "Bulletin" now published b y the N o r t h Jersey Section. I t is expected t h a t t h e joint publication will make its appearance about October 1, 1926.
Central Pennsylvania Section
Chicago Section The Chicago Section recently elected the following officers for the ensuing year: Chairman, P. N. Leech; Vice Chairmen, W. V. Kvans and K. Lucille MeCIuskey; Secretary, Lee K. Supple; Treasurer, A. B. Carter; Editor, W. R. Fetzer. The Willard Gibbs Medal has been awarded this year to Sir James Colquhoun Irvine of the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. The presentation will be made a t the September meeting. A. H. Schaar has been elected president of the Chicago Chemists' Club.
Connecticut Valley Section The April meeting of the Connecticut Valley Section was held a t South Manchester, Connecticut en April 10. T h e bright sunshiny day was a boon to the Section and most of the members motored t o South Manchester. I n the morning an unusually large number of t h e members of t h e Section and their guests took advantage of t h e opportunity to visit the Cheney Silk Mills. The party was ably guided by M r . Scott and Mr. Shelton who are chief chemists at these mills. Each member was provided at the outset with a chart illustrating t h e process so t h a t practically the entire development of the finished product from the cocoons and imported reeled silk could be seen and intelligently followed. T h e engraving room, where skilled workmen were engaged in copying and cutting t h e designs which were finally transferred t o copper rollers, was of considerable interest to all. Quite a good deal of time was spent in the printing room where the special point of attraction was t h e stamping of a vivid pattern in ten colors. Perhaps the weaving room called forth the greatest admiration because of t h e intricacy of machinery and beauty of the brocaded silks produced. T h e chemists were naturally attracted b y the laboratory, equipped not only for usual chemical analyses b u t also for the duplication, on a small scale, of such actual plant processes a s printing and dyeing. After the trip through the mills the members of t h e Section assembled in Cheney Hall for luncheon. Frank Cheney was present and welcomed the Section to South Manchester. Mr. Cheney gave a few interesting items with regard t o Cheney Hall, which is the recreation center for the town. I t was built in 1870 and was used as a church for any denomination desiring to use it. M a n y famous preachers and speakers have been heard there. I t was used as a hospital during the influenza epidemic a n d has always been open for any service to the community. I t is in constant use for recreation a t the noon hour and for all clubs a n d entertainment of the employees. Directly after the luncheon the regular business meeting was held a n d was followed by two addresses. "Some Applications of Chemistry t o Textile Processes" by Elbert M. Shelton, of South Manchester and " T h e Dyeing of Silk and Rayon B o t h Alone and in Combination." by Walter M . Scott, South Manchester.
The Detroit Section T h e April meeting was addressed by L. D. Vorce, past president of t h e Section and president of t h e Chemical City Rayon Corporation, on t h e subject of rayon. M r . Vorce presented not only the chemical features involved b u t also gave figures to show t h e growth of the industry and its possibilities. T h e address was illustrated by samples of the material in m a n y of its varied forms and as made up into fabrics.
Indiana Section During t h e past two years college students within t h e territory of t h e Indiana Section have won one-fourth of t h e twelve available thousand dollar national prize essay contest awards. I n 1925, Messrs. Gilbert Ayers of Taylor University, Upland,
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Indiana, and Jesse Hendricks of Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana, were the winners. This year Miss J a n e t Rioch of Butler University, Indianapolis, won a prize. I s this just accidental? Four years ago the Indiana Section inaugurated its "Biennial Student Meeting." inviting all junior and senior students study ing chemistry in the universities and colleges of t h e State to be its guests for a one-day meeting. Inspection trips and addresses by prominent chemists were arranged for. So successful was this that a day and a half were given to the s t u d e n t meeting in 1924 and two days in 1926. Our present program includes inspection trips on four halfdays through plants using chemical processes. T h e subject of chemical education is presented to the faculty members attend ing by a specially fitted speaker. The students a r e addressed by speakers who stress the theoretical and the practical side of chemistry. In short the Section endeavors to give the visiting students and faculty members, the greatest a m o u n t of informa tion it can in a brief two days. Registration this year was 300. Plans are already under way for the next meeting to be held in the spring of 1928. Is it merely coincidence t h a t Indiana Students won twentyfive per cent of the national prizes? At the weekly meeting held April 13, H. H. Cory, who had acted as substitute councilor of the Section at the Tulsa meeting of the A. C. S. reported the activities of t h a t meeting. Scott Wade of the Acetylene Products C o m p a n y gave an in teresting talk on acetylene, calling attention to t h e fact that credit for the discovery of acetylene goes to an Indiana electrical engineer, who in trying to obtain calcium in the electrical fur nace formed the carbide which when discarded into t h e river gave off acetylene. Although a t one time acetylene was used ex tensively in automobile lighting, its present use is mostly for oxyacetylene welding and cutting. A number of practical demonstrations in cutting and welding followed Mr. Wade's talk. At the meeting held April 27, Dr. Moon of the Indiana Uni versity School of Medicine spoke interestingly on post mortems.
New York Section "Glycol Ethers as Solvents for Cellulose E s t e r s " was the sub ject of a paper by J. G. Davidson of the Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corporation, dealing with the development of new syn thetic solvents for the lacquer industry, delivered before the meet ing of the New York Section at its meeting on M a y 7. Mr. Davidson described some of the synthetic products derived from ethylene glycol which his company has succeeded in preparing commercially and compared these in detail with the requirements of the lacquer industry. Samples of the solvents a n d of lacquers prepared by their use were shown.
North Louisiana Section The N o r t h Louisiana Section, chartered less t h a n six months, shows evidence of a lively organization. Regular meetings are being held the second Tuesday of each month. The present officers of the Section a r e : Chairman, F. J. Mech lin; Councilor, S. Barna; Secretary Treasurer, W. K. Fulton. President James F. Norris visited Shreveport April 2 and 3, while en route to Tulsa. The members of the Section tendered an informal dinner at the Washington Hotel after which Dr. Norris addressed a public meeting at Centenary College audi torium on the subject "Chemistry and World Problems." Short excursions were made to T h e Louisiana Oil Refining Corporation refineries, to the new Cross Lake Reservoir, which supplies Shreveport with water and to near-by oil fields. T h e program was arranged by Messrs. A. Salathe, Garbrecht, and Fulton. It is interesting to note t h a t 14 per cent of the Section's total membership attended t h e Tulsa meeting.
Philadelphia Section On Thursday March 18, Dr. Ε. Μ. Chamot, Cornell Univer sity, delivered a lecture in the John Harrison Laboratory of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, on the subject "Chemical Microscopy: Its Aims and Its Possibilities," before the Philadelphia Section. There was not a vacant seat in the auditorium and those who came were quite well repaid as the presentation was one of the most interesting t h a t the Philadelphia Section has had this year, although the programs have been exceptionally fine. Dr. Chamot brought out in his paper t h e fact t h a t we have not used the microscope to its fullest extent in order t h a t t h e chemist might get to his result more quickly than otherwise. He pointed out t h a t some analyses t h a t are impossible with other methods are easily possible in experienced hands with t h e aid of the microscope. The use t h a t Cornell University and Dr. Chamot have made of t h e micro scope in determining t h e authenticity of old coins was extremely interesting.
CHEMISTRY
News Edition
The meeting of April 15 was devoted t o the subject "The Chemistry of Life and Disease," Dr. Ellice McDonald, associate professor of gynecology, G r a d u a t e School of Medicine, Univer sity of Pennsylvania, was t h e speaker. The Philadelphia Section joined with the Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Franklin Institute, and the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia, in recognizing "Oil and Gas Power Week," at a meeting a t the Franklin Insti tute on April 23. The subject for discussion was "By-Products of Coal," and the chief speakers were: W m . H. Blauvelt, consulting engineer, New York; H. W. Brooks, fuel expert, Fuller-Lehigh Co., Fullerton, Pa., and Y. Z. Caracristi, consulting engineer and inventor, New York. Dr. W. P. Davey, General Electric Company, will address the May 20 meeting of the Philadelphia Section on t h e subject "Application of X - R a y s to Chemistry."
Sacramento Section At a recent meeting the following officers were elected for this Section for t h e year of 1926: Chairman, W. J. Lentz, Sacramento; Vice Chairman, J. H. Jonte, Stockton; Secretary-Treasurer, J. H. Norton, Sacramento; Councilor, C. F. Hoyt, Sacramento.
South Jersey Section The thirty-ninth meeting of the South Jersey Section was held at the du Pont Club on Tuesday evening, April 20, 1926. The speaker of t h e evening was W. A. Patrick, professor of physical chemistry a t Johns Hopkins University. His talk o n "Silica Gel" held t h e attention of everyone of the thirty-three members present. The Section participated in the Oil and Gas Power National Conference held throughout the United States t h e week of April 19 to 24 by listening to a talk on " R e c e n t Developments in Antiknock Compounds for Automobile Engines," b y W . S. Calcott. A general discussion followed the talk. The business of the evening included a report by the committee in charge of obtaining a suitable speaker's lantern. T h e com mittee recommended t h a t t h e machine offered b y Mr. D u n n of this Section be purchased for $25, t h a t approximately $9 be spent for a lantern screen, and t h a t t h e remaining approximately $100 be placed in the bank a t interest, its use to be determined at a future date b y the Section. All of this money comes from a fund which was obtained from the proceeds of a dance held under the auspices of t h e Section a t the d u P o n t Club last January. The Section rejected a proposal to hold a moonlight excursion trip on the Delaware River this coming summer. T h e nom inating committee reported two names for each of the offices of chairman, vice chairman, a n d secretary-treasurer, and one name for councilor. T h e committee stated t h a t the precedent in this Section of officers progressing each year from secretary-treasurer to chairman and councilor had been disregarded, a n d in the future it was recommended t h a t the officers be chosen for their capability of holding their respective offices. I t was further recommended t h a t the same member be elected to t h e office of Councilor each year and t h a t he be a member who in all prob ability would attend the national meetings. I n this w a y the Councilor would be continually in closer touch with t h e general affairs of the Society. N o more nominations were made from the floor and t h e following members were elected by ballot for the coming season: Councilor, R. E. Rose; Chairman, M. S. Thomp son; Vice Chairman, P. C. Bowers; Secretary-Treasurer, P . W. Carleton, 307 State St., Pennsgrove, N . J.
Franklin to Lecture at Western Reserve Professor E. C. Franklin of Stanford University, California, has accepted an invitation t o give a course of 30 lectures on ''The Ammonia System of C o m p o u n d s " in the forthcoming summer session of Western Reserve University, J u n e 21 to July 30. These lectures will offer an unusual opportunity for teachers, graduate students, and chemists to come into personal contact with Pro fessor Franklin in a more centrally located section of t h e country. Professor Franklin will also direct the experimental work of a few qualified chemists who desire to prepare for further investigations in the field of liquid ammonia.
Chemistry of Inks The New York Public Library has compiled a valuable list of references covering the publications in the library on the chemistry and manufacture of writing and printing inks. The compilation has been made by William B. Gamble, chief of the division of science and technology, a n d includes some thirty pages of references in addition t o a long list of patents issued in t h e United States a n d many foreign countries. This is followed b y a list of patentees alphabetically arranged and there is an index of subjects as well.
May 20. 1926
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Legislation P e n d i n g in Congress Asphalt, gilsonite, elaterite, etc., provide disposition of, on public lands. H . R. 5385, Mr. Colton. Reported from Public Lands Feb. 25, 1926; Report No. 379, House. Caustic Alkali. S. 2320, Mr. Pepper, Pa. Passed Senate Apr. 2. H. R. 10,823, Mr. Griest. Same as Senate Bill. Reported from Com. on Interstate and Foreign Commerce Apr. 1. H . Rept. 759. Muscle Shoals Bill. H. R. 11,602. Reported t o House Apr. 26. H. Rept. 980. S. 4106, Mr. Deneen, 111. T o authorize Secretary of W a r t o execute lease. Reported to Senate Apr. 29. S. R e p t . 672. Petroleum. S. Res. 31, Trammell. Directing t h e Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report t o the Sen a t e on the advances recently made in the price of crude oil, gasoline, kerosene, and other petroleum products, etc. Mar. 12, 1925, over under the rule. Potash, to promote mining on public domain. H. R. 5243. Mar. 30 passed House. Referred to S. Com. on Public Lands. Potash Deposits. Investigation S. 1821, Air. Sheppard, Texas. Passed Senate Apr. 14. Reported t o House M a y 6. H. Rept. 1105. P u r e Food Act, amending. S. 481. Passed Senate Jan. 30, 1926. Reported to House with a m e n d m e n t s Apr. 16. H . Rept. 911.
Industrial Division A n n o u n c e m e n t for Philadelphia M e e t i n g For some years the Industrial Division of the American Chemi cal Society has required t h e completed papers one m o n t h in ad vance of t h e date of the meeting. This year it is asking for t h e papers a few days earlier on account of t h e reviewers being away on vacation and the probable large number of papers which will be submitted for t h e Philadelphia meeting. Completed papers should be in the hands of the Secretary by J u l y 20. At Tulsa, all Divisional Officers agreed to have their final programs in t h e h a n d s of Dr. Parsons nut later t h a n August 7, so it was neces sary to have: the time between July 25 and August 7 for reviewing papers submitted. At Philadelphia, t h e Division will hold its meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons, and all d a y Friday. Two of these meetings will be devoted t o two special topics—"Future Trends in Industrial Chemistry," and " W h a t Is Chemical En gineering E d u c a t i o n ? " Under t h e first topic such recognized authorities as Drs. Herty, Norris, Parr, Fieldner, Mory, Lipm a n , Esselen, Blum, etc., will participate. T h e second topic will be discussed by not only nationally famous professors but b y chief chemists of t h e Nation's largest chemical industries. This last meeting will be held jointly with the Division of Chemi cal Education. So, two half-days are left for general and miscellaneous papers. On one of these occasions a prominent foreign manufacturing chemist will discuss a general topic. Send t h e title of your paper now, its abstract soon, and the com pleted paper before July 25. T h e sooner we have your title the better, t h e sooner we have your abstract the more publicity your paper will receive, and the sooner we get the completed paper the better chance it has of being printed a t an early date. Let's make the Philadelphia meeting the best one ever. Send t h e title of your paper N O W to Erle M. Billings, Secre tary, Research Laboratory, E a s t m a n Kodak Company, Roches ter. Ν . Υ.
A New Process of Making Betaine Hydrochloride Recently, a novel process of manufacturing betaine hydro chloride and glutamic acid has been developed by a Multiple Industrial Fellowship of Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, University of Pittsburgh. T h e construction of a factory for the production of these substances is planned by the fellowship donor. T h e proposed plant will produce five hundred thousand pounds of betaine hydrochloride annually. Heretofore this hydrochloride has been available only a t a very high price, a n d consequently the use of it h a s been limited. Unique properties make it especially desirable for certain thera peutic purposes. Physiologically betaine is an inert, tasteless substance which has been proved to be without deleterious action on t h e h u m a n system. Betaine hydrochloride is a colorless, easily crystalline solid which, upon solution in water, liberates hydrochloric acid by hydrolysis. T h u s it m a y be considered
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as a solid form of hydrochloric acid which may be taken in tablets without a n y harmful action on the teeth. For this purpose it has been sold under the pharmaceutical name "acidol." Another important use of this acid is as a substitute for tar taric acid in the preparation of effervescent salts of all sorts. It is especially valuable in preparations in which tartaric acid is objectionable. Betaine hydrochloride is also a potential source of trimethylamine and other methyl amines. A good yield of trimethylamine m a y be obtained from it simply by treatment with alkalies. T h e investigations concerning the properties and uses of this interesting acid are being continued at Mellon Institute and doubtless will disclose other commercial applications of the substance.
Obituary Roscoe Edward Doolittle The death on April 25, a t his home in Evanston, 111., of Roscoe E. Doolittle, removes one of the most effective workers in food law enforcement. Mr. Doolittle's genial and manly qualities endeared him to a host of friends, and his tact and poise won the admiration and respect of all who came in contact with him. His activities in connection with food law enforcement began: in 1896. When the Federal Food and Drugs Act was passed ten years later, he had become one of the outstanding figures in that field, and his ability and judgment have contributed much to t h e effectiveness of food law enforcement, both national a n d state. Mr. Doolittle was born a t Fowlerton, Mich., on J a n u a r y 16, 1874. H e attended the high schools of Howell a n d Morrice, Mich., a n d in 1896 received the degree of B.S. from t h e Agricul tural College of t h a t state. After a special course in food analy sis a t the State University, under Dr. A. B . Prescott, he served as assistant chemist in the Michigan State Dairy and Food De p a r t m e n t from 1896 to 1899, a n d w a s state analyst in the same d e p a r t m e n t from 1899 to 1904. I n September, 1904, h e was appointed to take charge of the New York laboratory of the Bureau of Chemistry, which position he retained until October, 1911, when he became a member of the Board of Food and Drug Inspection in Washington. When Dr. H. W. Wiley resigned on March 15, 1912, M r . Doolittle was designated as Acting Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, and conducted the affairs of t h a t Bureau in an able manner during one of t h e most trying periods of its history. In 1917, Mr. Doolittle became the first chief of t h e Eastern District of the Bureau of Chemistry, and from the close of t h a t year until his death was chief of the Central District. During his twenty-two years' service in the Bureau of Chem istry, an important part of his activity was the training of men t o carry on t h e work of the Bureau. For many years he has taken an active part in the committeee work of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, and in recent years has been chairman of its Committee on Editing Methods of Analysis. T h e volume of methods t h a t has been published under his direc tion is a monument to his memory. He was a member of the following societies: American Chemi cal Society, since 1898; Society of Chemical Industry, since 1905; American Association for the Advancement of Science, since 1908; American Pharmaceutical Association, since 1910; American Public Health Association, since 1911. He h a s been a member of the J o i n t Committee on Definitions and Standards of the A. O. A. C. since 1921, and was president of that association in 1924. W. D. BIGELOW. H . F . Davison Professor H . F . Davison of Brown University, Providence, R . I., died very suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage on Wednesday, April 28. Franz Roessler Franz Roessler, chairman of t h e Board of Directors of T h e Roessler & Hasslachcr Chemical Co.. died Wednesday, March 24, 1926. M r . Roessler, together with the late Jacob Hasslacher. founded the firm which bears their names in 1885.
Tertiary B u t a n o l Available Commercially The latest member of the family of new products being m a d e from petroleum a s a result of chemical research in its industrial application is tertiary butanol. The new product is available commercially a t moderate prices and can be obtained from t h e Petroleum Chemical Corporation. 30 Broad Street, New York, Ν . Υ .
