August 25,1940
NEWS
The police are very efficiently organised so that a few hours after a raid one would scarcely know that anything had happened. Bodies are cared for at once. Debris is cleared and life goes on as usual Demand for Technical Education Is Increased The trend in universities toward heavy enrollment in the sciences, especially chemistry, physics, and engineering, has been accentuated by the national crisis and the demand for university graduates, particularly for highway construction and radio communication. Engineering schools have suffered most severely since it was possible to move very little of their equipment inland and difficult with high transportation and exchange costs to install new laboratory equipment. An example of the new emphasis on scientific training is shown in the organization of the Kansu Science Education Institute, an extensive program financed by one of the educational foundations for the special training of science teachers and the subsidizing of science instruction in the lower schools throughout the northwest area.
wren Intsffete with Chemical Importations China has long depended on Europe for better grade laboratory chemicals and on Japan for some of the heavy chemicals. Hostilities in both Europe and the Far East have interfered with these sources of supply, particularly for chemical materials of military importance. Even in the occupied areas it is difficult to secure supplies of iodine, bromine, and acids for routine laboratory purposes.
EDITION
British Dyemelcen Fill 9 0 Pet Cent of Domestic Needs
Egyptian Phosphate Rock Moots Far Eastern Demands
DEVELOPMENT of the dye industry in
EXPLOITATION of phosphate rock is regarded as one of the most important mining industries of Egypt, the yearly output being valued at about 500,000 Egyptian pounds, according to the American Commercial Attache, Cairo. This industry retains its position because of the consistent demand from the Far East. From a transportation standpoint, Egyptian rock is seriously handicapped on European markets since ocean shipments start at the Red Sea port of Kosseir, and cargoes destined to European ports would be subject to Suez Canal tolls.
Great Britain during recent years has permitted the local textile industry to continue operations at a near normal level despite the elimination of German colors, according to a report from the American Consulate, Bradford. British dyemakers supply approximately 90 per cent of domestic requirements, which compares with 20 per cent during the World War. The Controller of Dyestuffs insists that imported dyes be used only for essential war contracts and for the trade. British dyers are obliged to avoid waste with available supplies of colors. This is to be achieved by reducing the variety of shades, masting the yardage dyed at one time, and avoiding deeper tones in dark colors. Brazil Potential Source of Pyrethrum Flowers ALTHOUGH Bnizil has as yet exported but little pyrethrum flowers, the crop can be profitably grown in that country and is a potential source for important insecticide material, according to the American Commercial Attache1, Rio de Janeiro. In recent years output has been about 660,000 pounds per year. The bulk has been utilized by domestic manufacturers of household fly sprays, but small export shipments have been made to the United States, the world's largest consumer of pyrethrum flowers. Imports of pyrethrum flowers into the United States in 1930 aggregated 13,569,300 pounds, valued at $3,173,600, with 50 per cent of the quantity originating in Japan and 40 per cent in Kenya Colony, Africa.
W. H. ADOLPH
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June 27, 1040 &*0
German D y t Production No AUTHENTIC data are available regarding German production of dyes. Precise data are carefully guarded as trade secrets, according to reports to the Department of Commerce. However, indications are that renewed expansion occurred in 1039, following substantial decreases in 1038, in consequence of augmented demand in the domestic market resulting from the greatly increased manufacture of military uniforms. Exports recorded a marked acceleration in the first seven months but doubtless fell off heavily in succeeding months owing to the foreign naval blockade. In view of the large share of the national production of dyestuffs destined to overseas and enemy-status countries, it is dear that the war has had adverse effects especially upon the dyestuff industry, with indications of considerable decreases in output from prewar levels.
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Lithuanian Market Again Handles U. S. Toiletries TOILETRIES, including soaps, face powders, lotions, and make-up articles have appeared on the Lithuanian market after an absence of several months during which the authorities would grant no licenses for direct importations, according to a report from the American Consulate, Kaunas. The American toiletries on sale in Lithuania are claimed to have been reexported to that country from Germany. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, American toiletries were attaining considerable popularity in Lithuania and sales were increasing steadily.
IMPOSTS of coal-tar dyes into Yugoslavia during January and February, 1940, amounted to 165 metric tons valued at 14,452,000 dinars compared with 224 metric tons at 12,814,000 dinars in the corresponding months of 1939, according to the American Consulate, Belgrade.
China M a y Extract Gallnut Derivatives before Exportation EXPORTERS of gallnuts in Hong Kong are investigating the possibilities of extracting derivatives such as tannic acid, gallic acid, and gallnut extract at the point of origin in China and shipping them to the United States via Hong Kong, according to a report from the American Consulate General, Hong Kong. The cost of bringing the gallnuts from the interior to the coast is very high because of hostilities going on in China. On the other hand, the derivatives are relatively high in value and nonbulky. The sharp increase in trans-Pacific freight charges is also a factor. Two Hong Kong dealers have expressed the opinion that the savings in transport costs would more than offset the American import duty. However, this has not yet been demonstrated ii« practice. 1939 Chinese Medicinal Purchases from U. S. Rise CiHiXA, in common with many other countries, greatly increased purchases of American medicinals last year, taking products valued at $670,000, compared with $259,000 in 1038 and $428,500 in 1937, according to the IT. S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Although almost all types of medicinals were bought in larger quantities, greatest gains were recorded in bulk medicinal chemicals and similar products divided into doses. Reich Controls Quality of Substitutes for Soap FOLLOWING the outbreak of European hostilities and the consequent shortage of imported soap fats, the German market was flooded with soap substitutes, many said to be of little value, according to the American Consulate General, Frankfort-on-Main. The government found it necessary to institute strict control over the manufacture of such products. At present consumers are assured that soap substitutes offered for sale contain the best available materials and are sold at a fair price.
