8
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING
the sludge, which precipitates from the cooled Glover acid i n sulfuric acid manufacture and which consists for t h e most p a r t of selenium, can be easily filtered with this glass wool. Likewise there is no longer difficulty in the nitration of nitration mixtures, sulfuric-chromic acid solutions, mercury, etc., as well a s in general such liquids, even when viscous, which otherwise destroy filter cloths a n d paper. STEROLS AND T H E ANTIRACHITIC VITAMIN
The vitamin furor is past; ail t h e more earnest and significant are t h e present investigations of chemists to elucidate t h e actual nature a n d properties of the vitamins. The well-known research worker on cholesterol, Dr. Adolf Windaus of the University of Gottingen, in cooperation with Dr. Alfred Hess of New York, Dr. O. Rosenheim of London, Prof. R. Pohl of Gottingen, and Dr. Webster, has succeeded in proving that ergosterol is optically identical with t h e provitamin in every respect. Whether i t is merely extremely closely related to it chemically, as sitosterol to cholesterol, or whether it is also chemically identical with the provitamin cannot y e t be stated. T h e ergosterol used for the experiments was obtained from yeast. Ergosterol irradiated with ultra-violet light yielded, in doses of 1/500 or even 1/1000 mg., positive curative action in t h e case of rachitic rats. Accordingly ergosterol or a sterol optically and physiologically identical with i t represents t h e antirachitic provitamin. W h a t happens to ergosterol when it is irradiated with ultra-violet light cannot yet be said. According to Prof. Windaus an isomer of ergosterol is probably formed. T H E ELEMENT RHENIUM
According to an exposition b y W. Noddack, the discoverers of rhenium with the atomic number 75, I. Tacke, Dr. Noddack, and Dr. Berg, have isolated t h i s element in the amount of 1 mg. of oxide from 10 kg. of gadolinite. Rhenium yields a white higher oxide easily subliming a t a b o u t 300°. T h e corresponding sulfide is gray in color and insoluble in ammonium sulfide. T h e hydrochloric acid solution of t h e oxide a n d the solution of t h e alkali rhenates are colorless. Rhenium has been identified in other tungsten containing minerals, besides gadolinite, so t h a t n o further doubts are to b e raised a s to t h e existence of t h e new element. After the discovery also of element 61 in t h e past year, only two elements are n o w lacking in t h e periodic system.
CHEMISTRY
News Edition
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry for May 1 Lime is t h e principal topic for discussion in the forthcoming M a y issue, for it will contain nineteen of the papers presented in the Lime Symposium of t h e Industrial Division a t the Richmond meeting. These papers cover the subject from such fundamental investigations a s x-ray studies of limes through the place of lime in a n u m b e r of selected industries t o such commercial phases as " T h e Consumer, t h e M a r k e t , t h e Lime Business, a n d the Chemical I n d u s t r y " written by a n executive in the industry, "The Problem of the Lime I n d u s t r y , " "Present Progress and Future Tendencies in the Lime I n d u s t r y , " "Bridging t h e Gap between Research a n d Profits in the Lime I n d u s t r y , " and a "Summation of Needs a n d F u t u r e of Lime in t h e Chemical Industry." The recent adaptation of straight line manufacturing methods t o the pharmaceutical industry is presented in a paper on modern pharmaceutical manufacturing and the most recent progress in converting city garbage into profitable materials is presented in a paper on progress in garbage reduction. Another group of special interest comes from the program of the Division of Water, Sewage, and Sanitation Chemistry. This deals with the intercrystalline corrosion of metals, embrittlement of boiler plate, a n d natural sodium bicarbonate waters in the United States. Among t h e other 37 titles will be found "Bthylene Dichloride," "Certain Solvent Properties of Furfural and Its Derivatives," "Action of Sulfur Monochloride on Petroleum H y d r o carbons," "Chemical Mechanism of Linseed Oil D r y i n g , " and " A Determination of C a r b o n and Nitrogen on t h e Same Soil Sample." The Committee on Guaranteed Reagents will present recommended specifications for analytical reagent chemicals. The M a y number promises to be one of particular industrial interest.
Translated by Paul R. Dawson
Electrochemists t o Hold Silver Jubilee Meeting The American Electrochemical Society is t o celebrate its silver jubilee at t h e coming spring meeting, t o be held a t the Hotel Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia, Pa. T h e sessions will cover all of three, and possibly four days, April 27, 28, 29, and 30. It was a t Philadelphia in 1902 t h a t the first meeting was held. Among the charter members of the Society we find the names of engineers and scientists who h a v e gained world-wide reputation for their accomplishments in electrochemistry—1£. G. Acheson, Lawrence Addicks, W. D. Bancroft, C. F . Burgess, G. H. Clamer, F . A. J . FitzGerald, Carl Hering, Wm. Hoskins, R. S. Mutton, Louis Kahlenberg, J. W. Richards, E. F . Roeber, A. J. Rossi, S. P. Sadtler, Pedro G. Salom, E. A. Sperry, E- R. Taylor, F . J. Tone, W. R. Whitney, a n d many others. Many of the charter members will attend the Philadelphia Convention and a n u m b e r of t h e m will present brief accounts of the early days of the Society and t h e development of their particular electrochemical line during these past twenty-five years. An outstanding feature of one of the meetings will be t h e a d dress b y Peter Debye, of the University of Zurich, on " T h e Dielectric Constant of Electrolyte Solutions." Prof. Debye h a s been one of the foremost exponents of the new theoretical developments in electrochemistry and he will participate actively in all of the discussion. H u g h S. Taylor, Princeton University, will preside a t this session and papers will be presented by George Scatchard, T. J . Webb, Herbert S. Harned, and Victor K. EaMer. The Electrothermic Division of the Society has arranged a very interesting session o n the Gaseous Reduction of Ores a n d Other Metal Compounds. Details of this session will be a n nounced later. The Electrodeposition Division will hold a session on Saturday morning t o discuss a series of papers on chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, copper, and tin.
Ceramic Society Officers The following officers have been elected by t h e American Ceramic Society for t h e year 1927-28: President, B. Mifflin Hood, Atlanta, Ga.; Vice President, M. C. Booze, Cincinnati, Ohio; Treasurer, H. B . Henderson, Columbus, Ohio; Trustee, G . W . Denison, Cleveland, Ohio; General Secretary, Ross C. P u r d y , Columbus, Ohio.
Bakelite Corporation W i n s P a t e n t Decision The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for t h e T h i r d Circuit has rendered a decision in favor of Bakelite Corporation, a s against t h e Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, in a review of patent litigation pertaining to the manufacture of billiard balls. Bakelite Corporation originally made complaint in t h e District Court of Delaware, a n d after a lengthy review of the chemistry and engineering technic involved, Judge Morris returned a decision t o the effect t h a t there was n o infringement, t h u s dismissing t h e case. Appeal t o t h e higher C o u r t resulted in a finding for Bakelite Corporation. Rendering t h e Court of Appeals' decision Judge Buffington said: "Convinced a s we are t h a t the defendant's use of identity of ingredients a n d identity of means, with those which alone are specified in t h e recited claim, t h a t b y such use they obtain identity of result, namely, a synthetic billiard ball 'hard, insoluble, and infusible.' a product first disclosed by this patent, we are justified in adjudging Patent N o . 942,699 valid and infringed." The validity of the p a t e n t in question h a s been sustained in court actions in the past. Issued to L. H . Baekeland, it was later assigned by him t o t h e Bakelite Corporation, of which he is president. T h e invention relates to the production of hard, insoluble, a n d infusible condensation products of phenols a n d formaldehyde. Investigations in connection with the C o u r t of Appeals' decision disclosed the fact t h a t in all of the great record of chemical investigation along lines in a n y way related to Baekeiand's work, there was no evidence t h a t any one before h i m h a d produced commercial synthetic billiard balls similar in their properties t o ivory. The invention was of a new product in an u n tilled field, a n d was "really a remarkable contribution made t o one of civilization's centuries old sports." With respect t o a second p a t e n t under discussion, having t o do with the addition of organic or inorganic bases t o the phenol formaldehyde reaction, t h e defendant was found not to infringe. This finding, however, is regarded as of secondary importance, in view of t h e general refutation of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender claims which decision on t h e " h e a t a n d pressure" p a t e n t involves. The Bakelite vs. Brunswick suit has been a subject of considerable interest in scientific circles and t h e recent ruling of t h e Court of Appeals is bound t o receive extensive quotation whenever p a t e n t cases of similar bearing are a t issue.
April 10, 1927
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Announced Programs of Local Sections 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. Programs will be found in this Section and details of the meetings may be given elsewhere in the News Edition. Akron. March S, 1927: "The Determination of Chemical Acidity," by J. N . Bronsted, of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. California. March 11, 1927: "Quantitative Formulation of Organic Reactions," by James B. Conant, of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Central Pennsylvania. March 9, 1927: "Low Temperature Carbonization of Coal," by H. C. Porter, of Philadelphia, Pa. Chicago. March 25, 1927: "Researches on Electroplating," by William Blum, of the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Cincinnati. March 24, 1927: "Chromium Plating and Its Applications," by William Blum, of the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Cleveland. March 7, 1927: "The Theory of the Velocity of Ionic Reactions," by J. N. Bronsled, of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Connecticut Valley. March 12, 1927: "The Mercury Boiler." by T. H. Soren, vice president of the Electric Light Co., Hartford, Conn. Delaware. March 16, 1927: "The Electronic Conception of Valence and the Isolation of Electromers and Their Significance," by M. S. Kharasch, of the University of Maryland, College Park, Md. Detroit. March 2, 1927: " M y Experience in Darkest Africa," by Harold H. Emmons, of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Detroit, Mich. Erie. March 8, 1927: "Phosphorescence and Fluorescence," by Gerald Iv. Wendt, of Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. Fort Wayne. March 26, 1927: "Crystal Structure and Strength of Metals," by E. G. Mahin, of Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Ind. Hawaiian. February 22, 1927: "The History of Military Explosives," by Ernest du Pont, of Wilmington, Del. Indiana. March 11. 1927: "Some Practical Applications of the Liquidation of Gases," by R. B. Moore, of Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. Iowa. February 10, 1927: "Present and Future Motor Fuels," by W. F. Faragher, of the Universal Oil Products Co., Chicago, 111. Lehigh Valley. March 25, 1927: "Rubber—Its Chemistry and Economics," by H. F. Fisher, of the U. S. Rubber Co., New York City. Lexington. March 9, 1927: "Nutritional Aspects of Anemia," by Miss Statie Erickson, of the University of Kentucky; and "Vitamins as They Stand Today," by Miss Mariel Hopkins, of the University of Kentucky. April 9, 1927: "The Research Institute for Chemical Education," by Neil E. Gordon, of the University of Maryland, College Park, Md. Louisiana. March 19, 1927: "Studies in the Urea Series: Transformations t o Nitrosoguanadine," by Armand J. Abrams; "Some Applications of Chemistry to Manufacturing Problems," by A. E. Hotson; and "A Cross-Section of the Chemical Profession," by R. H. Stevens. Maine. March IS, 1927: "The Chemist in the Paper and Pulp Industry," by Edwin Sutermeister. Milwaukee. March 25, 1927: "Modern American Industrial Organic Chemistry," by Frank C. Whitmore, of Northwestern University, Evanston, 111. Minnesota. March 30, 1927: "Relation of Biological Oxidation to Functional Activities in the Animal Body," by Arthur S. Loevenhart, of the University nf Wisconsin, Madison, Wis. N e w Haven. April 5, 1927: "Recent Developments in Household Refrigeration," by W. R. Hainsworth, of the National Refrigerating Company. N e w York. March 11, 1927: "The Medalist's Early Life," by Frank C. Whitmore, of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; "The Medalist's Work," by Marston T. Bogert, of Columbia University, New York City; and "Address of Acceptance," by Roger T. Adams, of the University of Illinois, Urbana, III. (Nichols Medal Award Meeting.) Northeastern. March 11, 1927: "Color Motion Picture Films," by Glenn E. Matthews, of the Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N. Y. North Jersey. March 14, 1927: "Properties of Dry Ice," by J. W. Martin, of the Dry Ice Corporation of America. Omaha. March S, 1927: "Water Bacteriology," by J. T. Meyers, of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska; and "The Relation of Turbidity to Coagulant Dosage in Municipal Water Supplies," by K. Armstrong, of the Metropolitan Utilities District. Oregon. March 19, 1927: "The Mechanism of Light Rotation by the Asymmetric Carbon Atom," by H. G. Tanner; and "A Study of Port Orford Cedal Oil and the Isolation of Borneol," by F. H. Thurber. Philadelphia. "New Developments in Chemotherapy," by George W. Waizis, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. Pittsburgh. March 17, 1927: "Recent Developments in Refractories Technology," by S. M. Phelps, director of research and tests, American Refractories Institute; and "Refractories in the Glass Industry," by E. J. Casselman, of the Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa. Rhode Island. March 25, 1927: "Relation between Chemistry and Agriculture," by J. S. Chamberlain, of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. Rochester. March 21, 1927: "Organic Compounds of Tin," by Ralph H. Bullard, of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y.; and April 4, 1927: "Modern Developments in Leather Chemistry," by John Arthur Wilson, of A. F. Gallun & Sons Co., Milwaukee, Wis. St. Joseph Valley. March 22, 1927: "Home Remedies! Claim vs. Composition," by Paul Nicholas Leech, of the American Medical Association, Chicago, III. St. Louis. March 29, 1927: "Principles of Electro-Deposition," by William Blum, of the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Southern California. March 4, 1927: "Recent Triumphs and Present Problems of Organic Chemistry," by James B. Conant, of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. South Jersey. April 18, 1927: "Chemical Reactions of Acetylene," by J. A. Nieuwland, of Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana; and "Oil Mining Methods," by W. S. Calcott, of the South Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society. Syracuse. March 25, 1927: "Chemistry in National Defense," by Major General A. A. Fries, of the Chemical Warfare Service, United States Army, Washington, D . C. Toledo. March 17, 1927: "The Measurement of Particle Sizes," by Edward Mack, Jr., of Ohio State University, Columbus, O. University of Michigan. March 10, 1927: "Illinium," by B. S. Hopkins, of the University of Illinois, Urbana, 111. Washington, D . C. March 4, 1927: "The Growth of Crystals," by Cecil H. Desch, of Sheffield University, England; and March 10, 1927: "Identification of Some of the Products Formed by Bacterium pruni in Milk," by S. L. Jodidi, of the Bureau of Chemistrv; "Activated Charcoal from Steffens Waste," by E. J. Fox and C. W. Whittaker, of the Bureau of Soils, and "Determination of Organic Matter by Hydrogen Peroxide," by W. O. Robinson, Bureau of Soils, Washington, D . C. Western New York. March 8, 1927: "Petroleum," by A. W. Burwell, of the Alox Chemical Corporation; and April 1, 1927: "The Chemistry of Medicinal Substances," by E. H. Volwiler, of the Abott Laboratories, Chicago, 111.
9
A Straw Vote T h e Chemical Bulletin, published b y t h e Chicago Section in cooperation with ten o t h e r sections, endeavored t o learn the wishes of m e m b e r s in t h a t locality w i t h respect t o whether one or t w o national meetings of t h e Society should b e held each year. A card was sent out upon which one could indicate his preference for one or t w o a n n u a l meetings, w i t h a n explanatory note " I n event of such a change, t h e n a t i o n a l meeting would u n d o u b t e d l y be given over a s far a s possible t o symposia, round table discussions, a n d extensive papers, a n d t h e regional meetings would be further developed a n d e n c o u r a g e d . " T h e a u t h o r i t y for this s t a t e m e n t is n o t indicated. T h e v o t e r was then asked to s t a t e how long he h a d been a m e m b e r of t h e Society, how m a n y national meetings he h a d a t t e n d e d d u r i n g the last three or last five years, and whether or n o t one n a t i o n a l meeting a year would prove a greater incentive for his regular a t t e n d a n c e . T h e following results are recorded in t h e M a r c h issue of the Chemical Bulletin. I n favor of T W O meetings a year, who h a v e a t t e n d e d meetings within last five years, 74. Average length of m e m b e r s h i p of those voting, 11.0 yrs. Average n u m b e r of m e e t i n g s a t t e n d e d within last live years, 4.2 mtgs. I n favor of T W O m e e t i n g s who h a v e never a t t e n d e d a meeting, 18. Average length of m e m b e r s h i p of those voting, 5.3 yrs. I n favor of O N E m e e t i n g a y e a r who have a t t e n d e d meetings within t h e last five y e a r s , 133. Average length of m e m b e r s h i p of those voting, 11.0 yrs. Average n u m b e r of m e e t i n g s a t t e n d e d per member,J2.3 mtgs. I n favor of O N E meeting a year who h a v e never a t t e n d e d a meeting, 64. Averpgp length of m e m b e r s h i p of those voting, 8.4 yrs. T H E VOTE BV SECTIONS
In favor of two meetings 1 47 10 4 1 1 10 1 1 1 5
Ames Chicago Illinois Iowa Louisville Milwaukee Minnesota Nebraska Purdue St. Joseph Valley Wisconsin
In favor of one meeting 2 78 13 11 0 15 21 4 10 1 24
82 31.4%
179 6S.4%
Percentage of members voting 5.0% 16.4 19.0 15.6 3.2 14.4 15.7 17.9 36.7 6.9 20.0 15.5%
OUTSIDE " T H E BULLETIN" GROUP
For TWO meetings, 10.
For ON"E meeting, 18.
SUMMARY OP THE VOTE
For TWO meetings, 92 or 31.8%
For ONE meeting, 197 or 68.2%.
Local Section Activities T h e following i t e m s of general i n t e r e s t h a v e been s u b m i t t e d b y local section c o r r e s p o n d e n t s recentljT
Erie Section T h e n e w officers of t h e E r i e Section a r e : Chairman, W. W . Hilditch; Vice Chairman, R . E . L e e ; Councilor, C. H . R e e s e ; Secretary-Treasurer, J. L. Parsons.
Maine Section At t h e J a n u a r y meeting of t h e M a i n e Section of t h e American Chemical Society, t h e following officers were elected for t h e year 1927: Chairman, Carl O t t o ; Vice Chairman, F . W. A d a m s ; Secretary-Treasurer, P a u l i n e P e r k i n s ; Councilor, C. A. B r a u t l e c h t . On M a r c h 18, E d w i n Sutermeister addressed t h e section o n the subject " T h e Chemist in t h e P a p e r and Pulp I n d u s t r y . "
Southern California Section Dinner was served t o a b o u t one h u n d r e d chemists of t h e S o u t h e r n California Section a t t h e M a r y Louise in Los Angeles o n M a r c h 4. L a t e arrivals b r o u g h t t h e n u m b e r to one h u n d r e d a n d t w e n t y b y t h e time t h e business meeting was called t o order. The Section endorsed t h e p l a n of holding a regional meeting of Pacific Coast Sections in connection with the meeting of t h e Pacific section of t h e American Association for t h e A d v a n c e m e n t of Science, b u t did n o t w a n t t h i s regional meeting to replace either of t h e t w o general meetings of t h e Society. Rules for t h e coming s t u d e n t chemistry contests were a n nounced a n d i t w a s decided t h a t a prize should be given t o t h e c o n t e s t a n t s t a n d i n g highest in each school. T h i s work is in {Continued on pags 12)
