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stalks, thereby simplifying the problem of corn-harvesting and reducing the present cost of 7 cents a bushel for cornhusking. The threatened necessity for completely removing stalks from the surface of a field in an effort t o defeat the corn borer is a new factor favoring collection. Many views are held as to the possibility of doing all these things on a commercial basis. The question is not so much whether the products claimed can be produced from corn, or from any other source of cellulose. The real point is whether or not money can be made by such operations. Pros and cons may be presented by enthusiasts, but the only real answer is a practical demonstration. We are promised such a demonstration through the medium of a 10-ton pilot plant, the site for which has been selected, and we understand that plans for its erection are progressing. Ten tons of cellulose per day will give a quantity with which factory-scale experiments can be made to determine the uses for which it is suited. There will be an opportunity to prove the efficiency of the harvesting machinery and to try out on the highways the economical hauling of baled stalks. Fortunately, all this is to be done with the money of a group supporting the project with their eyes wide open. No effort is to be made to interest the public generally until sufficient data have been obtained on large-scale operations to back up statements as to possible profits and to answer the questions in the minds of all doubters. It is profoundly to be hoped that in the interim the interest aroused through the publicity given these proposals will not be exploited by blue-sky salesmen. We think one further point should be kept in mind-that while it may prove possible to manufacture many tons of cellulose from cornstalks, and while thousands of other tons may find their way into wall boards and boards to compete with straw board, such developments, honTever important, cannot be looked upon as a solution of the much discussed farm problem. Such industries would unquestionably help a number of farmers, but it seems idle to speak of their importance in terms of all the cornstalks that are grown or any considerable portion of them. The market surely is not ready to absorb wall board a t a rate of 5 or 6 tons per capita annually in the United States, nor are the numerous outlets for cellulose materials great enough to consume all the cellulose that might be made from such a tonnage. Scientists have long since ceased to be prophets, for they know that the impossible is achieved almost daily. So far as cellulose is concerned we shall make no prophecy, but instead urge conservatism and an inquiring state of mind until circumstances permit a detailed technical discussion of what is involved and doubts are answered by demonstration.
More Methanol N T H E manufacture of butanol by the fermentation of Ihydrogen corn a large volume of gas is generated-a mixture of and carbon dioxide. It has long been known in technical circles that the Commercial Solvents Corporation proposed t o make the most of this waste hydrogen in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, and a plant which proved capable of producing 100 per cent above its rated capacity was erected and operated for this purpose. However, this involved wasting a considerable volume of carbon dioxide and research was undertaken to use both hydrogen and carbon dioxide for the manufacture of methanol. So far as we know, the first commercial plant to prepare pure synthetic methanol by catalytic reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide is now in operation under this company’s management and the volume of American-made synthetic methanol has been trebled by this procedure. This is a neat piece of work, which enables the company to manu-
Vol. 19, No. 7
facture either ammonia or methanol as markets and other conditions may require. It is to be congratulated upon the successful outcome of research which has led to a group of patents for the protection of this novel process. ii reduction in waste has been accomplished and a new source of supply for an important solvent found. Doubtless we can look for further progress as a result of additional work still in the stage of incomplete research.
An Important Accession HE statement of Judge Gary that the United States Steel Corporation has decided to undertake an important program of research brings a most encouraging accession to the ranks of those industries which have science upon their payrolls. For years the steel industry has been pointed out as one depending for its financial success more upon tonnage and marvelous mechanical devices than upon fundamental research. The apparent lack of interest in scientific work of the United States Steel Corporation in particular has, in fact, hindered the complete alliance between industry and science which many regard as so important to American industry. This restraining influence is now to disappear. This great corporation is to set u p what appears to be an ideal organization for its purposes. The finance committee is to be the supreme authority and under its auspices there has been established a Department of Research and Technology. The director of this department is John Johnston, for some time past the chairman of the Department of Chemistry at, Yale and a man promiCHEJ~ICAL SOCIETY. nent in the activities of the AMERICAN Dr. Johnston is to have the advice and assistance of an executive council made u p in part of leading scientists in this country and in part of men from the subsidiary companies of the Steel Corporation. Titles and organization may be shifted to meet situations as they arise, but it is intended to utilize to the full the skill, experience, enthusiasm, and energy of the present employees of the various companies of the corporation in initiating and promoting work to secure the best results. In discussing industrial research we, in common with others, have frequently stressed the cardinal points of successful achievement. These include the choice of a competent director of the work. His training and experience, his achievements as a scientist, his administrative ability, his tact, diplomacy, and courage lead us to venture the opinion that in Dr. Johnston the finance committee has selected an ideal man for this post. Another requisite is adequate financing. Judge Gary says that, while the corporation has ‘‘no money to waste intentionally, we have money t o expend if necessary.” ‘As for facilities, “we intend to give him the tools to enable him to work most successfully.” No decisions have as yet been made with respect to new laboratories. Recommendations as to general policy will not be made until after the new director and the executive council have had an opportunity t o visit the main plants and laboratories of the subsidiary companies to receive and consider suggestions from the men familiar with the industry. As for continuity of work, “we aim to establish and maintain a Department of Research and Technology.” John E. Teeple coined the phrase “patient money,” and we all know the importance of that attribute. Many research projects bravely begun have come to naught through the impatience of the money. It is therefore gratifying to read in Judge Gary’s statement to the research committee of the corporation: “We do not expect you can go along a t a very rapid rate to begin with, or perhaps a t any time, but we will have the patience, as you must all have patience. Remember
