Potomac Postscripts by
LYNNE M.
LAMM
pAop&xty dlificA^ a*U4cii suggests t h e question a s t o whether any formal concert h a s been evolved in the various international conferences on this point. If not, a n d if n o such agreement occurs later, there may b e a lack of balance so far as American policy is enforced. T h e United States seized, a n d has indicated it intends t o hold, alien enemy patents. Presumably such p a t e n t s were under license in o t h e r countries, England, France, Belgium, the N e t h e r l a n d s , etc. T h e English authorities probably will feel the same a s our own. I n a n y case it is evident t h a t soiae parallel policies will be necessary for genuine control of such patent operations. T h e United States, as one of the major chemical-producing nations, probably t h e foremost, can virtualty nullify any profitable p r i v a t e exploitation of a former G e r m a n license abroad, with its a n n o u n c e d p l a n to lease enemy patents on a public scale—that is, nonexclusively a n d on a nominal basis. This m a y give the United States a definitely authoritative voice i n any international discussions of w h a t t o do with these industrial p a t e n t s , a n d makes t h e future of a n y foreign cartel operations subject to hitherto u n k n o w n factors, at least. F o r all these reasons t h e present American policy, as i n d i c a t e d in t h e Kilgore findings, t h e cartel prosecutions in t h e courts (a number of such cases are now in t\? process of hearings or u n d e r investigation), a n d the President's own letter, mentioned here recently, a r e of more than national interest. T h e y could have an important bearing o n other countries' plans. Chemical Allocations to Be Cut Stepped-up p r o d u c t i o n of smokeless powder, TNT, super high explosives, rockets, a n d heavy artillery will result in a sharp reduction of allocations of most basic chemicals d u r i n g t h e next m o n t h s . Sulfuric acid, nitric acid, a n d solvents are high o n the list of m i l i t a r y needs. High military d e m a n d s a r e expected t o remain a t least u n t i l V - E D a v .
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ENGINEERING
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