I POTOMAC POSTSCRIPTS W P B Activities Alcohol. Standard chemical forms PD-600 and PD-601 will be used in the future in allocating isopropyl alcohol under amended General Preference Order M-168. T h e forms are familiar to the chemical industry and will permit more complete and accurate information regarding end use than did those previously used, which were special forms for this particular order. Antifreeze Solutions. Manufacture of antifreeze solutions compounded with in organic salts or petroleum distillates has been prohibited b y Limitation Order L-25S. The new order is issued as a result of widespread complaints from motorists, truck operators, and motor service estab lishments throughout the country that certain antifreeze solutions recently dis tributed in large quantities in cold weather areas have been found highly destructive t o radiators, ignition systems, and rubber connections in automobiles and trucks. T h e solutions prohibited by the order are termed "deleterious antifreeze solutions", including solutions compounded with in organic salts, such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or sodium chloride, as well as petroleum distillates. Their use, involving actual destruction of thousands of motor vehicles, has been studied b y a W P B committee, composed of representa tives of the Chemical, Conservation and Automotive Divisions, the National Bu reau of Standards, the Office of Defense Transportation, and the Office of Price Administration. In concurring with the action taken by the War Production Board, Joseph B. Eastman, director of the Office of Defense Transportation, officially warned all motor vehicle owners of t h e damage caused by the use of injurious antifreeze prepara tions. Bismuth. Metallic bismuth has been p u t under complete allocation and use con trol by Conservation Order M-276. Ef fective February 1, t h e order provides that no person may deliver, accept delivery of, or use a n y metallic bismuth without spe cific authorization—by WPB. Exceptions to delivery restrictions are deliveries to t h e Metals Reserve Company, to other producers, to a distributor (if he does not have an excessive inventory), and t o a person whose total receipts during that month total less than 50 pounds. U s e of bismuth in consumers' inventories is like wise controlled, and not more than 50 pounds per month m a y be used from such inventories without specific authorization b y WPB.
160
Glass Containers. Certain provisions of Schedule Ε of Limita-tion Order L-103, which standardizes glass paint jars, are relaxed under the schedule as a m e n d e d by the Director General for Opcra/tions. The amendment permits the continued use of nonstandard jars t o relieve hardships on paint and glass manufacturers. Paint manufacturers may use nonstandard con tainers produced prior t o February 1, and in their hands on or before March 1. Under the schedule as originally issued on December 7, they could, use nonstandard containers only if t h e y were produced prior to January 1. After March 3 1 , jars of one-quart or less c a p a c i t y with an opening larger than 63 mm. m a y be used only for packaging certain heavy-bodied paints, regardless of t h e date on which they were manufactured- Previously, any other use of these jars was prohibited after December 7. T h e heavy-bodied paints ηοt subject to the restriction are paints which require the addition of more than o n e pint of thinners per gallon to make the paint ready for use, and colors in oil and japan, as wei 1 as tinting colors i n paste form. Nonmetalic Minerals. Spodumene, do mestic kyanite, domestic sillimanite, talc, and diatomaceous eartn have been put back under the inventory restrictions of Priorities Regulation 1 by General Inven tory Order M-161, as arrtended- Priorities Regulation 1 applies t o all commodities unless specifically excepted, while Order M-161 lists certain commodities which are exempted from this inventory control.
Price Regulations Catalysts. D e h y d r o n a t i a n catalysts and catalyst carriers are exempt; from price control when sold for use in the production of synthetic rubber, Ο Ρ Α has announced. The production experience in. such vital chemicals a s chrome-alumina, and mag nesia-alumina dehydrogenation catalysts and silica gel carriers i s still in t h e de velopment stage and, according to ΟΡΑ, does not warrant establishment of ceiling prices at this time. Exclusion of these chemicals is in line w i t h previous ΟΡΑ action exempting from price control cer tain chemicals such as ethyl alcohol and furfural when sold or delivered for use in the synthetic rubber industry. T h e actions contained in Amendment 50 t o Supplementary Regulation 1, ef fective January 23, permit complete price flexibility during the formative stages of the synthetic rubber indtistry a n d its subindustries.
CHE MIC A L
Fats and Oils. Uniform, nationwide dollars-and-cents maximum prices for tal l o w s and greases have been established b y Ο Ρ Α in Amendment 22 to Revised Price Schedule 53, e F x c i v e January 30. Previously, under this schedule, prices were set at dollars and cents, with geo graphical variances in nomenclature and specifications of the several grades of tallows and greases in line with what had been trade practice. Magnesium. Specific dollars-and-cents maximum prices for magnesium scrap and remelt magnesium ingot have been estab lished b y ΟΡΑ in Maximum Price Regu lation 302, effective January 20, designed t o supplement a recent W P B order which required segregation of such scrap. Prices of these materials were previously fixed under the General Maximum Price Regu lation at the highest price charged b y the seller during March 1942, but a new regu lation was necessary, ΟΡΑ officials said, because March prices no longer afforded an adequate basis for pricing the various types of this material which will result from the WPB's segregation order. Plastics. A simple method for deter mining manufacturers' maximum prices for thousands of new miscellaneous plas t i c s parts and subassemblies used in m a n y essential war and civilian articles h a s been ordered by ΟΡΑ. A wide range of miscellaneous plastic parts is affected b y t h e action contained in Order 229 under t h e General Maximum Price Regulation, including some parts used in the manufac ture of personal and household accessories, notions, jewelry, lamps, and the like. The action does not apply to those items which can be, or have been, priced under t h e General Maximum Price Regulation on t h e basis of similar products (Section 1499.2). Since most of the items produced are new and unlike other articles, and are usually made according to specifications of t h e purchaser, the industry experienced considerable difficulties in pricing them under t h e General Maximum Price Regu lation. T o remove this difficulty, and t o ease the administrative burden of issuing individual price authorizations for each plastic part, ΟΡΑ instituted the new method which permits the producer t o use o n e method t o price all of his articles (except those that can be priced under Section 1499.2 of the General Maximum Price Regulation) and at the same time keeps prices at the March 1942 levels. Thus, all cost factors including labor and transportation must be computed on the basis of rates prevailing during March, a n d raw materials costs must be based on actual costs not to exceed ceiling prices. Effective January 21, the order further requires every manufacturer who used a price determining method on March 31, 1942, to file a detailed description of the method. These reports must be filed with Ο Ρ Α at Washington by February 20.
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
available. Because of lack of manpower December production dropped 15 per cent.
Priority on Fertilizers \ N ORDER giving essential war food a n d fiber crops first priority on the N a tion's limited supply of chemical fertilizers w a s issued January 19 by Secretary o f Agriculture Claude R. Wickard under h i s aixthority as W a r Food Administrator. Effective January 18, 1943 r this order (F*ood Production Order N o . 5—Chemical Fertilizer) supersedes the War Production Board Order N o . M-231, originally issued September 12, 1942, and amended o n December 4 , 1 9 4 2 . It will be administered b y the Director of Food Production, M . Clifford X o w n s e n d . Crops d e e m e d essential to the war effort a r e designated a s group A crops and d e liveries o f chemical fertilizers for use o n t h e s e crops must be given preference. T h e purpose o f these provisions is to concen t r a t e use of chemical nitrogen allowed for fertilizer o n the production of foods, feed, am.d fiber most needed in the war effort. Methods are established b y which fer tilizer requirements of farmers are to b e determined, a n d fertilizer manufacturers, dealers, a n d agents are required t o obtain written s t a t e m e n t s from their customers before making; deliveries. Producers of group Β crops may u s e cbtemical nitrogen fertilizer provided that, during t H e 1940-41 or 1941-42 seasons, t h e y used, such fertilizer on group Β crops o r it was used o n these crops on the farms t h e y are n o w operating. The group A crops, are: field crops— castor beans, cotton varieties normally stapling 1.125 inches or longer, fiber a n d s e e d flax, guayule, fiber and seed hemp, hybrid c o r n f o r seed production only, peanuts a n d soybeans; vegetable crops— dried beans, s n a p and lima beans, beets, cavbbage, carrots, kale, c*nions, all peas, peppers, Irish a n d sweet potatoes, spinach, s w e e t corn, tomatoes, a n d vegetable seeds; other crops—tung, a n d t h e follow i n g dried fruits: prunes, figs, raisins, apricots, and peaches for drying. Group Β crops are defined as all crops except those in group A and those on which t h e use o f fertilizer containing chemical ni-fcrogen i s prohibited by the order.
Industrial Alcohol Industry Advisory Committee. According t o a report sub m i t t e d to t h i s committee, greater yields of alcohol result from the use of granular w h e a t flour than from whole corn or whole w h e a t , and there is a reduction in waste material. W h e a t flour combined with corn, or with both corn and whole wheat grain, is recommended for plants which already have installed equipment for re covering stock feed. Marine Paint Manufacturers Industry Advisory Committee. Government repre sentatives announced that efforts by the industry to develop a substitute for metal containers for paints had failed to date. A n all-fiber container suitable for regular p a i n t s has proved inadequate for marine finishes. Reclaimed containers are being u s e d whenever possible, but only about o n e half are usable, largely owing to leak a g e of covers. Oxygen a n d Acetylene Industry Ad visory Committee. A recent survey indi c a t e s that there will be a shortage of o x y g e n during the first half of 1943, and a similar situation exists in t h e calcium carbide industry. A subcommittee has b e e n appointed t o study equitable distri b u t i o n of n e w cylinders expected t o be m a d e available in the spring. All gasproducing companies requiring cylinders during 1943 are asked t o advise W P B of t h e i r requirements. Thermoplastic Processors Industry Ad v i s o r y Committee. Members of the in d u s t r y were advised at a recent meeting t h a t although many requests are being re c e i v e d by t h e government for extrusion a n d injection molding equipment, in a number of cases priorities for new ma c h i n e s cannot be recommended because t h e r e is available equipment not now en g a g e d in war production.
January Allocations Announced
by WPB
Fluorspar Producers Industry Advisory Committee. A t least five new producers o f metallurgical grade fluorspar are expected t o c o m e i n t o production in 1943 according t o present plans, which should add another 60,000 t o n s of t h i s material t o t h e supply
H P H E War Production Board has made public t h e monthly distribution of chemicals for January under the allocation orders of the Chemicals Division. These chemicals amounted in value t o $85,400,0 0 0 for the month, of which $56,400,000, or 6 6 per cent, entered directly into identi fiable military production. This is an a n n u a l rate of $1,024,800,000 for the total, a n d $676,800,000 for military. In addi t i o n , many derivative products of the 34 per cent, n o t identified as direct military, are necessary for the production of military i t e m s . The figure of $56,400,000 per m o n t h is also exclusive of large military purchases of chemical material not under allocation.
V O L U M E
U A R y
WPB Advisory Committees Report Progress Edible Oil Refining Industry Advisory Committee. A t a recent m e e t i n g it w a s recommended t h a t approximately 150,ODOjOOO p o u n d s of margarine could b e m a d e annually b y using m e a t fats instead o f hydrogenated vegetable oil.
S1,
NO.
3 »
»FEB
10,
1943
The allocated military chemicals are the essential raw materials for the production of all explosives, propellants, war gases, and other chemical combat items; avia tion, Naval, Ordnance and Signal Corps insulation; special protective coatings for military vehicles and guns; and special paints for war and merchant ships. In addition, these chemicals include other materials indispensable t o the construction of all types of aircraft and ships.
Chemical Companies Expand California Plants T^EFENSE
PLANT
CORPORATION,
RFC
subsidiary, has authorized an increase in its contract with Westvaco Chlorine Products Co., N e w York, Ν. Υ., to pro vide additional plant facilities in California at a cost of approximately $200,000. This increase will result in an over-all commit ment of approximately $900,000. West vaco Chlorine Products Co. will operate these facilities, title remaining in the government agency. Defence Plant Corporation has also authorized an increase in its contract with the Shell Chemical Co. of San Francisco, Calif., t o provide additional machinery and equipment in California a t a cost in excess of $5,000,000, resulting in an over all commitment in excess of $14,000,000. Shell Chemical Co. will operate these facilities, and title will remain in Defense Plant Corporation.
Chemical Manufacturers* Indexes T N D E X of the value of manufacturers' inventories of chemical and allied prod ucts, taking the average month of 1939 at 100, was 155.0 in November 1942, com pared with 156.5 for October, and 132.0 for November 1941, according t o a report to the Department of Commerce. Index of chemical manufacturers' ship ments was 182 in November, compared with 182 for October, and 168 for the previ ous November, taking the same 1939 average month a t 100.
Treasury Department Reports 1 9 4 0 Industrial Income ÇÎ ECRETARY OP T H E TREASURY Morgenthau
^ has made public a report on the income of industrial groups, including chemical manufacturers for the year 1940. From a group of major industrial firms manufacturing chemicals and allied products, filing 7,136 returns, compiled receipts totaled $4,640,910,000; net income, S683,168,000; and income tax, $145,106,000.
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Shifts in W o r l d Trade Channels of Phosphate Rock " D E F O R E World War I I international trade in p h o s p h a t e rock moved largely from N o r t h Africa, t h e United States, and Oceania to E u r o p e , J a p a n , and Australia a n d New Zealand. N o r t h Africa and Oceania exported practically all their production, that from N o r t h Africa going principally t o Europe a n d t h a t from Oceania being split between J a p a n and Australia a n d New Zealand. T h e United States shipped o n l y its surplus (about a third of its production), chiefly t o Europe and Japan. T h e outbreak of the war brought to a complete s t o p exports of American and N o r t h African rock to G e r m a n y and the territory it controlled except through the neutral Mediterranean countries in southeastern Europe. I n April 1940, p h o s p h a t e rock shipments to t h e Scandinavian countries from the United States ceased, a n d t h e G e r m a n invasions of Holland a n d Belgium ended shipments t o those countries. T h e defeat of F r a n c e stopped t h e movem e n t to Britain a n d t h e Union of South Africa from the N o r t h African deposits, with the result t h a t exports of American rock to Great Britain in 1940 exceeded even the large a m o u n t sent from the United States t o J a p a n in t h a t year. Large shipments were also m a d e in 1940 from the United S t a t e s to the Union of South Africa and, as a result of these new demands exports from America were maintained at about 7 0 per cent of t h e prewar volume. T h e entrance of I t a l y into t h e war stopped shipments of American phosphate rock to I t a l y , Switzerland, and Hungary. Shipments from F r e n c h N o r t h Africa in 1940 and exports t o E u r o p e are s t a t e d to have been only a b o u t 50 per cent of those of 1939, chiefly t o F r a n c e , Italy, and Spain. Exports from Tunisia in t h e last half of the year a n d through most of 1941 went entirely t o Germany and Italy. Phosphate exports from Egypt, which in 1938 and 1939 h a d a m o u n t e d to over 400,000 metric t o n s a year, decreased to 77,069 tons in 1940. When J a p a n invaded Indo-China, shipm e n t s of phosphate rock to Japan from Egypt, Nauru, a n d Ocean Islands, ceased. T h e German a t t a c k o n Soviet Russia in 1941 cut off imports of Russian apatite into Germany, a n d initiated a movement of t h e Kola Peninsula a p a t i t e from Murmansk to Britain and t h e United States. T h e attack on P e a r l H a r b o r stopped shipmen i.s from the U n i t e d S t a t e s to J a p a n . Early in 1942 J a p a n conquered most of the phosphate producing islands of Oceania, making herself self-contained in this commodity and fully compensating for loss of imports from t h e United States, Egypt, and French possessions. This largely cut off supplies to t h e British colonies of Australia a n d New Zealand.
I n November 1942, t h e entire continental European market except Spain and Portugal w a s c u t off, throwing the N o r t h African production on t h e restricted world markets in Allied and n e u t r a l countries in direct competition with American phosphate rock, and also raising t h e possibility of a n invasion o f the Aonerican domestic market b y French N o r t h African phosphate. T h e British Isles can g e t their supplies from French North Africa, releasing space on ships traveling from t h e United States, a n d possibly eliminating American export t r a d e . Australia and N e w Zealand can be supplied from N o r t h African sources, a s can also t h e Union of South Africa. T h u s , a t the beginning of 1943, J a p a n alone of t h e Axis powers stands selfsufficient i n phosphate rock, whereas the Allied Nations b a v e a t their disposal the great phosphate resources a n d industries of t h e United States a n d French N o r t h Africa, far in excess of needs.
United States and M e x i c o Sign Trade A g r e e m e n t A R E C E N T trade agreement between the • ^ United States a n d Mexico regulates rates of d u t y oxi chemicals, paints, and related p r o d u c t s . Existing duties on medicinal pills a n d tablets and o n pharmaceutical specialties are bound against increase, a n d the duty o n cosmetics is reduced 7 p e r cent. Existing duties on sodium bicarbonate are reduced 4 3 per cent. Rates of duty o n prepared varnishes and paints are bound against increase, -while the d u t y o n mixtures of alcohols and ethers to b e used as ingredients of paints and varnishes i s reduced b y 40 per cent. D u ties on prepared floor w a x and on polishes and stains for shoes and leather are hound at t h e present r a t e . T h e agreement also includes a provision against Mexico's requiring a n y certification or other formality for t h e importation, registration, licensing, or sale of p h a r maceutical specialties and patent medicines which cannot b e fulfilled in the United States because of t h e lack of a July authorized "Federal Agency.
U. S. Commitments for Strategic Materials Q I N C E it was created in J u n e 1940 the ^ Metals Reserve C o m p a n y , an R F C subsidiary, has contracted for the purchase of nearly §1,500,000,000 in metals outside t h e United States. This includes: copper a n d copper ore, $328,000,000; tin and t i n ore, $166,000,000; chrome, $65,000,000; zinc, $57,000,000; lead, $107,000,000; a n d manganese, $150,000,000. Most of t h e imports of these metals are coming from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, a n d Brazil. I n addition, the company has contracted for antimony, mercury, industrial diamonds, graphite, iron ore, a n d q u a r t z crystals from hemisphere sources. Nearly $50,000,000 in R F C credits have been made available for expansion of mining capacity i n the other Americas. T h e Defense Supplies Corporation, another R F C subsidiary, has been designated as t h e U n i t e d States importer of quebracho extract, wool, nitrates, t a g u a nuts, cocoa leaves, and iodine.
Science Talent Search Students A r e Named T ^ O R T Y winners of t h e second a n n u a l science talent search among high school seniors h a v e been n a m e d by t h e Science Clubs of America to go to Washington, D. C , to compete for $11,000 i n Westinghouse Science Scholarships. Those who will a t t e n d the Science Talent Institute from February 2 6 to M a r c h 6 are 11 girls a n d 29 b o y s frpm 16 different states. A boy and a girl e a c h will receive a $2,400 Westinghouse g r a n d science scholarship, paying $600 annually for four years, while six boys a n d two girls will get $100 a n n u ally for four years. Of the 15,000 contestants, more t h a n 3,400 completed their entries b y taking a science a p t i t u d e examination, obtaining recommendation, and writing a n essay on "Science's Next Step A h e a d " , and from these the 4 0 winners were chosen.
