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T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
T h e prompt response t o t h e need of anti-dumping legislation fully justified t h e confidence expressed t w o years ago: “I badly misjudge t h e temper of our people a n d their spirit of fair play, which is t h e essence of democracy, i f , given opportunity t o understand this situation, t h e y do not speedily set about t o correct, through their representatives in Congress, this serious defect in national legislation b y t h e enactment of a n effective ‘anti-dumping’ clause.” N o more conclusive proof could be given of t h e justice of t h e contention t h a t a protective tariff was necessary for t h e upbuilding of this industry t h a n t h e f a c t t h a t such legislation was enacted b y a Congress i n which t h e majority p a r t y was committed t o t h e doctrine of “Tariff for Revenue Only,” a n d i n t h e midst of a presidential a n d congressional campaign. Fortunately, assurance has been given t h a t t h e one blotch which marred this legislation, a feature which operated solely for t h e benefit of t h e German manufacturers at t h e risk a n d expense of t h e American industry, will in due course of time be removed. T h e union of capital a n d scientific skill resulting from this legislation has effected a development which gives assurance t h a t t h e American dyestuff industry has now become a permanent national asset. T w o years ago we wrote concerning t h e approaching First National Exposition of Chemical Industries: “This assemblage has i n it great potentialities which, if realized, m a y have far-reaching influence i n t h e rapid promotion of hitherto undeveloped lines of chemical industry.” To those who were present a t t h e t w o expositions since held, t h e first a marked success, thet second far greater t h a n t h e first, there can be n o question of t h e powerful stimulus thereby afforded. Skeptics have been changed t o enthusiasts. T h e third exposition will soon be held a n d its still greater scope is already assured. T h e successful chemical exposition can be considered purely a n American product a n d its growth is merely illustrative of t h e growth of t h e American chemical industries. A year ago we wrote: “An educational campaign is getting under way i n t h e daily press a n d in periodical literature which will eventually result i n t h e arousal of our people t o a full comprehension of t h e value of chemistry as a national asset.” T h e volumes of clippings received b y t h e chairman of t h e Press a n d Publicity Committee show how prompt t h e response of t h e press has been t o t h e efforts t o bring chemistry closer home t o our people. Untiring work has been done, chiefly b y Chairman Allen Rogers a n d b y Mr. Ellwood Hendrick of t h e Committee. As t h e year has advanced, t h e usefulness of this campaign has been continuously enhanced b y t h e increasing number of Local Section Press a n d Publicity Committees, which have cooperated closely with t h e National Committee. Surely a n y picture of chemistry as i t exists in America to-day forms a joyful contrast t o t h a t of t w o years ago. W h a t of t h e coming year? There is much t o be done. Working amidst t h e surroundings of war, new conditions must be faced, new problems solved. T h e times call for broad-minded thought a n d t h e utmost effort.
Vol. 9, No. 9
T h e personal conferences a t t h e t w o meetings this month should point t h e way a n d should prove a source of inspiration for “full speed ahead.”
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL At t h e request of t h e President of t h e United States, t h e National Research Council has been engaged during t h e past year i n mobilizing t h e research forces of t h e nation. I t has been a n enormous t a s k , t o which m a n y of t h e most brilliant workers of t h e country have given their undivided time. T h e work has gradually a n d logically centered a t Washington, a n d t h e research forces of t h e country are now quickly available t o a n y department of t h e government. Development has proceeded t o t h e point where this organization can be truly considered a going machine, forming a connection between t h e research workers of t h e country-at-large a n d t h e government, a n d serving as a valuable coordinating influence. With t h e preliminary work now accomplished, its full value will be more a n d more nearly attained with each succeeding day. For t h e continuance of t h e work, however, f u n d s will be necessary. Up t o t h e present its operations have cost t h e government absolutely nothing: office rent, stationery, postage, clerical assistance, etc., have been provided b y private contributions, a n d t h e t i m e of members of university staffs has been contributed b y t h e respective institutions. For so i m p o r t a n t a body such a n existence is t o o precarious. If t h e government needs war material i t pays for i t a n d a willing citizenry furnishes t h e funds through taxation. Are t h e brains of our scientific men less valuable i n this crisis t h a n coal or cotton? As a n American citizen we hope t h a t Congress before adjournment will supply adequate funds for t h e carrying on of t h e work of t h e National Research Council on t h e most intensive a n d extensive scale possible. We are unwilling t o believe t h a t t h e government of t h e United States is so pauperized t h a t i t must depend on “ t h e passing of t h e h a t ” or t h a t i t is willing t o continue t o draw f u r t h e r upon t h e seriously impaired incomes of our universities i n order t h a t t h e salaries of t h e men engaged i n this work may be met.
PLATINUM CONSERVATION IN FRANCE T h e movement for conservation of platinum supplies for scientific a n d industrial purposes continues t o spread. Secretary Parsons has received from M. A . Valeur, General Secretary of t h e French Chemical Society, t h e following extract from t h e minutes of t h e General Assembly of t h a t Society on J u l y 13, 1917: “La SociW chimique de France s’associe au voeu formule par la Soci6ti. chimique amkricaine, deconseillant l’emploi du platine dans la bijouterie et dans la joaillerie de fason que ce mCtal puisse &re r6servk exclusivement pour les usages scientifiques et industriels. “Cette motion est adopt6e l’unanimitit.”
