EDITORIALS

EDITORIALS time not come ~ I i c nthe man ~ v h obuys an original package of nppnrntus or clicmicals should h a w tlic lovest price for t h n t L1-c llavc frcquciitly been asked what arc t h e prcscnt con- package, rcgardlcss of t h e rcst of his order? Why should a ditions uncIcr n.hicli apparatus and chemicals can bc imported. laboratory bc given special consideration because of the size To supply thc msivcr n c have rnadc a carcful invcstigntion, of a misccllnncous orclcr ovcr another laboratory which is and belicw the results justify editorial comment. willing to buy in stnndard pacltages? TO t h e bcst of our It seems inadvisable to undertake importntion of misccl- knowledge, this condition docs not obtain in other lines of Inucous lists at the preecnt timc. Wlicrc highly specialized business. The grocer ivho buys a barrel of sugar gets the lowpicccs of npparntns are reqiiircd and the purchaser is prepared est pricc on the barrel without regard to t h e number of boxes t o inke any 2nd all risks involvcci, inciuding nnnoying ciciays, of raisins, prunes, a n d soap which accompany the order. thcrc is, of course, more rcason for importation t h a n There Each item is priced on the quantity of t h a t item. misceilaneous lists for stiidcnts are to be purclirLwd nt definite Some dcnlers hnvc also been somewhat responsible for prices nnd for dclivery a t a specified time. lye find t h a t with present methods of buying by encouraging large laboratories tlin prcscrit German gowrnmentnl control of glnsswnrc pt'icw to estinintc in March what they !vi11 need iii October. The tlirough csport rcpulntions, there is little, if any, price result has becn that mnny an institution has found itself with ntfvantngc i n importing glnssuwc, porcelain, etc., from t h a t quantitics of material Iying idle in the stockroom, has bought coiintry. T h e tiinc of delivery is most uncertain, while unwisely csccpt for n few stnnclnrd itcms, and has in many rliiniiry is often ililvrior to tJini of lirc.--iv'rtr y w s . This mat- cases prncticctl false cconomy. It n ; o ~ l t l1 3 ~an escellcnt tcir of q i i d i t y nntl ~ v n r l m n n s h i p:ipplirs both to nppnlntus thing for nll concerned if tlic dcnlcrs would agree upon n nnrl to ciiciriicnl.. Jlucli inferior nppnrntus hns coinc in 1111- sound business sslcs policy and seck codpcration of thc niu.t.krd and 1s cnllctl .Imericnn in case of complaint. One laigc liuycrs in following out that policy. of thc bmt known mnkcs of rcagrnts s h o w nlniost unbclicvIt dcvolvcs upon the consumer to dctcrminc what is quality. ablc tlctrriorntion as jutlgod by recent lots, and we arc in- For csnmplc, rubber manufacturers linvc comc t o know t h a t forincd tlint t h e :ictunl mnnagcrncnt of the works has rcccntly many ordcrs for tubing nnd stoppers zre plnccd solely on t h e fallen into new hands. There is therefore little, if any, ad- hmis of price, and thc maker finding the bcst may for introw n t n g c i n price, qunlity, or delivery. Lnst year onc of our ducing n high percentage of various fillers a n d substitutes h t known supply houscs purchased only 6 per cent of its gets tlic busincss. Thc result is t h a t the best apparatus sccick from Gcrninny, dcspiic ~ i i grcnt c ndvantsgc in exchange. clcalcrs cnn no longcr clcpcnd upon regular stock production T i e prcscnt unsatisfactory condition under which imfor Inhorntory uce, but are compcllccl to have special tubing portations can be madc prcscnts a wonderful opportunity to and stoppcrs mndc to insure uniformity and reasonable qudAincricnn mnnuf'acturers and t o our dcnlers. Therc is also a ity for the purpose intended. iicc\(I for constructive work on the part of t h e users. Let us And so Kith many other items in thc list of 15,000 ~diic11 treat thcse points in turn. make u p the modern chemical npgnratuf catalog. Our l\'r ncctl not rchcnrsc the wonrlcrful achievements of our Committcc on Giiarantecd Reagents and Standnrd Appnmtus is doing constructive work of valuc. Might not that ii1:~rl1i!':lcttl~rr~ thus far. ilmrricnn manufncturers h a w i t i : d f i c m ~ in l glas5, in porcclnin, in pyrometew, in hcmacytom- Committcc or somc otlicr bc clinrgctl with the duty of dei n clcctricnl incn\urcmeIit apparatus, analytical bnl- termining stnndnrtlc; of qunlity 3s n protection to tlic pur, drctric furnaccs, clcctrjc o w n s , :dl shcct-mctal n'nrr, clinscr 2nd nlso to the fnithful mnnufacturcr arid dcaler n.ho :rll limiln-nrc, rind a long list of tlcviccs which cnll for just, ns cndcavors to give q w l i t y a t n rcnson:tblc pricc? iiiu(~1iinqcmuity, rcwurcefulncw, ,znd pcrsistcncc for their T h e whole situation is after all an economic one. Wc tlcvclopnicnt ns is tlic case with any chcmicnl nppnratus. have stated somc of the factors involvcd. We can' accomStrr: 1 5 tlic tiinc for .Imei.icnn inaniifncturcrs to win all of thc plish thc best for nll conccrncd if we can agree upon a .\iiivric:\ii an(1 :L4:irc of tJic world mnrkct in face of foreign vorlcing progmm. What is your cspericncc? voiii1)ctition by tlic siiiiplc mcfhod of mnking the best appnrat u < :it crlunl or lon-cr priccc. if iJiis is possihlc, but a l m y s the llrb-t. l r a n y tluulit mhcthcr the i\merican market can ever The Freight Factor ~irctlby Alncricnn ninkcrs on a pricc h i s . There arc Our clicmicnl industry ]ins I m n confronted with one Iiniiciim y h L i n d i ~ : ~ ~Qiidity ) ~ . must bc mnde tlic distinction. .Iin~r.ic~uis cannot I)(! c y m t c d t o pay high prices for inferior cap after nnotlicr nnd hns nlready ovcrcoinc dificultics i i i . t f ~ ~ r i]Jut d , tlicy soon Icnrn the real cconomy of Iiuying gootls greater tlinn t l w c ever prcscntetl to otlicr comincrci:il cnter.I Inrgr stock of n foreign &ss lies unsnlnblc in priscs. ilinong the dificulties which nrc c m n i o i i to industry I< I I C ~ Y L I I W w r b n stiicIrni,s Iinvc lcarnctl tIi!tt i n thc i r i gc:iicr:ti, imt vvliicli :~ffcct,clicmistry t o :in unusunl dcgrcc, Iuiig run an ~Iirierioan g1n.s is not only Ixttcr bllt more t,lic FrciSlit fnotor is :tn csnrnplc. Otlicr couiitries (lo not meet this difficulty. Tiicy arc e co n om i e nl. I n goinr :ilmiit, we liavr hcnrtl of instnnccs whcre mnnu- fimdlcr, have consuming marlicts licnr prorluction ceri1em, factrircr\ 11,zvc not h c n willing to coijperRtc fully with users or hnvc the advantage of wntcrwnys like thc Ithinc. Tlic in provitling g!:~.-s~\nrcarid otlicr itoms in accortinncc m i t h sen ennldes mnny protluccrs to drlivcr goods nt n rntc n-liicli rewrin:iIh ipcxilicationi. JI:Lniifncturcrs must gv n littlc prnctically stiflcs tlic cort.csponrlinp; Ainericnn industry. rnorc t h i n half way i f t,hc imi, rcsiilts for all concrrncd arc to Thus, grades of clay for certain porcclnin insulntors arc brought from \\'ales at tcii sldlinjis pcr ton frciglit, while the snmc be fJht a i nrd , dcalars I1;iv~thrir oppoi t,rinity i n lirlping to plncc the gndcu from Ainrrirnn pits cnrry n freight of from n i n e to ten purchnqc of Iargc qiinni itici; o n n redly sounrl liasiq. IT:\..; tlic clollnrs n ton t o corisiiiiiing mnrlicta. Onc of the cliicf IinntfirYIi(l

THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

May, 1922

caps in selling American potash in the eastern consuming market is the freight item, which accounts for more of the difference in price between American and imported potash salts than the proposed tariff would compensate. All industry goes back to power, and to-day the freight on some grades of coal is more than the same kinds of coal cost, delivered in factory bunkers, a few years ago. It is fairly well agreed that much of our freight cost is due to the fuel item and to wages paid railroad labor in excess of those paid the same class of labor in other industries. In the case of railroad labor, statistics will be helpful. The following figures are based upon data compiled by the Illinois Manufacturers Association: There are approximately 380,000 employees who are directly concerned with train operations, and 1,341,000 workers who have nothing directly to do with trains. The latter are the shop craft labor, whose wages comprise nearly 80 per cent of the railway payroll. They are about 25 per cent overpaid, as compared with other industries. The figures show the following details: Average per Hour NUMBERQuarter t o June 30, 1921 Machinists. . . . . . . . . . 66,127 $ ,883 Boiler makers.. . . . . . . 20,867 .s93 Masons and bricklayers.. 1,210 .734 Blacksmiths 10,997 .874 Structural iron workers 715 ,801 Carpenters 52,459 .758 Painters and upholsterers. ......... 13,201 .813 Electricians.. ........ 15,247 (per day) 7 072 Airbrake men.. 8,194 .845 Car inspectors.. 26,923 .847 C a r repairers. ....... 90,127 ,819 Other skilled laborers.. 60,526 .829 Mechanics helpers and apprentices 139,298 .628 TOTAL SHOPMEN.. 505,891 Section men.. 276 829 .451 Enginehouse men. 76:993 .54 Other unskilled laborers.. ........... 121,197 ,520 TOTAL., . . . . . . . . . . 9!30,910 Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243,965 .701 Station service., . . . . . 116,968 ,546 GRANDTOTAL.. 1,341,843

........... ......... ............... ..........

...... .....

........ . ....... ....

...

YARDEMrLoYEEs Engineers. Firemen.. . . . . . . . . . . . Conductors Brakemen. . Switch tenders.. ..... Others ROAD TRAINMBN Freight engineers.. Firemen. . . . . . . . . . . . .

..........

.............. ... ...... ......

eers... en.. Passenger conductors. Passenger baggagemen

..

1,760 2,119 2,037 1,805 1,859 2,215 2,141 2,313 1,997 2,087 1,548 1,179 1,527 1,306 1,647 1,373

Trainmen 23,747 23,923 23,513 58,548 6,779 5,088 38,717 38,590 29,027 72,203 13,190 12,724 11,070 5,899

.

.93 .73 .89 .83 .64 .54

.

2,650 2,005 2,514 2 265 1:795 1,436

1.154 .s75 .977 ,776 1.369 1.053 1.148 ,863

3,436 2,452 3,005 2,331 3,326 2,475 2,971 2,240

.847

2,094 1,775

.663 Hostlers.. . . . . . . . . . . . GRAND TOTAL.

Per Year 1920 $2,234 2,314

355

The Tariff Bill The following extract is taken from the Report to accompany the tariff bill (H. R. 7456), which was submitted to the Senate by the Chairman of the Finance Committee on April 11, 1922. DYESAND SYNTHETIC ORGANICCHEXICALS It was found that the rates provided for dyes and coal-tar chemicals, after the limited embargo provisions covering these products had been eliminated on the floor of the House of Representatives, were wholly inadequate to protect the domestic industry. It is common knowledge that Germany had a monopoly of the world's trade in dyes prior to the war. Although our domestic industry has made great strides during and since the war, when these products have been admitted to the United States only under license, as provided by the emergency tariff act of May 27, 1921, and although our industry is capable of supplying between 85 and 90 per cent of the quantity required of domestic consumers, it has not attained a point in efficiency of manufacture where it can hope to compete with the well-organized industry which exists in Germany. Your Committee has reached the conclusion that no rates in American tariff history would be adequate to protect this industry. Your Committee therefore recommends that the provisions of the emergency tariff act relating to dyes and synthetic organic chemicals be extended for a period of one year after the tariff bill becomes a law. In subdivision ( d ) of Eection 315 the President is also authorized, if upon investigation he ascertains that the rates specified upon coal-tar intermediates and dyes do not equalize the differences in competition here and abroad, or if he ascertains that an industry in the United States is being or is likely to be injured by reason of the importation of like intermediates or dyes into the United States, to issue a proclamation stating such fact and to continue the dye and chemical control act in force for a further period not to exceed one year. In addition, the following rates of duty on these products are proposed: 50 per cent plus 7 cents per pound on intermediates and 60 per cent plus 7 cents per pound on finished coal-tar products. Under the administrative provisions of the bill, the President has been given authority to base these rates on American values of similar competitive articles and also to increase or decrease the rates not exceeding 50 per cent, if, after investigation, he may find such action necessary. The extension of the dye control provisions of the emergency tariff act for one year (and two years if necessary) will give the President sufficient time to investigate conditions in the domestic dye and coal-tar industry, to ascertain what products can be protected by the rates specified in this bill, to determine the products on which it will be necessary to assess duties based upon American valuation, and to decide what increase in rates will be necessary in order that all branches of this industry may become firmly established in the United States.

It will take courage to go forward with development on a large scale under this bill. A great gain has been made, however, in the matter of time. This can be used to advantage in making sure that a larger proportion of Congress becomes familiar with the conditions involved.

12,435

These figures show that the so-called common skilled labor such as is employed in the repairing of freight cars receives an average of 84 cents an hour, while the prevailing rate in the manufacturing industry is about 45 cents an hour. No one can object' to the wages paid those who have in their care not only such expensive equipment as locomotives but the safety of many lives, but it does seem unnecessary t o burden business in general by the payment to other classes of labor of such wages as these statistics show. Many an instructor in our educational institutions and no small percentage of professional men look upon these annual earnings with a little wistfulness. It seems unlikely t'hat transportation costs can be brought back t o normal unless some adjustments can be made in the wages of some classes of railroad labor. When this is done the chemical industry will be encouraged, along with other manufacturers.

Technical Information Service Organizations of business men are wont to establish a variety of services designed to the profit of the members of the group-legal, taxation, insurance, accounting, banking, and freight are subjects usually receiving special consideration. But it has remained for the Associat~edIndustries of Massachusetts to establish a technical information service for its members. This is a forward step of direct interest t o chemists and establishes a precedent which should assist chemists in other localities in bringing home to manufacturers a realization that in applied science they have a reliable anchor to windward. New England has been a favorable place for such activities because of its relatively small area, the concentration of its diversified manufacturing, and the agencies at work. The