Feb., 1918
K[ THE
J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
PLATINUM OSCIZLATIONS
95
N e w York World have adopted such a policy, and it A t t h e recent meeting of Section C (Chemistry) i t is a pleasure t o state t h a t this has been done on the of the American Association for the Advancement of urgent appeal of Mr. Kunz, who fs endeavoring t o Science a t Pittsburgh the platinum resolution (page bring all of the New York newspapers into line. The second interesting development is the recent 159, this issue), introduced by Mr. George F. Kunz, of Tiffany & Co., New York City, was unanimously organization of the Women’s National League for the passed. To present this matter t o the proper authori- Conservation of Platinum. May the good work of ties a committee was appointed consisting of Dr. W. this new organization prosper in every way. It is for women t h a t this platinum jewelry is designed; A. Noyes, Chairman, and Dr. W. F. Hillebrand. The admirable suggestions contained in the resolu- it is through women t h a t its use can be most effectually tion will appeal immediately to every chemist in uni- discountenanced. Perhaps through this League the versity or technical laboratories. Unfortunately for real punch will be p u t into t h e platinum conservation the ray of hope held out by this movement, Dr. Hille- movement. brand, of the Bureau of Standards, in declining t o AN APPRECIATION AND A GREETING serve upon the committee, felt compelled t o take this The appearance of the January number of the step because of his knowledge t h a t all of this platinum supply is needed immediately by the government, Journal of the American Chemical Society marks the and has indeed already been turned over t o the Nitrate retirement of D;. W. A. Noyes from its editorship Committee for catalyzer purposes in the oxidation of and the entrance upon his duties of the newly elected ammonia. There seems, a t least for the present, no editor, Dr. A. B. Lamb. After fifteen years of splendid service, Dr. Noyes hope t h a t the use of residues for research on the platinum carries with him on retirement universal grateful apgroup of minerals can be undertaken, as the question of preciation of the devotion he has shown t o the upbuildgovernment ownership of this material is undetermined. The accounts of the energy, resourcefulness, and ing of t h a t Journal. To its list of contributors he has peregrinative ability of Mr. Draper, who safely trans- called all of the research workers in pure chemistry ported from Russia 21,000 ounces of platinum and in this country. As a result of his accurate and conplatinum ore and delivered i t t o the Department of scientious editorial work the publication stands to-day Commerce, furnish very interesting reading and com- as one of the great chemical journals of the world. I n assuming his new task, Dr. Lamb may feel conmand unquestioned appreciation of his achievement. The necessity for such a journey, however, suggests fident of the continuation of t h a t spirit of cooperation further thought as t o the accuracy of judgment of which in the past has proved so potent a factor in the He has, moreover, the solid the Secretary of Commerce, who last Spring, evidently success of the Journal. while this material was being collected, gave ample satisfaction of knowing t h a t not only was he the assurances t o the jewelers of the country t h a t the unanimous choice of the Council, but t h a t such choice government had a n abundance of platinum, either on was based upon the unanimous report of a committee hand or available from stocks known t o be existing of our ablest men who canvassed the field with closest abroad, which statement was heralded very widely by scrutiny. The fact t h a t Dr. Lamb begins his editorthe Jewelers’ Committee. We tremble to think of ship while devoting much of his time t o government the fix the government might have been in if Mr. service constitutes a n additional reason for Draper had stubbed his toe in going aboard ship and support. spilled the precious metal into the sea, or had lost CHEMISTRY INSlGNIA his trunk in the mazes of the Union Station baggage For the first time in the history of t h e United States room in Washington, or had met with the same delay in express shipments which the average citizen en- a n Army group will wear a design typifying chemistry counters nowadays. Seriously, we have been running as a recognized branch of war service. Through the very close to the danger line in government supplies courtesy of the manufacturers we are the proud posof this material for munitions manufacture, while the sessors of the first insignia and collar design struck from advertising campaign for platinum jewelry has gone the dies. merrily on. Meanwhile, t h e university and industrial chemist cannot hope for relief from the present high prices of platinum ware from t h e source contemplated by the ;-esolution of Mr. Kunz. The communication from Dr. Jas. Lewis Howe, printed in this issue, views the platinum situation solely from the standpoint of “business as usual,” a n antiOBFICER ENLISTED MAN quated slogan whose pernicious effect upon war proINSIGNIA FOR CHEMICALSERVICE grams has already made itself plainly evident. From the record of attainments of the first men Two new methods of attacking the problem of platinum conservation have developed. Individuals and selected t o wear such insignia it can be predicted with local Sections can use their influence with the local certainty t h a t they will be worthily worn. Good luck t o the Chemical Service Section of the press t o persuade them t o refuse advertisements of platinum jewelry. The New York Times and the National Army!
