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INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGIXEERIh'G CHE.11ISTRY men employed in the refineries the chief sources of the ries process were cut off, Plans to increase refinave already been held in ariff in the last Congress. beyond that, and would be an nsion, with direct encourage-
States have about four billion s industries of Latin America. Do we wish to threaten the good will of friendly countries by an embargo in peace times against their products? Policies, however good, that look far ahead, and at the same time are disadvantageous to present owners, are never popular. However, what we should do is to put a premium on imported crude, rather than an embargo, and be as wise as some other nations of the world, which prefer to conserve their own resources and use those of others. They know full well that in due course they will have the upper hand. What has been the history of embargoes and tariffs on such raw materials as petroleum? The little producer never profits, for he is the high-cost producer. Under the protection of an embargo, those who can, produce a t the lowest costs, and, doing so because of large unit production, strive to produce a t capacity and thereby make the greatest profit. The little fellow, producing a t high costs, must disappear from such a picture. If, however, he is of just the right size to be squeezed but not eliminated, he seeks still higher protection, but the eventual outcome is the same. What is the answer to such situations as the petroleum industry in the United States presents? We think A h . Stewart, in his testimony, gave the right answer. Let Congress turn from its efforts to be a wet nurse for every complaining industrial group, and rather devote itself to the amendment, revision, or repeal of the Clayton and Sherman acts, so that industries can sit about a common table and work out their own problems without undue restraint. They have the special knowledge, but today are afraid, and properly so, to discuss these matters, for, without regard to the good possible of accomplishment for individuals in the industry and for the country a t large, they are liable under the laws to prosecutio n . It would seem that enough experience has been gained in the regulation of corporations and industries to give them ample opportunity for self-help, maintaining a watchful eye until sufficiently assured that, no matter how small the unit in the industry, it is duly safeguarded. If an embargo is placed on petroleum, we have an almost exact parallel in copper; and that is but the beginning of the list. Let us abandon petty politics, and give the experienced in industry their opportunity.
The Langmuir Proposal N IAIPORTAKT item of business before our neidy enA larged Board of Directors Tvas the proposal of 8.C. Langmuir contained in a letter printed in full on page 8 of the SOCIETY'S Proceedings, to be found in t'he Journal of the American Chemical Society for February. Doctor Langmuir proposes the establishmeiit of a cash award, on the order of a thousand dollars, as a recognition for young men on the thresholds of their careers mho are doing work in pure chemistry, preferably in American colleges and universities. The award is to be made as one method of indicating the debt which the illdustrial clicmists and chemical wigiiiccw owe t o 1.110 iiivchf,ig:ttc,rs it) I I I I I ' E sc:it:iicv). uasli is intended to assist the recipierit in the pursuit of his 'i'licb
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work. He may use it for travel, visiting other workers in his field, for accessions to his library and apparatus, or for whatever may be of greatest assistance. A n engraved certificate might also be presented in lieu of a medal, that Some further evidence of the award might be preserved. We are enthusiastic foi the proposal of Doctor Langmuir. K e have called attention, editorially and otherwise, to the fact that young men whose work has entitled them to medal recognition have too often been passed over that some older colleague might be rewarded, on the theory that the younger man might later have an opportunity. The medals awarded in science are highly prized, and justly so, and it is conceivable that the young men who are now to be encouraged and helped by such an award as Doctor Langmuir proposes may later bc recipients of one of the established medals. The recognition the awards will bring to them may be even more valuable in their bareers than the cash. The first award will be made a t the Buffalo meeting this autumn. It will be difficult to choose the first recipient, and with the growth in fine research in the country the task will not grow easier as the years pass, but the potential results make quite worth while any effort in administration that may be involved We are confident scientists generally will heartily endorse the proposal.
Hazards of Low Voltage W H I L E those who work with high voltage fully recognize the dangers and take necessary precautions, in general there is a feeling that a voltage of from 110 to 760 volts is not particularly dangerous. The National Safety Council calls attention to the fact that more than one hundred fatal cases from contact with so-called low voltage electric current have occurred in the United States and Canada during the past two years. While this number is small compared with accidental deaths in other fields, it serves to emphasize the dangers of low voltage which too generally are underestimated. The council reports that more than 40 per cent of tile one hundred and seven cases studied were caused by the ordinary 110 alternating current voltage. Fifty-eight fatalities occurred in industry, nine in mines, and four on railways. Home fatalities came next to industry, totaling thirty-one deaths, and in this domestic list are to be found twclvc bathtub deaths. Next in importance came fatalities from contact while on wet earth or basements. These totaled seven. Portable home appliances caused six deaths and amateur experiments may be charged with one fatality. Portable electric lamps under cellarless houses caused several of the casualties. Defective insulation on connecting cords handled with wet hands is the common defect which causes these deaths. Electric heaters, curling irons, and many other appliances a t approximately 110 volts can cause these disasters under conditions too often prevalent. Many of the installations are reported as not in accordance with standard practice as represented by the national electric code. The report serves to emphasize the necessity of using proper types of extension cords and their careful inspection to insure adequate insulation. Waterproof sockets, proper grounding of portable devices when used in damp locations, and similar precautions are relatively simple. Scientists should know well the m4sdom of killing circuits a t all times before attempting to work with them. This is habitually done where high voltages are concerned. Now the Safety Council properly dwells on the importance of equal care in handling low voltages with which nearly all workers come in (ontact,not only in the plant, but in the laboratory and in thc hume.
