HEADLINES of thellonth Events of Interest to Chemists, Chemical Engineers, and EXecUtiVeS-4?eviewed by 71 SEPTEMBER 16. D u Pont announces 4260 of its patents, about two thirds of those owned by company, have been submitted t o patent registrar of U. S. Patent Office as available for licensing. E. Lilienthal, chairman Atomic Energy Commission, --David in address before scientists attending centenary meeting of American Association for Advancement of Science, warns t h a t atomic energy program faces dangerous situation because of “increasing unwillingness of specially qualified and badly needed scientists’’ t o engage in work for Government.“ Wm. J. Kelly, president Machinery and Allied Products Institute, announces formation of Council of Technological Advancement made up of 75 industrial executives to create better understanding among businessmen and the public of role of technological advancement in development .and security of U. S.--Shell Chemical Corp. dedicates $8,000,000 synthetic glycerol plant a t Deer Park, a suburb of Houston, Tex. 7 SEPTEMBER 17. Consent decree ends 1940 antitrust civil action against American Optical Co., Bausch and Lomb, and 33 affiliated defendants, bars price fixing, cancels certain patent licenses and agreements, and makes patents and trade-marks available t o other manufacturers on reasonable terms.
7 SEPTENBER20. World production of natural rubber in July decreased 5000 tons below June 1948 postwar record, Commerce Department announces.--Stockholders approve Rohm and Haas Co. merging with Resinous Products and Chemicals Co.’ 7 SEPTEhmER 21. Scientists at Stanford University announce new type x-ray microscope which they hope will be valuable in revealing structural secrets of minerals, fabrics, and living cells. 71 SEPTEhiBER 22. Plaskon Division, Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Co., unveils first new plastic molding material developed since the war, its chief advantage being resistance t o electric arcing or short circuits.--Standard Oil Co. (Ind.) announces contract to supply Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corp. with hydrocarbon gas valued at $75,000,000 during next 15 yearsz.-, Senate subcommittee postpones until January proposed investigations into nation’s needs for expanded synthetic fuels development.--Chemical Construction Corp. receives contract for construction of first section of $4,000,000 ammonium sulfate plant for Phillips Chemical Corp. at Houston, Tex.
7 SEPTEMBER 23. Governor Dewey urges keeping atomic secrets until war threat ends but opposes government monopoly K. Gustafson, director AEC divionce danger is past.--John 4on of raw materials, urges miners to intensify search for uranium deposits in this country.--Eastman Kodak advises motion picture industry it is ready t o switch t o nonflammable film in West Coast studios, cutting rooms, and laboratories.--Eight manufacturers of corn products ask Federal Trade Commission to dismiss complaint charging them with price-fixing conspiracy through use of basing point and zone-delivered price systems.--Government issues permanent order providing for distribution of 10% of Army-produced anhydric ammonia among domestic fertilizer plants. fi SEPTEMBER 24. Department of Justice asks Federal Court in Kew York City t o issue order directing Aluminum Co. of America to dispose of some of its plants and other propertiesa.--Government sets up antitrust inquiry on D u Pont with the serving of
* 2 1
Chem. Eno. News, 26, 2899 (Sept. 27, 1948). Ibzd., 2966 (Oat. 4, 1948). Ihzd., 3032 (Oct. 11, 1948).
the Editors
subpoenas on five companies including General Motors.-USAEC announces construction of first atomic plant in U. to be devoted solely t o production of power from nuclear energy adaptable t o industrial use will start this fall, about 18 miles north of the present Knolls Laboratories and will be run by General Electric4.--AEC names 162 persons to receive fellowships for research in the physical, biological, and agricultural sciences.
s.
7 SEPTEMBER26. Report on first year’s findings of 5-year silicosis research and treatment project conducted a t Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia holds out hope for eventual cure for disease. 7 SEPTmtBER 27. House Un-American Activities Committee in report of investigation of alleged atomic spy activities accuses atom bomb scientists of conspiracy to commit espionage.-AEC announces two isotopes, hydrogen-3 and helium-3 are available in limited quantity for scientists and research institutions.
7 SEPTEMBER28. John L. Collyer, president, and Howard E. Fritz, vice president in charge of research B. F. Goodrich Co., demonstrate new puncture-resisting tubeless tire and announce opening of new field of organic chemistry through discovery and commercial development of beta-propiolactone, a new chemical, at a preview for the press at 261-acre newly completed research center a t Brecksville, Ohio.--House Committee on Un-American Activities accuses Administration of a “completely inexcusable failure t o prosecute alleged wartime atomic spies operating on behalf of Soviet Union.” 7 SEPTEMBER29. AEC orders two unions-United Public Workers of America and United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers-both affiliates of Congress of Industrial Organizations whose officers are suspected of Cvmmunist affiliation, barred from atomic plants.--Department of Justice refuses demand of House Committee on Un-American Activities for immediate indictment of five persons for alleged wartime atomic espionage but does not preclude possibility of later prosecutions.NClarence F. Hiskey, professor of analytical chemistry Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, denies charges by House Committee on Un-American Activities that he engaged in wartime atomic esK. Richards, executive pionage on behalf of Soviet Russia.--J. director Navy Industrial Association, at association meeting in New York reveals task committees have made considerable progress in solving many problems of government-industry relations in case of war emergency. 7 SEPTEMBER30. Monsanto Chemical announces that its fungicide, Santobrite, is being used t o prevent mildew in linens. -NU. S. calls on U.N. General Assembly t o use power of world opinion to force Soviet leaders t o accept rigid international control of atomic energy.--Canada introduces resolution in Political Committee of U.N. for endorsement of AEC majority plan based on Baruch proposal. 7 OCTOBER1. Eight companies subpoenaed in government’s antitrust investigation of D u Pont turn over their records t o Federal Grand Jury in Chicago.”Reconstruction Finance Corp. approves plans for a n eightfold increase in production of new “cold” rubber5.--David E. Lilienthal discloses that production of plutonium has been stepped up so t h a t output is on factory-size scale at government’s plant in Hanford, Wash.” Andrei Y. Vishinsky, Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, at meet4 6
2227
Ibid., 2969 (Oct. 4, 1948). Zbid., 3030 (Oct. 11, 1948).
2228
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
ing of Political and Security Committee of U.K. General Assembly in Paris, says Moscou- will “never, never” accept atomic control program offered by West, and Tarns that U. S. errs in its claim t o at,omic monopoly. OCTOBER 2. Belgian Congo yields new uranium-bearing ore, Paul F. Kerr, professor of minerology Columbia University, says. --Russia changes stand and asks U.K. General Assembly t o adopt resolut,ion calling for simultaneous signing of conventions outlawing atomic bomb and establishing international control of atomic energy.-NU. S. charts defense for ,io atomic years based on belief Russia will have atomic bomb by 1052 and that continent-jumping atomic rockets d l be ready by 1977.
F OCTOBER 4. U. S. warns world no security can result from Russian proposals for simultaneous signing of treaties outlawing atomic bomb and set,tingup international atomic control and says Washington delegation is willing t o continue atomic talks only on basis of control plan viorked out by majority of UNAEC and rejected by Soviet Union. --General hniline and Film Corp. places 3118 patents owned by firm on register of patents available for licensing or sale maintained by U. S. Patent Office. OCTOBER 5. R h i t c House announces resignation of Vannevar Bush, chairman Research and Development Board Kational Military Establishment, and appointment, of Karl T. Compton, president MIT, t o succeed him; latter resigns from presidency of h I I T and is elected cha.irman of institute.--T. M. Martin, president Lion Oil Co., announces company will spend $2,000,000 on sulfuric acid works and ammonium sulfate factory at plant near El Dorado, Ark.e--Texas Co. markets Texaco 1’-T permanent antifreeze for automobile radiators composed of ethylene glycol with added chemical t o prevent rust, and foaming. OCTORKR 6. British Minister of State Hector McSeil demands Kussia give a (‘yes!’or “no” answer t o whether she agrees to control of atomic energy before destruction of atomic bomb. “Spencer Icellogg is combining styrene successfully with linseed oil t o produce rapid-drying paints and varnishes, company arinounces.N-Gwilyn X. Price, president Westinghouse Electric, announces company has created new atomic poxer division to harness nuclear energy for useful power produciion.--Federal Trade Commission charges 1,ever Rros., Proctcr and Gamble, and Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Co., with uiilawful price discrimination. --George Baehr, chairman Committee of Public Health Association t o select recipients of Lasker ATYards for 1948, announces following among four other awards: to Selman A. Waksman, Rut’gers University, and Rcne J. Dubos, RockefclIer Institute, for studies of antibiotic properties of microorganisms found in the soil: and t o Vincent du Vigneaud, Cornell University Medical School, for contribution to chemistry of vitamins and nutrition and for leading research team that first produced a synthetic penicillin.
Vol. 40, No. 11
discrimination made by Federal Trade Commission. --Sationai Security Resources Board announces it has launched a survey of nation’s industrial alcohol production capacity t o determine its readiness t o meet demands of a national emergency.
7 OCTOBER8. Israeli Government announces country’s oil requirements are assured in newly signed agreement whereby Shell and Socoriy Oil would sell sufficient supplies of refined oil t o mcct new State’s current needs. f; OCTOBER9. Winston Churchill, in strongest speech since end of World War IT, urges U. S.not to destroy its atom bomb stocks arid warns that only those bombs stand betvxeri freedom and Communist,domination.--Leo hIattes, deputy foreign minister, tells Econoniic Committee of C.N. General lsseinbly Yugoslavia will satisfy all her own requirements by 1950. 7 OCTOBER11. Robert 11.Hutchins, chancellor Cniversity of Chicago, speaking at, luncheon of Cont>rollersInstitute of America. urges industxy t,o start immediately t o use what is available in atomic energy field. 7 OCTOBER12. E. R. Weidlein, director blellon Inst,itute, tells National Industrial Congress meeting in Chicago fate of civilization is linked to science.--U.r\’. Assembly Subcomrnittec approves plan t o t,ransfer negotiations from suspended .4EC to private talks among Big Five and Canada.--Copper industry rejects Government’s proposal for a formal agreement to set aside supplies for nation’s strategic materials stockpile..--U. S. civilians and police will be trained t o combat hazards of atomic warfare, Lt. Col. Barnet W. Beers, Department of Defense, tells annual conference of International Association of Chiefs of Police U. S. letters patenti. on rosin-modified in S. ’k’.--Twelve phenol resin are available for licensing by the Office of Alien Property, Department of Justice, on royalty-free nonexclusive basis for administrative fee of 315 a patent, it, is announced.
7 OCTOBER13. Army Air Force rescues 2500 trunk loads of looted German science and hauls it off to safe keeping a t Wright Field, Ohio.--Scientists in t,he U. S. Department of .igriculture and leading organic chemistry authorities from various universities will work with F. W. Boltz Corp. of Los Ahgeleson research and development to find new uses for agricultural products, experimental vork being conducted a t government’s Kansas City alcohol plant, it is arinounced.N-Office of International Trade amends and simplifies rules for caustic soda export licensing effective immediately. ---IT.S. receives 1000 tons of high-grade rubber for stockpile of critical materials being built up by Munitions Board from British Board of Trade. --Ceylonese officials confirm reporh that U. S. and Soviet Union are competing t o purchase a large proportion of Ceylon’s current rubber crop. 7 OCTOBER14. Karl T. Compton a t dinner in S. Y . following OCTOBER 7 . Cornell University celebrates 80th anniversary day-long program making formal opening of Esso Research with dedication of S2,000,000 laboratory of nuclear physics Center, part of $8,000,000 expansion project of Standard Oil equipped vc-it,h latest and most powerful type of atom-smashing Development Co., Linden, K.J., says teamwork hetlvcen acamachines-a giant 300,000,000 electron-volt sync1irotron.wdemic and industrial research is vital and tells how its applicaU. K.’s Political and Security Committee establishes 11-nation tion in oil industry constituted niajor contribution t o victory in subcommittee t o examine six draft resolutions on atomic energy h.YIacInnes, Rockefeller Institute World War 11.”Duncan problem.N-Comniaiider E. G. Campbell, Industrial College for Medical Research, receives Acheson Medal of Electrochemof Armed Forces, tells Army, Navy, and ,4ir Force Officers atical Society a t dinner in S. Y. for contributions to chemistry.--tending economic mobilization course a t A-aval Supply Corp. Associated Universities, Inc., which operates Brookhaven S a School, Bayonne, K. J., that in event of another world Tvar tional Laboratories under contract with ,4EC names Leland J. some form of a national service act will be needed to direct civilian Hayworth direct,or of laboratories.--Donald F. Carpenter, labor from unessential t o essential war work. At, same meetchairman munitions, says U. S. will use mandatory powers t o ing Walter J. LIurphy, editor INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERIXGcompel iridust’ry to supply scarce materials for national stoclrCHEMISTRY, says adequate supply of trained personnel vias most Co. opens new $4,000,000 pile “only as a last resort.”--Borden important niobilizat,ion problem confronting chemical industry soybean processing plant ai Kankakee, Ill., with daily capacity in World War I1 because chemists, chemical engineers, and of 5500 gallons of oil and 150 tons of meal.--Government operating personnel, sorely needed, were drafted int,o the Armed sets up committ,ee under Research and Development Board headed Forces. --Procter and Gamble denies charges of unlawful price by Irn-in Stewart, president West Virginia University, to plan rnobiliz;at,ionof U. 8. scientists in case of war. 6 Chem. Eng. N e w s , 26, 3112 ( O c t . 18, 1948).
