INDUSTRIAI. and ENGINEE RING C H E M I STRY
I
Published by the American Chemical Society
HARRISON E. HOWE. Editor
Is Science International?
have faith that the character of science will remain unchanged long after the economics, policies, and politics of the day have given way to better things.
H. LAMPITT, addressing the annual meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry, declared that science is no longer international and cited examples to show the tendency in many countries for the chemist to lose his identity and indeed his freedom by becoming merely the servant of the state. He deplored the trend in some quarters to regard the state as all, causing the deinternationalization of science to continue at a rapid rate. There is much for earnest thought in the point of view expressed by Dr. Lampitt. Unquestionably fundamental changes have taken place that have caused great groups of chemists to turn aside from the type of research which has heretofore contributed so much to all, regardless of national boundaries, and to devote themselves to the problem of self-suaciency. Urged by national fear, the emphasis is on the perfection of strange substitutes, the production and preservation of foodstuffs, and the building of armaments, frequently in a way that reminds one of bricks without straw. Another indication of this trend away from the international character of science is the increased restriction on the publication of the results of scientific work and in some quarters the effort to develop the philosophy that results obtained by others than one’s own countrymen or one’s own race are unreliable. Addressing the Verein Deutscher Chemiker in 1937, one speaker said that the scientist should withhold publication of investigational results until his findings have been exploited to the fullest extent by and for the German people. Then, if anything remains, the rest of the world may have it. We can only hope that this will change rapidly and in the near future. Among the most useful services of science has been the provision of common ground where men of like interests could meet regardless of country, race, or religion, and exchange views on fundamental truths, realizing that it is the ability to utilize such data fully that makes the real difference. Science is suffering, internationally speaking, along with many other institutions under present conditions which, to the older folk at least, seem so abnormal. But, we shall
Pasteur
0N
NOVEMBER 14, the Pasteur Institute celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and this has served to focus attention once again on the lasting contributions to human welfare made by this great scientist who was a chemist. A thoughtful editorial in the New York Times brings out a number of points deserving repetition. As the writer said, “Medicine is apt to forget that Pasteur was a rank outsider, a chemist, who presumed to invade the field of biology and medicine.” Discussing his early work, it is pointed out that he made no futile distinction between what we call pure and applied science, and that out of his practical investigations came, not only theories which have stood the test of time, but, such contributions as “the method for controlling animal and plant diseases, aseptic surgery, proper organization of hospitals, veterinary inspection, the rational disposal of sewage, the compulsory practice of reporting infectious diseases, the sterilizing of milk, vaccines, and the principles of immunization.” As the work has progressed since Pasteur’s day, chemistry has played an ever increasing part in discovering the real nature of the mechanism and products which cause and aid in the control of diseases. It is now believed that the chemical agents to which the antitoxins, vaccines, and serums owe their efficiency will some day be discovered and that eventually chemicals will take the place of these most valuable materials. We have an example in a much simpler case, for chemical compounds are now largely used in place of maggots to promote the healing of certain types of wounds, following discovery of what it is, secreted by the maggots, that has proved so efficient. One need only point to such substances as salvarsan and sulfanilamide to illustrate how the science of chemotherapy has made progress. 1329
1330
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
VOL. 30, NO. 12
As pointed out in the editorial, medical research now looks for guidance largely to the chemist, the experimental biologist, and the physicist, making of the practicing physician a coijrdinator of a dozen sciences, with reliance on the laboratory in matters of diagnosis and the hospital as the place for proper treatment. It is interesting to consider the prospect 50 years hence and to wonder to what extent the picture, so greatly changed by chemistry following the brilliant work of the chemist, Pasteur, may be improved by the science in the hands of an increasing number of devotees when the centenary of the institute will be celebrated.
law of the land, and it behooves us to cooperate in any way we can to get the most from this expenditure for those who make it-namely, the taxpayers. Nothing can be gained by destructive criticism, but much can be achieved if men of ability and training can be found to direct these important projects. The $4,000,000 per annum to be spent on research in these four laboratories is a very considerable sum for research, no matter what the source of the appropriation, and in a very real sense it is a challenge to the chemical profession. We urge you to take this examination.
Men Wanted
NCE more American manufacturers have been handed a licking. Details concerning the important trade agreements that have been signed with the United Kingdom and Canada will be found in our NEWSEDITION of December 10. Perhaps this should have been expected since it is through these reciprocal trade agreements that the Administration has found a way to whittle away the tariff protection, so important in the development of American industry. A hurried count indicates that the United Kingdom has benefited in at least 40 items, where reductions have been made in materials of the chemical industry; in exchange for this the United States profits by a 5 per cent reduction on soft soap, a similar amount on certain hard soaps, the same reduction on oil varnish, 2.5 per cent on printing ink, and some benefits on turpentine in two colonies. One must look further to obtain a fair idea of what the treaty means to the chemical industry. Textiles, paper, and leather comprise three of the important items in the list of consumers of chemical products. The concessions granted to the United Kingdom on these materials are regarded as very serious to American manufacturers, who are consumers of the products of the American chemical industry. We find nothing in the agreement which seems likely to offset these potentially substantial losses.
IN OUR
NEWSEDITION for November 20, examinations were announced for principal chemists and principal chemical engineers, held for the purpose of selecting men who will be project leaders in the new regional laboratories of the United States Department of Agriculture that have been established by Congress. It will be recalled that $4,000,000 annually has been provided for four laboratories in locations yet to be selected. Following the erection of buildings, the provision of equipment and libraries, the full program of research, not yet definite, will get under way. The men needed-more than twenty-five in number-should have demonstrated ability to direct both fundamental and applied research in such fields as cellulose (with special reference to cotton), starch, vegetable oils, protein, and organic analysis. Unquestionably in many instances the first work will have to do with determining the chemical constituents of the agricultural product studied. It is surprising, for example, how little has actually been done on the various proteins, and until the chemist knows more of that with which he is working it is not to be expected that very great progress can be made in its utilization. We would urge all those who feel that they can qualify to apply for this examination. Applicants will not be required to report but will be rated on education, training, and experience, and there is no obligation to accept an appointment if offered. However, there is a strong element of national service involved in the conduct of the work and to men who cherish as an ambition the attainment of preeminence in a particular line these posts offer an unusual opportunity. The project leaders will be entirely responsible for the work assigned to them on specific problems, subject only to general supervision by the director of the laboratory. While there have been differences of opinion expressed as to the wisdom of establishing these laboratories, many holding that the use of the funds in existing institutions would lead to more profitable results, and still others that smaller units in greater numbers, each concentrating on some specialty, would be preferable, there is now no choice. What is to be done has become the
Another Licking
0
Coal
WE
ARE indebted to a correspondent who points out that what we had to say about coal in our editorial “Taken from the Nut Bowl” lacks clarity. Our remark about a supply for 200 years applies only to the best bituminous coal located within a small area. One authority, speaking of’all our coal, has stated: “At the 1929 rate of energy consumption, assuming that coal will carry the load after oil, gas, and oil shale are exhausted, and allowing 30 per cent for loss, coal would last 2100 years.’’ Another says that the proved coal reserves of the United States are equivalent to some 4800 years’ supply a t the present rate of production. Certainly these are reassuring figures.
