M a y , 1916
T H E J O U R N A L OF I-TDCSTRIAL A S D ESGI-YEERIXG CHEMISTRY
THE MANUFACTURE OF CHEMICAL APPARATUS I N THE UNITED STATES’ By ARTHUR H.
~HOMAS
I propose t o remind you briefly of t h e facts regarding our sources of supply of a few representative classifications of chemical a p p a r a t u s as t h e y existed before t h e E u r o p e a n war: t o compare w i t h , t h e s e t h e conditions as t h e y now exist, a n d t h e n t o consider t h e possibilities of retaining a n d extending t h e manufacture of t h i s same merchandise in t h e United States. I n this tabulation t h e t e r m “hollow glassware” is used t o designate t h e product of t h e glass factory with a furnace-the “hohlglashutte” of Germanya n d t h e t e r m “lamp-blown a n d volumetric ware” to designate t h e product of t h e glass-blowing shopt h e “glasblaserei” of Germany-where t h e finished product is s h a p e d before t h e l a m p f r o m glass t u b i n g , which t u b i n g is, of course, always made in t h e glass factory or “ h u t t e . ” I n t h e C n i t e d S t a t e s these t w o industries are mostly conducted separately, while in Europe t h e y are frequently combined in t h e same establishment. I CLASSIFICATION
A-HOLLOW
GLASSWARE
FLASKS, BEAKERS AND OTHER FACTORY- MADE^ SHAPES INCLUDING TARIFF 45 BLANKS FOR SOME VOLUMETRIC WARE.
PER CENT
ad valorem
S O U R C E S B E F O R E T H E WAR-with t h e exception Of one large factory in t h e United States which made, in addition t o extensive products in other lines, a few flasks a n d beakers of excellent quality a n d reasonable price, this ware was purchased exclusively i n Europe. T h e American production was n o t , in a n y commercial sense, a factor in t h e situation. T H E P R E S E N T SITUATION-Five factories in t h e United S t a t e s are now regularly making flasks a n d beakers in large quantities. T h e glass used b y one of these is superior in several i m p o r t a n t physical characteristics t o t h a t used for similar vessels b y t h e E u r o p e a n factory whose flasks a n d beakers have been heretofore considered t h e best in t h e world. T h e four other makers a r e using a resistance glass much alike in physical characteristics which, while not quite equal t o either t h e American or European product above referred t o , is unquestionably superior t o t h e glass generally used throughout Germany a n d Austria. There are t w o other American factories making flasks a n d beakers? a b o u t which I h a v e n o definite information f r o m actual tests. T h e ware t u r n e d out in one of t h e m is of excellent appearance a n d t h a t of t h e other I have n o t seen. Neither factory is reported as producing large quantities as y e t . With t h e present conditions of shortage in almost all of t h e raw material involved, in t h e labor situation, a n d in t h e exhausted condition of stock in m a n y of t h e large college a n d university storerooms, a considerable shortage for some t i m e seems inevitable unless Address presented before the American Chemical Society, UrbanaChampaign, April 18-21, 1916. While ordinary bottles are, of course, a factory-made product, my remarks are not intended t o apply t o them.
437
additional capacity is operated. Under normal conditions the t o t a l convenient production of these se\Ten American factories would more t h a n meet our usual consumption. C I, A S S I FI C A T I 0 h
B-
L A 41P - B L 0 W Ii 4 IiD V 0 L U 36 E T R I C W A R E
ALL SHAPES MADE O F TUBING BEFORE THE BLAST LAMP INCLUDIXG THE GRADUATION OF BLANKS MADE I N THE FACTORY IX ADDITIOX TO THOSE MADE BEFORE THE LAMF TAXIFF 4j PER CEXT ad valorem
S O C R C E S B E F O R E T H E WAR-T6’ith t h e exception of a few items not of significance t o our discussion, such as hydrometers a n d thermometers for clinical a n d industrial use, homeopathic vials a n d test-tubes, milk bottles a n d syringes, all staple stock was purchased i n Europe. Repair work a n d t h e manufact u r e of a great variety of special items, not in sufficient d e m a n d t o w a r r a n t arrangement for importation in large quantities, was conducted in a few glass-blowing shops operated b y some of t h e larger dealers, in separ a t e small shops in a few of t h e larger cities, a n d in t h e south Jersey district as a n i m p o r t a n t side line in connection with three large glass factories. T H E PRESENT SITUATION-TWO of t h e south Jersey factories referred t o have practically given u p t h e making of a n y regular stock in this classification because of t h e shortage of labor a n d t h e great d e m a n d for their own specialties. T h e other s o u t h Jersey factory has greatly increased its capacity for t h e more staple a n d easily made shapes a n d is making a commendable, b u t as yet totally inadequate, a t t e m p t t o meet present requirements. This factory, with t h e few shops just described, constitutes t h e entire capacity in t h e United States t o make lamp-blown a n d volumetric chemical a p p a r a t u s . There are a few additional shops competent t o make certain chemical ware, b u t n o t so engaged because of obligations in more profitable directions. T h e combined o u t p u t of all these establishments in t h e great variety of items in this classification is far from sufficient t o fill t h e daily orders for immediate shipment. Commitments a t t h e present time for large educational quantities. as usually undertaken a t this time of t h e year, seem not t o be justifiable with definite obligation a s t o either price or t i m e of delivery.
CLASSIFICATIOA-
C-PORCELAIK
WARE
FOR
CHEMICAL
L A B O R A T O R Y USE TARIFF
5 0 PER
CENT
ad valorem
S O U R C E S B E F O R E T H E wAR-These goods were all purchased in Europe. One a t t e m p t t o manufact u r e a n d market American laboratory porcelain ware some seventeen years ago proved unsuccessful because of poor quality of t h e product. T H E P R E S E N T sITcATIo~-Three potteries in t h e United States are now making crucibles a n d dishes a n d some other shapes in fair q u a n t i t y . Another factory, n o t yet marketing their ware b u t conducting extensive experimental work, promises a product superior in quality t o those already offered. One Japanese concern is regularly shipping large quantities of very excellent porcelain ware a n d a second
T H E J O U R A T A L O F I N D U S T R I A L AATD E N G I N E E R I L V G C H E M I S T R Y
438
Japanese factory is sending samples and is reported t o have made some shipments. Some Danish ware is being offered a n d several well-known British factories are advertising laboratory porcelain in t h e British journals, b u t it is unlikely t h a t their production is equal t o their own demand. T h e dishes and crucibles m a d e in t h e United States have not t h u s far been as serviceable for all purposes as is desirable, b u t have apparently been acceptable t o m a n y users, a n d in one instance some recent tests show a distinct improvem e n t in quality. CLASSIFICATIOS
D--FILTER
TARIFF 30 PER CENT ad
PAPER
ualouem
SOURCES BEFORE THE m-;aR--For several years t h e r e were t w o , a n d sometimes three, paper factories in t h e Cnited States making qualitative paper of good quality. Both qualitative a n d quantitative paper were offered b y t w o other American firms, n o t paper makers, who supposedly purchased their paper stock 2nd subjected i t t o t h e usual acid washing and other t r e a t m e n t in their own laboratories. T b e two brands of filter paper in widest use a n d for t h e greatest variety of purpose were purchased entirely in Europe. T H E P R E S E K T SITuaTIos-The t W O paper factories referred t o are still making filter paper b u t are unable t o contract for large orders because of t h e great shortage of suitable rags. T h e t w o other firms have given u p deliveries for t h e present. Other experienced American paper makers are actively experimenting o n quantitative papers. One of t h e widely used European brands still obtainable is being shipped a t infrequent intervals, a n d prices have been advanced I O O per cent. ’ One new British filter paper has appeared in considerable variety as t o purpose a n d in some quantity, b u t with deliveries now much behindhand. Still another nevi English maker has m a d e a f e shipments, ~ and a third is offering qualitative grades only, b u t has made few, if a n y , large shipments. T h e Bureau of Standards a t V a s h i n g t o n is working o n s t a n d a r d methods for t h e testing of filter papers, which information is urgently needed, as t h e reports on t h e same paper from users in actual laboratory work differ widely
CLASSIFICATIOK
E--H.ARDWARE ASD
SHEET METAL WARE
C L As SIFIC ATI OS
F-- o P TIC A. L
Vol. 8 , No
j
ME AS L- RIN G I N s T R u M E x T s
SPECTROSCOPES AND SPECTROMETERS, POLARIMETERS AND SACCHARIMETERS, REFRACTOMETERS, COLORIMETERS AiXD MICROSCOPES. TARIFF 3j PER CENT ad valorem EXCEPT OK MICROSCOPES, Zj PER CENT
S O U R C E S B E F O R E T H E w.-i\R-The instruments in this classification as used in chemical laboratories were all purchased in Europe with t h e exception of microscopes, t h e manufacture of which has, as you all know, been extensively 2nd successfully conducted in America for m a n y years. T H E P R E S E K T sITL-.&TIox-There is no new m a n u facturing in America t o be recorded in this line as 3 result of t h e war. T h e explanation is again t h e enormous pressure being p u t upon t h e several factories equipped for such work for deliveries of prism binoculars, range finders, telescopes as used in gunnery, periscope optics, etc. T w o British factories have extended their lines t o include certain refractometers and saccharimeters not heretofore made in England, b u t their deliveries are much delayed because of t h e control of these works b y t h e British government for war requirements. T h e same situation explains both t h e inability of certain very excellent French makers of optical instruments t o extend their lines, or el-en-with one exception--to make a n y deliveries of their regular goods CLASSIFICATIOS
G-AXALJITICAL APiD
A K D ASSAY B A L A S C E S
WEIGHTS
TARIFF 20 PER CEXT ad valorem ON BRASS WEIGHTS, CENT O S GOLD PLATED WEIGHTS
jo
PER
S O U R C E S BEFORE T H E w.u-Practically no assay balances have been imported from Europe in recent years, t h e d e m a n d for such balances having been particularly well met b y t h e excellent instruments of two American manufacturers. T h e business in analytical balances was a b o u t equally divided between three s t a n d a r d American makers, a n d three equally wellknown European makers. I include in this statement those imported free of d u t y for educational use. Ana l y t i ~ a lweights, although m a d e in t h e Cnited States of excellent quality, were mostly imported because of price. T H E P R E S E K T sIT-cArIox-The only change t o note is t h a t a t present all of t h e American makers are far behind in their deliveries even though one of t h e foreign makers referred t o is still accessible.
BURNERS, CLAMPS, SUPPORTS, WATER BATHS, DRYING OVENS, ETC. TARIFF 20 PER CENT ad valorem
I1
S O U R C E S B E F O R E T H E n ~ ~ - - P r a c t i c a l l yall items in sufficient d e m a n d t o be called staple were made in t h e United States. ,i great variety of articles generally listed in dealers’ catalogues, b u t not used in sufficient q u a n t i t y t o justify manufacturing b y A mer i c a n methods , were i m p or t ed . THE PRESEKT sITVATIox--The above mentioned condition has undergone no significant change. American factories are now making some of t h e usually imported items in addition t o those m a d e heretofore. T h e y would doubtless h a r e undertaken m a n y more such were it not for t h e general industrial stress now existing.
Let us now consider t h e possibilities of t h e future, mentioning first ‘‘ Hollow Glassware,” particularly flasks a n d beakers. I t seems probable t h a t a fair share of our consumption of flasks a n d beakers will be made in t h e United States after t h e conclusion of t h e war without a n y increase in d u t y or a n y curtailment of t h e duty-free privilege. With some restriction of duty-free e n t r y t h e y would. I t h i n k , all be m a d e here. This statement is based upon t h e following facts: r-The intrinsic excellence of our product. This i s certainly the basic economic factor in determining where any merchandise is to be made under normal conditions of competition. z-The highest priced Smerican flasks and beakers are now
M a y , 1916
T H E J O L-R-VAL O F I A V D C S T R I A L A N D ELVGI-VEERI-VG C H E M I S T R E ’
sold at exactly the duty-paid prices prevailing before the way for the best European hrand. Furthermore, all other American flasks and beakers are now not only sold a t less than these prices, but at prices no higher, generally speaking, than those hitherto prevailing on European goods of inferior quality. 3-There is a sufficient industrial and other duty-paid demand to justify the continuation of a part, at least, of our present war time production even though the large educational business is again placed abroad for duty-free importation. This dutypaid demand is increasingly restricted to flasks and beakers of the highest quality. Those of you engaged in industrial work will agree that in the works laboratory the first consideration is not what the flask or beaker costs but rather that it must not break in use. 4-Flasks and beakers are made in large and well organized glass factories of which we have in the United States several quite competent to undertake such work, and the American glass blower accustomed to the manufacture of incandescent lamp bulbs, thermos bottles, ordinary bottles, and the many shapes of household and other ware, can usually make them with a few weeks’ practice. j-And this is important-There is some possibility as to the application of automatic glass-blowing machines (which have reached a truly remarkable development in the United States as applied to the blowing of bottles and incandescent lamp bulbs) to the manufacture of flasks and beakers if a sufficiently large demand develops. If this should come to pass I think the term “duty-free” lvould no longer be used in connection with flasks and beakers! Reasoning i n a m a n n e r a k i n t o t h e a b o v e seems t o some qualificajustify a similar conclusion-with tions in each instance-for t h e classifications of “ P o r c e lain Ware.” “ F i l t e r P a p e r ” a n d Optical Measuring I n s t r u m e n t s . ” ‘ I H a r d w a r e a n d Sheet M e t a l W a r e ” a n d “Analytical a n d Assay Balances a n d Weights” h a v e alreadp shown their ability t o t a k e care of t h e m selves. This disposal of these groups leaves us for f u r t h e r consideration t h e very i m p o r t a n t Classification B “ Lamp-Blown a n d T‘olumetric Ware.’’ It is t h e shortage in t h i s group which is now causing t h e greatest inconvenience a n d it is a b o u t t h e making of such goods t h a t we h a v e m u c h t o learn if a n y significant fraction of our a n n u a l consumption is t o b e regularly manufactured i n t h e Gnited States. As compared with flasks a n d beakers we here face quite a different a r r a y of facts. I-Our product thus far is, as a general statement, distinctly inferior in workmanship, appearance and (too frequently but not always) in accuracy of graduation. a-These goods must be sold, on the basis of costs prevailing before the war, at much higher prices than the duty-paid prices on equivalent items of foreign make. Since the war this difference in cost has been still further increased, in many instances to the extent of IOO per cent. 3-The duty-paid demand does not constitute nearly as large a fraction of the total consumption as is the case with flasks and beakers. 4-This ware is mostly made in comparatively small and often poorly organized establishments. This is frequently true even though the shop is operated by a firm which may be fairly designated as “large and well oiganized” in other directions. The supply of skilled glass blowers competent t o handle the great variety of such chemical ware is exceedingly limited. I doubt if there are 250 such workmen in the United States a t the present time. These men have mostly come to us from Thuringian factories as skilled and accomplished artisans who
435,
were well paid at home. They naturally demand and get still more here. A good all-round worker now gets from $4j .oo to $60.00 per week. They do not always lend themselves to the proper subdivisions of labor for economical production. They are quite united in their common interests and naturally not greatly interested in the training and development of apprentices. They frequently are compelled to give up work on general chemical ware because of the high wage they can earn on piece work specialties. One large concern in south Jersey is here deserving of special mention because of their output in this line which, while as yet confined largely to the simpler and more staple items, is made almost exclusively by young men and women native in the locality under the direction of a few more experienced workers. I recently visited this plant and was favorably impressed with the very encouraging progress these operatives had made in a Comparatively few months. j-And this again is important-There seems to be little possibility as to the application of automatic machines to this line, with the exception of those already developed and in efficient use for homeopathic vials and syringes.
I11 W i t h t h e i m p o r t a n t Classification B , “ Lamp-Blown a n d Volumetric Ware,” before us, a n d with flasks a n d beakers of Classification A still in m i n d , let us consider for a m o m e n t t h e conditions pertaining t o this i n d u s t r y in Europe. N o t a few of you h a v e visited t h a t a t t r a c t i v e little section of Thiiringia which has. since t h e beginnings of modern chemistry a n d before, supplied t h e world with chemical glassware a n d with m a n y other interesting things as well. I l m e n a u , S t u t z e r b a c h , Schmiedefeld, Gehlberg. Frauenwald a r e n a m e s familiar t o you from catalogues if n o t f r o m visits. E a c h of these towns a n d m a n y others h a v e their one o r t w o “ h i i t t e n ” mostly with a “blaserei,” “atzerei ’’ a n d “schleiferei” operated b y t h e s a m e firm. There a r e also m a n y s e p a r a t e lamp-blowing a n d graduating shops b o t h i n t h e t o w n s a n d nestled alone a m o n g t h e fir-clad hills, in n u m b e r quite beyond t h e reach of a single visit. Here we stili find t h e formerly wide-spread houseworking i n d u s t r y -now decreasing because of t h e mode r n organized shop-where certain members of t h e family t o o old or unable for other reasons t o -make full t i m e at t h e shop, d o a great variety of work at home o n a piece work basis. T h e y t a k e this finished work t o t h e factory o n S a t u r d a y night a n d , securing their s u p p l y of t u b i n g for t h e next week’s work, carry i t h o m e o n their backs. T h e y also h a v e t h e r e t h e local testing bureaus of t h e Kaiserlichen Sormal-Eichungs-Kommission, such as t h e Herzoglich Sachsische E i c h a m t i n Gehlberg, f r o m which m u s t r a d i a t e a v a s t influence t o w a r d t h e development of precise s t a n d a r d s of workmanship. There is also their well organized apprentice s y s t e m a n d t h a t most i m p o r t a n t institution, t h e “ Fach-schule.” I a m not clear enough in t h e details of either of these t o explain t h e m with a n y a u t h o r i t y . b u t a m quite sure t h a t we h a v e in t h i s c o u n t r y no t r a d e or m a n u a l training school where a young m a n c a n learn t h e f u n d a mentals of chemical o r a n y other glass blowing, t o -
440
T H E JOL’R-TAL O F I A T D C S T R I A L A L V D EA3-GIn‘EERISG C H E M I S T R Y
gether v i t h such science insTruction as is required in such work. Back of all this, a n d possibly more fundamental t h a n a n y of it, there is throughout G e r m a n y a n d elsewhere in Europe, a well established association between t h e chemist in his laboratory and t h e glassblowing industry, particularly as regards new apparatus. This association usually begins with t h e laboratory glass blower a n d has its first commercial extension through t h e medium of t h e small outside glass-blowing shop which is so generally found adjacent t o almost ex-ery E u r o p e a n institution maintaining a laboratory where a n y original work is done. Such shops are often quite independent of t h e laborat o r y b u t are usually a direct outcome of t h e n-ork therein, a n d t h e world has been largely dependent upon t h e m for t h e pioneer apparatus in m a n y fields. This laboratory glass blower a n d this adjacent outside shop seem t o form t h e connecting link in Europe between t h e chemist i n his laboratory and t h e more highly organized Thiiringian manufacturer who distributes throughout t h e world his large production of staple articles. T h e development of t h e Beckm a n n thermometer and other a p p a r a t u s for t h e determination of molecular weight b y t h e glass blower t o T h e Laboratory of Applied Chemistry; in Leipzig, under Beckmann’s own direction; t h e manufacture and sale in another Leipzig shop of a great variety of apparatus for physical chemistry after Ostwald and L u t h e r ; t h e development a n d early manufact u r e in t h e basement of t h e Technical High School, in Dresden. of t h e whole line of gas analysis a p p a r a t u s after Hempel under his own direction (with its f u r t h e r development b y Dennis, of Cornel1 University), are a few of t h e m a n y illustrations of this connection.’ I n t h e United States we now have some laborat o r y glass blowers, b u t should he not be a p a r t of every chemical laboratory conducting original work if we are t o develop a n d manufacture lamp-blown chemical a p p a r a t u s t o a n y extent? Should we not also encourage t h e establishment a n d support of these small outside shops under t h e wing of our large universities a n d research institutions where t h e new a n d special a p p a r a t u s which has been developed in their laboratories m a y be made, still more or less under t h e watchful eye of t h e a u t h o r a n d sold t o those interested until t h e demand warrants its manufacture in large quantities a t t h e lon-er prices possible in a n organized shop? Our present great need a n d our natural a p t i t u d e f o r new enterprise m a y indeed produce some increase in our capacity for organized manufacturing before t h e laboratory glass blower a n d t h e small outside shop habits become greatly extended. T h e south Jersey establishment previously mentioned is. in fact, already a n instance of this, b u t it must have for its future profitable existence a fairly constant a n d 1 Here a t t h e University of Illinois you have a skillful glass blower in connection with t h e Chemical Laboratories who h a s rendered valuable assistance in t h e making of glass p a r t s of t h e new a p p a r a t u s for t h e measurement of t h e conductivity of electrolytes a s developed by D r . E. W. Washbnrn, especially t h e glass cell which will be known in t h e f u t u r e a s t h e “ W a s h b u r n Conductivity Cell!”
TT0l.5, S O .5
large d e m a n d for such recognized staples as can be made in great quantities a n d with a minimum of highly skilled labor, and should not be burdened with too much special work. You could render great assistance t o such effort b y eliminating from your regular laboratory practice t h e m a n y shapes and sizes of lamp-blown ware not in wide use, b u t t h e making and selling of which hampers t h e manufacturer and cumbers t h e shelves of all t h e larger dealers. and in both places tends t o greatly increase t h e overhead charges a n d , in t u r n , t h e ultimate cost t o you of all apparatus you buy. Let us now consider for a m o m e n t . in conclusion, tariff! I s a t h a t bugaboo of t h e whole matter-the higher tariff fundamentally necessary t o t h e permanent establishment of t h e manufacture of chemical apparat u s in t h e United States? I t certainly is not so far as much of t h e a.pparatus we have considered is concerned. E v e n in our particular Classification B of “ Lamp-Blown and Volumetric m a r e ” it seems n o t so important as a possible c u r t a i l m e n t of d u t y - f r e e i m p o r t a t i o n . I a m not unmindful t h a t t o those of you engaged in teaching, such a suggestion m a p seem t o jeopardize t h e very existence of educationai work in science a n d t o be entirely too high a price t o pay for t h e problematic transplanting of any industry of no great commercial importance. I t might, however, be practicable t o discontinue t h e duty-free e n t r y of a t least such glass a n d porcelain ware as has hitherto been imported in such enormous quantities for routine s t u d e n t work. I mean t h e flasks, beakers, funnels, burettes, pipettes, evaporating dishes, crucibles, test-tubes a n d t h e like which are dispensed from t h e laboratory storeroom t o t h e students for their individual work and for which t h e institution is paid b y laboratory fees, breakage charges and similar arrangements. T h e first result of such a change would certainly be a far keener interest on t h e p a r t of possible m a n u facturers in t h e United States whose first question is always “ H o w much of t h e consumption is provided for b y duty-free importation? ” Another outcome might be t h a t t h e laboratory glass blower or t h e small outside glass-blowing shop would naturally add t h e function of dealing t o t h a t of glass blowing and would carry in stock for sale t o t h e students t h e exact a p paratus required by t h e s t u d e n t for his particular course a n d for which he has always paid in one way or another. In such event t h e institution would be relieved of t h e outlay a n d expense a t t e n d a n t upon providing and keeping u p t h e present large storeroom stocks and a tendency t o extravagance because of t h e necessity of making u p large duty-free orders surely t o anticipate t h e needs for a long period of time might be lessened. T h e carelessness and indifference of the s t u d e n t , as a result of t h e apparent a b u n d a n t supply of apparatus and t h e direct cash outlay required of him, might also be materially reduced without great, if any: increase in t h e cost t o him of his laboratory courses. Paragraph 573 of t h e Tariff Act of October 3 , 1913, provides for t h e duty-free e n t r y of ”philosophical and scientific a p p a r a t u s ” by certain societies a n d in-
M a y , 1916
THE J O U R N A L O F I N D C S T R I A L A -V D E N G I !.V E E RI N G CH E iMIS T R E‘
stitutions “ s u b j e c t t o s u c h regulations as t h e Secret a r y of t h e Treasury shall prescribe.” This suggestion as t o possible curtailment of duty-free e n t r y might, therefore, b e carried out b y a comparatively simple change in t h e present regulations of t h e Treasury D e p a r t m e n t , s u c h as might be suggested b y a suitable committee of t h e American Chemical Society! It is conceivable t h a t ‘a reasonable a n d moderate restriction of this sort s u b m i t t e d t o t h e Secretary of t h e Treasury b y a society composed of b o t h educational a n d industrial users of a p p a r a t u s might be more p r o m p t a n d less disturbing in its effect than an effort on t h e
541
p a r t of manufacturers a n d labor organizations t o secure t h e necessary Congressional action for t h e withdrawal of t h e entire duty-free privilege as provided for in p a r a g r a p h j 7 3 ! I n t h e a p p a r a t u s line as in t h e dyestuffs we shall d o well t o remember t h a t t h e answer t o t h e daily question “ W h y do we not m a k e it in A m e r i c a ? ” requires a more profound analysis t h a n is a p p a r e n t in newspaper editorials a n d t h a t w h a t is now indicated is an intelligent a n d , a b o v e all, a n unselfish cooperation between t h e manufacturer. dealer a n d chemist. WEST W A S H I N G T O N SQGARE, PHIL.4DELPHlA
INDUSTRY AND THE UNIVERSITY hddresse3 before t h e New York Section of t h e AMERICAN CHEMICAL Socrpru, Chemists’ Club, April i. 1916
THE INDUSTRIES AND THE UNIVERSITIES B y WILLIAMH. NICHOLS Chairman of t h e Board of Directors of t h e General Chemical C o m p a n y
In common with you all, I was greatly interested in the program laid down by Dr Wagner, our Chairman, looking toward a contribution to the question of bringing the universities in closer touch with the industries-an end not only desirable, but vital, Naturally he began with the universities, and you have doubtless read with great pleasure and profit the contributions made by the representatives of two of them on the first two evenings of the discussion, the speakers confining themselves more particularly to the subject of Chemistry I confess my feelings of pleasure were somewhat modified when in Florida, a little while ago, I received notice from Dr. Wagner that I was to be honored with the duty of stating the point of view of the industries, a rather large contract considering their diversity and my limitations. Of course, I understood perfectly that this was not in any way a contest between opposing forces; but simply an effort to get the points of view of those who had been differently situated, and whose experiences varied, the hope being that out of this seed might spring a great tree which would be of service to humanity. Everybody to-day listens with the utmost interest to what is said by any of our great professors: partly because they know so little about what the professors are doing, and mystery is always attractive, and partly because they justly have a great respect for anything they say, knowing that they are picked men, not actuated by selfish motives, and who rarely advertise themselves. When I was a youngster, if you will pardon a personality, those who were interested in my progress concluded, after painful thought, that I was utterly unqualified for any business occupation, and that the only rBle which I held out any promise of being able to fill with credit was that of professor of some sort not specified. This shows that the professor in those days was sometimes looked upon as a kind of a humdrum person whose duties were to explain, more or less lucidly, to budding minds what some other professors had put into books, and, where their own experience justified it, which was seldom the case, delivering lectures of their own. I had a very different view, however, and felt that while I admitted the premise that I was entirely unqualified for business work, I did not see any reason for supposing I was qualified for the alternative; and so, on my own motion, without taking anybody’s advice, I proceeded to do the best I could to acquire an education as a technical chemist-a profession which in those days had very few followers. Immediately on graduation I proceeded, with the assistance of one workman, to enter the field of technical chemistry, and have been more or less employed in that field ever since. One of the very first discoveries I made was that college professors would be apt to know a great many things which I did not, and
I took occasion more than once to accept the kindly invitation of Dr. Chandler to consult him, without charge, on any problems confronting me. I remember, in this connection, another man who was not a university professor, but who was qualified to be one, who also rendered any advisory service which I called upon him to undertake. That gentleman was Dr. Manuel Alsberg, long since passed away. The only thing like a quarrel which I ever had with Dr. Alsberg resulted from his complaint that I did not consult him often enough, as, for some reason or other, he seemed to have taken an interest in my progress. So you see that the subject of the coordihation of the universities with industries, as far as I am concerned, began practically with the beginning of my business life, and has been prominent in my thoughts ever since. While this does not qualify me particularly to discuss the question before us, it a t least shows that I approach it with friendly feelings, and that it is not a novel proposition with me. The first address of this series was delivered by President Butler of Columbia, and will well repay preservation In the first paragraph he makes a statement that has an immense bearing on the whole subject, although I think he put it in as a mere pleasantry. He said that he had an impression that there had been so many changes in chemical knowledge during the thirty-five years which had elapsed since he had listened to Dr Chandler’s lectures, that if he were to attempt to reproduce any of this excellent instruction you might think him a student of archaeology rather than of chemistry. While, without any derogation of Dr. Chandler’s lectures of that day, it must be admitted that the period alluded to by President Butler has produced the most astounding changes, it must not be forgotten that thirty-five years hence any speaker being educated in Columbia to-day, and who should not follow up the work, would surely have to make a similar confession, for the science of chemistry has gone forward with such leaps and bounds, and is of such limitless extent, that it has long since been impossible for anyone to fill all of the fields. In fact, many of the fields are, themselves, divided up into several departments, so that the great chemist of to-day is usually a specialist, and sometimes a specialist in quife a narrow area. The importance of this lies in the fact that the nation which is generally credited with having made the greatest advance during the past fifty years, may not be the nation which will make the greatest advance during the next half century. No one can tell who will have the honor then; but i t is perfectly safe to state that whichever country stands a t the head, it will be only after tremendous efforts made by the others. There is, therefore, no reason, whatever, why the American chemist, with his conceded ingenuity and imagination, may not well look forward to being the chemist in the lead a half century hence, even though he be engaged in fields which do not bring him so prominently before the eye of the public
