July 1, 1930
Vol. 22, No. 7
Mr. Crane’s Address S T H I S i*we we are privileged to publkh the addre- of Ifacturing Jaqper E. Crane before the annual meeting of the hlanuChenii~ts’Aiqqociation of the United States. The summary and tli-cub4m of the synthetic arnmoiiia industry in tlic United State, and the products that may be allied ith it- production are given largely from a n economic point of ~ i e w and , ihould have the careful s t u d r of thoqe even remotely interested in the subject. It is difficult to appreciate that anhydrous ammonia is now not only sold at pricei which make it a direct competitor n i t h practically all of the alkalieq except lime, but it must also be regarded a. a convenient and economical source of nitrogen and hydrogen obtained by cracking ammonia. Comider, also, what probably will take place as a result of pure methanol becoming available a t prices already competitive with ethyl alcohol and promising ere long to become even lower. Direct competition with ethyl alcohol is inevitable; in fact, is here, with its accompanying problems and necessity for readjustments. More than that, \\-e can look upon methanol as a pure raw material, to be made in tremendous quantities if the market justifies, and consequently to a certain extent a neT1 raw material inviting the thought and work of those who may see in it a source of n e x products. Such progress leads to tlie reconsideration of old problems-perhaps to changes in methods-and iiir ites the attention of our research men who are sure to see in these new cIrcunistaiices opportunity for more fame and new fortunes.
The Tariff N T H I S issue will be found a summary Tvhich sets forth IHam-ley-Snioot those changes in thties which went into effect when the tariff ‘became law June 18. K e have not attempted a n analysis, nor do n-e propose now to call attention t o certain iinpressiye features which we plan to discuss later. There arc’, hov-ever, tm-o points to be noted. The effort to reject, American evaluation as the basis for levying tariff on coal-tar chemicals, which had tlie support, of those who reprewnt foreign interests in the Cnited States, failed, and in that failure certain of t’hose ~vliopclsed as experts completely lost any u5efulness t,hey may haare had to their employers, so far as future representation a t the Capitol is concerned. K h e n Congress became advised as l o the true sit,uation, American evaluation wa ustaiiied emphatically. Attention should also be called to the defeat of the proposal that a n import, duty of 8 cents per gallon be levied on blackstrap molasses destined for use in the mmufacture of ethyl alcohol. That the old duty 11-as not materially disturbed is at, once a benefit to the large consuniers of industrial alcohol and, through a multitude of finished products, to the ultimate consumer as well. There is no iminediate prospect of any possible reduction in the cost of producing the alcohol from thc molasses. The great deciding factor is, therefore, the cost of the molasses. Obviously, it is vital
to the alcohol manufacturer, who finds come cause for anxiety in the wcceqs mhich has met the efforts not only of those n h o propose to qyiithesize ethanol on a great scale, but of those who are producing quantitieq of pure synthetic methanol. Whatever else may be said about theltariff, we hold t1ie.e two deci-ions to have been correct.
Research in Textiles of those not directly connected Tvith textiles ha\ e M ANY watched with interest the outcome of the several efforts made during the past decade to interest the textile industry as a whole in the application of fundamental science to its 1111nierous complex problrms. We could detail some of the discouragementsmet, the apathy shown by many of the leaders in the textile industry, and likewise could name some of those who have continually kept a t the problem until now things are beginning to happen. There will be not only much rejoicing but great expectations as the result of two events. To begin with, the Textile Alliance, Inc., formed to handle reparation dyes for the Government, instead of having to call upon its underwriters for money, accidentally- or was it good management-came out of its experience a ith hetween one and one-half and two million dollars profit. -1 good many people have been anxious to ha\-e somethiiig to do n i t h the expenditure of this sum, but it is to be hoped that the fund nil1 be kept intact. and only the income used from year t o year as problems and circumstances warrant. Even those ho, with tlie best of motives, attempted to guide developments in this direction were a t one time regarded with suyicion by the officials of the Textile Alliance. Thev n ere unable to understand why anyone rvould endeaT or to render assistance or give suggestions unless he were in snme way to profit. But all of this agitation appears to h a w been hdpful, and now we have set up two instruments of research where formerly we had none. That even improves on the blade of grass situation. Before the hIerritt bill became a law, twenty-nine trade associations, eight Government Departments, and seve:: textile schools v,ere requested to send delegates to a conference, out of which came the formation of the United States Irstitute for Textile Research. I t is intended that all phases of the textile industry shall haye representation in the new iristitutr. While the institute will have to devote much energy to the service type of research for the dual purpose of obtaining financial support and educating industry to research, it recopnized the importance of fundamentals when a resolution m s adopted requesting that the funds of the Textile Alliance be spent exclusively for the support of pure research. The Merritt bill provides for the Textile Foundation, which has been chartered by Congress, To administer and expend its funds and other property for scientific and economic research for the benefit and development of the textile industry and Its allied branches in the production of raw materials To receive from the Textile Alliance, I n c , certain sums of
