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into and out of my flasks through tubes in doubly perforated stoppers in the necks of the flasks; whereas his tubes are fused in. But I am bound to say-such is vanity-that if anyone will turn to THISJOURNAL, 8 (1916), 366, he will find a description of a crude fiber digestion plant which, while as efficient as others in preventing evaporation and checking frothing, is incomparably superior in durability, compactness, ease of operation and economy (in the long run) of construction. Round-bottom metal condensers take the place of flasks, rubber connections are entirely dispensed with, the cooling water does not pass from one condenser into another and finally into the drain, but through each condenser separately direct into the drain. The bottoms of these condensers need not, of course, be round; they might be flat or slightly convex and each provided with a half dozen, more or less, drip points. But since they are already efficient, why this additional complexity? J. M. PICKEL FEEDLABORATORY NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AQRICULTURE RALEIGH, N. C. March 17, 1920
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Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: The first part of the criticism offered by Mr. Pickel to the paper appearing in the March number of TEIS JOURNAL,12 ( ~ g z o ) 288, , deals mainly with a question of priority between Rowel1 D. Spears and himself. The points which seemed, a t least to us, of advantage over the condenser described by Howell D. Spears,’ and consequently over the condenser of Mr. Pickel, have already been pointed out. Undoubtedly the metal condenser which Mr. Pickel describes is very excellent and efficient. There are, however, advantages for both types. The copper-zinc condenser requires special plumbing and resolves itself into a more or less permanent fixture in the laboratory, for which many laboratories cannot afford to devote space. The glass condenser can be quickly and easily set up and taken down. The fact that the copper-zinc condenser, as long as i t does not come in contact with acid, is more durable than the glass apparatus is evident, but there is an opportunity for difference of opinion in regard to Mr. Pickel’s statement that it is “incomparably superior” in compactness and ease of operation. Mr. Pickel speaks of “additional complexity,” when his metal condenser is as complex as the glass condenser, and is also incomplete in itself while the glass condenser is complete. FOOD AND DRUGLABORATORIES C. A. CLEMENS DAKOTA VERMILION, S. D. March 30, 1920
STATE OF SOUTH
Vol.
12,
No. 6
supplemental equipment in mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, economics, and English needed to make its graduates fitted to hold positions of trust and responsibility. Applicants who can furnish certificate of graduation from a four-year day course in an American high school will be admitted without examination. All others will be examined in algebra, geometry, English and history on September 15 and 16, 1920. Personal and physical examination, to be given September 23 and 24, will be required of all applicants. Preference will be given to those applicants having previous technical experience. The course will be under the direct supervision of the head of the department of chemistry of Cooper Union, Horace G. Byers. He will be aided in its development not only by the staff of the department and such additional instructors and lecturers as may be necessary, but also by Dr. Maximilian Toch, recently appointed Adjunct Professor of Applied Chemistry in Cooper Union. Applications for admission may be made in person a t the office of the Cooper Union or by mail up to September 13, 1920. A circular giving the ground covered by the examinations may be hap upon request. No tuition fees are charged by Cooper Union.
A NEW METHOD FOR THE’ DETERMINATION OF STJLFURIN OILS Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: Two days before the receipt of the May number of THIS JOURNAL, in which a paper with the above title appeared (pages 482 to 485), the author came across the description of an essentially identical method.1 Goetzl treats the oil, in a platinum crucible, with fuming nitric acid, evaporates off the excess, mixes the oily residue with soda and saltpeter, covers with more of these salts, and fuses directly over a burner without stirring. The subsequent procedure is as described in the May number. The method was used for fuel oils, kerosene, naphtha, coal, lignite, peat, etc. The method described in the May number is an adaptation of the modified Henriques procedure for the determination of sulfur in rubber, which has been in use a t the Bureau of Standards for several years. Goetzl’s method differs from i t in a few respects, one of which is believed t o be of importance-that is the evaporation of the nitric acid, which may cause loss of a nitro-compound which carries sulfur. The paper of Goetzl will be discussed in more detail in a future Technologic Paper of the Bureau of Standards. BUREAU O F STANDARDS C. E. WATERS WASHINGTON,
D.c.
May 6 , 1920
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INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY AT COOPER UNION The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York City, has announced a new day course in Industrial Chemistry opening in October 1920. The course will cover a period of four years. During the college year I ~ Z O - Z I only first-year courses in General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis, Mathematics, Physics, and English will be given. It is intended that the instruction provided shall be eminently practical and thoroughly scientific and that i t will furnish adequate equipment for young men and women who desire employment as analysts, production foremen, research chemists, engineers, factory superintendents, purchasing agents, and in other phases of industry which call for persons with chemical training. At the same time the course will provide a proper foundation for original research and productive scholarship in industrial lines. The course in Industrial Chemistry as offered will include a fundamental training in general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry, as well as extensive acquaintance with technical industrial operations involving chemistry. It will also include 1
THISJOURNAL, 11 (19191, 140.
COLLOIDAL FUEL Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: Much to my astonishment and chagrin, the New York Times on April 16, in printing a report regarding the St. Louis meeting of the AMERICANCHEMICALSOCIETY, attributed to me the invention of the “colloidal fuel” described among other things in my paper on “Some Practical Applications of Colloid Chemistry.” The inventor is Mr. Lindon W. Bates, of New York, to whom I gave full credit in my paper. As soon as I saw this erroneous report, I immediately telegraphed the Times, pointing out the error and requesting prompt publication of the truth, and the correction was made in their issue of April 17. Since some of my fellow chemists may have read the first report without seeing the second, I would ask you to do Mr. Bates and me the justice of publishing this letter. JEROME ALEXANDER RIDGEFIELD, CONN. April 19, 1920 1
Goetzl, Z.angew. Chem., 18 ( 1 9 0 5 ) ,
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