THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK cate for special uses as instrument oils. If perfluorosilicones could be prepared, tliey also should prove useful, the admiral a d d e d . Recent developments in submarine usage has also introduced many n e w prob lems which the chemist and chemical en gineer can aid in solving. The second day of the joint meeting was devoted to a discussion of needs and problems of the paper, textiles, steel, and automotive industries to b e met by the chemical industry. In introducing the symposium, Chairman Flodin stressed the importance of diversification research, without which, he stated, "a chemical company cannot survive in thN da ν of rapid technological changes." Automotive Problems Reported The chemical problems of the autoum rive industry were reported b y C. L M c C u e n of General Motors Research Laboratories. H e listed 256 chemicals used directly or indirectly in t h e automotive industry, b u t pointed to the problems in volving fuel as the largest chemical fac tor, for t h e 1950 automobile burns more than 4,200 pounds of gasoline per year. Increasing compression ratios means better fuels are n e e d e d . Chemical problems exist in all materials of construction used by the industry, but shortages and depletion of supply of m a n y raw materials present a full-scale problem for the chemical indus try in t h e development of substitutes and new sources of supply. Summarizing the progress m a d e by the chemical and chemical process industries in meeting the needs of t h e automotive industry, Η. Β. McClure, Carbide and C a r b o n Chemicals Division, estimated that b y 1955 t h e octane rating of premium gasolines will b e 95, with regular gasolines in the octane range 8 9 - 9 0 . H e r e , he said, is only o n e example of t h e t y p e of re search being d o n e b y the chemical indus try making possible continued technologi cal progress in the modern automobile. As a result of a questionnaire circulated to research directors in t h e paper indus try, K. A. Taylor, International Paper Co., s u m m e d up t h e pressing chemical needs of this industry as follows: ( 1 ) further work on ammonia b a s e sulfite pulping, (2) recovery of chemicals from ammonia base sulfite pulping, ( 3 ) recovery of chemicals from neutral sulfite semichemical spent liquors, ( 4 ) effective germicide and insec ticide treatments to prevent deterioration of pulpwood in storage, ( 5 ) control of insect blights, ( 6 ) better dispersing agents for fibers to promote better formation. ( 7 ) better a n d / o r more economical fireretarding and flameproofing materials. In outlining the progress m a d e b y the* chemical industry in producing chemicals for t h e p u l p a n d p a p e r industry, Harry F. Lewis, Institute of Paper Chemistry, showed that t h e industry consumes signifi cant percentages of the total chemical production: 1 0 % of the sulfur, 7 . 7 % of the caustic soda, 4 . 8 % of t h e soda ash, 16% of the chlorine, 7 5 % of the sodium
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sulfate, 5 5 to 6 0 % of t h e clay, 1 0 % of t h e titanium dioxide, 36% of t h e sodium silicate, 3 8 % of t h e a l u m , 2 9 % of the rosin, 2 7 % of the cornstarch, 3 7 % of t h e animal glue, and b e t w e e n 25 a n d 5 0 % of t h e casein a n d half of t h e domestic pro duction of p e t r o l e u m waxes. Milton Harris, Harris Research L a b o r a tories, discussed t h e n e e d s a n d problems of the textile industry. H e r e m i n d e d the listeners that synthetic fibers still ac counted for but a small portion of total fiber utilization; however, t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a n e w fiber with its a t t e n d a n t chemi cal requirements can a s s u m e sizable pro portions from t h e point of view of tinproducer of chemicals. New fibers are now relatively easy to p r o d u c e , but the major problem is to d e t e r m i n e w h e n a fiber is good or useful. T h e opportunities for t h e chemical in dustry were r e p e a t e d in t h e discussion of progress in synthetic fibers b y W . W . Heckert, D u Pont Co., w h o stated, " T h e r e are more degrees of freedom for organic synthesis in this field t h a n o n e m i g h t at first suspect." As evidence of t h e real progress m a d e in p r o d u c i n g syntheticfibers he exhibited fabrics demonstrating aesthetic appeal, strength, elasticitv . toughness, crease resistance, feel and re silience, a n d u n i q u e setting properties. Progress in d e v e l o p i n g dyestufTs and special chemicals for t h e textile industrx was r e v i e w e d by J. E d w a r d S m i t h of Du Pont. Until 25 years a g o , chemical work was largely directed to the development
of n e w dyestuffs, but t h e creation of a w i d e r a n g e of auxiliary chemicals for use by the textile industry a n d t h e growth of that industry h a s o p e n e d u p m a n y new opportunities for chemical progress within the textile field, according to Dr. Smith. Recovery of spent materials and valu able b y - p r o d u c t s are two of t h e problems confronting t h e steel industry in which the chemist c a n help, c o m m e n t e d J. E . E b e r h a r d t , Bethlehem Steel Co., in dis cussing the chemical needs a n d problems of his industry. He indicated that t h e re covery of h y d r o g e n sulfide a n d hydrocyanic acid from steelmaking operations would p r o d u c e 300,000 tons of sulfur a n d 40,000 tons of acid annually. Moreover, there is potentially available in coke-oven gas about 750,000 tons of ethylene a n d over one million tons of hydrogen annually. In a reply p a p e r , H. D. M u n g e r , Battelle Memorial Institute, speaking for Clyde Williams, also of Battelle, indicated that work was being done at present on steel's raw materials, use of compressed gases in steelmaking, lubricating oils a n d coatings for molds, a n d chemicals used in related operations. H e also indicated that t h e problem of recovering sulfur from cokeoven gas was not being neglected, both as tin economic a n d as a safety measure. Four m e t h o d s a r e now in use, each having its advantages and disadvantages. Papers presented at t h e Symposium on Industry N e e d s and Problems to B e Met by t h e C h e m i c a l Industry will b e published in full in forthcoming issues of C & E N .
Research M a y Suffer f r o m Increased Trust Fund Taxes C&EN REPORTS: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Anniversary N E W H A V E N , C O N N . - T h e effects of increased taxation on t h e incomes from trust fund investments may wholly or partly eliminate t h e smaller i n d e p e n d e n t research institutes in t h e foreseeable fu ture, according to A l e x a n d e r W e t m o r e , secretary of t h e Smithsonian Institution, but it will not force t h e larger foundations to suspend operations. Speaking as a representative of the privately e n d o w e d research foundations before a symposium on t h e "Research Institute in Modern So ciety" held in conjunction with the seventyfifth anniversary of t h e Connecticut Agri cultural Experiment Station, D r . W e t m o r e went on to say t h a t current taxation policy coupled with a p p a r e n t l y chronic inflation virtually eliminates t h e possibility of t h e forming of new e n d o w e d foundations a n d is already w o r k i n g to d e c r e a s e t h e scope of operations of t h e existing groups. However, h e feels t h a t the National Sci ence F o u n d a t i o n could " n e v e r fill t h e role that t h e p r i v a t e foundations h a v e p l a y e d and are p l a y i n g in o u r d e m o c r a c y , " al t h o u g h it m a y b e "a very p o t e n t s u p p l e -
CHEMICAL
ment a n d encouragement to t h e nation's research activities." S u c h a foundation, he said, "that d e p e n d s for its existence o n the short-term and annually uncertain appropriations made b y Congress is n o t a foundation in t h e s a m e sense ( a s t h e privately financed f o u n d a t i o n ) nor can it b e expected t o fulfill t h e s a m e long-term functions." W e t m o r e further said that n o matter h o w m u c h the existing foundations are forced to reduce t h e scope of their activities for financial reasons they will always h a v e a productive function in p r o viding grants to individual workers a n d small groups w h o will continue to p r o d u c e n e w knowledge. Although all of the speakers on t h e program a g r e e d that most m o d e r n r e search r e q u i r e s the services of a t e a m of scientists a n d engineers, E d m u n d W . Sinnott of Yale's Sheffield Scientific School concurred w i t h Dr. W e t m o r e in t h e opinion that t h e individual researcher still has a n important function to perform. H e p o i n t e d out that " t h e most precious product of scientific research is ideas ( a n d ) t h e
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK ideas on which progress depends originate in the minds of individual scientists." Since ideas rather than data are the most valuable product of research he suggested that both in the teaching and practice of research more emphasis be WASHINGTON, D. C.-A policy setting laid on speculation on the possible signififorth specific recommendations for the decances of the data already available. He ferment of scientific manpower has been suggested that research men be encouraged submitted to Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, "to put their feet upon the table every director of the Selective Service System. once in a while and lose themselves in The recommendations are the joint effort thought about their problem." The presof six scientific advisory committees, repreent emphasis on the presentation of factual senting the physical, social, agricultural, data in dissertations, research reports, and and biological sciences, the healing arts, papers for technical journals threatens to and humanities, appointed by Gen. Herreduce much research "to glorified scishey in the fall of 1948. entific 'busy work' " in which data are The recommendations are based on collected merely to the end of amassing existing legislation governing the Selecmore facts. Sinnott said that potentially tive Service System and apply only to valuable ideas are illusive commodities; those who are subject to induction under "we can prepare the ground for them, but the present provisions of the law. Gen. we must lure them in, not try to drag Hershey, in commenting on these prothem in by force." posals, stated that he agreed with them The Connecticut Agricultural Experiin general but had some reservations rement Station was the first agricultural experiment station in this country and was garding certain specific provisions. He has not indicated whether he will accept the recommendations as submitted. It is to be noted that the problem of determining an over-all policy for the utilization of the nation's manpower is a responsibility of the National Security Resources Board. In order to fulfill its legal obligations in this field, the NSRB has requested the advice and suggestions of the major scientific groups. These are the AMEKICAN
Scientific A d v i s o r y Committee Reports T© Hershey
CHEMICAL SOCIETY, the American Institute
"Small privately endowed research foundations may be forced to suspend operations by present tax policies" said Alexander Wetmore, Smithsonian Institution the pioneer for similar institutions now operating in all 48 states. It was founded largely through the efforts of Samuel W. Johnson, an agricultural chemist who conceived it as an instrument for making "science practical and practice scientific." George O. Curme, Jr., Union Carbide's vice president in charge of chemical research who spoke for the industrial laboratories, said that Johnson may have been the first scientist to recognize the possibilities of a "regular business of discovery" which is the backbone of modern research. He was certainly far ahead of the industrialists of his time in this realization, said Curme. The station's first annual budget was $2,800; its first staff totaled four people. It now employs 125 people and occupies numerous laboratories, greenhouses, and experimental fields. VOLUME
of Physics, the Engineers Joint Council, and the National Research Council. These various groups have devoted considerable effort to this problem and are expected to submit their views in the near future. Since their field covers all scientific manpower, their problem is much more complex than that which relates primarily to those subject to the draft laws. Proposals will probably include recommendations requiring additional legislation and formulation of the policy (C&EN, Oct. 9. page 3480). The recommendations of Gen. Hershey's advisory committees relating to deferments for scientific personnel are set forth below. They relate to the training and utilization of scientific, professional, and specialized personnel; the reasoning behind these recommendations; and a series of alternate proposals considered and rejected by the committee. Report to the Director of the Selective Service System by the Six Committees on Scientific, Professional, and Specialized Personnel
A. I.
RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations concerning the training of scientific, professional, and specialized personnel. These recommendations are intended to protect the national interest by providing for the further training of those students whose potential ability is attested by a
2 8, N O . 4 2 » » O C T O B E R
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superior score on a general aptitude test and whose educational progress to date is established b y a superior academic record. No attempt is made to designate any specific college curriculum or graduate program of instruction as essential or as warranting consideration over and ahove that given any other curriculum. 1. There should be established within the present selective service regulations a special class of registrants [perhaps designated class II-A(s)] in which there should be placed any registrant whose demonstrated educational aptitude is such that it is deemed necessary that his preprofessional or professional training program he continued in order to increase his potential value to the national health, safety, and interest. 2. Educational aptitude should b e defined as a specified minimum score on a general classification test and a record of previous educational accomplishment sufficiently high to indicate special promise of eventual scientific, professional, or specialized competence. For the present, the committees recommend the Following specific provisions: ( a ) to be eligible for classification in the proposed class II-A(s), a student must have a score on a general aptitude test equivalent to a score of 120 or above on the Army General Classification Test. ( b ) to be eligible for such classification he must also be certified by the school, college, or university authorities as giving promise of definite progress in higher education; such certificates may be issued only in the following cases, the certificate stating in each case the relevant limitation: (i) If the registrant is a student in high school or preparatory school, his record to date must be acceptable for admission to one or more accredited colleges or universities. ( An accredited college or universitv, a s herein interpreted, is one which offers an educational program leading to an academic degree at the end of four years and which is approved by the department of education in the state or territory in which it is located. Teachers colleges and junior colleges are included within the meaning of this recommendation when their students conform t o the limitations set herein. ) (ii) If the registrant is a full-time fust-year student (freshman), he must b e enrolled in a curriculum which leads, either in the same or after transfer, in another institution, to a degree granted normally at the end of at least four years of college work. (iii) If the registrant is a full-time seconds-year student (sophomore), in an accredited college or university, and is enrolled in a curriculum as defined in " i " above, h e must have maintained a scholastic record which placed him above the fiftieth percentile of the first-year class in the university or college (or in a school or curriculum thereof) in which h e was previously enrolled. (iv) If the registrant is a full-time third-year student (junior), in a n accredited college or university, and is enrolled in a curriculum as defined in " i " above, h e must have maintained a scholas-
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