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T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
Vol.
11,
No.
2
EDITORIALS SAFEGUARDS OF CHEMICAL INDEPENDENCE
A great structure, the American chemical industry, filled with all possible potentialities of good t o this country, has been brought near t o completion during t h e past four years. Shall it now be jeopardized? The answer lies largely with the Congress of t h e United States. Chemists have done their part by the nation during this period of stress and trial. This statement is made in no spirit of idle boasting. Abundant testimony to its correctness is found constantly in t h e columns of the daily press; the subject has become a matter of household talk; the outward evidences of t h e service performed are found annually displayed at t h e National Exposition of Chemical Industries. During the period i n which the war was confined t o European countries a n economic miracle was performed in America. From hitherto wasted material, and with incredible speed, an industry of coal-tar chemicals (dyestuffs and medicinals) sprang into existence almost as if by magic. Factories threatened with the necessity of closing their doors continued t o operate uninterruptedly, wage earners received cons t a n t employment, and t h e sick were supplied with medicinals. When we entered t h e war the skill acquired in supplying these peace needs constituted t h e logical and ample equipment for the great task of furnishing our own armies with adequate high explosives. This was a small part, however, of the service the chemist was called upon t o perform. Gas warfare, introduced by t h e enemy, had t o be met both as to offense and defense. T h a t our soldiers, every man of them, were provided with the best masks known, and t h a t the output of our poison gas plants exceeded the combined output of all of the Allies, these are ample proofs t h a t another critical situation has been fully met. Optical glass of highest quality has been developed and supplied in quantity for the field instruments OF both Army and Yavy. I n countless ways the skill of t h e chemist has been evidenced throughout the vast and varied preparations for war. At the present moment we are upon the eve of important economic changes, for the peace treaty will soon be signed, embargoes will be lifted, and normal international trading will be resumed. Are we prepared for this new period? Fully cognizant of the importance of the great problems now engaging t h e attention of the Congress, it nevertheless seems reasonable t o express t h e hope t h a t certain matters of legislation seriously affecting the chemical industries may enlist favorable consideration and enactment before adjournment. First: Upon the joint request of consumers and producers, and for the avowed purpose of creating a coal-tar dyestuff and medicinal industry in this country, there was added a section to t h e Revenue Act of 1916. This legislation, framed in utter lack of
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such an industry, has now been carefully examined b y t h e Tariff Commission following a complete survey of the newly developed industry. I t has found unevenness and inadequacy in certain features of t h a t legislation, shortcomings which will prove comforting and helpful to those with whom we have been at war. The Commission has made definite suggestions which are intended t o insure t h e continuance of t h e domestic industry and t o protect t h e revenues of the Government from losses by subterfuge and evasion. Hearings are not needed on such legislation, political differences find no place in its consideration. Prompt action will safeguard the future. Second: For a number of years educational institutions have been given under congressional authority the privilege of importing, duty-free, apparatus and chemicals for use in instruction. This is an indirect subsidy t o education. It has proved a curse in disguise, for i t resulted in a serious disturbance of university affairs when through the blockade of German ports former sources of supplies became unavailable. Conditions fully paralleled those i n t h e textile industry, hitherto dependent on foreign dyes. Naturally manufacture of such articles had not proved attractive t o capital in this country, nor can we hope for its development so long as this law exists. But the greatest evil resulting from this legislation is its psychological effect upon the students who are being trained t o furnish America’s industrial needs. It blights the spirit of American self-reliance. Frankly, we do not expect t h a t the privilege will any longer prove of financial benefit to t h e educational institutions. Germany will have t o make the fullest possible use of all export trade to pay war indemnities, higher prices will therefore be charged, and we believe it is safe for American manufacturers t o go ahead. Our confidence in t h a t conviction is, however, rudely shaken when we ask ourselves the question: “Would you be willing to p u t your own funds into such undertakings?” The Council of the AMERICANCHEMICAL SOCIETY has recently expressed its conviction in no uncertain terms in favor of rescinding this legislation. If Congress will act favorably upon this recommendation, American enterprise and skill will bring us another step nearer to economic independence. CHLORINE MANUFACTURE IN GERMANY “If any one dares to touch the west bank of the Rhine or Danzig (Baltic port of Prussian Poland), Germany will rise as one man and make war again, even if we had no weapon left except poison gas ”
Thus spoke Theodore Wolff, editor of the Berlia Tageblatt, on December 21, 1918,in an interview in the Politikelz of Copenhagen. Strange words‘ from a citizen of a defeated country which has accepted t h e most stringent armistice terms known in military history! Those terms included surrender of battle-
