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W. B. Price and R. K. Meade, “Technical Analysis of Brass and the Non-Ferrous Alloys ” Wiley, 1917; $3 00 The completeness of this book will save the chemist many hours of searching of the literature.
FOODS
F. W. Tanner, “Bacteriology and Mycology of Foods
” Wiley, 1919; Good for those wishing t o fit themselves for food control work. Standard methods of Public Health Association freely quoted. C. A. Browne, “Handbook of Sugar Analysis ” Wiley, 1912; $6.00. This book inclur‘es the occurrence, methods of preparation, properties, and reactions of the d15erent sugars and their allied derivatives. F. G Wiechmann, “Sugar Analysis.” Wiley. 1914; $3.00. A standard work, GAS L. M. Dennis, “Gas Analysis.” Macmillan, 1913, $2.10. This book embodies the results of recent research. Detailed information is given on the collection and storage of gases, the measurement of large gas volumes, the analysis of flue, illuminating and fuel gas, and the determination of the heat value of solid. liquid, and gaseous fuels. American Gas Institute, “Chemist’s Handbook ” American Gas Institute $3 50 The methods given are the official ones of the United States Bureau of Mines and of the American Society for Testing Materials.
$6.00.
DYES
S. P. Mulliken, “Method for the Identification of Commercial Dyestuffs ” Wiley, 1910 $15.00. Those acquainted with Mulliken’s other books listed above need no word of commendation here. PAINTS H . Ingle, “Oils, Resins and Paints.” Lippincott, $1.25 This book gives in very brief form the whole subject-of the analysis of materials of interest to painters.
1
I n many respects the Canada meeting of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (June 28 t o July 3 ) was the most successful so f a r held by this Society. The attendance was larger than that of any previous meeting, about 175 throughout the entire week. Interest was maintained not only by unusually excellent papers and visits t o plants not commonly seen, but also by the opportunity of seeing some of the most beautiful scenery of the United States and Canada. The meeting really started when some 60 members, their wives, and guests, boarded the S. S. Berkshire a t New York, Saturday evening, June 26, for the sail up the Hudson River i o Albany, where special parlor cars had been provided for the rail trip. The meeting proper was opened a t the Hotel Windsor, Montreal, Monday morning, with an address of welcome by City Commissioner R. A. Ross. At the business session the membership was reported as 406, with 30 applications unacted upon. New Orleans was decided upon as the place for the winter meeting, and Detroit Tor the summer meeting. President David Wesson addressed the Institute on the qualities essential t o a chemical engineer. Prof. A. W. Smith read a paper on the Mann Report in which he pointed out a number of errors in this important study of engineering education, and cautioned the engineers against accepting all of the conclusions of the report without careful criticism. The symposium on Electrolytic Cells was introduced by Mr. C. B. Barton of the Brown Company who described in a very interesting manner their early development. Mr. Hugh K. Moore discussed the fundamentals of the electroljrtic diaphragm cells and the development and performance of the Allen-Moore cell. Mr. L. D. Vorce described the Vorce vertical cylindrical cell, and Mr. A. H . Hooker gave a, description with lantern slides of the installation of Townsend cells a t the Niagara Falls plant of the Hooker Electrochemical Company. Mr. Hooker also read a paper giving the results of an extended study of the solubility of salt in caustic soda solutions a t various temperatures.
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No. 8
OILS
J. I. Lewkowitsch, “Chemical Technolosy and Analysis of Oils, F a t s and Waxes.” Macmillan, 1915: $18.50. The last edition of this treatise may well stand for many years as the leading work of reference in its field.
MISCELLANEOUS J. W. Richards, “Metallurgical Calculations.” McGraw-Hill, 1918; $5.00. Contains a n enormous mass of data collected and arranged i n logical order. E. M. Chamot, “Elementary Chemical Microscopy.” Wiley, 1915; $3.00. This important book outlines the manipulation of the micros cope and shows how its use will serve t o shorten the work of the analyst a n 8 render his results more accurate.
T. F. Hanausek, “Microscopy of Technical Products.” Wiley, 1907 : $5.00, Shows how to investigate microscopically commercial raw materials. with reference t o their composition and suitability for technical purposes. E. L. Smith, “Elrctro-Analysis.” Blakiston. 1918; $2.50. This. book brings together material found reliable by the test of experience a n d embodies latest resuIts. A. H . Low, “Technical Methods of Ore Analysis ” Wiley, 1915; $2.75. This book describes methods suitable for cases most likely to be found in practice. G.hT.Heath, “Analysis of Copper and I t s Ores and Alloys.” McGrawHill, 1916: 83.00. The first connected account of the principal methods. employed in the largest refineries and foundries; i t follows the ore from the mine t o the finished metallic product. H. W Wiley, “Principles and Practice of Agricultural Analysis.”’ Chemical Publishing Company; 814.50. A manual For t h e study of soils, fertilizers and agricultural products.
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
CANADA MEETING OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
Vol.
1
Mr. Richard K. Meade gave a very complete description, illustrated with lantern slides, of the manufacture of lime for chemical and metallurgical purposes. The new evaporator laboratory a t the University of Michigan was described by Prof. W. L. Badger of the University, who presented three other papers giving the results of studies carried out in t h a t laboratory. Mr. W. D. Richardson read three papers giving the results of a study of the corrosion of a large number of‘ samples of steel. An excellent review of the progress recently made in the byproduct coke oven industry was given by Mr. C. R. Bellamy of the Semet-Solvay Company. Mr. H . 0. Chute gave a comprehensive survey of dendro-chemistry, and Mr. E. B. Miller gave the results of commercial experiments on adsorption with silica gel. On Wednesday afternoon the glycerol refinery of Marx and Rawolle was visited, where glycerol is refined by the Wood multiple effect distillation process. The extensive plant of the Canada Malt Co., Ltd., was also visited, where up-to-datemechanical methods of handling the barley and malt were very much admired. On Wednesday morning the entire party boarded the special train which had been provided by the Canadian National Railways for the trip t o the various centers of Canadian chemical industries. At Ottawa the party was taken in special cars t o the works of the E. B. Eddy Co., manufacturers of sulfite pulp, paper, and indurated fiber products. All parts of the process were inspected, after which an automobile tour arranged by the Board of T r a d e gave an opportunity for seeing the many beautiful buildings of Ottawa, and the natural beauty of this locality. Belleville was reached via the scenic Rideau Lake district, and on Thursday morning a t 9: 30 automobiles were provided by the citizens of Belleville for a drive about the city and a tour to Delora via Sterling and Marmora, viewing en route the beautiful Oak Hills and Trent Valley. Luncheon was served in theClub House by the Delora Smelting & Refining Company, Mr. S. E. Wright, manager of the plant, acting as host and giving a fine address of welcome. The visit to this plant proved very
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interesting. The separation of cobalt, nickel, iron, and arsenic involved the carrying out on a commercial scale of some complicated chemical reactions. The extensive settling chambers and bag house the for collection of the arsenic fumes were examined with interest, as were t h e electric furnaces in which the nickel, cobalt, and stellite were melted. The next stop was a t the talc mines, and then a t the mills of G. H. Gillespie and Co., where the talc was ground in ball mills, air-floated, and passed through screens until it was an impalpable powder. The very extensive industrial alcohol plant a t Corbyville was visited, after which the party returned to Belleville to the reception of Mrs. L.E. Allen at the Belleville Club. In the evening the members of the Institute and prominent citizens of Belleville dined at the Hotel Quinte, with Capt. Lucius I?,. Allen as toastmaster. With the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack draped above the speakers’ table many references were made to the cordial relations existing between the Doniinion of Canada and the United States. President David Wesson especially emphasized this point. Secretary J. C. Olsen told the people of Belleville what a chemical engineer is, although he said this is a much discussed subject. Dr. S. P. Sadtler, the first president of the Institute, presented the Institute medal to Mr. Hugh K. Moore for the best series of papers presented to the Institute since 1913,when the medal was awarded t o Dr. F. W. Frerichs. Mr. Moore responded in a very happy speech, remarking t h a t his papers were so long that they boosted the price of paper. Prof. Chas. Baskerville responded to the toast t o the President of the United States. Lieut. Col. Ponton spoke very effectively on “The City of Belleville and the County of Hastings,” pointing out that i t was very appropriate that on Dominion Day citizens of the Great Republic: and the great Dominion should celebrate the day together. The party proceeded by special train to Shawinigan Falls where the very extensive power development was first visited. The plant of the Canada Carbide Company was also inspected. The 40-ton continuous calcium carbide furnace was observed with very great interest. A t the plant of the Canada Electrode Company the process of making the enormous electrodes for the carbide furnaces was shown. The manufacture of acetaldehyde and acetic acid from acetylene was seen a t the plant of t h e Canadian Electro Products Company. The last concern visited at this point was the unusually well managed plant of the Belgo-Canadian Pulp and Paper Company. The following morning the party arrived a t LaTuque where the enormous pulp mill of the Brown Company was visited. Here the greatest interest was shown in the Moore process for the evaporation and combustion of the black liquor. The lumbermen’s dinner served a t Sorting Gap proved the most novel feature of the entire meeting. The songs of the lumbermen, as well as the log rolling, log race, boat race, and log chopping contests will never be forgotten by those who enjoyed this novel entertainment. Further opportunity to see the numerous lakes and timber lands of Canada was given on the trip to St. Alphonse, HaHa Bay, where the party boarded the S. S. Saguenay for the sail down the broad, deep river flowing between immense masses of rock. The sail on the St. Lawrence to Quebec proved equally interesting. One hundred of the party stopped at the Chateau Frontenac and visited the beautiful and historic city of Quebec, and then scattered for the trip home. The meeting was conceded by all to have been the most profitable, entertaining, and best attended meeting ever held by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. J. C. OLSEX, Secretary INSTITUTE OF BROOKLYN BROOKLYN, N. Y.
POLYTECHNIC
81s
IMPXOVEMENT OF CONDITIONS FOR COLLEGE INSTRUCTING STAFFS At the meeting of the Council of the AMMERICAN CHEMICAL. in St. Louis, April 1 2 , 1920, a committee was appointed to draw up resolutions covering the status of college professors, with particular reference to salaries, and the great difficulty now experienced in securing a proper teaching staff. The resolutions submitted by the committee, William McPherso-n, chairman, follow: SOCIETY
The AXERICANCHEMICALSOCIETY,representing over I 5,000 American chemists, having a t heart the welfare of our country and desiring to lend every aid possible in t h e solution of the weighty problems of reconstruction now before our people, respectfully desires to call the attention of those in authority in our colleges and universities, to a condition of affairs which the SOCIETY views with grave apprehension. While the fundamental importance of chemistry has long been recognized i t required the experiences of a world war to. really arouse the nation to a full sense of the vital character of the science. As a result, the demand for thoroughly trained chemists is unprecedented and far exceeds the supply. The disturbing factor, however, is that the high salaries oqered by the industrial organizations and the correspondingly low salaries paid by most of our colleges and universities are tempt.ing men away from our educational institutions, with the result that the teaching profession is being robbed of many of its best members. This process has already progressed to a serious extent and if allowed to continue the results will be disastrous; for it will mean that our future chemists who must play such an important part in the development of our nation will be trained more and more largely by incompetent teachers. Because of these facts, the AMERICANCHEMICALSOCIETY most respectfully urges those in authority in our colleges and universities t o do everything in their power to retain the services of such members of the instructional staff of their Departments of Chemistry as are recognized leaders of their profession and to make adequate provisions for the training of the younger members of such staffs so as to insure a continuous supply of competent teachers. To accomplish these results the following steps will be necessary. (a)The salaries of the members of the instructional staff of the colleges and universities must be raised until, taken in conjunction with the privileges which belong to academic life and associations, they offer attractions comparable with those paid by industrial firms. At present our most competent teachers of chemistry are receiving on the average certainly not more than half t h e salary they could obtain in the industries. Our graduates immediately upon leaving their Alma Mater are, as a rule, paid salaries in excess of competent assistants and instructors and it is a very common occurrence for a graduate who’ has been out of college for only four or five years to be receiving a salary in excess of those paid his former professors who have given years t o their work and are leaders in. their profession. ( b ) Adequa.te provisions must be made so that members of the instructional staff of the Departments of Chemistry may have ample time and provision to carry on research work. At present many of our educational institutions require of a staff so much time for teaching as to leave little opportunity forstudy and research. Moreover, it seems to be very generally true t h a t our professors of chemistry have developed qualities that make them efficient members of committees and the time thus spent in committee work still further diminishes the time available for research. Such a state of affairs is absolutely fatal for no instructor can develop in his field of study unless given the opportunity to carry on research work, and no’ professor can retain his enthusiasm as a teacher and his ability t o train students in fields of investigation unless he himself has ample opportunity t o devote to the study of new problems. The AMERICANCHEMICAL SOCIETY most respectfully solicits your interest in the above matters t o the end that our future chemists may be trained by leaders in the chemical profession. Copies of these resolutions, which were sent out to college and university presidents, have met with a very hearty response. A portion of the reply of President Stone, of Purdue University, which states the situation clearly, is here quoted: The growing practice of private corporations in calling scientific men from our institutions in order to conduct research in. the interest of some particular line of industry is in my judgment to be severely condemned. In so doing these private.
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concerns withdraw from public service our best trained men, secluding them in t3e interests of private business. Nothing could be more short-sighted even for the industry itself than this way of monopolizing men for private gain. A teacher or an investigator in a public institution multiplies himself a thousand fold for the benefit of all the people and all the industries. I n the employ of a private corporation his efforts are limited and the results of his work restricted t o the use of his employer. I n the long run, industries will best profit by supporting the work of these men in a public way in all institutions where they are free to teach and investigate without restriction. In this connection it is interesting t o note that the same subject is receiving serious consideration in England. At the recent annual conference of the British Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions a similar resolution was adopted, urging the immediate adoption of a suitable scale of salaries, and the placing of every teacher a t the point on the scale which he would have reached had it been in operation over the whole OF his teaching service.
VOI.
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MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION The report of the executive committee, Henry Howard, chairman, of the Manufacturing Chemists’ Association for the year
ending June g, 1920,recounts the principal lines of work, “chiefly in connection with matters arising from the war and the termination of hostilities,” which have occupied them, The committee has cooperated largely with the Chemical Foundation, Inc. On their recommendation an advisory committee of the Foundation was formed, which has already brought about important advances in the work of the Foundation. The Washington office, maintained jointly by the Manufacturing Chemists’ Association, the National Fertilizer Association, and the Chemical Alliance, Inc., has kept closely in touch with legislation pertaining t o chemical industry. I n cooperation with the American Dyes Institute, the committee took an active part in urging the passage of the 1.ongworth bill They opposed the Tariff on Pyrites bill as highly injurious to the chemical industry of the country, and the bill will probably never be brought up for action. SIXTH NATIONAL EXPOSITION OF CHEMICAL The bill to increase salaries and personnel of the Patent Office INDUSTRIES received the active support of the committee until a rider was Reports of progress in the preparations for the Exposition, added, providing that the Federal Trade Commission may acreceived since the publication of the June issue of THISJOURquire patent rights and administer the same. This would alNAL, still further indicate a most valuable and unusual exhibilow intervention of the Government in industrial affairs t o a tion, from the standpoint of both chemist and manufacturer. dangerous degree. The Associa tion, through membership in There have so far been arranged four symposiums, on Fuel the National Industrial Conference Board, brought about Economy, Industrial Management, Chemical Engineering, and organized opposition to the bill, with the result that its enactMaterials Handling. For the last mentioned, no papers have ment was held up for the session. been announced, with the exception of “Chain Belt TransI n cooperation with the Chemical Alliance, Inc., and the mission,” by F. G. Anderson. The programs for the others National Fertilizer Association, an exceedingly comprehensive are in part as follows: report embodying foreign trade statistics was drawn up and disFUELECONOMY tributed t o all members of the Association. The committee continues to keep in touch with foreign trade questions. They Fluid Heat Transmission. A. B . MCKECHNIE, Parks-Kramer Co. Refractory Cement: Life Insurance for a Furnace. F. W. REISMAN, are maintaining the Association’s membership in the National Quigley Furnace Specialties Co. ForeignTrade Council, probably the leading foreign trade organProducer Gas and the Modern Mechanical Producer. W. B. CHAPMAN, ization in the United States. Chapman Engineering Co. Preventing Conduction and Radiation Heat Waste. S. I,. BARNES, The Association was represented a t an International Trade Armstrong Cork Co. Conference held a t Atlantic City in October 1919, under t h e Powdered Coal. W , 0. RANRIN,Quigley Furnace Specialties Co. auspices of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT The one tangible result of the International Conference was the Ultra Analysis of Costs. HARRINGTON EMERSON. decision t o create an International Chamber of Commerce. Research in Industrial Conservation. H. E. Hows, National Research The organization meeting was called in Paris during the latter Council. part of June. The Association was cordially invited to particiCHEMICAL ENGINEERING pate, and appointed as delegate Mr. C. Wilbur hliller, of the Construction of Horizontal Stills. A. HOUGHAND WALLACE SAVAGE. Davisou Chemical Company. W. PRITCHARD. New Method of Destructive Distillation. THOMAS Corrosion and Galvanic Action in the Industries. W. D. RICHARDSON. As in previous years, the committee has taken up with the Bureau of Explosives many matters, among which are included Among the motion picture films illustrating various industries standard tests for carboys, welded drums, carboy neck proare the following: tectors, new type of carboy stopper, transportation of niter cake, U.S. CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES SERIES transportation of hydrofluoric acid, and transportation of mixed The Story of Sulfuric Acid. General Chemical Co. acids. A New Chemical Industry-Leather from the Sea-Fish Leather. Leather Co. (Ford Educational Film Co.). Perfumes for the World. Antoine Chiris Co. Modern Coke and Gas Manufacture. The Koppers Co. The Story of Petroleum Oil. Standard Oil Co. of N. J. The Asphalt Paving Industry. Barber Asphalt Paving Co. Colloidal Movement in Asphalt. Barber Asphalt Paving Co.
Ocean
MININGINDUSTRIES SERIES The Production of Salt for the Chemical Industry. International Salt Co. The Story of Coal. Sullivan Machinery Co. and U. S. Bureau of Mines. Building, Mining, and Quarrying Machinery. Sullivan Machinery Co. Silver Mining in Ontario. Ontario Department of Mines. Gold Mining in Ontario. Ontario Department of Mines. PLANTOPERATIONSSERIES Continuous Motion, Conveying, Stacking, Elevating, Etc. Brown Portable Conveying Machinery Co. Foamite Firefoam Extinguishing Apparatus at Work. Foamite Firefoam
co.
CELLULOSE SYMPOSIUM FOR THE CHICAGO MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Under the able guidance of Mr. Jasper E Crane, a Cellulose Symposium was organized as a part of the program of the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry a t the St. Louis meetlast April. One of t h e ing of the AMERICAN C H E M I C ASOCIETY ~ objects of this symposium was t o ascertain whether a Cellulose Section, if formed, would secure the interest and support of a sufficiently large number of chemists. The object of such a section would be to promote intercourse and cooperation between the chemists in the various cellulose industries. This group constitutes one of the largest and most important of Ameriwn industries; all branches of i t are intimately concerned in the problems of cellulose, and it seems highly desirable t o promote
Aug.,
1920
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
technical activity in this country along these lines. The proposed section would serve as a clearing house for papers and information on cellulose technology, and should also play an important p a r t in promoting research on the chemistry of cellulose. The symposium at St. Louis wa? distinctly successful. The interest shown was so great that it was voted to hold a second Cellulose Symposium under the auspices of the Industrial Division a t the Chicago meeting during the week of September 7. At this time, the advisability of forming a permanent Cellulose Section will be considered. An interesting program is being arranged, and a large attendance of those interested in cellulose is anticipated. G. J . ESSELEN, JR. ARTHUR D. LITTLE,INC CAMBRIDGE, Mass July 6 , 1920
Thursday, September 2 , will be given up to mill visitations, followed by a steamboat excursion on Lake George in t h e evening. It has been arranged t o pay visits of inspection by automobile t o the plants of the International Paper Company, Finch, Pruyn & Co., Union Bag and Paper Corporation, Standard Wall Paper Co., and Sandy Hill Iron and Brass Works. On Friday a visit to the works of the General Electric Company at Schenectady will show in the making the machinery and electrical apparatus used in pulp and paper mills. The visitors will subsequently be the guests of the General Electric Company at luncheon. In the afternoon i t is planned to visit the felt mills of F. C. Huyck & Sons and t h e Albany Felt Compaw. THOMAS J . KEENAN,Secretary NEW YORK,N Y.
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY
On September I to 3, 1920,the fall meeting of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry will be held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., with headquarters a t the Grand Union Hotel. The program gives assurance of a most interesting and instructive meeting. Following the business session on Wednesday morning, September I , at 9:3 0 o’clock, papers on special subjects will be presented, an especially important one being on the “Washing of Felts.” In the evening members and guests will be entertained a t dinner by the paper manufacturers of the Hudson River valley and vicinity.
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American Ceramic Society-Summer Meeting, LaSalle Hotel, Chicago, Ill., August 16-18,1920. American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical EngineersI m n d Meeting, Lake Superior, August 20 to September 3, .19zo. Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry-Fall MeetSeptember I to 3, 1920. ing, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., American Chemical Society--Sixtieth (Annual) Meeting, Congress Hotel, Chicago, Ill., September 7 to IO, 1920. Sixth National Exposition of Chemical Industries-Grand Central Palace, New York, N. Y . , September 20 to 2 j , 1920. American Electrochemical Society-Fall Meeting, Hotel Statler, Cleveland, Ohio, September 30 to October 2, 1920.
NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE
UNCOVERING T H E PLATINUM THEFT AT THE OLD HICKORY POWDER PLANT, JACKSONVILLE, TENNESSEE Between 4 30 P M , March 1 7 , and 9:oo A h r , March 18, 1920, almost 2200 g. of platinum laboratory ware, mainly crucibles, crucible covers, and dishes, valued at nearly $I 1,000,were stolen from the chemistry building of the Bureau of Standards. During the first week in April, information was received of the arrest in New York of two men. giving their names as Robert E. Carter and Joseph Fredericks, who were attempting to dispose of about 280 troy ounces of platinum sponge. Lots of 50 oz. and I O oz. had been left a t the offices of two concerns in New York who deal in platinum and the other noble metals. The remainder of the sponge was later found in two rubber hot-water bottles in a small grip checked a t the hotel where the two men were registered. Belween December 28 and 29, 1919,Roessler and Hasslacher Chemical Co., of Perth Amboy, N. J , had lost pure iridium sponge, platinum sponge, platinum sheet, and alloys of platinum and iridium containing I O and 15 per cent iridium, as well as a considerable amount of gold and silver. Carter and Fredrricks were arrested and detained under $5000 bail, the charge being that the platinum in their possession was stolen from the Roessler and Hasslacher Company. Acting on the idea t h a t the platinum in question might include t h a t taken from the Bureau of Standards, the Department of Justice was asked to investigate the matter. In the preliminary hearings, Carter stated that his connection with Fredericks was merely casual, and that he and an associate named H. H. Brooks had obtained the platinum by placer mining on an unregistered claim about IOO miles north of Parry Sound, Ontario. The platinum was brought into the country without declaration to the Customs.
Carter gave certain false references in Ontario, among them the name of the Maxwell House as a hotel in Parry Sound. It was known from statistics of the U. S. Geological Survey, subsequently confirmed by the Canadian Department of Mines, that the total annual production of placer platinum in Canada did not exceed 2 5 ounces, and, furthermore, t h a t no placer mining of platinum was carried out in Ontario. I n an interview with the representatives of the Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Standards, Carter described how “Brooks” had removed the gold from the crude platinum and had converted the remainder to sponge by dissolving i t in aqua regia followed simply by drying and direct ignition of the chloride solution. This was done on the scene of the mining operations with reagents and equipment brought from Trenton and Montreal for this purpose. It was obvious that a chemical analysis of the sponge would clearly distinguish between platinum t h a t had undergone even the simplest refining and the crude mixture of platinum, iron (IO to 15 per cent), osmiridium, and sandy matter which would result from platinum ore treated in the manner described. It seemed probable, furthermore, that an exact analysis might help to decide the real origin of the metal in the event that Carter’s story should be completely overthrown. Most of the platinum stolen in Perth Amboy was alloyed with IO to 15 per cent of iridium. It was estimated that the laboratory ware lost by the Bureau of Standards would contain a n average of about I per cent iridium with lesser amounts of rhodium and probably some palladium and iron. It was obvious that either of these lots of metal might be somewhat changed in composition through conversion into sponge. It was also possible that the seized sponge represented several lots of stolen platinum. It was t o be expected, therefore, that the results of the analysis would be of greater value in pointing the way in which the in-
