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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 E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
War Department certain t h a t the nitration capacity of the country is not in excess of toluol recovery, or t h a t i t will not be so by the time the recovery plants are installed? Already the coal shortage has seriously diminished the production of toluol from the byproduct coke ovens, until now the chief source of supply. This country can possess no more valuable reserve t h a n ample quantities of stored toluol. Another Halifax disaster, the bombing of a few munitions stations, the sinking ‘of a few supply ships stored with this material might a t any moment make a serious shortage, a shortage which would be criminal with all the lives a t stake, if the possibility of such can be avoided. On with the investigation! Senator Chamberlain can perform a distinct service if through his Committee he can speed up matters in the supply of such materials. The country will hereafter crucify with its scorn any manufacturer who now seeks t o profiteer a t its expense in this its hour of trial. So, too, will the country hold accountable those of its public servants who dilly-dally over minor details in fundamental matters.
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assured US was t o fashion this nation into the most efficient fighting machine, which law, the record of these columns will testify, we have striven steadfastly t o uphold? IS Secretary Baker aware of this ruling, a ruling which was not brought into being three thousand miles away, but right in the city of Washington in his own Department? The results of such procedure are not only disaster t o government chemical work but serious demoralization of the staffs of the chemical industries, which are supplying the very sinews of war. This can be illustrated best by two specific cases. A colonel in the Ordnance Department wrote recently to a prominent chemical manufacturing company stating t h a t t h e Department was desirous of securing the services of a number of chemists and factory foremen for use as inspectors a t munitions plants. He specified t h a t they should have had such experience as would enable them t o carry out intelligent inspection of explosives manufactured for the government in this emergency. The manufacturer was asked t o go over his organization and advise as t o any men who might be available and whom he could recommend. T h a t is all right from one point SOMEBODY, PLEASE CUT THE TAPE of view. Of course the government must have compeIf the National Retail Merchants’ Association should tent inspectors, and chemical manufacturers are just arbitrarily rule t h a t all would-be purchasers of h a t s . as patriotic as other men and will gladly sacrifice their must be supplied with the hat most convenient t o the staffs if need be. T h a t is the real question, “if need reach of the clerk in attendance, without regard t o the be.” There are more t h a n three hundred chemists shape, color or size of the hat, what manner of Easter in cantonments to-day, practically inaccessible for parade would result from males and females thus government chemical work because of this remarkable adorned! Or suppose t h e Amalgamated Employment ruling of the General Staff. One of these is a graduate Bureau should decree t h a t seekers of help could secure of two leading American universities, in each of which only “the next on the list,” regardless of qualifications. he specialized in chemistry. Furthermore he has had What would eventually result t o the regular processes three and a half years of experience in research a n d of commercial life if, seeking a stenographer, one should in the manufacture of explosives, dyestuffs and pharmadraw a cook! These suggestions are not intended t o ceuticals, and is familiar with the installation and reflect on the good qualities of the number six h a t on operation of chemical machinery. Yet his daily duties the seven and a half head or on the abilities of the do- consist of scrubbing floors, shoveling coal or cinders, mestic in her proper sphere. Wait a minute-these chopping wood, digging ditches (not trenches) and cogitations are not trivial. general work around the stable or kitchen. Burns was all right when he wrote ‘(A Man’s a Man We do not seek t o arouse sympathy for this young for a’ That,” but there are all kinds of men and there soldier chemist. He is having a good experience are all kinds of chemists: analytical and research chemand loyally doing his duty as any other young Amerists, organics and inorganics, chemists fresh from the ican would; his clear eye and soldierly bearing show, universities and chemists who have been able t o add too, t h a t he has made good as a soldier. He makes not t o their university training valuable plant experience. the slightest complaint. But we do feel t h a t t h e govSome have specialized in explosives, others in metal ernment is not getting from him the most efficient alloys. Some are accurate in analytical work, others excel service he could pkrform; and i t is a shame for a simiin planning research. If, however, a government departlarly qualified man t o be taken a t this time from the ment, bureau or division wishes t o increase its chemical industries for government work while such a man could force by securing the transfer of a specially qualified be made available in a few hours were it not for the chemist from a cantonment t o a government laboraweird ruling of the General Staff. tory, such coordinate branch of the government serSixteen thousand chemists a t the outbreak of the vice must send out t o the camps and simply ask for a chemist. Chemists must not be sought by name. war filed with the Bureau of Mines complete data To request a specially qualified man, designating the concerning their training and specialization in order man you want, is no longer permitted. Such is the t h a t their services might be promptly and intelligently ruling of the General Staff of the Army, t o which ruling availed of as need arose. Alas, these cards of volunthe War Department has strictly adhered for some tary information are now bound tightly together by weeks past. Shades of common-sense America, what the red tape of this rule-beyond-understanding promula n absurd situation! Is this the final outworking of the gated by the General Staff. Somebody, please cut the tape! spirit of the selective draft which President Wilson
