July, 1911
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 .
greater than the corresponding months of 1910. This large value of raw cotton exported, which will be b y far the largest total ever reported in any single year, is largely due, officials say, t o high prices rather than to large quantities exported. ooo,ooo
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION O F CHEMICAL INDUSTRY.
Owing to the increasing American interest in the chemical industry of the world, and the desire t o secure information concerning its remarkable expansion in Europe, the Bureau of Manufactures is about t o undertake a special investigation along these lines. Practical suggestions are invited from the trade as t o the most desirable subjects to be taken up, and as t o the most promising lines for commercial expansion. The imports of chemical goods and drugs into the United States are reaching enormous proportions, having been $ y o , o o o , o o o in value last year, against $67,000,000 in 1908, while the exportations of chemical products from the United States have remained almost stationary, the aggregate reaching about $20,000,000per annum. The chemical trade is a very broad one, but has special phases well worth study from the commercial aspect. To this end it is thought t h a t correspondence as indicated will prove beneficial.
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ALASKA GOLD OUTPUT 1909.
I n 1880 gold was produced in Alaska to the value of $zo,ooo. In 1909 the amount mined was valued a t more than $20,000,000. In 1888 silver was first produced in Alaska, to the value of $2,181;in 1909 the value was $76,934, I n 1902 copper was first produced, t o the value of $41,400;in 1909 its value reached $536,211. These and other statistics of production are shown by Alfred H. Brooks, of the United States Geological Survey, in “ Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead and Zinc in the Western States and Territories,” published as a separate chapter of the volume “hIineral Resources of the United States in 1909.’’ SYNTHETIC CAOUTCHOUC. By F R A N KE B A R R O W SAssistant , Euamltler, United States Patent Office
Under this title a most comprehensive review of the literature on the subject of the “Synthetic Production and Constitution of Rubber” has been published in the May number of the Ariizour E n g i m c r . Resides quoting most completely from all publications on this subject and giving especially valuable extracts from the recent articles of the Russian investigator, LebedeE, the author propounds a most interesting and plausible new theory on the polymerization of diolefins and the formation of rubber. The study of the article is highly recommended t n everybody interested in the subject.
THE NOBEL PRIZE.
The Nobel prize for chemistry for the year 1910 has been awarded t o Professor Wallach, the wellknown authority on the essential oils and their constituents. On the occasion of the presentation of the prize Professor Wallach gave an address dealing with the progress of research in the domain of essential oil chemistry, and foreshadowed some prospects of the future development of the science. He urged that the aim of research work should be twofold: the exploitation of the latest synthetic methods, and their application t o allied branches of chemical industry, especially in the synthesis of other compounds of similar structure and odor, and also the study of the conditions governing the formation of essential oils in the plant tissues. ACETYLCELLULOSE FILMS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET.
It appears t h a t the Eastman Kodak Co. which, about two years ago, commenced the introduction of non-inflammable cinematograph films made from acetylcellulose has decided t o abandon the manufacture of these films and t o g o back t o the old film made from nitrocellulose. The acetyl films were inferior in lasting qualities t o the old films and the general trade objected t o their use. It is claimed t h a t newly invented appliances in the projecting machines will protect the nitro films against catching fire and exploding in case of accidents. From a technical point of view it is greatly t o be regretted t h a t such a retrograde step becomes necessary.
GEM IMPORTS.
The imports of precious stones and pearls for Ma\. as reported by Francis TV. Bird, appraiser of the port, shows that receipts of this character are increasing in value. The value of imports of gems, including pearls, during May was $2,663,829,compared with $2,717,082in May one year ago, and $2,689,213tr-o years ago. The invoices and appraisement orders received during May are stated t o be 34,162 while in the same month one year ago they were about 1,000 less.
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AUTOMATIC GLASS BLOWERS.
I n its May issue The American FLil.zt states t h a t thP Owens Bottle Machine Co. has perfected a machine t h a t produces I O one-gallon packers per minute, and a machine t h a t makes 47 prescription bottles per minute. I t is further stated t h a t the prescription machine is capable of making from 2- t o Io-ounce bottles. GENERAL NOTES.
The United States Civil Service Commission announces the postponement t o July 5, 1911, of the examination announced t o be held on May 24, 1911, to secure eligibles from which t o make certification to fill three or more vacancies in the position of assistant in the paper and textile laboratories of the Bureau of Standards, a t salaries ranging from $ g o o t o $1,600 per annum. As-an insufficient number of applications were re-
