994
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
points in the history of the last twenty-five years that should have taught us this virtue. Unquestionably, that period has seen definite additions to our knowledge, but much that we thought we knew has now been proved untrue, and as we go forward with our work we are almost overwhelmed before the vast number of important things which we do not know. Scientists should be cautious in making general assertions and particularly careful to differentiate between experimental facts and mere speculations. One is safe in arguing from experimental facts which can be independently determined by other investigators, but unless care is taken to distinguish between these facts and the theories and speculations of the investigator, we may be led far astray. The theologian and the philosopher of the past could be accused of asserting knowledge where there was no knowledge. This cannot be forgiven in a scientist, and while we can point with justifiable pride to a substantial list of items under “Finished Business,” the agenda under ‘TJnfinished Business” is infinite by comparison. It behooves us to learn and practice modesty.
Vol. 17, So. 10
appraisals are universally recognized as indispensable parts of the machinery of banking,” but that “it is not yet generally appreciated that in very many cases chemical audits are equally essential and informing.” A few financiers regularly consult chemists before investing, and banking institutions have been known occasionally to turn to a specialist for scientific advice. It has remained for the Baltimore Trust Company to appoint upon its advisory board a consulting chemist and chemical engineerA. E. Marshall of Baltimore. The appointment is made for serious work and Mr. Marshall’s advice is regularly sought, with the result, we predict, that the bank will be more satisfied with its financial relations not only with chemical but with other industries. The policy of having trained chemists upon financial boards is so sound that we believe we are doing the public a service in continuing to bring before bankers the desirability of such a course.
Lessons of the Shenandoah
H E country was genuinely shocked to learn of the disaster which overtook the Shenandoah and grieves for HARLES FREDERICK CHANDLER, affectionately the men who lost their lives in the performance of duty. called “The Dean of American Chemists” and the Yet it seems obvious that, however great our loss, we can“Nestor of Chemistry in America,” has laid down an not simply wash our hands of aviation and decline to be exceedingly active and useful life. He had earned his place further interested in aircraft of the lighter-than-air type. in the chemical profession before many of us were born. He As is frequently emphasized, discovery, invention, and deoccupied a long list of honorable positions and was not only velopment constantly take their toll of human life and a charter and an honorary member but really one of the treasure. Progress is made only when the lessons of such most active of the founders of the AMERICANCHEMICAL disasters are well learned and applied. Whatever investigation is ’ made to ascertain the true SOCIETY. Both as teacher and consulting chemist he exercised a splendid influence on a long list of chemists who re- cause of the disaster, it is doubtful whether good would come from printing all the details. It would be surprising if there acted to his stimulus. Dr. Chandler had the privilege of living in one of the most were agreement as to the cause and certainly the data would interesting periods of the world’s history and a t a time when be misinterpreted by many. After all, structures embodying the changes in chemistry have been most far-reaching and our best designs and resting firmly on the earth are destroyed rapid. Beginning as a pioneer in the teaching of chemistry by windstorms and cyclones. It may never be possible to and active in various matters pertaining to public health, he construct a giant dirigible capable of withstanding the stresses worked on into the period of synthetic chemistry and saw in- of the most violent storm or cyclone. Perhaps what is dustry begin to take an interest in the type of work which the needed is better meteorological service to aid such ships to chemist can perform to its great advantage. He continued avoid storms. The fatigue of metals is a subject little understood as yet, in productive work long after the age when most men retire. The editorial comment in both the lay and technical press and reliable data are available on comparatively few metals pays splendid tribute to this chemist who was interested in and alloys. The frame of a dirigible must be subject to unpublic affairs and the betterment of living conditions as well numbered alternate stresses. Something is known of the as in science. Beyond question here was a man who left a liability of aluminium alloys to corrosion, but this subject also affords ample opportunity for research. What proteclasting impression. tion can be given these alloys to arrest or avoid this destructive phenomenon? Surely it cannot be claimed that our knowledge of the metallurgy of aluminium alloys is anywhere HE advantages to the financial world which come from near complete. These alloys are comparatively new. They frequent consultation with chemists and chemical en- have not been given the test of time in use, as have many of gineers have been thoroughly demonstrated abroad. Such the older metals. While the utmost precautions were taken contacts are mutually advantageous, and we have persistently to test many duplicates of structural members of the Shenanendeavored to bring to the bankers of America such informa- doah and there is no charge of lack of caution in her construction as would enable them to decide to what extent it would tion, it would be a grave mistake not to study parts of the pay to consult chemists frequently. The question has been broken frame, resorting to every method of modern testing, discussed repeatedly with the secretaries of the state bankers’ particularly metallography. The etched polished surface associations and with the national organization, with the re- under the microscope, which has played so great a part in sult that both Dr. Teeple and Dr. Little have appeared before many phases of modern metallurgy, may also help to find bankers’ organizations under the sponsorship of the AMERI- the cause of weakness if it exists in duralumin and point the CAN CHEMICAL SOCIETYand have delivered talks on “Re- way for avoMance in future. The data which the full examination will disclose may give search as a Basis for Credit” and “The Chemistry behind the Dollar.” I n concluding his address, Dr. Teeple said, “Given rise to extensive research in many fields where the specialists any chemical industry today, I would rather judge its future in several branches of the natural science must cooperate. by its fixed attitude toward research than by its fixed assets, Chemical, physical, mechanical problems abound. Their its working capital, or its past earning power.” Dr. Little solution, bit by bit, will form a nucleus from which improved emphasized the point that “Financial audits, accounting, and plans will be evolved.
The Dean Passes
C
Chemistry in Banking
