IAnN DdEuN GsI NtE ErRiI NaG l Chemistry
VOLUME24 NUMBER4
APRIL 1932
J
HARRISON E. HOWE,EDITOR ~
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The Editor’s Point of View
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LUAIINIJM IN FOOD. Being under the impression that the question of toxicity in foods because of their preparation in aluminum vessels had long since been settled, we have been surprised on several occasions to have some one in an audience ask whether or not it is true that aluminum is unsuitable for cooking untensils. The first time the question was asked we took the trouble to check again with authorities on foodstuffs and, finding nothing against this useful metal, we wondered where the source of agitation might be. There is a certain editor of an eastern publication, with exact support unknown, and a midwestern dentist who appears to spend on this crusade more than his visible income vould justify, who are the two leaders in this unfair movement. They falsely point to many things which they assert can happen to anyone \$ho apparently has done no more than eat one meal in which the majority of dishes were prepared in aluminum. RTeknow of people who have some pet crusade and n ho pursue it honestly, and a t times at great personal sacrifice, merela because they are sure they are right. Facts and the results of careful examinations which shorn data contrary to their point of view are of no interest to them, and they strive on, too blind in their enthusiasm, or shall we say fanaticism, to see, let alone consider, the other side. Perhaps the individuals in the case under discussion are of this class. The widespread use of aluminum cooking ware, which is sanctioned by the best-known medical journals of this and other countries, could scarcely be permitted by public health officials of municipalities, states, and the Nation if the situation were as has been incorrectly represented. A number of authorities have looked into the matter and have ghen the results of their investigations that show aluminum is safe. We are pleased to print in this issue two papers which have a bearing on this question. They have to do with the occurrence and deterrnination of aluminum in organic materials. They come with the authority of a research organization widely and well known for its achievements. With this information before our readers it should be easy for those interested, not only to make check determinations, but to go as far beyond
as they may wish in the examination of all sorts of materials for the occurrence of aluminum. Not being pharmacologists, nor physiologists, nor physicians, we make no comment upon the importance of such mere traces of those forms of aluminum as may occur in foods. We can observe, however, that most of the people we know have numerous pieces of aluminum ware in their culinary equipment and that, fortunately, the health of the Nation is surprisingly good. *
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00 MANY CHEMISTS.” This seems to be
the erroneous conclusion of some in the chemical profession a t this.particular time. Observing the surplus of labor among coal miners and other classes of manual workers, they apparently apply similar reasoning to their own profession and believe a surplus of men to be a contributing cause or the sole reason for their difficulty in getting jobs. It is very important to distinguish clearly between those types of manual work for which there is only a limited demand, and brain work, of which humanity always can use more. The professional activity of chemists falls in the latter class. -4nd the public always TI ants more of the service of worth-while chemists. This is a fact to be remembered, especially when employment conditions are decidedly discouraging for the individual. He should not lose faith in his profession. He should understand that he is suffering from a period of readjustment and not a real shortage of demand. Another distinction can properly be made under present conditions-that between true chemists and those who merely use this nom de plume. In many cases those who claim such a title do not represent thorough scientific grounding and that professional attitude toward their science which is essential to real chemical service. This very lack lies a t the root of much of the difficulty encountered now, more than in other times, by certain individuals. But, of course, there is another class of well-trained, professionally sound, able chemists who, through no fault of their own, are temporarily without employment. Every scientist is anxious to assist this latter group into con-
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structive service that will compensate the individuals according to their worth. The fact that unquestionably a few such men are finding serious difficulty in locating employment does not disprove the generalization that society needs all and more than the present supply of really able chemists. 0
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ATENT HEARIKGS. On February 17 the Patent Committee of the House of Representatives concluded its hearings on the general subject of patents. A few weeks ago the chairman announced that the committee would hear all and sundry on any phase of our patent system, following which legislation would be drafted for presentation to Congress. The idea was that, from time to time, amendments and changes have been made piecemeal in the patent laws. It was felt that the whole situation should be surveyed and, if it seemed necessary, a real renovation undertaken. There is pretty wide agreement that the patent laws are just about as important as any to commerce, and that in the past they have been invaluable in the development of the American industrial system. They are quite as essential from many points of view as are the banking laws or the tariff. While the value of the hearings is recognized, it seems unfortunate that the plans of the committee could not have been such as to allow more time for carefully considered criticisms and constructive recommendations to be presented by several industrial groups. It would obviously take months to review the patent laws as a whole and then develop procedure for the future, setting that course from the line of sights marking past experience. However, some comments of great value were made before the committee. One of the principal defects stressed is the issuance of patents without sufficient examination of the prior art. This results in a failure to maintain a high standard in our inventions, which in every case should be required to shorn conclusively the discovery of a nex principle or technical effect. Another defect is the long pendency for patent applications. It was brought out that there are 18,000 applications which have been kept in the ofice five years and impressive numbers which have been kept alive longer, a few as long as fifteen years. One of the sometimes tragic results of this abuse of the patent system is that a concern may bring out a fully developed commercial article of value, only to find some application musty with age lying in the Patent Ofice waiting to spring forth as a patent and demand its rol-alty. One famous instance has to do with wire wheels used on automobiles. But this is only one of a long and well-recognized series of abuses that have arisen. Industry is primarily ‘interested in the validity of patents and expedition in their issuance. Adequate examination of prior art before the granting of a patent
Vol. 24, No. 4
is essential. It should be possible to maintain a very high standard for inventions and prevent many types of patents which, under present laws, have had to be granted, but which either have nothing more than a nuisance value or are dow-nright ludicrous. IJ-hile the life of a patent might be seventeen years, it should not run in any case beyond a definite period from the date of the application. It should also be possible for an assignee to file divisional, continuation, renewal, or reissue applications without having to go back to the original inventor or his heirs, as is now required. The patent laws are so important and have served us so well that their alteration should be undertaken with the greatest care. Nevertheless, it is doubtful whether these laws or their administration have kept pace with the rapid development in the sciences and the arts, especially where those industries resting upon research are concerned. The chemical industries, the electrical developments, the great strides made in communication, transportation, and aviation, ha\ e introduced new problems for which in many case5 there are no precedents. I t should be possible t o cure those defects which the patent system may ha\ e developed, without weakening the valuable aspects of the patent laws. I t is a question of great com;ilexil)upon which the attorneys are far from agreement, but that is to be expected. Industry should take the leadership. 0
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’E EXPORT NITROGEN. From an irn-
porter of fixed nitrogen for generations, the United States has now become an exporter of this commodity in tonnages sfliciently large to he impressive. In 1931, 430,000 tons of ammonium sulfate left our shores for other countries, there to be used for fertilizer purposes. In 1932, in addition to a h a t ever ammonium sulfate may find its x ay abroad, 23,000 tons of synthetic sodium nitrate are to be exporled to France. That is indeed a unique development. It will be recalled that, having predicted the impobsibility of directly fixing the nitrogen of the air, experts next prophesied that sodium nitrate could never he made sa nthetically to compete with the Chilean product. As we all know, that has been done on a large scale, and now the exportation of this nitrate \\auld seem to mark the final stage in this competition. All of this does not look much like a dearth of lo\\priced fixed nitrogen in the United States, and >et in the face of this condition there are still those M h o soberl) argue for the use of the old plants at Muscle Shoals in the manufacture of fertilizers, specif) ing fixed nitrogen. They even talk seriously of cheap fertilider, v hatel er that term may mean, and assure us that the operation of a plant by the Go\ernment, if no one is so umsise ab to accept the proffered lease, will mean a reduction in fertilizer costs throughout the country. Is there an)thing more absurd?
