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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 S G C H E M I S T R Y
beeR serving, in addition t o m y duties here, on t h e State Constitutional Commission and on other committees, so t h a t probably I shall t u r n up somewhere else doing work. I can’t be idle. I t looks as if a change was t h e real need with me, and not a rest. I have not applied for any pension.” Whatever he may do, wherever he may go, Dr. Smith ill always carry with him t h e best of good wishes from his fellow men. INADEQUATE PATENT SERVICE
T h e United States Patent Office exists for t h e benefit of t h e citizens of this country; it was never intended t o be a national dividend producer. I t s work is carried on b y appropriation from Congress; for t h e work done by its employees fees are charged from those who share its benefits. We are informed t h a t during t h e life of t h e P a t e n t Office t h e receipts t o t h e Government from fees exceed t h e appropriations by approximately $7,000,000.
I n spite of this remarkable showing, t h a t important branch of government activity stands to-day handicapped in its efforts t o give t h e best service t o our citizens. Insufficient appropriations have made i t impossible t o retain a n adequate experienced personnel or t o attract those whose ability would insure best results, and have made necessary t h e curtailment of many lines of useful service which could and should be rendered. A good illustration of the present inadequate service of t h e office is furnished in a case recently brought to our attention by a correspondent i n Texas who desired photographic copies of foreign patents. Perhaps nowhere in this country except in t h e P a t e n t Office in Washington can there be found complete files of foreign patents. I n t h e past i t has been t h e policy of t h e Office t o furnish photographic copies of these foreign patents on payment of a n appropriate fee. Within t h e last two months i t has been found necessary, because of insufficient force and funds t o discontinue this policy. This is extremely regrettable and is destined t o prove a serious obstacle i n t h e prosecution of research a t points distant from Washington, T h e strength of our country lies in its bigness, b u t its size is also a weakness unless t h e difficulties of distance can be overcome. Our scientific workers are scattered in every state i n t h e union. For t h e successful conduct of chemical work it is otten necessary t h a t copies of foreign patents be quickly secured. We know t h e Commissioner of Patents too well to think for a moment t h a t this change in policy has any other basis t h a n t h e necessity of so administering t h e office t h a t appropriations will not be exceeded, We appeal, therefore, t o t h e members of t h e Patent Committee in Congress t o provide t h e funds necessary for such strengthening and enlargement of t h e personnel and t h e equipment of t h e Patent Office as will enable it t o function effectively in all phases of its work, for citizens in all parts of the country. Inadequate service in t h e Patent Office at t h e present time will prove disastrous economy t o t h e nation as a whole.
Vol.
12,
NO. 3
NOTES
What would have happened a few years ago t o t h e scientist who might have h a d t h e boldness t o predict t h a t before long our Government would place a b a n on exports of helium from this country? Nevertheless, such a prohibition has been recommended b y the S a v y Department. T h e death of Professor Francis C. Phillips of Pittsburgh removes a well-known figure from t h e meetings of t h e Council and t h e SOCIETY. His heart’s desire was t h e completion of t h e Priestley Memorial F u n d . T h e ‘successful prosecution of t h a t work would now constitute a two-fold testimonial. Chairman Angel of t h e National Research Council compresses a volume into a few words when he writes, in connection with t h e gift of $j,ooo,ooo t o t h e Council b y t h e Carnegie Corporation, “It has taken t h e Council out of t h e range of purely promotional enterprises into one of ? permanently established kind.”
il wise first step has been taken in t h e utilization of Tech’s $8,000,000 fund b y a n appropriation of $ I O O , O O O for immediate salary bonuses t o all members of t h e instructing staff. Chemistry shows u p strong in t h e personnel of t h e new Administrative Committee. Congratulations t o Professors Talbot and Walker who constitute two-thirds of the faculty representation on t h e Committee. T h e Federal Trade Commission has cited Shabakawa & Co., Inc., of New York City, for importing from
Japan matches bearing t h e Swedish title, “Sakerhets Tandstickor,” in prominent type, while the words “ Made i n Nippon” are printed so small as t o be readily overlooked. We have heard t h a t t h e wood for Swedish matches is shipped from Bayonne, N . J., and t h a t t h e Japanese match machines are copies of those imported from America. Why not get rid of all of t h e complications b y using American matches? The Bureau of Vocational Information, 2 West 43rd St., New York City, has mailed an extended questionnaire t o all of our women chemists. T h e function of this Bureau is t o collect d a t a concerning vocations for trained women and t o conduct researches into opportunities and requirements i n specific fields. Appropriate publicity will be given t o t h e results of its researches. T h e work of t h e Bureau is in very capable hands, women of clear heads and farsighted vision. I t is fortunate for t h e woman chemist t h a t such an organization is devoting an intensive study t o chemistry as a profession for women. I n true laboratory style i t is first getting facts and t h e value of t h e deductions in t h e studies contemplated will depend primarily upon t h e completeness with which its questionnaire is answered. It would seem t h a t no one should be unwilling t o sacrifice t h e time necessary for t h e filling out and return of t h e questionnaire and we t a k e pleasure in expressing t h e hope t h a t t h e proportion of respondents will be I O O per cent.
