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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 ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
1-01. 9, No. 6
EDITORIALS THE PLATINUM SITUATION The movement for t h e conservation of platinum, inaugurated at t h e recent Kansas City Meeting of t h e American Chemical Society, is making satisfactory progress. The phrase “conservation of platinum” is accurate, for b y conservation is meant not t h e hoarding b u t t h e wise use of resources. I n this case i t signifies the diversion of large supplies of t h e precious metal, from decorative b u t unnecessary use in jewelry, into those chemical industries, such as t h e sulfuric acid industry, where it is essential. Fortunately t h e jewelers, in a spirit of patriotism, have endeavored t o meet t h e situation b y passing resolutions, printed elsewhere in this issue. pledging themselves t o aid in this phase of conservation. If confirmation of t h e wisdom a n d necessity of such conservation were needed i t was furnished during t h e present month b y Judge Sheldon Amos. t h e Munitions expert of t h e British Commission. At t h e luncheon given in his honor b y t h e executive council of t h e National Civic Federation, Judge Amos said: ‘ ‘ One of the first things we did, a n d which must be done in every country under such conditions, was t o p u t a ‘stopper’ on certain kinds of trade; t h a t is, stop speculation in munitions a n d a r m y supplies and, in fact, all materials in connection with which there would be danger of t h e Government being embarrassed b y competition. The jirst on the list of such materials are the rare metals, notably p l a t i n u m ” (our italics). I n t h e light of t h e appeals by scientific organizations, t h e testimony of t h e British expert, a n d t h e resolutions of t h e jewelers, we confess t h a t we are surprised a n d puzzled b y a statement attributed t o t h e Secretary of Commerce. While commending t h e resolutions of t h e jewelers, as “wise, patriotic and unselfish action,” he is quoted i n t h e New Y o r k Everting S u n , of M a y 7, 1917, as saying: “ T h e country will in no way be aided b y t h e cutting down of purchases b y t h e public, a n d t h e women of New York would be acting under a false impression if t h e y accept as t r u e t h e erroneous newspaper statements t h a t t h e y should stop buying platinum jewelry in order t o show their patriotism.” Meanwhile, so far as laboratory utensils are concerned, chemists are busily engaged in trying t o find suitable substitutes for platinum. The advance in recent years of 500 per cent in t h e price of platinum makes this search imperative. I n this issue we print a n article b y Dr. Fahrenwald giving t h e results of tests on “rhotanium.” Laboratory ware made of “palau,” a palladium-gold alloy, is now being marketed. Mr. Haynes’ tungsten-chromium-cobalt alloy, “stellite,” presents interesting possibilities, a n d is being thoroughly tested. T o coordinate work in this field, Prof. Bogert, Chairman of t h e Chemistry Committee of t h e National Research Council, has appointed Prof. James Lewis Howe, of Washington a n d Lee University, Lexington, Va., Special Committeeman in charge of substitutes for platinum. The Bureau of Standards is likewise actively a t work on this subject. Necessity is still t h e mother of invention.
THE WlLLARD GIBBS MEDAL AWARD At t h e meeting of t h e Chicago Section on May 18, 1917, t h e Willard Gibbs medal was awarded t o Dr. Edward Williams Morley. This event carries pleasure t o t h e hearts of all American chemists. By his painstaking, accurate work on t h e densities of oxygen and hydrogen, Dr. Morley has made permanently valuable contributions t o t h e very fundamentals of chemistry a n d has set an example of patience, skill a n d scientific integrity. It is, however, not alone as one of our most distinguished chemists t h a t we love t o think of him, b u t also as a man who has endeared himself t o all with whom he has ever been associated. Throughout a long life he has preserved always a n innate simplicity a n d lovableness; toward his fellow-man his heart has been always deeply sympathetic, especially toward the younger men. We remember well a n incident a t a n early meeting of t h e American Chemical Society. Dr. Morley made for us, in answer t o a hesitating request, a sketch of a hand blowpipe. Long after t h e blowpipe had finished its d a y of usefulness t h e drawing was preserved as a valued souvenir of t h e generous response of a great man t o t h e request of a very young chemist. The Chicago Section is t o be congratulated upon this happy occasion a n d upon t h e wise decision of its jury of award.
IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE
President Wilson, in his statement given t o t h e press after signing t h e selective draft bill, said: “ I t is not a n a r m y we must shape and train for war; i t is a nation.” I n this work of preparation we have just had t h e aid of t h e British and French High Commissions. Their visits were made for t h e avowed purpose of advising us of t h e mistakes made b y their governments at t h e outbreak of t h e war. Through t h e testimony of these officials, both i n t h e private conferences held in Washington a n d in their public addresses, we have undoubtedly profited greatly. Unfortunately t h e membership of t h e Commissions included n o chemists who could speak t o our people a n d t o t h e authorities in Washington of early mistakes made as regards t h e position of their chemists in t h e plans for modern war. Fortunately abundant evidence exists concerning such errors a n d their t a r d y correction, ‘A year passed before England realized t h a t her chemists had rushed t o “ t h e f r o n t ” among t h e early volunteers. Then began t h e recall from t h e spectacular a n d thrilling scenes of battle t o those laboratories a n d plants, where through their special training they could render greatest service in t h a t critical moment of national peril. As a nation we would be foolish indeed did we not profit b y t h a t experience. If, however, we are so t o profit, it-is-high time for t h e chemists of t h e country
