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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 ENGIiVEERING C H E M I S T R Y
1’01. 9 , NO. 7
EDITORIALS FIRST PLACE TO GOVERNMENT NEEDS It is t h e desire of THISJ O U R N A L t o be of a n y service possible t o t h e chemists of our government who are charged with t h e investigation of special problems connected with t h e war; likewise t o serve those chemists who in university a n d private laboratories are patriotically cooperating with t h e government in t h e solution of such problems. I n this spirit we therefore gladly depart from normal editorial policy a n d beg t o tender t o all such chemists throughout t h e continuance of t h e war this first portion of t h e editorial section for announcieg any needs which may arise in t h e prosecution of their important work. Dr. W. F. Hillebrand, Acting Director of t h e Bureau of Standards, under date of June 14, 1 9 1 7 , asks t h a t publicity be given t o t h e following: GAS INTERFEROMETER NEEDED
The h’ational Bureau of Standards requires for immediate use in an important military investigation several gas interferometers and desires information as to where such apparatus can be purchased or borrowed. The apparatus needed is the Rayleigh gas interferometer with gas tubes IOO cm. long of the form built by the Zeiss Company, or an apparatus equivalent to this. Any information relating to such apparatus should be forwarded to the Director, Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C., Attention of Gas Laboratory. GREETINGS TO PROFESSOR GRIGNARD Among t h e distinguished members of t h e scientific commissions from France a n d England now visiting this country, chemists will be especially interested in t h e presence of Professor V. Grignard of France. H e has come t o us at t h e request of t h e National Research Council t o confer with t h e Chemistry Committee of t h e Council a n d with our War a n d N a v y Departments, a n d t o give us t h e benefit of t h e experience which two years of war have brought t o t h e chemical profession i n his country. Appreciation of Professor Grignard’s brilliant achievements in chemical research a n d respect for his sound judgment, make doubly warm t h e hearty greetings which all American chemists extend t o him. CHEMICAL STATISTICS ASSURED
It is a great pleasure t o be able t o announce t h e completion of t h e two thousand-dollar fund for t h e cooperation of t h e American Chemical Society with t h e Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce in t h e compilation of a census of imports of chemicals other t h a n dyestuffs in a typical pre-war fiscal year. T h e hope expressed a t t h e conclusion of t h e rather despondent editorial on this subject in t h e June issue has been justified; t h e full amount has been pledged, a n d t h e work can now promptly begin. T h e detailed itemization of these imports, together mrith t h e amounts of each, will constitute a valuable a n d safe guide t o those who patriotically desire for our country national self-containedness in its chemical industries.
There is a deeper significance in this movement, however, t h a n t h e compilation of such a census. T h e f u n d subscribed by representatives of t h e chemical industries is proof of a desire not only for information from government records on t h e basis of which new lines of needed manufacture may be inaugurated, b u t also for prompt and regular issuance of statistics on current imports, which will give invaluable aid t o t h e continued, healthy growth of all of our chemical industries. If those in charge of a n d responsible for such matters will b u t compare t h e character of t h e information on imports now furnished our chemical manufacturers with t h a t which t h e German government has for years furnished its manufacturers, t h e y will readily see t o how great a n extent we have been handicapped by lack of such basic facts. T h e many problems now t o be solved concerning t h e character of t h e classifications a n d itemizations of this census will determine t h e form of t h e statistics on current imports. Again we express a hope, namely, t h a t complete statistics on current chemical imports will soon become a n asset of t h e American chemical manufacturer. THE TARIFF COMMISSION.AND SCHEDULE A Soon after its organization t h e Tariff Commission announced t h a t i t would begin at a n early date a thorough investigation of Schedule A (chemicals). T o aid t h e Commission in this complex field a n expert adviser was t o be appointed. I n this connection t h e following letter was received, under d a t e of M a y 31, 1917, from Dr. F. W. Taussig, Chairman of t h e United States Tariff Commission: M y dear Dr. Herty: I t will interest you, I believe, to know that the Tariff Commission has appointed Professor Grinnell Jones to act as Special Expert in connection with its inquiries upon the chemical industries of the country and Schedule A of the existing tariff act. As you know, the Tariff Commission conferred with Professor Stieglitz and the Advisory Council of the Chemical Society and secured from the Council lists and recommendations of chemists whose services would be helpful to the Commission. Some of the gentlemen suggested proved not to be able to give continuous service, such as is necessary for the work of the Commission, and we finally selected Professor Jones. We are glad t o have been able to act in cooperation with the Chemical Society and are indebted to you for the suggestion which, led t o this cooperation. There is no reason now why public mention of the action taken by the Commission should not be made.
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This action of t h e Tariff Commission gives rise t o several very pleasant reflections. Heartiest congratulations t o Professor Grinnell Jones upon t h e unsolicited opportunity t h u s afforded for public service of nation-wide import! Likewise congratulations t o t h e Tariff Commission upon having secured for its expert adviser in matters pertaining t o t h e chemical industries one of t h e brilliant young chemists of America whose attainments a n d character assure thoroughness, accuracy of detail, breadth of vision, uncompromising rectitude and patriotic loyalty!
July, 1917
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 C H E M I S T R Y
T h e fine suggestion by Dr. B. C. Hesse for a Board of Control for t h e Society in national matters, as presented a t t h e Kansas City Meeting of t h e Council, has already borne fruit. Pending t h e determination of certain constitutional questions t h e Council appointed a committee along t h e lines suggested by Dr. Hesse t o advise t h e President of t h e Society on all matters of national bearing. When, therefore, President Stieglitz received from Chairman Taussig a request for immediate nominations for this office t h e machinery was already provided t o give prompt recommendations. We are Confident t h a t all will appreciate t h e action of t h e Tariff Commission in t h u s seeking t h e counsel of t h e organized body of American chemists. Too often appointment t o public office is accompanied b y a n unseemly scramble of office seekers for recommendations and for political influence, not t o mention persistent personal pleas. All such have here been avoided. Another reflection, t o which we are always glad t o give expression, ic: t h e value of organization. Sometimes in t h e past vie have heard men say, “Why should I spend m y money on dues t o t h e American Chemical Society? I get t h e benefit of t h e journals in t h e library of t h e Company (or University).’’ We believe t h a t t h e present phenomenal growth of t h e membership of t h e Societ,y is due t o a constantly increasing appreciation of t h e fact t h a t t,he Society is more t h a n a mere publisher of journals; more and more its function as a great national force is being recognized,. and as i t expands t o a more complete inclusion of all American chemists t h a t force correspondingly increases. I n such days as these no man can afford t o live t o himself or for himself alone. -____
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING On Saturday, M a y 26, 1917, t h e Directors of t h e Society, a t a special meeting, considered in all of its bearings t h e holding of a n Annual Meeting this fall. As a result of their deliberations i t was decided t h a t t h e meeting should be held a t Boston in September as previously voted by t h e Council. The Council will meet on t h e afternoon and evening of Monday, September IO, 1917. The meetings of t h e Society will t a k e place on September 11, 1 2 a n d 13. T h e Northeastern Section has been requested by t h e Directors t o omit t h e usual annual banquet and excursions, a n d t o arrange a program characterized b y simplicity a n d seriousness, a n d bearing as fully as possible on questions concerning t h e activities of chemists both in t h e government service and in t h e industries during t h e present war. T h e General Meeting will be held on Tuesday niorning. This will be followed in t h e afternoon by a general conference t o be opened by Dr. W. H. Nichols, Chairman of t h e Committee on Chemicals of t h e National Defense Council, ;and by Dr. M. T. Bogert, Chairman of t h e Chemistry Committee of t h e Natiorial Research Council, t h e conference then t o be continued from t h e floor. I t is expected t h a t a n informal, get-together meeting of a social character will be held on Tuesday
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evening, a t which time opportunity will be given for informal discussion of problems of t h e day. Wednesday morning will be devoted t o divisional conferences, and t h e afternoon t o divisional meetings, with papers, or a continuation of t h e conferences, as t h e divisions may decide. The presidential address will be delivered on Wednesday evening. Thursday, both morning a n d afternoon, will be given t o divisional meetings. We feel confident t h a t t h e decision of t h e Directors t o hold t h e Annual Meeting, and along t h e lines above mentioned, will receive t h e hearty endorsement of all members of t h e Society. The gravity of t h e times makes fitting t h e elimination of t h e usual social functions; a t t h e same time i t is t h e compelling reason for a thoughtful assembly of chemists. I n the conferences planned opportunity will be given for sounding t h e keynote of t h e present situation and for adjusting viewpoints t o the new conditions under which we are now working. T h e country needs t h e judgment of its chemists on many phases of war conditions. This judgment can best be reached through t h e inspiration of t h e spoken word in t h e conferences, where opportunity will be afforded for interchange of views b y men from all sections of t h e country. This meeting will be no holiday occasion-it should prove a m-ellspring of strength for our country. ~~~
CONCERNING THE EXPOSITION OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES I n t h e midst of the present general upheaval of normal conditions there has been evident from time t o time somewhat hysterical agitation of certain ideas which, while of undoubted value, by no means admit of general application. For example, i t has been suggested in some quarters t h a t under present conditions t h e Third National Exposition of Chemical Industries should be abandoned. Against this suggestion, fortunately confined t o a very limited number of proponents, we wish t o enter most earnest and emphatic protest. This unhesitating protest is based upon t h e record of what t h e two previous Expositions have proved themselves t o be and upon t h e thought and purpose which underlie t h e great expansion already assured this third occasion. There can be no difference of opinion as t o t h e impropriety of holding this year expositions of the usual popular type. While nominally based upon some historic event of our national life, and while marking through various exhibits certain definite steps forward in industrial life, nevertheless, such expositions really serve as occasions for holiday trips, for rest from daily routine or simply for amusement. As a people we are in n o mood for such events. T h e National Exposition of Chemical Industries, on t h e other hand, has a n entirely different function. From t h e outset those charged with t h e responsibility of formulating its policies have never sought t o make of its exhibits a ‘(show,” b u t have consistently held t o t h e belief t h a t t h e American people would be thoughtfully interested in attractively arranged exhibits illustrative of t h e rapid progress of an industry which
