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INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
The rates for the high-priced coal-tar synthetics may prove inadequate as the specific of 7 cents per pound, as named in paragraphs 27 and 28, is of small value in protecting such of those items selling for more than $1.00 per pound. Credit must be given for the insertion of paragraphs 315, 316, and 317 in the Tariff Act of 1922, as under their provisions the President is given unusual latitude (with certain limitations in the case of coal-tar chemicals) to review schedules, to change the basis of valuation, and to combat effectively cases of discrimination against American-made goods as compared with those of other nations. Such drastic measures are only necessary to render the probability of their use negligible. Perhaps the greatest virtue to be claimed for the whole tariff law is recognition of the value and the provision for broadening the activities of the Tariff Commission. The power vested in the President is, after all, only nominal, since he cannot act on any proposed change in the tariff bill as passed, except after investigation by and (by implication, a t least) in accord with the report of the Tariff Commission. This general provision is a plain admission by Congress that the proper regulation of tariff matters involves the consideration in detail of too much technical information to be left to any but a group of impartial experts in the particular field concerned. The Tariff Commission when completely organized will have such experts in its employ as are necessary to handle properly the cases referred to it for investigation. This is not only an important advance in the administration of what we feel is otherwise quite a mediocre measure, but the future may show that its greatest value lies in the existence of a well-organized and authoritative body for assisting in the framing of succeeding tariff bills intelligently. It is the hope of the present commission, as expressed by Vice Chairman Culbertson, that tariff making in the future may cease to be the periodic cause of economic upheaval and uncertainty; that the appeals of proponent and opponent, instead of being made to respective individuals or groups of legislators known to lean toward the cause of one or the other, will be presented, so to speak, in open court before the
Vol. 15, No. FL
impartial Tariff Commission. The latter having facilities. for independent investigation may proceed to gather any additional data which may be necessary and quickly render a decision based on and supported by the indisputable facts. Such procedure is fair, it is direct, it is economical, and as applied to our industry-we must add the important qualification-it is scientific. NEWPRODUCTS Under the circumstances which have prevailed during the past two years, it is natural that the American manufacturers, as well as those abroad, have confined their principal efforts to the perfection of processes and more economical production of the materials for which a demand existed. That research of an active, thorough and forward-looking type has not been entirely suspended by our manufacturers, has been shown directly, however. Perhaps the best example is the recent formal introduction by the Abbott Laboratories of a new synthetic local anesthetic. This product is the result of several years of pioneer work, during which Dr. Roger Adams and coworkers collaborated with the Abbott staff. That other innovations of a similar character will be brought forward from time to time is to be expected of this type of applied science. CONCLUSION The medicinal and fine chemical industry has carried its full share of the burden of uncertainty. The current improvement in business conditions is most welcome and it is believed that the low prices of the reconstruction period are back of us, as far as the medicinal chemicals are concerned. The great changes which have occurred throughout the world within the past few years and the leadership assumed by America necessitate our chemical independence, and it is hoped that lack of friendly cooperation of our government agencies will not militate against the heroic efforts and substantial accomplishments already made by commercial institutions in this field.
To Commemorate Benjamin Silliman On April 4, 1804, Benjamin Silliman delivered the first lecture on chemistry ever given in Yale College. On April 4, 1923, Yale University will dedicate the new $2,000,000 Sterling ChemiSOCIETY as a cal Laboratory, with the AMERICAN CHEMICAL guest. This date was chosen in order to commemorate the beginning of chemical instruction in Yale. Benjamin Silliman graduated from Yale College in 1796 a t the age of seventeen. Two years later he returned to New Haven as a student of law, and in 1799 was appointed a tutor in the college, a t the same time continuing his study of law. At about this time the Yale Corporation voted to establish a professorship in chemistry and natural history. President Dwight felt that it would be better to select a young man of proved ability and high character and give him time and assistance in order that he might prepare himself for the work, rather than to risk the appointment of even a distinguished man who would be a stranger and probably a foreigner. I n the fall of 1802, Benjamin Silliman was formally elected to this position. He immediately went to Philadelphia and began his studies of chemistry under Dr. James Woodhouse, of the Medical School of Philadelphia. Associated with Silliman as a fellow student and intimate friend was Robert Hare, the inventor of the oxyhydrogen blowpipe. During his stay in Philadelphia, Silliman also had the opportunity of meeting Dr. Joseph Priestley. In March 1804, Silliman returned to New Haven to take up his professorial duties. His own account of his first lecture is given in his published reminiscences. MY FIRST LECTURE-April 4, 1801. In a public room, hired for college purposes, in Mr. Tuttle's building on Chapel Street, nearly opposite to the South College, I met the Senior class, and read to them an intro-
ductory lecture on the history and progress, nature and objects, of chemistry. I continued to lecture until the Senior class retired in July, preparatory t o their Commencement in September. M y first efforts were received with favor, and the class which I then addressed contained men who mere afterwards distinguished i n life.
At the close of the session of 1805, Silliman set sail for EnglancP' on a mission from the college to buy books and apparatus, and a t the same time to spend another year in study. There h e met William Henry, whose treatise on chemistry he afterwards revised and edited, Dalton, Sir Humphrey Davy, and other distinguished scientists of the day. While in Edinburgh, Silliman became very much interested in geology, and in his subsequent career he devoted as much time and effort to geology as. t o chemistry. Returning to America, Silliman took up again his teaching duties, continuing as a professor until 1855. During that time he not only taught the chemistry and geology in Yale College, but deliveied a large number of popular lectures all over the United States, gave much of his time to public activities and development of new industries, particularly the petroleum industry, and founded and through his lifetime edited the A m e r i c a n Journal of Science. Professor Silliman was a gifted writer and brilliant public lecturer, a great teacher, and a broad-minded and public-spirited citizen, enjoying the confidence and friendship of the leaders of his day, among whom were Daniel Webster, President Adams, President Jackson,. and. Lafayette. It is indeed fitting that Yale University and the AMERICAN SOCIETY should honor the memory of one of the CHEMICAL pioneers in the teaching of chemistry in America by dedicating a great research and teaching laboratory on the anniversary of the first lecture delivered by Benjamin Silliman in Yale.
