Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-30

ton. then Cambridge, Mass. in 1852, and
no less than twenty Of his ancestral con-
nections were engaged in the battle Of Lex
ington, April 10, 1775.
Prof. MunfDe graduated from the Law
renee Scientific School of Harvard in 1871.
taking the Aesres Of s. B.. summa cum
sistant In chemistry in Harvard College to
conduct the Instruction in cumulative
analysis IN the a8nior class. and. in addi-
ton. he initiated and taught for three
years the summer school of chemistry, 1t
being the pioneer school Of its kind. In
1874 he accepted the professorship of chem
istry at the Naval Academy where he re-
manned until 1885: Here, in addition to his
functions in the class room in the depart
ments of chemistry and physics, Prof Mon
roe created a mineral and metallurgical
cabinet for the Naval Academy numbering
several thousand welf-arranged and identi-
ned specimens. secured a new laboratory
and increased the facilities for instruction;
gave, by request, gratuitous courses of lab
oratory instruction in chemistry, extending
over several years, to officers of the navy
on duty at Annapolis; conducted elaborate
experimental researches on the analysis
ana authorizations of oils for naval use and
many other important and difficult re-
searches. Also, while here. he served as
special agent on building stones for the
census OF $780, and as assay commissioner
to visit the mint, to which office he was
thrice appointed b. Presidents Arthur,
Harrison and Cleveland
Prof. Munroe was transferred to the
naval torpedo station and War College at
Newport, X. l., in 1885, to instruct officers
OF the navy and army in the properties and
uses OF explosives to conduct researches
upon explosive substances, and to exercise
omclai supervision over such explosives as
were manufactured or purchased by the
navy. 1t was while stationed at .nis place
ina. a1h,a, frof. Munroe conducted work
which has secured for him a reputation
IhaI extends to every country of Europe.
In this country he is the leading authority
on the subject Of high explosives.
Inventor of Indurite.
Inc Navy Department at this period was
seriously contemplating the abolition of
the torpedo station and War College on ac-
count Of the constant failures made in the
work and experiments there. years pro-
patton was granted, however, and in that
time, under Prof. Munroe's direction, a
complete establishment for the manufac-
ture of powder was installed and practical
results of most valuable character were
being achieved. Prof. Munroe while there
invented indurite, which has become pop
u!arly known as navy smokeless powder,
although, singular to relate, it is not now
Delns useo In the navy. He achieved in
indur1te the advantages sought for years
IN the manufacture of high-power powder
because he proceeded on the ground, and
was the first to dwell upon it, that it was
necessary in order to secure such results
to secure single chemical substance in
state or chemical purity. Before this DOW
der had been made of heterogeneous mate
rails, put together in different ways, but
with chance considerable factor in the
success of the mixture
The object attained by Prof. Munroe in
lndufite was to secure the greatest propell-
ing power with the least pressure. In
6-1nch gun, for instance, the pressure must
be kept under sixteen tons. AT Indian
Head 6-inch gun loaded with twenty-six
pounds of indurite behind common shell
weighing one hundred pounds gave a We
locity Of 2.469 feet per second, with a pres
sure of but 1896 tons.
While at the naval torpedo station Pro-
fessor Munroe made upward CT 1900 ex-
pc riments with high explosives.
His Chreer in Washington.
Professor .Munroe resigned his position
under the government in 1892 to accept
the chair of chemistry in Columbian Uni
versity and tne Office of dean of the Cor
coran Scientific School Of Graduate Studies.
Under his efficient and energetic direc-
ton the scientific school has made the
most rapid and substantial progress in
every direction since it's foundation.
He has published over one hundred pa
pers and several books. He is a fellow
of the American Academy of the Arts and
Sciences the American Philosophical So
ciety, the American. London and Berlin
izations. in which he has held high Offices
Professor Munroe's genial, cordial and
kindly manners have made him most popu-
lar among all those who have the honor
of his acquaintance, while his enthusiastic
devotion to science and education is con-
tinual inspiration to all who are associa ted
with him.
The annual address Of Professor Dud-
ley, who is the chief chemist of the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company, was full Of
practical ideas and was listened to with
great attention. His subject was THE
Dignity of Analytical Work" TT was
just and proper he said, ito take pride
in analytical chemistry, because a prop
erly conceived and properly executed anal
ysis was frequently potent in its power of
explaining difficulties that might otherwise
remain mysteries" He dwelt upon the
breadth of the field of chemistry. saying
that the amount of unoccupied ground in
every branch of it was SO great that there
was neither time nor energy for struggles
as to who is the greatest or who is the
least. Where the investigator was inspired
by the love of truth above everything, and
where he was doing honest, he was worthy
Of