New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-25
KUNZ GIVES SERVICES.
No Salary for "Radium Commission
er-Specimens Desired.

IFRON TIVE TRIBUNE BUREAU
WASHINGTON April 24-Criticising the bill before
Congress appropriating 81 100000 for a building for
the United States Geological Survey. some news
papers have been lamentng the extravagance OF
Director Walcott in appointing George F. kUnzs
Of New-York. TO be ''radium commissioner" ar tho
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. It is fair to Or.
walcott. Mr. Kunz and the public 20 explain that
Mr. Kunz is giving his services as radium expert
to the survey and the nation without any exPecta-
ton of reward except that which may come to him
in the consciousness of good citizenship.
Even a million dollar building IS not the
vagance 1t may seem 70 be The twenty-fourth
report OF the director OF survey shows that
tho survey obliged to expend the consider
able Of SIS 400 for Office rent during the fiscal
year from July l. 1902 to July 1. 1895 One does not
reed 10 be an expert bank accountant TO calculats
under the operation of the principles OF CEN
pound interest the government might to-day be the
richer by the value Of its building had it erected
million dollar structure for the Of the survey
when that bureau was first established quarter
Of a century ago.
The survey is now collecting information con-
corning the occurrence OF radioactive minerals
throughout the United States and would be glad
to have the cooperation Of the public. Radio
activity has been observed In may minerals and
in many other substances, such as slags. tall
Ings from concentrators. shines. chemical wastes.
water from mineral springs. deep well waters and
petroIeums. and 1t is possible that the number OF
known radioactive minerals may be greatly In
creased Any who has found such minerals
has observed radO-aCtivity in any other sub
stances is urged to give the Survey full details
regarding them and the localities from which they
obtained
For the guidance Of those who believe that they
possess specimens OF minerals containing radio-ac-
tive elements it may be said that the simplest
Substance is by the use Of photographic plate
not be removed from IT'S inclOsing black paper. The
specimen to be tested should be laid this black
paper in a dark room, and left there from two to
ffteen hours small metal object having first
been placed between the specimen and the black
paper on the plate After thus remaining in the
dark room the plate should be developed in the
tive powers; photograph OF the metal object will
be produced on the plate exactly as II the plate
should be made, if possible. with from half
Persons sending in specimens should be careful
that each specimen is properly Labelled with the
OF the mine claim from which II came.
and the state county, city. village. mountain or
district In which the deposit IS situated To those
desiring them. the Survey Will mail postal franks.
when VIII enaD PIE any one 70 send Tree OF postage
pounds -''''~ 49,
Specimens are especially desired for the Surveys
two exhibits at the St Louis worlds Fair. These
exhibits Will be general and varied in character.
active substance. whether obtained from minerals
or ores from mineral waters or from petroleum
will also be shown Everything relating 10 the
source manufacture and application Of radium viii
be exhibited. including all chemicals obtained from
the separation Of various radium compounds. and
all instruments and devices By which il is proposed
to apply rado-activlty III medicine. science and the
arts. a feature VIII be the portraits and the pub
ucations of well known radium discoveries and
Investigators, together with photographs OF their
laboratories and apparatus. and autograph letters
from Of them.
Two halls viii be set aside for demonstration OF
the wonders OF radium In will be grouped
the specimens OF ores and minerals containing "a
dunn, and note will be made OF their effects on
various substances In the other hall illustrated
lectures will be given twice daily on a variety OF
subjects relating to the history of the discovery OF
radium its nature and its possibilities. Its mode
of occurrence. the methods used in separating IL
from radium ores. the concentration Of its activ-
ties and the manifold uses 20 which these emark-
able radioactive substances may be put will all
be described The other hail will be so arranged
that be easily darkened. and different high
" active specimens Of radium compounds will be
exhibited IN II affecting the diamond. wfllernite
kunZite and other radiO-respOnsive substances
All COmmunica lions regarding the collection and
examination Of radioactive specimens by the sur
vey and concerning its radium exhibit at st. Louis
should be addressed TO George F. Kunz No. 20
East Twenty-hfth-st.. New-TOrk City.