The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-23
NORTON'S DYE TALK
STIRS UP MAKER
I. +. Stone, Head Of Oniline In
dustry, Calls 1t Mislead-
ing to Consumers.
ONLY FIVE COLORS MADE

The activities Of Or. Thomas II. Nor
ton. special agent Of the Bureau OF
Foreign and Domestic Commerce. who
has been in this city to stimulate the
production OF dyestuffs, were severely
criticised last night by I. F. Stone, pres
ident Of the National Aniline and Chem
icai Company. one OF the largest Amer
lean producers Of dyestuffs.
Many Of the statements given u by
DR.. Norton In regard to new discoveries
In making dyes which should revolu-
tionize the industry hero were called
misleading and unsupported by the facts
by Mr.. Stone. He also expressed him
self as astonished that the Department
OF Commerce should allow u state
ments to appear in the press.
They are starting from an entirely
wrong point OF view" said Mr.. Stone.
"in that instead OF trying to help the
present manufacturers in the way. for
instance, Of securing much needed raw
material and other helps to production
they seem to be paying more attention
TO possible new productions and TO the
claims of persons who think they have
wonderful new methods for producing
dyestuffs.
The first reports sent gu by the De-
partment were to the effect that many
new concerns were entering the Held,
but II turned out that these concerns
were not intending to make aniline
| colors, but merely intermediate products.
The next Interesting news given out
| by the Department OF Commerce was IN
an Interview with DR.. Norton In when
II was stated hat an American mad
| solved the dye problem. had invented a
new process for manufacturing coiors
which was much cheaper than the Ola
process and which would allow his FAC
tory to revolutionize the business
There were further interviews with VI.
Norton 10 the effect that these new
| colors would be in the market In a few
weeks and would relieve onsume
from tho present shortage.
Had Only Five Coiors.
instead Of having an unlimited line
OF complicated colors such as are re-
ouired by the United States consumers
the new mpa really had only five
colors to begin with. The point TO this
IL simply h a instead OF a marvellous
new discovery which would alter the
present conditions and relieve the present
shortage. as announced by the Depart
ment Of Commerce through DIR. Norton,
we simply have an experimental propo-
eition. which will not relieve the situa-
ton to any particular extent.
II do not believe that the Depart
ment Of Commerce should allow such
exaggerated statements to appear In
the public press. Al II simply results
in great disappointment to American
| consumers who were hopeful that some
| thing had been found to supply theD
wants.
MIR. Redfeld now say that home
dyes will he plenty soon.' which II one
| did not know the conditions would
again build up the hopes Of consumers,
while unfortunately there is no imme-
date relief in sight and II must he
months before a full quantity Of dye
stuffs can be obtained. even after the
war is over"
Wants Government Factories.
The question of national defence was
touched on by Mr.. Stone In outlining a
method of solving the dyestuf problem
alternative to the establishment of q
protective tariff. He suggested that tn.
Government establish a factory or fac,
tories for the manufacture of the inter-
mediate coal tar products needed by tbs
color manufacturers and an arrangement
to sell them Mt the prices paid by tn,
German manufacturers. even though
there might be no profit or ever a pos
sible loss.
The Government. however. wouit
have the greater purpose In mind 81
having plants already established ca.
pable of manufacturing ammunition In
case OF war. The raw materials uset
by color makers are much the same n.
those used in ammunition and explo
sives."
Dr. Norton. daring convention b,
wearing a f~our-in-hand tie. dyed in &
petrocine salmon color. with his evenins
suit, sat behind Mr.. Stone during IN,
latter's speech. but apparently did no
hear many OF the references to him
self. He spoke earlier OIL Foreign mar
kets for American chemicals"