The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-06
BIOw TO Old TRUST.
Discoveries OF The First Importance

Discoveries OF The First Importance
A young chemical engineer OF the
Bureau of Mines. DR.. Walter f. Ritz
man. has just performed a service for
MS country which Will entitle him to
DO regarded as a national benefactor,
and TO take high rank among the
scientific discoveries OF the day. While
IL may be some time before his dis
eovery can be utilized commercially,
tho formal announcement made by
Secretary Lane OF the Department of
the Interior makes IL certain that DR..
Rittman's experiments have gone be-
yond the stage of experiment and
have reached the status OF absolute
demonstration. What this young
chemical engineer has done Is a much
bigger thing than the invention OF a
new type OF cannon OF q new type or
submarine. though in a way II is re-
lated To both. Singulariy enourh, the
results OF his work will minister both
TO peace and war. Gasoline OF late
years has become the great motive
power not merely for automobiles and
motorboats. but for many types OF
engines. ana would doubtless have
played an even moro important part
In the production OF Industrial energy
than II has. but for the fear that the
supply might be- inadequate for the
demand. DIR. Rittman's discovery
promises to increase the output of
gasoline from petroleum 200 per cent.
o. raore. and that T. equivalent 70 the
discovery OF iew oil wells capable Ug
rde'rE that much 20 the present gaso
line production. But 10 means much
more than making TINS large addition
to the supply. IL means putting the
additional supply at the service OF
the country by making the process
free from the control OF monooly.
The Standard oil Company has had "a
patented process OF it's own which has
much gasoline from given quantity
OF petroleum as the processes used by
Independent refiners. This has given
ft an immense advantage over its
competitors. but DR.. Rittman's dis
covery will put the latter on equal
terms with the Standard oil in this
respect. at least. and will help to re-
duce the price OF gasoline as we'll as
provide for its enlarged use. Gaso-
line has been little less essential to
the success OF military operations in
Europe than gunpowder. and IL has
served the death riders of war as
faithfully as the Joy riders OF peace.
But this is only part of the won
der which this magician OF the Bu-
reau of Mines Is working out from
petroleum. lie finds he can make
from petroleum toluol and benzol.
which are necessary ingredients OF
high explosives and also the basis OF
many OF the important dye stuffs In
which Germany has held the su-
premacy and that are used in silk
cotton and wooden industries. This
would make US Independent OF for.
eign importations and would tend t
stimulate greatly American industry
The samc ingredients that makes FOL
beauty and peaceful production s.
dyes make also for war and death IL
their contribution to high explosives
And yet. inasmuch as life and happi
ness may depend upon our means q
defense. IL Is not To be regretted tina
n discovery that promotes our produc
tive capacity also arms us with tn,
means for defending it.
Dr. Rittman's discovery Is an illus
tration OF the practical service whicl
the government can render the coun
try without departure from legiti
mate lines OF activity. And II Is n,
illustration OF the value OF patien
scientific research.-Baltimore Sun.
EnAI MINE IInDnnU