The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-15


Sixty years ago, American dyers used
the indigo and clutch of India. the mad
der of Turkey, the cochineal, logwood.
fustic and other dyewoods Of the trop-
ical countries to the south Of US, and q
variety of minor vegetable dyestuns,
along with several mineral colors, such
as Prussian blue, chrome green. yellow
and orange, and iron bun. In meeting the
general demand for tinctorial effects.
The advent Of the artificial dyestuffs,
derived from a few of the many constitu-
ents of coal-tar, has revolutionized the
color industry.
The American production Of dyestufs
before the war was not only dependent
on Germany for it's raw material, but its
output was limited. 1t supplied ordinari-
ly not over 20 per cent Of the domestic
consumption Of artificial colors. The re-
mainder was furnished chiefly from the
GermaD works. Very small amounts
came from England, France. Belgium
and Holland. A larger quantity lover
100000 in value annually was pur-
chased from Switzerland. But Swttzer-
land and the other countries depend, IN
turn, on Germany for most intermediates.
In very unwelcome manner the
United States. in common with most OF
the world outside Of Germany and Aus
tria-Hungary, was forced to adjust itself
to a complete cessation Of the customary
supply of German coal-tar colors.
In many mills there is already pro-
nounced return to the old-fashioned nat
ural dyes. The import of logwood.
clutch, fustic, etc, has greatly increased.
and the few American works making ex-
tracts of their coloring matters, are
deluged with orders. The same is true
quercitron from the bark Of the black
oak of Georgia and the Carolinas-the
one dyestuff indigenous to the United
States. 1t is a revelation to many tex
tile industrials that the chemistry Of the
natural dyestuffs has made marked prog
ress during the past few decades. New
mordants and assistants have been de-
vised. methods Of application have been
perfected, and, in many ways, 1t Is now
possible to make use of the old-time COL
ors with a confidence in the uniformity
of tint, and the degree of fastness IN
known to the past generation of dyers.
Most important is the stimulus given
to the existing American coal-tar indus
try to expand and meet the demands Of
the situation. There Is remarkable de-
gree Of activity developed among pro-
ducers of crudes, Of intermediates, and
of finished dyes.
The latter category found themselves
after the outbreak Of war, cut of from
the usual supply Of intermediates. This
meant a serious stoppage in production.
They quickly laid their plans, put up new
buildings, and ordered the necessary
plant for the production of the most i'm
portant intermediates, formerly secured
from German factories. The largest
American establishment making artificial
dyestuffs is now manufacturing double
the amount it made before the war.
The manufacture Of intermediates by
firms not engaged in making dyes has
become a notable feature. For four
years one company has made aniline
from American benzol on a modest scale.
and in the face Of bitter competition and
underselling by foreign rivals. 1t has
now largely expanded its plant and is in
a position to meet most Of the normal
demands Of the American market as 1t
was before the war. Three other firms
have taken up the manufacture Of aniline
and other intermediates. Their installa-
ton is complete and the daily output Is
steadily increasing. Three other firms
are erecting large plants for the produc-
ton Of intermediates. Several Of the
above contemplate the manufacture of
finished dyestuffs at later date.
The sudden needs Of the coal-tar color
industry have been reinforced by the
vastly increased demand for toluol and
phenol, in connection with the manufac-
ture Of high explosives. Trinitro-toluene
and trinitro-phenol. or picric acid, are
now required in such enormous amounts
for the charging Of shells that the price
of toluol has increased fvefold. and that
of phenol. or carbolic acid, tenfold.
In 1915 China imported 474.120 tons