Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-02
Mobilizing Science
BIZ Frederic J. Haskin
Washington, April 29--"What can you do for

Washington, April 29-"What can you do Tor
your country at war;?
This is the gist Of question which Di-
rector Holmes Of the United States Bureau Of
Mines is addressing to thousands Of mining engi-
neers, miners and chemists. This work, which is
being undertaken at the request OF the Council
for National Defense, Is part Of a larger scheme
to compile register Of the scientific brains OF
America that are available for use during the war.
The guiding idea behind this plan is to sort
the manhood Of America in such way that the
terrible waste of training and talent on the field
of battle which crippled the munition industries
of Britain and France at the beginning Of the war
may be avoided by the United States.
The clearest lesson of the European war is
that modern warfare is a warfare of materials.
Probably no modern nation is better fitted by
natural endowment to wage such warfare than
the United States. In natural resources readily
accessible and thoroughly defended against all
enemies, no European country can compare with
the United States, except Russia; while in the
individual efficiency OF its men OF science, and es-
pecially in ingenuity, which means ability to meet
emergency needs. the United States is conceded
pre-emnence. These two factors of materials
and the scientific ability to use them are no less
important than manpower in the field, and are apt
to be the deciding factor in prolonged struggle.
Queries have been addressed to the ten thou
sand members of the American Chemical society
and FIVE thousand members OF the American So
ciety of Mining Engineers, to four thousand coal
mining companies and an equal number OF metal
mining companies. The scientists addressed are
sent form upon which they write an account of
their training and experience and also answer the
question: I'm case of emergency how and where
in your opinion could you be of most service to
this country"
The companies are merely asked for lists of
their chemists. engineers. metallurgists and men
skilled in the handling of high explosives. Each
NJ he mel tc a f0rm n
Replies are now coming to Mr.. Fay who has
charge of the work at the Bureau of Mines, in
great numbers, but it is impossible as yet to esti
mate the percentage of men who will answer.
Most of these replies contain an intelligent and
sincere offer of service. Some OF them spechcal-
ly offer valuable formulate. the use Of laboratories
or certain part Of the individuals time
A surprising percentage of those replying have
had some sort of military experience--n the milf
tia, in military schools in the Spanish-American
war, or in local military organizations A num-
Der of Germans have replied, offering their serv-
ices There have been a few replies Seeking con-
tracts, or other selfish advantages, but sane and
sincere spirit of patriotism, expressing itself in
concrete and specific offers OF service, is the char
acteristic spirit of these men of science.
man who had devoted his entire life to the
study Of the chemistry of gass-making might
seem at glance to be of little value in time of
war One offers his services to the government,
however, who has obtained all the formulate
worked out by British manufacturers for the MAX
ing Of high grade glasses for which the whole
world formerly depended upon Germany, such as
pharmaceutical glass, resistance glass and X-ray
bulb glass. He offers all OF these formulae to-
gether with part of his time to the United States
government free Of charge.
Engineers are wide-ranging profession and
an entirely new classification has been made nee
essary by the number of men who list among
thAsr 1--WE ;,,f utrsac
Thus there is one engineer who has spent three
years in China and speaks Chinese. He has taught
in the Chinese Imperial university. Since China
has announced that she is with the United States
In our attitude toward Germany, man of this
sort might prove invaluable for organization work
in China.
Railroad men, steel workers and experts in
the production and transportation of petroleum,
who would be needed in numbers, are being rap
idly listed. So important are the oil men that
special letter to all oil companies is being pre-
pared, asking them for the names of all chem
lists, drlers and experts in the transportation and
storage Of oil.
A geologist offers his services and explains
that he has made special study of quicksilver.
AS quicksilver is constituent Of the illuminate
used in detonators his services will be very valu-
able in munition making. An offer OF services has
also been received from manufacturing chemist
who has had experience in the Frankfort arsenal.
The locating of these who have been directly con-
nected with the business of muniton-making is
of course an important phase of the work.
A maker of high grade porcelain is another
sort that would not appear to have much value
in war time. But this man knows all about max
ing spark plugs and electrical nsulators, so that
his usefulness at once becomes apparent
A professor of textile chemistry offers his
services as an inspector of textiles bought for
military use, such an uniform cloths, blankets and
canvases. @
Ntrocellulose is used in many high explosives,
so that an expert in this substance who has spent
most of his life in factory where celluloid goods
are made is able to offer valuable special knowl-
edge. An analytical food chemist, man who
makes analyses of water supplies for a railroad,
an expert in aeronautical CLUES and varnishes, an
acid expert, biological chemist who has had hos
pital experience and professional analyst of
fuels are among the other specialists whose serv-
ices have been offered and who may be reached
in moment when they are needed.