The Washington times., 1917-01-27
Frank Discussion of Motor
Matters by The Times Alto
mobile Editor
AN UNPREJUDlCED OPINION
e A Column of Judgment on Is
sues Vital to Motor Car
Owners.
BY MONTE w. soHN.

Gasolene is being made by the RIFT
man process at a cost of 6 cents a gal
Ion. according to DR.. Thomas d. Nor
ton. expert. on chemical industries of
the Department o. Commerce.
Furthermore, DR.. Norton declares
the Rittman process has put into the
dim and distant future any fears that
because of the increasing demand.
the supply of motor fuel will run out
The process, he says, insures a plenti-
ful supply for all possible needs for
years.
Development and utilization of the
much heralded Rittman process had
been practically lost sight of by the
public. DR.. Norton, who follows
closely all such Industrial develop
ment, has prepared a statement in
which he shows for the first time the
vast possibilities of the process, many
OF which have already been realized.
Price Just Raised Cent.
His statement probably will hold
more than usual interest for the mo-
tor car owners, who have just been
called on to pay a cent more a gallon
for gas6lene in Washington.
Or. Norton says:
"One of the notable features in the
current general expansion of Ameri-
can chemical industries is the evolu-
tion Of the Rittman process for trans
forming a large proportion of the
residues of our petroleum ref1neries
into gasolene, benZene, and toluene.
THE process, originated in the Bu-
reau of Mines and elaborated as an
industrial method under the auspices
of the same bureau, has now issued
from the experimental stage and
taken its position as a recognized in
dustrial asset in the nations cycle of
productive activity. BY its aid vast
Quantities of petroleum waste, hither-
to available for little beyond fuel pur-
poses, can be transformed at will
either into gasolene for use in motor
engines or into benZene and toluene,
also susceptible of the same utiliza-
ton, but constituting likewise the
crude material for the manufacture Of
the two coaltar high explosives-pic-
ric acid and trinitrotoluene-a form
ing also the starting points for the syn
thesis of an almost endless variety of
dyestuffs, medicinals, Photographic
chemicals, artificial havors, and per-
fumes.
May Not Meet Demand.
"Under normal conditions in times
Of peace the by-products of our coke
ovens will more than meet the ma
tion's demands in the manufacture
of the latter categoTies Of chemicals.
The case IL, however, far different in
regard to the supply of motor fuel
for automobiles, airplanes, and motor
craft Apprehension Is felt that al
an early date the supply of gasolene
from crude petroleum, or of benzene
and toluene from the distillation of
coal. may fall far behind the worlds
demand for motor fuel.
The Rittman process promises 10
relieve entirely this anxiety, or Mt
least postpone all dangerf OF a short
age to a very distant date. Econom-
icaIly il will act as a healthful check
upon any unnatural tendency to in
crease the price OF ordinary gasolene.
The process as now perfected makes
Il possible to produce gasolene at a
cost of cents per gallon. This figure
may be contrasted with the current
wholesale rate of % cents per gallon
for gasoIene obtained directly from
petroleum rehneries.
Introducing American Process.
THE process is thorouBhly pro-
tected by patents. Manufacture in
the United States is permitted with
out payment OF license fees or royal
ties. Manufacture abroad is per
missable under the patent rights Sc
cured in the different countries on the
payment of fixed license fees. The
American company controlling the
patents is now actively engaged in
Introducing this new and distinctly
American process in the leading for
eign countries, where its advent is
warmly welcomed. The establish
ment Of the new industry in various
quarters of the globe offers naturally
an exceptionally admirable oppor-
tUnity for American constructors To
furnish the requisite plant and equip
ment.
There is every indication that at
an early date the American Rittman
process will be well installed in all
lands where petroleum refineries
exist and will exert q widespread in
huence upon the rapid evolution OF all
phases OF transportation-terre
aerial, and marine-dependent upon
an abundant supply of gasolene."