The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-12-27
POISON GASES AND BOMBS.
Uncle Sans Chemists Are Busy With
The Problem.

None of Uncle Sans war doings is
shrouded in so thick veil of mys-
tery as his experiments with poison
gases.
Our armies are to use these death
dealing agents lover there So much
has been frankly stated by the war
department. But beyond that, not a
word.
The public has been kept most suc7
cessfully in the dark. Nobody has
smelled a mouse, or obtained so much
as Whit of war gas information.
Everybody concerned seems, to have
been sworn to secrecy.
Hence people will be surprised to
learn that for several months past
more than 800 of the cleverest chem
lists in the United States have been
assembled in Washington, busily at
work on this important problem un-
der the war departments immediate
eye.
The work is being done at the
American University, just outside of
Washington. 1t is conducted under
the direction of the government bu-
reau of mines, all expenses being
paid by the war department.
During recent years the bureau of
mines has made an elaborate study Of
the poisonous gases that endanger
the lives of coal miners and other
workers underground. 1t discovered
that the worst of these, the dreaded
e'fire-damp," was nothing in the world
but natural gas. Gas-proof helmets
and other protective apparatus for
mine rescuers were perfected by it's
experts.
Possessing so much practical ex-
perience in this line, the bureau of
mines (Which employs skilled chem
ists) was deemed better equipped
than any other branch of the govern
ment to tackle the problem of utiliz-
ing poison gases for fighting pur-
poses.
It's first step in this direction was
to enlist the services Of large
auxiliary force of chemists selected
for their special knowledge of gases.
They were recruited from all parts of
the country, and the task put before
them at the start was that of con-
triving a thoroughly efficient gas
mask.
This was satisfactorily accomplish
ed; and, as result, our fighting men
In Europe will be provided with gas
masks of a much better and more
thoroughly protective pattern than
any now known to our Allies. These
masks are now being manufactured
"somewhere' in the United States
by hundreds of thousands.
So far, the work was merely de-
fensive. But the offensive side of the
problem was recognized as no whit
less important. The poison gases
commonly employed in Europe (chlo-
rine and bromine) were perfectly
well known; there was no mystery
about them. And yet, why not some
thing better-more murderous, that
is to say?
We are humane people; we don't
want to murder anybody, we can
help it. So at the start, those in
charge of the experiments had no no.
tion that it might be possible to use
for our war purposes nonlethal
gas-some sort of stuff that would
simply put the enemy to sleep, render
ing him unconscious and temporarily
helpless.
When this was accomplished, and
the Huns were lying about on the
battlefield, dreaming of home and
mother, motor vehicles could 60 out
and gather them up like cordwood.
It was a great idea; but how the
kaiser would laugh at it!
Convinced of it's impracticability,
the gas experts have been giving their
attention to the development of pois-
on gases of kinds as yet unknown in
warfare, and of a deadliness unap-
preached to date In this line Gas
finally decided) we are to "go the
limit" Inasmuch as the Huns in
sist on frightfulness, they can have it..
We will even give them them few
lessons on the subject.
"Devilish Yankee ingenuity" :"
Where have you heard that express
sion? Never mind. We have the in
Ill osoL