The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-13
WILSON ORDERS
COAL TAR CENSUS
Domestic Output Is Being In
VeStIgated,
MAY ABRoGATE TRAFFIC
Geological Survey Is in Charge
of the Work,

Section sol of the act OF congress
dated September g 1916, provides for
the taking Of a special census OF the
production Of Intermediates, dyes, and
other coaktsr products In the United
States, The act provides. "If, at the
expiration Of five years from the date of
the, passage Of this act, the president
finds that there is not being manufac-
turcd or produced within the United
States as much as 60 percentum in value
OF the domestic consumption" of inter
medistes and dyes, medicinals, and other
finished products, "he shall by procla-
nation so declare, whereupon the spe-
cial duties imposed by this section on
such articles shall no longer be as
sessed, levied, or collected" The presi-
dent has requested the tariff commission
to undertake the collection OF infor-
nation necessary for the exercise of
this power
Preparing for Census.
The commission is preparing for
systematic census OF the production of
all ooal-tar products in a broad sense,
including intermediates, dyes medi-
cinals, flavors, Photographic chemicals,
and synthetic phenolie resins.
The geological survey has been for
many years collecting statistics on the
operation of coke-oven plants, includ-
Ing production Of the by-products coal
tar. benzol, toluol. and naphthalene.
Arrangement has been made whereby
duplication of work will be avoided by
cooperation between the survey and
the Tariff commission. Under this ar
rangement the survey will continue to
collect all the information on the opera
ton OF coke-oven plants which II has
been collecting in the past, and in ad-
dition it will Q) distinguish between
crude aud refined naphthalene; (2)
make an inquiry in regard to the manu-
facture of any Intermediates at coke
oven plants; (3) collect annually the
statistics on the operations of gas
houses; "a ascertain and report to the
tariff commission confidentialIy infor-
nation in regard to the disposal of the
materials, specified above produced and
sold by the coke ovens and gas plants.
Will Supply Statistics.
The tariff commission will not go
directly to the coke plants or gas
houses, but will secure statistics on the
production OF these plants from the
geological survey.
The tariff commission will make a
= detailed inquiry in regard to the de-
velopment within the United States Of
the, complex chemical industries which
corgert these by-products of the coke
ovens into finished dyes, medicinals,
Photographic chemicals, flavors, and
synthetic phenolic resins. Over $50
firns are now engaged in the manufac-
ture of these products within the
United States.
The tariff commission will not make
an independent inquiry in regard to the
production of explosives in the United
States, since other departments OF the
government are following this closely.
The commission, however will ascer-
tais the production Of intermediates de-
rived from coal tar and used In the
making Of explosives such as diphy-
lamine, used in the making OF guncoiton
orstabiliring smokeless powder. These
intermediates, which are specifically
mentioned in the act, may be diverted
to making dyes when the abnormal de-
mand for explosives ceases,
Preliminary schedules, designed to aid
the commission in distinguishing be-
tween dealers and manufacturers, have
been sent out, and the regular schedules
calling for the condition Of the indus
tries affected during 1917 are in course
of preparation. In addition to de.
tailed statement of the quantity and
value OF each intermediate and each
substance classed for convenience under
the general name "coal-tar products
the schedule calls for data in regard tc
-..-.I.. .f condolences and ratee of nav