The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-06-15


consider it choice article for adorn-
ment. | believe this to be due to an
entirely false conception, as there are
other white metals equally available
for the setting Of gems and the pro-
duction of jewelry, which would be
used in jewelry today except for the
fact that they are not so costly as
platinum. When the price of plati-
nun was less than that of gold, there
was practically no demand for 1t in
jewelry and only slight use as a set
ting for gems. Over fifty per cent.
of the country's supply of platinum
is now used annually for jewelry; an
entirely unessential purpose. No
jewelry is more easily initiated than
platinum and much white metal jewel
ry is now on the market which can
not be told from platinum by the un :
initiated.
at is uncomfortable to me that any
woman would wear a lead-colored
ring or bracelet or adorn herself with
lead-colored jewelry, except that its
artificially produced high price has
been made to give it false value in
her eyes. When our basic war needs
for platinum are going to be met only
with the greatest difficulty, certain
ly cannot consider the purchasing of
platinum jewelry patriotic now and it
appears to me to be very doubtful
good taste at any time,
81 am most heartily in favor of any
/ crusade that will have for its purpose
the banning of platinum for jewelry
for all time and under all circum-
stances. believe that the women of
the country are as patriotic as in any
other country and that when they I'M
derstand the situation, they will de-
cline to purchase platinum jewelry
and also, If the occasion ever arises,
give up all platinum jewelry they
now have.
"The Bureau of Mines is pleased to
lend its efforts to those of the Amer
fcan Chemical Society in such pa
triotic endeavor."
A movement among the women of
the country to discourage platinum in
jewelry has been initiated by the
American Chemical Society. The Wo-
mems National League for the Con-
servation of platinum has been form
ed as a national organization with
Mrs EllwOod B. Spear, Cambridge,
Mass, as chairman. State councils
have been formed in fourteen of the
leading states of the Union and even
the efforts of the college women have
been enlisted Already throughout
the country thousands of women have
signed the following pledge: 81 will
neither purchase nor except as gifts
jewelry and other articles made in
whole or in part of platinum so that
all possible supplies Of this precious
metal shall be available for employ
ment where they can do the greatest
good in the service of our country
and further pledge my influence tC
persuade others to take the same pa
triotic stand"
"The patriotic crusade to stop the
use of platinum in jewelry has al
ready had a splendid effect" said DR.
Charles l.. Parsons. Secretary of the
American Chemical Society. at is
some months ago that the society re.
commended that an appeal be made
to the women of the United States tC
discourage the use Of platinum In
jewelry and that all citizens be urged
to avoid its use for jewelry. for pho
Geographic paper and for any purpose
whatever, save in scientific research
and in the making Of articles for in
dustrial needs. The National AGA
DENY of Sciences adopted a resolu
ton to this effect and the Daughters
OF the American Revolution at thei
recent meeting pledged themselves b.
formal vote to refuse TO purchase Of