The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-10
THE ALLIES NEED OF CHEM
lists.
How the Combing Out Of Men Is
Affecting Indispensable Industries
Such n Sulphuric Acid Production.

Affecting Indispensable industries
Such - sulphuric Acid Production.
In spite Of optimistic reports. the
number Of chemists in the Govern
ment laboratories and munition plants
continues to be unsatisfactory. The
problem has taken on a new aspect re-
Gently, In France and England in the
combing out of men considerable
number Of chemists employed in reg
ular work and in training for special
tasks were called to the colors and
sent to various regimental depots
Under the new classification OF re-
cruits II is feared that many students
of chemistry will be taken from the
colleges, which will cause a shortage
Of young men qualified for chemical
work with the armies in the field. In
Francs the situation has improved
slightly in the last month, but the fact
remains that many chemists are mo-
bilzed, and that at least 400 are with
the colors, while 200 have fallen on the
field cs battle. As the loss Of a single
chemist Is a serious matter for the
making Of gas and munitions. any fur
Their wastage Of this kind must be
stopped outright.
The different sides Of the problem
have been discussed publicly by a
noted authority fully cognizant OF the
facts. According to this expert,
member Of the Chemists Club of Paris,
out OF $500 chemists in France 1,4O0
have been mobilized. OF these 1,40O
500 were subsequently employed In
technical work, but the 600 others were
sent to their regiments, meaning
grave loss in the personnel Of the
Government munition plants. The
smallness Of this number OF French
chemists may be judged from the fact
that Germany has 10000 chemists en-
ployed in the service of the Govern
ment and great industries. This army,
the French authority points out. has
enabled Germany to carry on her gas
warfare and the manufacture Of ex-
plosives. The progress Of this mode
Of attack up to a certain point has
undoubtedly been due to the tempo
rary superiority that Germany has en-
joyed in the number Of her chemists.
This has been the main, IL not the
entire, reason for the resistance of
Germany so far. Without chemists it
is impossible to manufacture sulphuric
acid under present conditions. and
sulphuric acid is the most indispen-
sable of all materials for equipping a
nation, both for military and indus
trial war. In the making of explo-
a, al NJ
over 100000 tons of sulphuric acid a
month. When this supply fails, If only
for a brief time, she will be compelled
to sue for peace. For sulphuric acid
is essential in making not only gun
cotton and smokeless powders but all
tho high bursting explosives used for
tOrpedoes and shells. But it Is not so
much a great source Of military power
as means of supporting that power
with materials almost as essential as
powder-with nitric acid. fertilizers
foodstuffs. dyes, and innumerable
chemicals and articles of commerce
In the manufacture Of these. two
things are chiefly necessary, sulphur
in some form and the skilled chemists
to transform it into sulphuric acid
anu industrial materials.
The scope of the chemists task is
illustrated in the economic circum-
stance that the supply OF sulphur Is at
present very insufficient Spain and
Italy produce large part of the sui
phur ore. iron pyrites, that Is used in
making sulphuric acid. But these sup
plies are not as available as they might
be. Italy has placed an embargo on
exports OF sulphur ore, and the lack
Of tonnage has limited exports from
Spain. Norway possesses pyrites. but
most. IL not all. of this supply Is ex-
ported to Germany. Owing to this
scarcity Of sulphur 1t has been neces.
sary to build up new, vast ant
strictly scientific chemical organiza
ton in the midst of war. The task
might seem hopeless were it not for
what has already been done in France
in the way of creating new plants, ap.
paratus and an army of skilled chem
lists.
According TO the same French au
thority the United States will be called
upon for additional efforts in this di
rection. We have 10000 chemists
about half the number Of German
chemists, and this figure shows thai
country Of such magnitude Is fal
from being we'll equipped with these
workers. Chemists are required fol-
the munition plants, textile and paper
mills, and chemical works engaged II
making sulphurio and nitric acid
The situation is not altogether good
but II is much better than some pub.
lished statements indicate A goot
deal of erroneous matter has appeared
in this way 1t has been said, for ex
ample. that the. shortage of sulphur
would cripple many industries. The
truth is that these industries have
been taking steps to avoid the danger
and have found or applied processe.
which do not require sulphur. This |.
the case with the paper mills ant
with many munition factories. In tn,
manufacture of explosives other thing!
are more important than sulphur
toluene, phenol, nitrates and cellulose
There are now a number Of prucesse.
for the manufacture Of sulphuric acit
from other forms OF pyrites Of which
a supply is available.
The need. therefore, is for chemist
to carry out these processes by in
tensive work.
THE WASTE IN COAL.
Useless Ash Occupies Thousands O
Miles NJ Cars