The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-02
ELECTROCHEMISTS
AND THEIR WORK
~ HNILANp

l
| New York, May 1.-(Special ION Sat
urday OF his week the extended excur-
sion of the American Electrochemical
society through that section of the coun-
1 try when is now called the Appalachian
south will be ended. This excursion and
the results of it appear to have attracted
nationwide attention, partially for the
reason no doubt that there begins to be
good understanding of the vital relation
of science invention and industry asso-
ciated with chemistry and electricity to
preparations for maintaining the cause
| of the United States in the struggle with
Germany
| 1t has recently been said that the pres
ent day creative genuses are in the world
of chemistry. The era of hydroelectric
power has begun--in fact, did begin some
| 20 years ago, at Niagara Falls, ana it
| is due to our almost inconceivably great
resources in waterpower first demon
strated at Niagara Falls and now ABOUT
| to be demonstrated in the south, as il
has also been demonstrated by the Won
derful application of hydroelectric energy
| for the transportation of trains over the
mountains Of the far west whereby the
Extension of the st. Paul railroad to the
Pacific coast has been so made that traf-
! fic can he operated with the highest
economy
| The public is always interested in the
demonstration of the manner in which
men of research have captured what be-
/ fore were hidden resources of nature and
there never have been in the United
States more popular lectures than those
which We're delivered by one of England $
great men OF science, Professor Tyn-
dali, who was able to explain in man
ner that fascinated laymen some of tho
achievements and discoveries which had
been made by men of science in his time
and before.
| So also now the people undoubtedly will
be greatly interested when explanation
is made to them of the achievements Of
the men of research and industry of the
present day who are applying electro
chemical industry to various uses, in
some cases doing that upon the basis of
many millions of capital
AN INVESTMENT
! Since the excursion of the electrochem-
! ical society through the Appalachian
south began announcement has been
made that as speedily as possible as
much as $3.50, 100000, most of it appro-
priated BY the government, will be util-
lied in the development of hydroelectric
power and i'll the construction and oper-
alton of nitrate plants on the south hank
! of the Tennessee river near the foot OF
Muscle Shoals. That. however will be
only one of the investments which will
| be made tor the development of this new
industry Cor it is to serve wonderfully
! in the high and economical development
! of the resources of the United States
| after the war is ended
There is always great and entirely
proper interest in those who have
laehieved greatly in chemical and eiec-
trical Development. The conspicuous ex-
ample of that is Edison as before his
time the great example was Professor
Morse since Niagara Falls energy was
| in some measure utilized for the develop
ment of hydroelectric power followed
| immediately by the establishment OF in
dustries there. some of which fascinated
England's greatest man of science of
his time, Lord Kelvin, men who spent
Years in patient research have achieved
wonderful successes. Take for instance
the aluminium industry. Always there
will be associated with the creation OF
| that industry Charles Hall.
lesty seeking ALWAYS retirement. shun-
lining publicity. But It was Halls con-
iception and patient working ont of ms
! ideas that have led at last to the cstah-
llishment of the aluminium industry which
has become the largest of the electro
chemical industries with respect TO power
lconsumpton and value Of the product.
Without aluminium It would be difficult
Iif not mpossible to manufacture some OF
Jour important munition material. In the
Liberty motor, in the automobile and in
an aeropiane motor, aluminium in large
quantities is employed. The United
States possesses vast fields OF haux
ite, which is the raw material utilized
nv Mr.. Hall in his governments with the
electric furnace. whereby he was able
to produce aluminr-l at low cost and in
such great quantities that its price fell
in tire course Of a few wears from SIS to
$2n 7nnd to about 90 cents
So also Bradley, now living and his
associate. Loveiov who raised away too
soon. demonst-ated at Niagara Falls the
ca~ecstv Of the arc light which renre-
sented enormous beat that was made
possible by the utilization Of hydroclec-