The Washington herald., 1918-05-30
U. S. CHEMISTS
OUTD0 GERMAN
List Of Notable Accom-
plishments Reviewed by
Holland.

demonstrating their capacity to
meet extraordinary or even entire-
iy new demands in. order that the
government may be better prepared
20 maintain our armies in France
against German attack.
The chemists have solved the dye
problem. They have shown TO the
Government authorities how to OBJ
tain from an inexhaustibie resource
which Is the atmosphere-all the
nitrogen that Is needed both for
war purposes and after the war, for
peaceful industry. Chemistry in
association with other science Is
gradually but surely utilizing the
various potash deposits in the
United States so that in some
measure We may be relieved OF the
emergencies occasioned by q
scarcity Of this important product
Discovers Gas Formula.
science and invention have per-
fected apparatus, which is to be used
in the war, Of a kind which three
years ago would not have been dream
ed Of. Now fairly authoritative an
nouncement comes from Washington
that the chemists have matched or
overmatched Germany in the produc-
tion of military gas. for our chemists
have discovered a formula by means
Of which the deadliest OF gases. easily
handled and to be conveniently utilt-
lied by the armies, may be made.
Early in the winter the inference
was strong that the government was
preparing for the manufacture on a
very large scale Of poisonous gases
with which our soldiers in France
could be supplied. American chemists
and manufacturers have perfected
the best of the gas masks. the basis
of which is a peculiar weave Of cot
ton A million of these masks are
now under construction. But these
are only for defense against German
gas attack. The poisonous fumes
which our chemists have discovered
are said to be as deadly almost and
are the fumes Of prussic acid or car
bonie acid gas. The formula is in
the hands of those who are operating
a great poisonous gas plant.
Early in the winter representatives,
OF the government visited manufac-
turers at Niagara Falls for the pur-
pose OF learning whether or not the
industry there established could fur
rlsh an enormous amount of cleo
trodes. The manager Of this industry
informed the governments representa-
tive that it would be essential for the
government to lift certain restrictions
upon the use of electric power at
Niagara IL a contract Of that kind
were to be accepted and executed
Washington must have received infor-
nation of that kind by telegraph for
almost Immediately the restriction
was removed. The government want
ed very large amount of electrodes
Electricity of high power and great
heat. il is understood. is used in the
manufacture of poisonous gases And
there is no apparatus which can safe
~ and economically be employed IN
DE use Of this great heat electricity
excepting these electrodes.
Fer Gas Nakiax.
The purpose to which the cleo
trodes were to be put was Of course
no affair Of the manufacturers of
this apparatus. but it was inevitable
that they should sUrmise that the
government was about TO begin the
manufacture of poisonous gas upor.
a very great scale, with intent to
supply this gas to our soldiers in
France.
Now il Is learned that this infer
enee was fully justified. The chem
lists nave shown the government a
formula by means OF which the dead
Hest Of gases of a kind that can
be utilized for war purposes can be
economically manufactured and the
government in its great plant is
utilizing in the manufacture of these
gases vast quantities Of electrodes.
SO also other apparatus which
may be of the highest avail for our
armies that are fighting in France
and Flanders has been perfected.
The belief prevails that within A
short time it will sbecome q matter
OF common knowledge that science
and invention combined with ma
tience and perseverance have per-
fected the best kind of aircraft and
the best motors for driving the air.
craft.
The Carnegie Gift.
4 British military authority who
vas recently permitted to witness a
test OF the improved Springfield
rlnes did not hesitate after the
test was ended to say that in his
opinion the Americans had perfect
ed the pest army rife and he hoped
mat the entire American army
would be speedily equipped with ii.
He spoke of it as a wonderful rnn
So also our machine gun when 6r-.
lshed will be unsurpassed by anv
other and the Ordnance Department
II the war continues will be able
70 supply our armies and the navv
win the best type OF great guns.
On the nrst day of the Campaign
Tor subscriptions to the Red Cros.
war fund there came announcement
that In the early business hours NJ
tnat day George y. Baker had sub
scr1oed 100000. On the mid-veek
OF the campaign announcernt was
made that Andrew Carnegie had sub-
scr1oed a.oo9.0oo It was inevIta HE
tnat the comment should be nade
tnat In all probability John d ROCK
efeller was waiting till the cIosinp
nours Of the campaign before rnak.
ing his subscription.
MI Bakers subscription was No.
trefy personal. although IL was an
nouneed through the Committee Of
Whlch his daughter-in-law. Mrs
george F. Baker. Jr.. was the chair
man The Carnegie subscription was
maoe IN the name Of the Carnegis
rpunaatlon. Although the Carneeie
- was established by a gift
Anore~ Carnegie, yet the sub
scrlption Of $1,000, 900 which was
inAde IN the name Of the founda-
ton. was not Andrew Carnsgie's ner-
sonar subscription. The Roe<efeIIarI
Foundation'' which was estabIisbed
Dy munlhcent gifts from John ID /
nocketeIier' might make a subscrin- |
aIon TO the Red Cross fund. but that |
would not be John D. RockefeIierss
SIT, one gratifying feature asso-