Evening journal., 1921-08-19
URGES NEED OF
DYES EMBARGO
DR.. Edgar F. Smith Says 1t
is Essential to War
Preparedness
WOULD PUT u. S. ON
INDEPENDENT BASIS


Members OF the American Chem
ical Society have received a very
urgent appeal from DR.. Edgar Fahs
Smith. president OF the society. to
make immediate individual efforts
to secure the passage OF an embargo
act to help build up a self-contained
American coal-tar chemical indus
try.
Membership OF the society
througout the United States is some
thing over $1,000, and it is an inter-
esting fact that the Delaware Chap
ter is one Of the largest separate
units in the organization. Dr.
Smiths appeal, therefore, is particu-
larly important in view Of this large
local membership.
He lays particular emphasis on
the need for up-building the chemi-
cal industry as a war preparedness
measure, and he points out that the
embargo feature which was defeat
ed in the House at Washington by
majority Of 16, had among its oppo-
nents is out OF the % Congressman
now in Congress who originally
voted against our declaration Of war
with Germany.
Il have Just returned from Wash
inpton where the situation is so Sc
rious that l am sending this letter
as quickly as possible to every mem
ber Of the American Chemical So
ciety residing in the United States"
says Doctor Smith.
1.-THE commanding position taken
by American Chemistry is at stake
and with it the material well-being
OF every American chemist and the
welfare of American chemical indus
tries. owing chiefly to the influence
of Congressman Frear, of Milwaukee,
supported by ten of the eleven other
Republican Congressman OF his
state, and, among others. eighteen
out OF the twenty-five congressman
now in Congress who originally voted
against the war. the dye embargo
section OF the tariff bill was defeated
in the House. The Republicans VINO
defeated IL were aided by the Demo-
cratic vote. excepting the four Con-
gressmen from Louisiana. The bill Is
now before the Senate Finance Com
mittee. and the Senate can, II II
wishes, replace the dye embargo sec
tion in the bill and send Il back to
the House for another vote.
'The passage Of the dye embargo
is vital TO your individual interests
as we'll as the future OF American
! chemical industry, indeed the fu
ulre OF American chemistry.
every member OF the American
Chemical Society will take this seri
ously and do his part, there is ye
hope that Congress may be con
vinced. as II is their desire to rep.
resent the wishes of their constit-
uents. Secretary OF War Weeks and
Secretary OF the Navy DENLY have
directly requested the committee 10
pass the dye embargo as a necessary
preparedness measure. General
Fries recently told me that II every
member OF the Chemical Society
would do his part the bill would
pass. Everything that could be done
has been done by your committed
and your officials to impress Con-
eress OF the absolute need for this
! legislation II the country. without
expense for armament. is to be pre-
I pared for defense in case OF another
war. England. France, Italy and
/ T.oar hayc already gafortiardo 90
their dye industries; England with
an embargo for ten years. This vii
leave only China Russia and Amer
lea at the mercy OF the German dy
! Cartel. II Is inconceivable tina
Congress win not place America o.
I a footing with the other civilize
nations and that Congress will dc
o liberately render us virtually helr
less in case OF attack.
Il am writing TO urge each an
n every one OF you, whether you ar
\ personally acquainted with your Ser
h ators and Congressman or not.
: write them a letter which need n,
a be long urging them to drop a
; questions Of politics and for OF
common country's prosperity ar
safety TO vote and work for the d,
embargo"
DR.. smith for a number OF yea
= was provost OF the University
= Pennsylvania and occupied the cha
OF chemistry at that institution. :
= is one OF the most distinguish,
y chemists. not only OF the Unit
States but Of the world.