Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-12


Gas is kept flowing slowly through an
apparatus which In principle is not
unlike kitchen cooker. It is a glass
container, wrapped with black electrical
tape and carrying an inner tube that
conducts electricity. A current of small
power, but with speed of 1900 volts, is
turned on, and oil or gasoline gathers
at the bottom in proportions of about
one quart from 80 gallons of gas. The
process has been used successfully on
five kinds of gas from petroleum wells.
Prof. Lind said there is a possibility
that some oils may be made more
cheaply than by present methods, but
that he does not see prospect Of using
electricity to make cheaper gasoline.
The National Petroleum Association
sponsors the research.
A riddle that has been bothering
chemists in many branches of manu-
featuring was solved by Prof. Lind in
another report. He has made phoso-
gene, one Of the poison gases used dur
ing the World War, merely by turn
ing light upon carbon monoXide and
chlorene. The light caused the two
gases to combine into phosogene. He
substituted radium rays for the light
and again obtained phosogene.
Chemists have been in doubt as to
how the change into phosogene took
place. DR.. Lind showed that 1t was
like setting up a row Of dominoes and
knocking down the first one, causing
the whole row to tip over, one after
the other. He demonstrated that the
molecules of chlorene acted like the
dominoes. When the light knocked over
one, the others all went down and be-
cause of their changed positions the
two gases combined to form phoSogene.
The point of importance to CONNER
cial chemists came when they learned
that radium substituted for light pro-
duced the same result. 1t meant that
they do not need to stick to one kind
of knocker, but that anything which
will bowl over one molecule will do
couraged to prowl around in their ex-
periments looking for better and
cheaper ways to knock over No. l
molecules. The principle applies to
numerous chemical industries.
Chemistry as Peace Agent.
War has been made impossible by
chemistry and airplaneS, Francis P.
Garvan of New York told the Amer
lean Chemical Society last night in a
written communication.
AS president of the Chemical Founda-
ton he formally offered President
Hoover the use of millions of dollars
to investigate the "vast possibility of
chemistry as an agent of peace"
Ill in New York, he sent his COM
munication to be read at the presenta-
ton by the chemical society Of the
Priestly Medal, the highest honor OF
chemistry. given him as Americas most
distinguished "lay chemist"
power to protect public health. and DR..
Irving Langmuir, president Of the Amer
lean Chemical Society, announced a new
research sponsor by the society to
search for the cause and cure Of cancer.
Gan the development of American
chemistry do anything for the peace
of the world?" said Caravans commune
cation. at believe that modern chem
istry plus modern aeronautics has made
war impossible. am notified that in
case of modern war between great
powers it would be foolish and useless
for battleShip or cruiser to leave its
dock or an army to take the field.
1.-THE common people Of the world,
as well as our wiseSt rulers, President
Hoover and Prime Minister Macdonald,
realize the horror Of war and its ire
mendous wastage of life and of the
means of living. They are bending
every effort to safeguard the peace Of
the world by treaties and by agree
ments. Should not the terrible powers
of chemistry, as we know them, and
its war messengers, the areoplanes,
strengthen their hands? Should not
the dread possibilities of chemistry sup
port the convictions of the common
people that there shall be no war Of
the future, and rule out the politicians
and the greedy who are aiming to de-
feat these high purposes?"
idea Of Growing Younger.
An inkling Of the things of which
chemistry dreams for the future was
given by DR.. Langmuir in his annual
presidential address preceding the med
al ceremony. With Einstein's theory