The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-10-12
Continued from page one)

Continued from page one)
production of manufactured gas. |.
we can do that the country can save
high-rank fuels through the substitu
ton of lower-rank fuels.
If we can successfully expand the
use of Ignite in power and industrial
plants, if we can introduce dried lig-
mite, and if we can adapt Ignite in
one form or other to regional metal
lurgical and other industries, this en-
tire area will save in transportation
costs by using locally produced
fuel rather than one which must be
imported from great distances. Incl
dentally, this would materially help
to relieve the recurring transporta-
ton difficulties, particularly in war
time.
AS lower-cost electric power is
developed from Ignite, more indus
tries will be able to move into
this region. This involves new con-
captions in power plant design and
the development of new methods
for the treating and use of Ignite
but the result would benefit the
Nation as we'll as this region by
prom citing industrial decentraliza-
ton thereby aiding the country
from the stand points both of eco
nomic and national security.
One of the most important goals
is using Ignite as a source of chemi-
cal raw material. This development,
which would serve as the base for
an extensive economic development,
involves perfecting methods for the
Justification and carbonization of lig-
mite, acquiring basic knowledge about
it chemical and physical properties,
and designing the necessary processes
and equipment -.
Consider what has already been
done. When the congressional sub
was holding hearings on
The legislation to establish this lab
the late Dean Harrington
presented list of SO reports of in
yestigation on Ignite from this area.
These reports represented studies by
members of the university staff, by
heir students, and by the Bureau of
Mines.
They contain great deal of in
on Ignite and the ways
% use it, but to a certain extent
hey are on isolated, limited prob
ems. There is still a great need for
! broad, well-co-o rdinated attack on
he basic, fundamental properties of
ignite, employing the new and more
scientific skills of to-
ay.
The major job to be done in the
uilding being dedicated here today,
nd by the staff of this Bureau sta
on, is the development of technol-
[ might add, of technolo-
lists. These will have to provide the
rocesses, machines, and equipment,
orking principles, and data that will |
nable engineers and industries to
pply them to the vast basic resource
f Ignite.
Along with technology we need
one other quality, which am
sure will not be lacking-vision.
Vision, in the sense of magma
:ion-the capacity to make a pract-
cal projection of laboratory ideas.
N the long run the full success of
his undertaking will depend to a
arge extent upon that quality.
The technical staff here will need
sion, not only in a strictly scien-
fic way, but in the analysis and
'praisal of projects to be initiated
i'd investigated, and in their APP
ication to our regional and national
and economic needs.
When the basic research and tech
illogical advances have been made,
have no hesitation in saying that
e industrialist himself will be found
ady and willing to put sound de-
lopments from this research under
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