The Chemical Age, Vol. 54, No. 1404

STA IN LESS ^ e € € / l € A

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No. 1404 S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 25.. 1946

RECrSTESED A3 A NEWSPAPER

t o . PBB COPT Po s t Fr e e 8d.

p ü ig Jü / W

j ^ 9 j f

AUDLEY E N G IN EER IN G COMPANY LIM ITED - N EW PORT-SH ROPSH IRE • E n g la n d ¿ v-

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M a y 2 5 , 19 4 6

Edgar Allen STAINLESS STEEL CASTINGS

are competitive in price

Edgar Allen stainless steel castings are fully competitive in price with similar types of castings, and at the same time have that extra fineness of finish and touch of quality that counts in the long run.

T h e a d v a n ta g e s o f E d g a r A lle n ^ sta in le s s s te e l c a s tin g s a r e a s f o ll o w s :—

0 I. T r u e t o s h a p e , s h a r p a n d c le a n . 6 . S u p p lie d e i t h e r f in is h e d , m a c h in e d o r in £ 2 . M a d e In t e n d i f f e r e n t a n a ly s e s o f s t e e l , o r c^ e r o u g h .

H t o o t h e r s p e c ia l a n a ly s e s if d e s ir e d . 7 . E d g a r A lle n & C o ., L td ., a r e n o t o n ly la r g e 3. M a d e b y s p e c ia l f o u n d r y m e t h o d s a n d “ e e l f o u n d e r s o f m a n y y e a r s s ta n d in g ,

p r o c e s s e s ® ut s o m a *<ers °* s ta i n le s s a n d o t h e r

H ’ . f in e s t e e l s , s u c h as t o o l s t e e l s a n d m a g n e t

A . C o m p e t i t i v e in p r ic e . s te e l s , t h e r e b y p o s s e s s in g a s ta f f o f s t e e l ^ Q 5 . C a n b e m a d e u p t o s e v e r a l t o n s in w e i g h t. a n d f o u n d r y e x p e r t s . V

EDGAR ALLEN & CO. LTD.

SHEFFIELD 9, ENGLAND

P o st t h e r e q u e s t fo r m to -d a y

T o EDGAR. A L L E N & CO . LTD. SH EFFIELD 9, E N G L A N D . Please post your Stainless Steel Casting Folder to :

Name... ...

Firm--... -... — ...-

Address ... -... ...

... — ... — ...C.A.

B R A N D O N

for

ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIRS AND REWINDS ^

All Repairs V A C U U M IM PREG N A TED

Fully Guaranteed

BRANDON ELEGTRICAL ENG„ CO.

( L E E D S ) , L T D . A .I .D . A p p r o v e d

L E A T H L E Y R O A D • L E E D S • 10

T e l e p h o n e : L e e d s 2 2 7 0 3

T H E

U n iq u e in design and fo o lp r o o f in o p e r a t i o n .

** S i m p I i c i t y **

S te a m T rap s have o n ly o n e m o v in g p a r t —a f r e e l y flo a tin g ball.

Sen d fo r a tra p o n tr ia l. A ll s iz e s in sto c k .

K E Y E N G I N E E R I N G C O ., L T D .

4 Q U E E N V IC T O R IA S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E .C .4 - a n d T R A F F O R D P A R K , M A N C H E S T E R . T e le p h o n e : C IT Y 2 2 3 5 . T R A F F O R D P A R K 1903.

Ma y 2 5, 1946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E i

F O U N D E D 1830

Old-established yet up-to-date In every detail, this org an isatio n p ro v id e s a s p e c ia lis e d service for the chemical Industry that ensures rapid [delivery and low prices all the- time

M A N U F A C T U R E R S A N D P R O P R I E T O R S O F

"

I N V I C T A "

D E C O L O U R I S I N G

PLU M BA G O CHARCOAL (W o o d & Animal) M A N G AN ESE

" I M V I T T A " B IT U M IN O U S M A T E R IA L S I I N V I I A \ f o r r o a d c o n s t r u c t i o n

G

D I R I r % I R l W ith improved mills, ol K I N L / I N U e v e ry d e s c rip tio n ol chemical and other materials for the trade

T H O M A S H I L L - J O N E S , L T D .

M A N U F A C T U R IN G CHEM ISTS, IN V IC T A W O R K S , B O W C O M M O N LA N E, L O N D O N , E.3.

a n d a t M E E S O N ’S W H A R F , B O W B R ID G E , E .IS : : C O N T R A C T O R S T O H .M . G O V E R N M E N T T e l e p h o n e : E A S T 3 2 8 5 ( 3 l i n e a ) . T e l e g r a m s : H l l l - J o n e s B o c h u r c h , L o n d o

T o w e r s E lectric O vens

Double W all type with thermostatic control for temperatures up to 120° C. Asbestos cement outer case, copper Interior, enclosed heating elements, vacuum relay preventing sparking, glass or asbestos door.

M46I 12

x

10

x

10 in. inside £18 0 0 M462 14

x

12

x

12 in. inside £20 10 0 M463 16

x

14

x

14 in. inside £23 0 0 M464 18

x

15

x

15 in. inside £25 0 0

all above prices are subject to 10% advance Full d e ta ils on a p p lic a tio n

J . W . T O W E R S & C O ., LTD .

H o a d O ffic e & W o r k i : W I D N E S

M A N C H ESTER : 44, Chapel St., Salford 3.

LIV ERPO O L : 134, Brownlow Hill.

1

SC IEN T IFIC LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

A

i i T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M^{a y} 2 5 , 19 4 6

T H E R M A L L I N K A G E

C U T S F A C T O R Y ’S F U E L B IL L 3S°/0

N o t m e r e l y a f u e l - s a v i n g t h e o r y , b u t a p r o v e n f a c t .

T HE RMAL L I N KA GE S aves fu e l, C U tS p r o d u c t io n c o s t s , in c r e a s e s o u tp u t.

T h e s e a r e f a c t s , p r o v e d b y ex p erience.

T h erm a l L in k a g e is n o new exp eri­

m en t ; n o tem p orary d ev ice to o v er­

c o m e the fuel sh o rta g e. It is a p roven p rin cip le o f p ractical v a lu e alrea d y in use in m a n y p rogressive plants.

Stated briefly, T h erm al L inkage m ea n s o v erh a u lin g and in tegratin g y o u r va rio u s h ea t-u sin g processes an d , a s far a s p o ssib le , o p era tin g th em as a sin g le co -o r d in a te d heat- . u sin g unit. In stead o f heat being su p p lied in d ep en d en tly to several sep arate p o in ts o f c o n su m p tio n , and the su rp lu s g o in g to w a ste, it is circu la ted from p o in t to p o in t and n o n e w asted w h ile there is w ork for it to d o .

PUT THERMAL LINKAGE INTO PRACTICE W hat t h e r m a l l i n k a g e does in other plants it can do in yours. In converting or reconstructing do not miss the chance to increase plant efficiency and production at lower cost by adopting

t h e r m a l l i n k a g e . For general infor­

mation see Fuel Efficiency Bulletin No.

21 (“ The Construction o f a Factory Heat Balance ” ) or, for specific advice and guidance, contact your Regional Office o f the Ministry o f Fuel and Power.

A V E R A G E S A V IN G 3 5 %

A .lam Factory used an average o f 7 tons of coal weekly to provide a steam load of

1,630 ib./hr. at R0 p.s.i.

Along with the introduction o f t h e r m a l l i n k a g e the following adjustments were made to the plant. BOILER H O U S E : Boiler efficiency raised 3% by attention to detail. Exhaust from boiler feed pump put through a heating coil in the feed tank.

Excess temperature relieved by introducing a shunt line to jar washing tank. BOILING P A N S : Individually trapped and air- vented ; jackets lagged ; blow-down cocks connected to jar washing tank. SP ACE HEATING : Steam pressure for space- heating reduced to 15 p.s.i. and thermo­

statically controlled to 55 F. All condensate from heating and process units returned to the boiler feed tank.

R E S U L T : Steam consumption reduced from 1,630 Ib./hr. to 1,200 Ib./hr., effecting an average fuel saving o f 35% and an annual cut o f £360 in coal alone. Output from Boiling Pans increased.

For full details and complete diagrams of this abbreviated Case History see No. 30 o f the Fuel Efficiency News, dated

O ctober 1945.

Issued by t h e M in is try o f Fu el a n d P o w e r

Ma y 2 5 , 19 4 0 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 111

R E C O N S T R U C T I O N , a s w e n o w k n o w t o o w e l l, m e a n s s o m e t h i n g o t h e r t h a n e n jo y m e n t o f t h e n o n - e x i s t e n t f r u i t s o f v i c t o r y . T h e a m e n i t i e s o f a w o r l d a t w e l l - e a r n e d p e a c e a r e n o t f o r u s u n t i l w e h a v e r e p l a c e d t h e r a v a g e s o f w a r w i t h t h e n e c e s s i t i e s o f lif e a n d t h e r e a l i t i e s o f u n i v e r s a l p e a c e f u l i n t e n t f o r v i c t o r s , v i c t i m s a n d v a n q u i s h e d a l i k e . T h a t i s s p e a k i n g c o lle c tiv e ly . . . . F o r o u r s e l v e s , w e l e a r n e d m u c h a n d p r o g r e s s e d f a r i n t h e s i x y e a r s o f c e a s e le s s t o i l , u r g e d o n b y d i r e n e c e s s i t y a n d p e r i l . W e a r e n o t r e s t i n g n o w . W e a r e s t i l l p r e s s i n g o n , p r e s s i n g i n t o t h e s e r v i c e o f t h o s e e n g a g e d i n r e b u i l d i n g t h e b o d y a n d s o u l o f a w h o l e w o r l d t h e k n o w l e d g e g a i n e d , t h e a d v a n c e m e n t s p e r f e c t e d , t h e s k i l l a n d c r a f t s m a n s h i p t h a t o u t m a t c h e d t h e e f f o r t s o f o u r e n e m i e s .

“ A v o " E le c tr ic a l T e s tin g I n s t r u m e n t s s e t a sta n d a r d b y w h ic h o th e r in s tr u m e n ts a r e ju d g e d .

t h e U N IV ER SA L AVOM ETER

T H E “ AVO ” A LL-W AV E OSCILLATOR

T H E

“ AVO ” VALVE T E S T E R T H E

“ AVO ” T E S T B R ID G E T H E U N IV ER SA L AVOMINOR

T H E D .C . AVOMINOR T H E

“ AVO ” L IG H T M ETER T H E “ AVO ” E X P O S U R E M ETER

E T C ., E T C .

C a ta lo g u e s on a p p lic a tio n

P R E C I S I O N E L E C T R I C A L M E A S U R I N G I N S T R U M E N T S Regd. T rade M a r k

Sole P ro p rie to rs a n d M a n u fa c tu r e r s :

T H E A U T O M A T I C C O I L W I N D E R & E L E C T R I C A L E Q U I P M E N T C o . L t d . W i n d e r H o u s e , D o u g la s S t r e e t , L o n d o n , S . W .I ’P h o n e : V i c t o r i a 3 4 0 4 -8

i v T HE C H E M I C A L A G E M^{a y} 2 5. 19 4 6

B.T.L.

B A R A G L A S S S T I L L

F o r th e p ro d u ctio n o f D istille d W a t e r

W e have specialised for many years past in the manu­

facture of Laboratory and small scale industrial stills for the production of distilled water, with outputs ranging from 07 litres to 16 litres per hour.

As a result of experience gained, advances are con­

tinually being made in existing designs and new models evolved to meet special requirements.

The illustration shows the popular BARAGLASS STILL, the most advanced type of all-glass continuous still at present in commercial production. The distillate is positively de-gassed.

Output 11 litres per hour pH - 6-2

Conductivity T7 gemmhos.

Full particulars from the Designers and Manufacturers

BAIRD & T A T LQ C K

( L O N D O N )

LTD.

M akers of Scientific Apparatus

14 - 1 7 S T . C R O S S S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E . C . I

Ma y 2 5, 1946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E V

End view of Nickel Cast iron Rotary Filter Drum 6' diameter X 2 'I If" long, weight 55 cwts. This' Drum is fitted internally into 18 divisions, each having 17 slots on the periphery of the Drum.

There are 306 ribs each S ' wide.

« (M ü d m

E N G I N E E R I N G C O M P A N Y L I M I T E D

W O RK S . W ID N ES . LA N CS.

LONDON OFFICE, BRETTENHAM HOUSE, W.C.2, TEMPLE BAR 9631

•Phone: LUTON 891 'Grams : laporte Luton

B LAPORTE Ltd. LUTON

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M a y 25. 1 946

F I N E

I N D U S T R I A L

Ma y 2 5 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

D

^{r y} h y d r o g e n i n f u r n a c e s fo r sintering metallic pow ders, reducing oxides a n d m any bright annealing o p eratio n s is easily assured by passing the gas first thro u g h a BIRLEC-LECTRODRYER.

T hese efficient ad so rb ers are built for reactivation in situ and g as with dew -point as low as - 6 0 'C ., at a trifling ru n n in g cost.

Sizes and types for all gases at pressures up to 2,000 per sq u are inch and flow-rates to 1,500 c .f h.

B1RLEC L IM IT E D

T Y B U R N RO A D , E R D IN G T O N B IR M IN G H A M , 24 H IR l.E C - U X T R O D R Y E R .

UPC BA C 10, flow-ralc lOOc.f.h.

EVÄPORÄTORS

b y KESTNER

FILM TYPE, H O R IZ O N T A L O R V ER TIC A L.

F O R C ED C IR C U LA T IO N . SA L T IN G T YPE.

S IN G L E O R M U LT IPLE EFFECT.

H IG H V A C U U M M U LT IPLE C IR C U L A T IO N FO R SEN SIT IV E LIQ U O R S.

SPEC IA L A C ID EV A PO R A T O RS.

A n d th e new

H O R IZ O N T A L FILM E V A PO R A T O R W H IC H ELIM INA TES M ET A LLIC C O N T A C T O N A LL H E A T IN G SU RFA CES.

" Every Kestner plant is designed to suit the individual job.”

K E S T N E R ’S

CH EM IC AL EN G IN E E R S

5, G ro s v e n o r G a rd e n s , L o n d o n , S . W . l T HE C H E M I C A L A G E M a y 25, 1946

PRINTED. P A IN TED OR STOVE-ENAM ELLED.

Export.

E n q u irie s in v ite d fr o m B u y­

in g A g e n ts in c o u n trie s w h e r e n o t a l r e a d y

re p re s e n te d .

E-A- H C-C9 LT.D LIVERPOOL a n d SPEKE

’PHONE ROYAL 3031-2-3 ANO CABSTON 2217-8

M a y 2 5, 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

I M P E R I A L C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R I E S L T D .

N O B E L H O U S E - - L O N D O N , S . W . l G.7

C R I C K E T F E S T I V A L S do N O T like

w e

*Gammexane"1 is the name given to the gamma isomer o f benzene hexachloride.

S A F E T O U S E • E F F E C T I V E IN D O O R S A N D I N T H E O P E N

• P E R S IS T E N T I N A C T IO N • U N A F F E C T E D B Y S U N L IG H T O R M O IS T U R E .

‘GAMM EXANE’ D U ST D.034 is available in lim ited quantities, in 56 lb. and 1 cwt. packages.

Smaller quantities are repacked and sold by retailers.

C R IC K ETS breed prolificaUy in th e early sum m er on refuse tips and w aste ground, and m ay spread rapidly to neighbouring p roperty.

U SE ‘G A M M E X A N E ’ D U S T

D . 0 3 4

NOW , AND E N S U R E FR E E D O M FROM C R IC K ETS FO R T H E W H O L E SEASON.

The breeding of F L IE S will also

be prevented.

X T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M^{a y} 25, 194 6

YES

Y E S flc M

Y e sta m in is p u re , d rie d , d e -b itte re d Y east— ric h e s t in V itam in s B1 a n d B 2 — w ith a 40 p e r c e n t P ro te in c o n te n t. I t a d d s g re atly to F o o d V a lu e, a n d im p a rts a n a p p e tisin g , p iq u a n t flavour th a t re s u lts in in cre ased d e m a n d fo r y o u r P ro cessed Foods.

' ■ f c w . . '¿ A e & e , a /ie , t& e ,

YESTAMIN

B R A N D OF P U R E D R I E D Y E A S T

T H E E N G L I S H G R A I N S C O . L T D . , B U R T O N - O N - T R E N T

d m Î3 8 7 .

F o il B u l k P o w d e r s & L i q u i d s

B R O S .

(ST.HELENS&W IDNES)

l i m i t e d

t i u . S t . H e le n s 3271 T e l e p h o n « : w ¡ d n e j 2 2 i 7 _

M a y 2 5, 1946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E x i

The Basic P rinciple

MIXER

of the

UNIVERSAL

is capable of adaptation to innum erable

industrial purposes.

Here, for instance, is a machine of 18 gallons capacity, with our Sigma type blades carrying adjustable, serrated edges, revolving in opposite directions against a saddlepiece likewise serrated, to obtain a shredding action simultaneously with thorough incorporation of the mix.

The jacketed trough is lined with renewable steel wearing plates.

x ii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M a y 2 5, 19 4 6

SODIUM METASILICATE

T H E N E W INDUSTRIAL

A L K A L I

effectively solves many problems requiring the use of a

H IG H -PO W ER ED CLEAN SER

which can be applied with

SAFETY & ^ECONOMY

Largely used in the Laundry and Textile Industries, Paper Mills, Dairies, Metal Cleaners, and as a constituent of Proprietary Articles.

Write for particulars to:

ALCOCK (Peroxide) L -

LUTON, Beds.

Telephone : 3144/5 Luton.

PYREX

R E G ? T R A D E M A R K B R A N D

GRADUATED GLASSWARE

By specifying " PYREX Brand" when ordering your Graduated Glassware you are assured of obtaining strong serviceable glassware, with division lines and numerals etched clearly and precisely for easy reading.

For everyday laboratory work PYREX Brand Glassware is graduated to N .P .L . class B standard, but for more meticulous analysis or intricate research work, N .P .L . class A can be supplied at the appropriate extra costs.

P Y R E X B r a n d G r a d u a te d G la ssw a re is s u p p lie d o n ly th r o u i h L a b o r a to ry F u r n is h ­ ers, b u t i llu s tr a te d c a ta lo g u e a n d tw o f r e e c o p ie s o f o u r C h e m is t's N o teb o o k w ill be s e n t d ire c t on a p p lic a tio n to us.

Ask for PYREX Brand and see that you get it I

JAMES A.JOBLING SCO.LTD

WEAR CLASS WORKS S U N D E R L A N D

— •

* ^0 > <k^' A particularly interfiling bracket dock (circa c \ D 169c -) by Thomas Tompion, the fa th er o f English dock making, several o f whose timepieces are still in service a t Buckingham Palace. From the celebrated collection o f Percy Webster, Queen Street, M ayfair, Lena on.

F o u n d e d in 1 8 1c, B alfours o f L e v e n h av e g ro w n ste a d ily w ith th e Gas In d u s try , p la y in g a n in c re a sin g ly im p o rta n t p a rt in th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f n e w a n d m o re e c o n o m ic a l p la n t for th e m a n u fa c tu re , p u rific a tio n a n d sto ra g e o f g as, a n d th e reco v ery a n d p ro c e ssin g o f b y -p ro d u c ts.

T h e B alfo u r r e p u ta tio n for c ra ftsm a n sh ip , a c q u ire d by lo n g y ears of e x p e rie n c e a n d je a lo u sly h a n d e d d o w n fro m g e n e ra tio n to g e n e ra tio n , is n o w — as a lw a y s — a t th e se rv ice o f th e In d u s try to a ssist in a ll p ro b le m s c o n c e rn in g gas p la n t.

B A L F O U R S O F L E V E N A R E S P E C I A L I S T S I N . —

★ G as W orks Plant * Samka Heat Transfer Vessels and Equipment

★ Coke Oven and By-Product Recovery Plant ★ Special Castings in Iron and Alloys

■* Producer Gas and Water Gas Plant ★ Welded and Riveted Work

B L I 0 2 I - C l

H E N R Y B A L F O U R & C° LTD

f i z S < $ w ftM £ £ k i £ Ih a n fo M u d s iM

f S IN C E 1810

D U R I E F O U N D R Y , L E V E N , F I F E . L e v e n 79

A R T IL L E R Y H O U S E , W E S T M IN S T E R , L O N D O N . S .W .i. A B B ey 2121

iMa y 25, 1 946 THE C H E M I C A L A G E

T H E C H E M IC A L A G E Ma y 1 5, 194&

‘ CANTEEN COOKING . . . IN A BIG W AY!’

says Mr. Therm T his all-gas kitchen supplies the can teen o f Messrs. W illiam s an d W illiam s L td ., C hester, m etal w indow m anufacturers em ploy­

ing som e 2,600 w ork-people.

E q u ip m e n t includes roasting, pastry an d general p urpose ovens, steam ers, fish-frying ranges, boilers, h o t closets, etc., all equally well fired by gas, the

most versatile o f fuels. F o r cooking the .largest F0R QUICK H E A T I N G & E XACT CONTROL n u m b er o f m eals in the shortest tim e a t the lowest --- cost the choice is gas. B ritis h G a s C o u n c il I G r o s v e n o r P la c e S W l

ROYAL WORCESTER

o r a t o r y

D o r c e l a i n

-B - W e m a n u fa c tu re L ab o ra to ry , S cientific a n d T e c h n ic a l P o rc e la in a n d h ig h te m p e ra ­ tu re In su la to rs .. . e ac h in its o w n sp h e re is ack n o w led g ed to b e th e v e ry h ig h est s ta n d a rd o f tech n ical skill a n d a ch iev e m en t w e m a in ta in a R e se arc h L a b o ra to ry a d e q u a te to d eal w ith all C e ram ic a n d P hysical difficulties a n d w ill be h a p p y to assist in solv in g y o u r p ro b lem s.

T H E W O R C E S T E R R O Y A L P O R C E L A IN C O ., L T D .

W O R C E S T E R

Ma y 2 5 , 194 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

A strange form ula at first sight. But with C oal, O il, Agriculture and Lime as the four main sources o f raw materials for the organic chem ical industry, it is readily apparent why C. O. A . L. is the form ula for supply — now' and in the years ahead.

This country, with its wealth o f coal, logically uses the various derivatives and by-products o f this basic raw material as the start-point o f the majority o f its chem ical syntheses.

W e at M onsanto have pioneered this field for nearly 80 years and, from coal tar by-products, built up a range o f synthetics covering the w hole gam ut o f Industry.

The organic chem ical industry” is, and w ill remain, one o f the most im portant British Industries during the struggle to regain and retain econom ic prosperity and security. M on san to will continue to play an im portant role in this program m e and, whatever your plans, it is highly probable that with one or more o f our raw materials, interm ediates or finished products, we may w ell be able to co-operate with you to the sam e end. May w e discuss your problem s w ith you ?

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A N D N E W Z E A L A N D O p e n to e x te n d co n n ectio n s w ith B R I T I S H M A N U F A C T U R E R S H e a d Office : 26/30, C laren ce S t., S yd n ey , N .S .W . a n d a t M e lb o u rn e , A d elaid e, P e rth ,

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IN D IC A T O R S— W a ll Type, Portable, Multi-point, Panel Mounting.

TH ER M O -C O U PLES— Base & Rare Metals.

RESISTA N C E T H ERM O M ETERS.

C O M P EN SA T IN G C ABLES.

SH EA TH S— Refractory, Steel, Alloy, etc.

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T H E R M O M E T E R S

G LASS STEM D IV ID ED — Ranges up to 550° C. or 1,000° F.

G LASS IN V A R IO U S M ETA L FITTINGS—

Pipe Type, Jam, Varnish, Molten Metal, Quenching Bath, Bakers, Dyers, Flue Gas, etc.

D IA L V A P O U R PRESSU RE — Flexible Capillary and Rigid Stem Patterns, etc.

= M A N S F I E L D R O A D =

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P h o n e : -45815

M^{a y} 25, 1946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E ^{x v i i}

V IT R E O SIL

and

O TH ER REFRACTORY

W A R E

o

VITREOSIL, pure fused silica, Laboratory W are and Chemical Plant are familiar to many, but others may like to know of their unique heat and acid resistance. The former is extensively quoted in standard specifications for example, and the latter is particularly applicable to acid and pure chemical manufacture because of Its inertness.

Refractory materials for furnace work include VITREO SIL tubes and Alumina formers to carry electric heating windings and Alumina cements to insulate and protect these. Other refractory shapes can be made in Fused Alumina, Fused Magnesia or Zircon. Reagent Fused Alumina having declared carbon content is used in steel combustion work.

o

T H E

T H E R M A L SYNDICATE

L IM IT E D W allsend , Northum berland 12/14 O ld Pye St.,

W e s tm in s te r,

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The production of finely divided Calcium Carbonate w ith water- repelling p roperties is now being undertaken by Derbyshire Stone Ltd.

Enquiries are invited from those interested in the supply of such powders. Samples and full Inform­

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Problems investigated without obligation.

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The Chemical Age

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T e le g ra m s: A L L A N G A S F L E E T LO N D O N T e le p h o n e : C E N T R A L 3 3 1a ( i s lines) G L A SG O W : 1 1 6 H o p e S tre e t (C entral 39 70) B IR M IN G H A M : D aim ler H ouse, P a rad ise S tre e t (M idland 0 7 8 4- j) T H E C H E M IC A L A G E offices are closed on S a tu rd a y s in acco rd an ce w ith th e a d o p tio n o í th e five-day w eek b y

B enn B ro th e rs L im ited

VOL. L IV

N o. 14 0 4.

May 25, 1946

A n n u al S u b scrip tio n 2 is .

O verseas 26s.

T h e Steel P la n T

H E W h ite P a p e r on th e iro n a n d ste e l

in d u s tr y h a s now b e e n issu e d - a n d it is o p en to e v e ry o n e to c r itic is e it. F o r o u r p a r t w.e a ck n o w le d g e t h a t it lia s b e en d ra w n u p by e x p e r ts a n d c a n b e a p p ra is e d o n ly b y th o s e w h o h a v e s p e n t lo n g y e a r s in th e d ir e c tio n of t h is g r e a t i n d u s ­ tr y . N e v e rth e le s s , a s re p re s e n tin g a u s e r in d u s tr y w e m a y h a v e q u e s tio n s to a sk .

T h e iro n a n d s te e l in d u s tr y w as n o t in good sh a p e w h e n t h e g r e a t d e p re s s io n of 1929 h it u s . B u t ta riff p ro te c tio n e n a b le d i t to re c o v e r in a re m a rk a b le m a n n e r . I n th e e ig h t y e a r s p re c e d in g th e w a r i t s p e n t n o le s s th a n 1150,000,000 in m o d e rn is a tio n o f e q u ip m e n t. I t w o u ld h a v e g o n e 011 s p e n d in g h a d th e w a r n o t in te r v e n e d . T h e G o v e rn m e n t h a s t h u s n o ca se fo r d e c la rin g

m a k e its e lf i so a s f a s t ' t h a t th e in d u s tr y w o u ld not

effic ie n t. I t w a s a lre a d y doin as e q u ip m e n t co u ld b e m a d e a v a ila b le . A t t h e r e q u e s t of t h e M in is te r of S u p p ly , th e B r itis h I r o n a n d S te e l F e d e r a tio n hasj d ra w n u p a c o m p r e ­ h e n s iv e p la n fo r t h e c o m p le tio n o f th o m o d e r n is a tio n p r o ­ g r a m m e w h ic h w o u ld

c o s t y e t a f u r t h e r .£168,000,000. T h is p la n a p p e a rs to p r o ­ v id e a firs t-c la s s f o u n ­ d a tio n . T h e M in is te r c a n n o t, th e r e f o r e , e x ­ c u s e h is d ic ta to r ia l d e c isio n to d isp o ss e s s i t s p r e s e n t o w n e rs on t h e g ro u n d t h a t t h e

in d u s tr y e ith e r c a n n o t o r w ill n o t p u t its h o u se . in o rd e r.

T h e in d u s tr y re c o g n ise s t h a t t h e ta s k s fa c in g it a r e : (i) T o m a k e good t h e f u r ­ t h e r m o d e rn is a tio n a n d d e v e lo p m e n t w h ic h w o u ld h a v e ta k e n ¡d ace d u r in g th e la s t s ix y e a r s h a d th e r e b e e n 110 w a r. U n d e r w a r c o n d itio n s , th e G o v e rn m e n t w a s u n a b le to allo w th e in d u s tr y to c o n tin u e t h e p ro c e ss , w h ic h it h a d b e g u n s e v e ra l y e a rs b eforo th e w a r, of s y s te m a tic m o d e rn is a tio n a n d d e v e lo p m e n t. (ii) T o e n la rg e ste el- m a k in g fa c ilitie s to b rin g th e m in to d o s e re la tio n w ith th e h ig h e r d e m a n d fo r s te e l p ro d u c ts t h a t m a y b e e x p e c te d in th e p o s t-w a r y e a r s a s c o m p a re d w ith p re -w a r. (iii) T o e n s u r e th e m o s t effe c tiv e u s e of p la n ts b y c o n c e n ­ t r a t i n g p ro d u c tio n , w itli d u e re g a rd to the' a v a ila b ility of ra w . m a te r ia l

On Other Pages

N o tes a n d C o m m en ts ... 571 P r o d u c tio n o f A lu m in a in W a r

T im e ... ... 576 G e r m a n T e chnic al R epor ts ... 576 T h e E le c t r o n Microscop e ... 577 L e t t e r to th e E d ito r ... 580 U . S . P a te n t s ... ... 580 Gas C ylin ders ... ... 580 B . C . Ü . T . A . M eetin g ... 581 A C h e m i s t ’s B o o k s h e l f ... ... 583 B r itis h A sso cia ti o n . . 584 A llo c a tio n o f U r a n iu m ... 584

“ B r i ta i n Can M a k e I t ” ... 584 P er so n a l N o tes ... ... 585 R o ya l I n s t i t u t e o f C h em istry ... 585 P es t C ontro l ... ... 585 P a r lia m e n ta r y To pics ... 586

N e w C ontro l Orders ... 586

A ll e g e d N i c k e l M onopoly ... 586 General N e w s f r o m W e e k to W e e k 587 S t o c k s a n d S h a r e s ... 589 B r i ti s h Che m ical Prices ... 590

a n d th e d is ta n c e to m a r k e ts , in to e fficien t u n its of a p p ro p ria te siz e . W h ile th e c o n ­ s id e r a tio n m a y b e i n ­ h e r e n t in t h e s t a t e ­ m e n t of th e s e ta s k s , i t is d is a p p o in tin g to fin d t h a t th e r e is h e re n o sp e c ific re c o g n itio n o f th e m o s t im p o r ta n t ta s k of a ll, n a m e ly , to re d u c e t h e c o s t of fin is h e d s te e l to t h e c o n s u m e r to th e lo w est p ra c tic a b le fig u re. T h e re a l q u e s tio n to b e a n s w e re d is t h is : D o th e p ro p o se d c h a n g e s s e c u re p ro d u c tio n u n its w h ic h c a n on e v e ry

569

570 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M a y 2 5, 19 4 6 re as o n a b le s ta n d a r d be d e e m e d i n te r ­

n a tio n a lly c o m p e titiv e a n d a b le , w ith o u t e ith e r d ir e c t o r in d ir e c t s u b s id y , to p r o ­ v id e t h e s te e l-u s in g in d u s tr ie s of t h e c o u n ­ tr y w ith th e ir ra w m a te ria l a t as c h e a p a c o s t -a s i t is p ro v id e d i n e q u iv a le n t c ir ­ c u m s ta n c e s b y riv a ls in o th e r c o u n tr ie s , a n d a t le a s t as c h e a p ly a s i t co u ld bo c o n ­ tin u o u s ly o b ta in e d by im p o r ta tio n ? B u t th e r e p o rt c o n ta in s n o a n s w e r to t h a t f u n d a m e n ta l q u e s tio n .

T h e in d u s tr y u se s so m e 55 p e r c e n t, of s c ra p a n d m u s t u s e so m e im p o rte d o re.

I t is c o n s id e re d t h a t p ro d u c tio n m u s t be ra is e d to a b o u t 16 m illio n to n s of s te e l a n n u a lly a n d t h a t th is w ould r e q u ir e , in a d d itio n to t h e 55 p e r c e n t, of s c ra p , so m e 7.1 m illio n to n s o f im p o rte d ore a n d 12.1 m illio n to n s of h o m e o re , of w h ic h 1 1 m il­

lio n to n s w o u ld be o b ta in e d fro m th e N o r th a m p to n s h ir e , L in c o ln s h ire , a n d o th e r M id la n d o re fie ld s. I s th e p r e s e n t lo c a tio n o f p la n ts th e b e s t p o ss ib le in th e lig h t of th e s e f a c ts , o r h a s t h e F e d e r a tio n b e en u n d u ly a n x io u s to p re s e rv e th e presenr.

w o rk s jus* b e c a u s e th e y w e re in e x is te n c e ? A g a in th e r e p o rt d o es n o t a n s w e r th is q u e s tio n , b u t tw o c o n s id e ra tio n s a rc e v i­

d e n t— m o v e m e n t of p o p u la tio n a n d c o st of s c ra p p in g p la n t.

T o p u ll d o w n a w o rk s a n d re p la c e it by a n o th e r w o rk s e ls e w h e re is n o lig h t u n d e r ­ ta k in g . .W ill th e p o p u la tio n w is h to be u p r o o te d ? W ill th e r e s u lt be ju s t a n o th e r d e p re s s e d a r e a ? C an th e h o u s e s b e b u ilt?

T h e re p o rt e n v is a g e s in c re a s e d p ro d u c tio n in th e M id lan d a re a of 500.000 to n s of b ille ts a y e a r a n d s a y s : “ T h e p ro p o sa ls p ro v id e fo r t h is in c re a s e d d e m a n d to b e m e t in th e m a in by th e in s ta lla tio n of a n e w p la n t o n a g re e n field s ite a n d b a se d o n h o m e o re s. O n a c c o u n t of th e r e la tiv e re s o u rc e s , a n d th e d e v e lo p m e n ts p la n n e d in L in c o ln s h ir e , t h is n e w e n te r p r is e s h o u ld be b a s e d on th e N o r th a m p to n s h ir e o re re s e rv e s . T h e p la n t w ill p ro v id e for p r e p a r a tio n of th e o re , co k e o v e n s , b la s t fu rn a c e s , s te e l p la n t, a co g g in g m ill a n d a c o n tin u o u s b ille t m ill w ith a c a p a c ity of h a lf-a -m illio n to n s of b ille ts . . . . E v e n a t th e o u ts e t, m a n y q u e s tio n s of a so cial a n d eco n o m ic c h a r a c te r, in c lu d in g hous-- in g , w ill n e e d s p e c ia l c o n s id e ra tio n , a n d m a y w ell d e te r m in e th e d a te a t w h ic h t h e s c h e m e sh o u ld p r o c e e d .” T o m ove se veral s te e l w o rk s to o th e r s ite s w o u ld b e a v a s t u n d e r ta k in g in d e e d . B u t i t m a y h e n e c e s s a ry fo r th e p ro d u c tio n of c h e a p s te e l.

O h th e e co n o m ic s id e , to e m b a rk o n a

p o licy w h ic h in v o lv e s s c ra p p in g p la n ts b e fo re tfic y h a d w o rk ed o u t t h e ir e c o n o m i­

c ally u se fu l life w o u ld m e a n s p re a d in g th e c a p ita l cost of p la n t o v e r su c h a s h o r t p e rio d t h a t p ro d u c tio n w o u ld be u n e c o n o m ­ ic. A b a la n c e h a s th e re fo re to b e s tr u c k b e tw e e n th e n e e d to re p la c e p la n t b y t h e im p ro v e d e q u ip m e n t w h ic h te c h n ic a l d e-.

v elo p m en b m a k e s p o ss ib le , a n d on th e o th e r h a n d th e n e e d to s p re a d th e h e a v y c o st of n e w p la n t o v e r a re a so n a b le le n g th of u se fu l life . I t is n o t d e s ira b le — e v e n if it w e re p h y s ic a lly p o ssib le— to s te p u p t h e r a te of b u ild in g b e y o n d t h a t p ro p o s e d in th e p la n , a s to d o so w o u ld in v o lv e a w a s te ­ ful u se of n a tio n a l re s o u rc e s . T h e c r i t e r ­ ion a d o p te d in th e re p o rt a s to w h e th e r a p la n t sh o u ld be sc ra p p e d o r n o t is i n t e r ­ e s tin g , n a m e ly , t h a t th e o p e r a tin g c o s t o t th e n e w p la n t, i n c l u d i n g b o t h p r i m e cost a n d capital charges, sh a ll he less, th a n t h e p rim e o p e ra tin g e o st o n ly of th e old p la n t.

T h e r e p o rt a d d s t h a t w h ile t h e c a p ita l cost, in v o lv e d in th e p ro p o sed m a jo r b u ild in g p ro g ra m m e is h ig h , i t is , n e v e r th e le s s , e s s e n tia l to e m b a rk u p o n it n o w . I n a d d i­

tio n to su c h im m e d ia te g a in a s w ill a c c ru e in c o s t, th e in d u s tr y w ill he p ro g res siv e ly e s ta b lis h e d o n a n im p ro v e d lev el of effi­

c ie n c y w h ic h in th e lo n g r u n w ill b rin g s till g r e a te r g a in s in c o st a n d w ill a lso s e c u re im p ro v e m e n ts in q u a lity .

T r e a s u r y p o lic y of 100 p e r c e n t, e x ce ss p ro fits ta x is now c o m in g h o m e to ro o s t, a s e v e ry o n e (e x c e p t t h e T r e a s u r y , a p p a r ­ e n tly ) k n e w i t w o u ld . W h e re a re th e fu n d s fo r r e c o n s tr u c tio n ? T h e c o s t of a 'b i ll e t p la n t in 1935 on h o m e o re w a s a b o u t

£8 12s. p e r to n of b ille t c a p a c ity , o r r a th e r m o re t h a n t h is p e r to n of o u t p u t, w h e n a llo w a n c e is m a d e fo r th e p e rio d s w h e n o u t p u t fa lls below c a p a c ity . T h e c o rre ­ sp o n d in g c o st to -d a y fo r a b ille t p la n t 011 h o m e o re , in c lu d in g s te e l a n d b la s t f u r ­ n a c e s, b u t e x c lu d in g in b o th c a s e s tilt- c a p ita l e x p e n d itu re on o re d e v e lo p m e n t a n d coke o v e n s , w o u ld b e £ 2 3 10s. T h e d iffe re n c e is p a r tly e x p la in e d b y t h e low- p ric e lev el of p la n t in t h is c o u n tr y in th e d e p re ss io n p e rio d a n d th e low fig u re s ¡it w h ic h p la n t co u ld th e n b e b o u g h t fro m t h e C o n tin e n t. J u s t b e fo re th e w a r th e c o st lev el h a d in c re a s e d c o n s id e ra b ly a n d w ould p ro b a b ly h a v e b e en of th e o rd e r of £ 1 3 10s.

p e r to n of c a p a c ity , w h ile th e p r e s e n t fig u re sh o w s a f u r t h e r in c re a s e of fro m 70 to 80 p e r c e n t. T h e p ro b lem of b u ild in g in a p e rio d of h ig h p la n t c o st is a h a n d ic a p in re la tio n to U .S .A ., w h e re 15 m illio n to n s of n e w c a p a c ity w ere b u ilt d u r in g five

Ma y 2 5 , 194 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 5 7 1

y e a r s w h e n w a r c o n d itio n s s u s p e n d e d n ew c o n s tru c tio n h e re . P a r t of t h e A m e ric a n e x p e n d itu re w a s in c u r r e d by th e G o v e rn ­ m e n t a n d p a r t, b y th e in d u s tr y . T h e in ­ d u s tr y w as p e r m itte d to w r ite off e x p e n d i­

tu r e a t th e r a te of 20 p e r c e n t, p e r a n n u m , a n d th u s re c o v e r t h e o u tla y a g a in s t w a r in co m e . A m a jo r r e c o n s tru c tio n a n d e x ­ te n s io n of c a p a c ity h a s th u s b e en c a rrie d th ro u g h in A m e ric a w ith a leg a cy of v e ry m in o r c a p ita l c h a rg e s . W h e re a r e th e B r itis h i n d u s t r y ’s re s e rv e s ?

I t w ould p e rh a p s b e les s t h a n ju s tic e to d e c la re t h a t r e d u c tio n in th e c o st of s te e l is n o t c o n s id e re d in th is re p o rt. Coal is a v ita l ite m of s te e l p ro d u c tio n c o s ts . T h e p o s s ib ility of re d u c in g fu e l c o n s u m p tio n d e p e n d s in th e m a in 011 : (a) th e fu ll u se o f a v a ila b le s c r a p ; (b) th e u s e of h ig h - g ra d e o r e s ; (c) t h e p r e p a r a tio n of o r e s ; (d) a n in c re a s e in th e s iz e a n d efficiency of b la s t f u r n a c e s ; (e) fu ll in te g r a tio n of b la s t f u rn a c e s an d s te e l m e ltin g a n d ro llin g p la n t ; (i) u tilis a tio n of w a s te h e a t. P h y s i­

cal lim its a r e s e t o n t h e a v a ila b ility of s c ra p , a n d c o s t c o n s id e ra tio n s lim it th e u se of th e h ig h e r g ra d e im p o rte d o res. U n d e r th e s c h e m e , th e p r e p a r a tio n a n d t r e a tm e n t of h o m e o re s w o u ld b e d e v elo p e d to th e e x te n t n e c e s s a ry to e n s u r e t h a t o v er-all fu e l c o n s u m p tio n w a s b ro u g h t d o w n as n e a r as p o ssib le to th e lo w e r fu e l c o n s u m p ­ tio n a c h ie v e d w ith h ig h -g ra d e im p o rte d o re s. F u e l c o n s u m p tio n w o u ld b e re d u ce d also b y th e 'u s e of la rg e r a n d m o re efficien t b la s t fu rn a c e s . T h e fu e l u s e d in b las t fu rn a c e s is c o k e, a n d to n s of coal a rc r e q u ire d to m a k e a to n of co k e. T h e n ew f u rn a c e s ta k e n in c o n ju n c tio n w ith o re

N O T E S A N D

Regaining the Initiative

I

F . c o n fe rrin g th e h o n o ra ry d e g re e of .D octor of L a w s in th e U n iv e r s ity of M a n c h e s te r on S ir R o b e rt R o b in s o n , P .R .S ., a n d o n th e M in is te r of E d u c a tio n , M is s E lle n W ilk in s o n (a m o n g o th e rs ). L o rd W o o lto n , a s C h a n ce llo r of th e U n iv e r s ity , to o k t h e u n u s u a l c o u rse of d e liv e rin g a . s h o r t a d d re s s — d e v o te d la rg e ly to th e in ­ d u s tr ia l a n d e d u c a tio n a l tr e n d s as h e h a d o b se rv e d th e m in th e U n ite d S ta te s 011 h is r e c e n t v is it. H e d id n o t b e lie v e , h e s a id , th a t th e in d u s tr ia l in itia tiv e w h ic h w e h a v e b e e n c o m p e lle d to s u r r e n d e r te m p o ra rily to t h e U .S . h a d b e e n p e r m a n e n tly giv en u p , b u t its re c o v e ry , h e th o u g h t, d e p e n d e d

p r e p a r a tio n w o u ld h a v e a co k e c o n s u m p ­ tio n , u s in g im p o rte d o re , of 16 c w t. p e r to n of i r o n a n d , u s in g h o m e o re , of 20 c w t., or a n a v e ra g e fo r th e new fu rn a c e s of ju s t o v e r 17 c w t., w h ic h is e q u iv a le n t to 26 c w t.

of coal. T h e a v e ra g e c o n s u m p tio n a t th e old fu rn a c e s w h ic h w o u ld b e d is p la c e d by th e n e w fu rn a c e s is a b o u t 24 c w t. of co k e o r 60 cw t. of c o al. T h e sa v in g in coal c o n ­ s u m p tio n w ould th e re fo re b e 10 c w t. of coal p e r to n of p ig iro n in th e n e w Ju rn a c e s.

W ith th e n ew p la n ts in o p e ra tio n i t is e s ti­

m a te d t h a t t h e o v e r-a ll a v e ra g e c o n s u m p ­ tio n of coal w ill b e re d u c e d fro m 33 c w t.

(in 1937) to 27 c w t. p e r to n of p ig iro n . A s a r e s u lt of th is e co n o m y i t w o u ld be p o ssib le to m a k e 2,000,000 to n s m o re p ig iro n th a n b efo re th e w a r , a n in c re a s e of a lm o s t 30 p e r c e n t ., w ith a r is e in coal c o n s u m p tio n of o n ly 500.000 to n s , a n in ­ c re a s e of a b o u t 5 p e r c e n t. T h e fig u re fo r fuel c o n s u m p tio n a im e d a t b y 3950 w o u ld p u t t h e U .K . in d u s tr y o n a b a s is c o m p a r­

a b le w ith t h a t a c h ie v e d in a n y o th e r c o u n ­ tr y w h e n a llo w a n c e is m a d e fo r t h e ty p e s of o re , e tc ., a v a ila b le .

T h e iro n a n d s te e l in d u s try h a s p u t its c a rd s on th e ta b le . N ow le t t h e G o v e rn ­ m e n t do lik e w ise . T h e M in is te r of S u p p ly sa y s th is re p o rt is n o t a c c e p ta b le . L e t h im f o r th w ith p u b lis h h is o w n p la n so t h a t w e m a y sec if i t is a n y b e tte r . T h a t is a c h a lle n g e w h ic h h e w ill n o t s h irk if h e h a s a n y b e tte r ex cu se fo r n a tio n a lis in g th is g r e a t i n d u s tr y t h a n p o litic a l id eo lo g y . H is p r e s e n t a tt i tu d e is d e s tr u c tiv e of c o n fid ­ e n c e a t a tim e w h e n e v e ry e n c o u ra g e m e n t is n e ed e d by e v e ry in d u s tr y .

C O M M E N T S

m o re on th e v ig o u r a n d e n lig h te n m e n t of o u r in d iv id u a l m e r c h a n ts a n d m a n u f a c ­ t u r e r s t h a n o n th e a c tio n of G o v e rn m e n t, H e s u g g e s te d t h a t ‘th e in d u s t r ia l is ts of L a n c a s h ir e sh o u ld m a k e in q u iry a s to w h a t th e U n iv e r s ity co u ld do to h e lp th e m p la y th e i r p a r t in re g a in in g t h e c o m m e rc ia l le a d e rs h ip of t h e w o rld , a n d to c o n s id e r a t th e s a m e tim e w h a t th e y co u ld do to m a k e th e U n iv e r s ity f u lly e q u ip p e d to re n d e r t h a t se rv ice to th e m .

U niversities, Old and New

M

I S S W I L K I N S O N , re s p o n d in g , sa id t h a t sh e h o p e d to m a k e a s t a te m e n t soon (w h ic h sh e co u ld n o t a n tic ip a te ) fo re s h a d o w in g a c o n s id e ra b le in c re a s e in.

572 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E M^{a y} 2 5, 19 4 6 th e . p ro v isio n of s c h o la rs h ip s . S h e w e n t

so f a r as to say t h a t s h e b e lie v ed t h a t th e p a ra ly s is of p e n u ry w o u ld b e re m o v e d from, th e u n iv e r s itie s , an d also th e ex cu se of p e n u ry . T h e g r a n t of t h is m o n e y , sh e h o jjed , w ould n o t in te n s if y th e c o m p e ti­

tiv e s c ra m b le for th e o ld e r u n iv e rs itie s . D u r in g th e w a r y e a r s tw o -th ird s of th o s e w ho h a d w on S ta te s c h o la rs h ip s h a d gone to O xford o r C a m b rid g e , a n d th e re m a in ­ in g t h ir d w as s p re a d a m o n g th e r e s t. I n th e la s t a c a d e m ic y e a r n in e o u t of te n S ta te s c h o la rs h ip s w e n t in th e sa m e d ir e c ­ tio n . S h e d id n o t w is h to fo rce s c h o la rs to go to th e “ re d b ric k ” u n iv e r s itie s , b u t sh e d id h o p e t h a t w ith th e n e w m o n ey a v a ila b le , m o d e rn u n iv e r s itie s w o u ld b e so , g ood, a n d so a liv e to th e n e e d s of th e m o d e rn w o rld , t h a t th e s tu d e n t w h o h a d w o n a s c h o la rs h ip w o u ld a c tu a lly look w ith p ity on h is c o lle ag u e s w ho h a d gone to th e a n c ie n t e s ta b lis h m e n ts . T h a t, h o w ­ e v e r, co u ld o n ly h a p p e n if th e y in c re a s e d a n d in te n s ifie d th e s ta n d a r d s o f th e w o rk d o n e in th e n e w e r u n iv e r s itie s . I s i t o u t of p lac e to p o in t o u t h e re t h a t th e m a in t h in g t h a t a tt r a c t s th e b e s t m in d s to th e o ld e r O xford a n d C a m b rid g e is t h a t th e s e u n iv e r s itie s a re c o lle g ia te ? M iss W ilk in s o n , lik e so m a n y of h e r le s s e x p e ri­

e n c e d c o lle ag u e s, a p p e a rs to h e c o n fu sin g e d u c a tio n w ith te a c h in g . it is s u re ly a b o u t tim e t h a t t h e d iffere n ce b e tw e e n th e m w a s re a lis e d in h ig h p la c e s . I t is n o t in t h e leetm v .-ro o m t h a t in itia tiv e is le a r n t.

Scholarships and Exam inations

I

N th e p a s t , m a n y p o te n tia l r e c r u its to u n iv e r s ity e d u c a tio n w e re d is s u a d e d fro m p ro c e e d in g b e y o n d t h e sco p e of th e se c o n d a ry school b e c a u s e of th e i r p a r e n t s ’ lim ite d r e s o u r c e s ; a n d u n d o u b te d ly th is c a u s e d g riev o u s loss to m a n y b ra n c h e s of a c tiv ity , in d u s tr ia l a n d o th e rw is e , in th is c o u n try . N o w , h o w e v e r, th e M in is tr y of E d u c a tio n lia s a t l a s t m a d e th e p ro m is e d a r ra n g e m e n ts , s t a r ti n g w ith th e n e x t a c a d e m ic y e a r, w h e re b y th is d isa - ' b ility m a y he e v a d e d . T h e M in is tr y w ill, in c as es of n e e d , p ro v id e s u p p le m e n ta r y fin a n c ia l h e lp to s u c c e ss fu l c a n d id a te s fo r u n iv e r s ity s c h o la rs h ip s . T h e r a th e r silly r e s tr ic tio n b y w h ic h th e M in is tr y 's c o n ­ t r ib u tio n to a S t a te s c h o la rs h ip w a s lim ite d to £ 1 0 0 h a s b e e n re m o v e d . T h is s te p w ill e n a b le lo cal a u th o r itie s to d e v o te t h e i r e d u c a tio n a l fu n d s to th e b e n efit of th o se p u p ils w h o h a v e n o t g a in e d a n op en s c h o la rs h ip , b u t a re lik e ly to b e ab le to

c o m p le te a u n iv e r s ity c o u rs e w ith c r e d it.

T h u s tw o good s o u rc e s of r e c r u its fo r r e ­ s e a rc h w o rk a n d o th e r a d v a n c e d s tu d ie s a r e m a d e a v a ila b le . A t t h e s a m e tim e th e M in is tr y a n n o u n c e s th e r e fo rm of t h e h ig h e r sc h o o l e x a m in a tio n a n d th e e v e n ­ tu a l a b o litio n o r ra d ic a l a lte r a tio n o f t h e school c e rtific a te e x a m in a tio n . T h e la s t of th e s e h a s c o m e to b e a s o r t of h a ll­

m a r k of efficiency : i t is , in f a c t, n o th in g of th e k i n d ; a n d th e N o rw o o d C o m m itte e is r ig h t, w e b e lie v e , w h e n it o p in e s t h a t th e s e c o n d a ry sch o o ls w ill be b e tte r a b le to s tu d y th e n e e d s of in d iv id u a l p u p ils u n d e r th e ag e of 17 o r 18 if th e y a re fre e fro m th e o b lig a tio n of a n e x te r n a l e x a m i­

n a tio n . T h is m a y m e a n m oi'e w o rk fo r th e s c h o o lm a s te rs , b u t it w ill b e w o rk d ire c te d to t h e b e s t o b je c tiv e — th e p r o p e r e s ta b lis h m e n t of t h e i r p u p ils on th e ro a d of life.

Protein Chemistry

A

T t h e b ic e n te n a r y c e le b ra tio n s of t h e M id d le s e x H o s p ita l, lield in L o n d o n 011 M a y 20, P ro fe ss o r S ir R o b e r t R o b in s o n , P .R .S ., m a d e a p lea fo r th e e s ta b lis h m e n t in t h is c o u n try of a n I n s t i t u t e of P r o te in C h e m is try , s im ila r to t h a t a t H a r v a r d . T h is d e v e lo p m e n t of th e s tu d y of o rg a n ic c h e m is ­ t r y h a s b e e n m a d e o v e rd u e by th e r e m a r k ­ a b le a d v a n c e s in th e a p p lic a tio n of c h e m is ­ t r y to p re v e n tiv e m e d ic in e , a m o n g w h ic h th e u s e o f p e n ic illin is o n ly th e . m o s t s t r i k ­ in g e x a m p le . A s S ir R o b e r t s a id , w e a rc g ra d u a lly b e in g c o m p e lle d to b e lie v e t h a t t h e n u e le o -p ro te in s a r e k e e p in g o n e of t h e s e c re ts of life its e lf, a n d t h i s c o m p u lsio n h a s b e en in d u c e d la rg e ly b y c h e m ic a l in ­ v e s tig a tio n . K n o w led g e of th o s y n th e s is of p ro te in s w o u ld h a v e th e g r e a te s t r e p e r ­ c u s s io n s of h u m a n life , a n d m ig h t sh o w th o w a y to th e c o n q u e s t of c a n c e r. So far,4> v re a so n of th e i r m o le c u la r c o m p le x ity , th e s y n th e s is of p ro te in s h a s d e fe a te d th e c h e m is t, b u t th e o u tlo o k is p ro m is in g , and if th e c h e m is t a n d b io lo g ist c a n w o rk h an d in h a n d , g re a t p ro g re s s c a n b e m a d e . A t th e lev e l of th e p r o te in s a n d v iru s e s th e y a re a p p ro a c h in g o n e a n o th e r v e ry c lo sely . C h e m is try h a s a m a g n ific e n t re c o rd in t h e a n u a ls of p re v e n tiv e m e d ic in e , a n d th e f o u n d a tio n of a n i n s t it u t e of th e k in d S ir R o b e r t a d v o c a te s w o u ld b e a tr e m e n d o u s s te p fo rw a rd in th e b e tt e r a p p lic a tio n o f c h e m is tr y to th e a lle v ia tio n of h u m a n s u f ­ fe rin g .