Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 107, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1915 — Page 3

AMAZING CHEMICAL DISCOVERIES

JgxECRETARY Lane of the interior department recently \\ announced that. Dr. Walter -XS F. Rittman, chemical englx&f neer of the bureau of mines, had made two chemical discoveries of epoch-making importance. One, it was announced, will greatly increase the production of gasoline; the announcement stated that the other„ will make the United States independent of the rest of the world in the production of materials necessary for the dye industry and the manufacture of high explosives. These discoveries have the double importance of being of the highest Interest scientifically and probably of the highest value commercially. The old method of refining petroleum was to heat up the material in a still and condense the vapors coming off. Gasoline is all of the vapor which passes off up to 150 degrees centigrade. This was a simple distillation process. The experimental work of Doctor Rittman has been done at various ranges of pressure from up to nearly 500 pounds per square inch down to partial vacuum and at ranges of temperature from 1,000 degrees centigrade down to the lowest temperature at which the apparatus could be worked.

In his laboratory at Havemeyer hall at Columbia university he has an experimental apparatus which occupies one end of a small room and in which he can make experiments upon any oil under any conditions he chooses. The results are carefully tabulated and the products produced are analyzed. Before carrying out these actual experiments, however, the problem was attacked from the purely theoretical aide.

Working from a theoretical standpoint, the expected results were mapped out and then the experiments were tried under the chosen conditions in order to either verify or disprove the prognostications. Using this general method of procedure, the research was carried on and the discovery made of the conditions necessary to produce larger yields of gasoline from petroleum. Later were found the conditions necessary for the production of toluol and benzol from petroleum. The consumption of gasoline by automobiles,' motor cycles, aeroplanes, motor boats, and the various types of internal combustion, engines used for power has increased enormously in the last few years. The increase in the number of motor vehicles shows this, for, according to the best estimates, there were, in 1910, 350,000 such vehicles; in 1912 there were 990,000, while at the present time the number has reached 1,500,000. Upon the assumption that each motor vehicle uses ten barrels of gasoline per year, the demand from this source alone would be 15,000,000 barrels of 42 gallons each. The gasoline exported and that used for other purposes makes our annual consumption reach a total of about 25,000,000 gallons, which is the present production. The supply has not been increasing as fast as the demand, however, and even now it would be inadequate were it not for the fact that in the last three years many new processes have been patented for increasing most of the production. These have had no commercial value, however, except one, the Button process, which is controlled by the Standard Oil company. The situation which developed wheri process was brought out three years ago was an Interesting one. The supply of gasoline was so nearly exceeded by the demand that the situation was very critical and the price was high. There was a real “gasoline problem.” It seemed impossible to meet the increasing demand with an adequate supply. , Benzol was also put forward as a substitute. It was found possible to use this material for motor vehicles in Europe to a certain extent by employing special carburetors, although it was not entirely satisfactory. After all, nothing was really able to take the place of gasoline in being entirely satisfactory, nor was there an •adequate supply of any other material. It was at this time that the Standard (Oil company solved the “gasoline problem” by utilizing the Burton process, which gave prospect of an abundance of gasoline for some years at least, However, the ’ Independent refiners, who were prevented by the patents from using this superior method of distilling their crude oil, could not materially increase their output

AND AFTER THAT, THE ALTER

Really There Was Nothing Else to It When He Had Been Led to J Make the Plunge. Of course, when she stopped !n front of the jeweler's window he had to Stop. too. It would hardly have been polite to walk on and leave her there. “Oh, see the tray full of lovely diamond rings!” she crowed. “Tee,” ha admitted.

of gasoline, and it is in this connection that Doctor Rittman’s discovery will be of such great benefit. Not only will it be available to the Standard Oil company, but it will be at the disposal of any reputable company in the United States.

The patents, when they are issued, will be given absolutely to the people of the United States, and measures will be taken to insure that the new process will never be allowed to anyone to use as a monopoly. The discovery as to gasoline is perhaps exceeded in importance, however, by the discovery of the fact that such products as toluol and benzol, heretofore obtained from coal tar alone, can now be made from petroleum. In normal times there is produced an enormous quantity of benzol and toluol in Germany, where, as in all Europe, the coke is made in by-product ovens, and the tar and its associated products saved. In the United States only about 25 per cent of the coke is made in such a way as to save the byproducts. Benzol and toluol are raw materials in the manufacture of many medicines, dyestuffs and explosives. The fact that the United States is apparently to have a plentiful source of raw material for the making of these will probably be a stimulus to the building up here of new industries. Up to the time of the present war Americans produced only a small fraction of the dyestuffs actually used in American industries. The fact that since the outbreak of the war the United States has been unable to obtain an adequate supply of dyes has had already an effect in effort to be made for launching an industry for the production of dyestuffs. ’ The Rittman discoveries are also of the utmost importance as to explosives. In case of a war in which the United States would be shut off from an outside supply of benzol and toluol, it would be able to produce for the use of the army and navy from its. large supplies of petroleum practically any amount of these materials desired. Many of our modern drugs and medicines are made directly or indirectly from benzol. The production of this latter material at a cheap price would be a great stimulus to the building up of a large synthetic drug industry in this country. At the present‘time Germany has a monopoly in this business. The man who has made these notable discoveries was born in dandusky, Ohio, December 2, 1883.

In 1908 he received a bachelor of arts degree from Swarthmore college, In Pennsylvania, and in 1909 he received his master of art's degree from the same place. During 1909 he served as chemist for the United Gas Improvement company of Philadelphia. He served as lecturer and laboratory instructor in Swarthmore from 1909 to 1912, and continued his studies in engineering. so that he was granted a degree of mechanical Engineer in 1911. While at Swarthmore, and especially during the last three years, he was engaged in professional chemical engi-

“They’re engagement rings!” I “Shouldn’t be surprised,” he replied. “But come on; we’ve seen them now, you know.” ~ “They’re the gorgeousest engagement rings,*’ she “The diamonds look diamond-colored now, but when you put them on your finger they turn a bright pink.” “Peruke, I hardly believe that,” he rebuked. > "They do! They do! Come and I’ll show you,” and she dragged him into the shop and had the jeweler

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

neering work, both in chemical and mechanical lines. In the fall of 1912 he came to Columbia university to do the work which got for him, in June, 1914, the degree of doctor of philosophy. The research work for this degree was carried out in the industrial laboratories of Havemeyer hall, Columbia, under the direction of Prof. M. C. Whitaker. The results of these investigations were published in the May and June, 1914, numbers of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, and were upon the subject “Thermo-Reac-tions in Carbureting Water Gas.” In this research work was laid the foundation for the work which led to his discoveries. This piece of research was so much praised that he was asked to take a position with the United States bureau of mines at Pittsburgh as chemical engineer. After accepting this position he continued to study the problem of obtaining larger yields of gasoline in the distillation of crude oil.

He found that at the laboratories in Pittsburgh there was not the kind of apparatus that was required for the work which he had in mind. The work which he had done in studying the thermal reactions in the carbureting of water gas required a special piece of apparatus, and this had been designed and built in the laboratories in Havemeyer hall, so that it was desirable that In the continuance of his researches he be able to use this apparatus. Through the courtesy of the university authorities he was able to take up his investigation for the bureau of mines in one of the private laboratories of the department of chemistry, where he could make use of the apparatus which he had formerly used as a graduate student. While his experimental distillation apparatus is not large enough to be called factory size, it is much larger than the ordinary laboratory size, and he was enabled to get results which gave indications that the process was feasible on a commercial scale. Doctor Rittman is modest in his claims and desires to have time to perfect his processes in larger size units before making any statement? as to the cost of the production. The apparatus which has been used in all of the experimental work is practically the same as that used in the research which won for him his Ph. D. from Columbia university last June. The oil, which may be a crude oil, and which by the ordinary process of distillation might yield no gasoline at all, is introduced into the apparatus by a feeding device Which controls the rate at which it is led into the furnace. Besides crude oil it is possible to use residues which remain from former distillations by the old process, and even the oils from the California oil fields, which yield practically no gasoline. As the oil enters the top of the furnace it comes in contact with a mass of hot steel balls which vaporized the oil. The furnace itself, into which the oil vapor next passes, is simply a piece of iron pipe heated by an electric current which passes through a coil of resistance wire surrounding the pipe but separated from it by asbestos. What actually takes place in the distillation process is no doubt a breaking down of the larger and more complex molecules of the oil used, into the gasoline molecule or the benzol molecule as the case may be. This process is technically known as "cracking” the oil. The foreign patents which Doctor Rittman is taking out will, of course, be his own personal property. The entire rights of the American patents wi’J be vested in the public, however, and he will receive no compensation except his salary. -

bring the rings in out of the window. “Now slip one on my finger and we’ll see,” she pouted, and held out the dangerous finger of her ifeft hand, and with considerable curiosity he slipped a ring on it ~ “Jack!" she exclaimed. “This is so sudden!” “Ethel!” he cried. And, oblivious of the jeweler, of all else save love's young dream, they crashed Into each other’s arms. As a matter of fact the chorus gtri is merely a matter of form. _

NEW SHADE OF BLUE

POPULAR SPRING COLOR 18 REMARKABLY PRETTY. Probably Seen at Its Best In the Taffeta»—lllustration Shows One of the Most Effective of the Recent Gowns. The newest and smartest shade of blue is designated "bleu soldat” or soldier blue, and really is remarkably pleasing. It rather borders on a violet tone, but is not so dark and probably resembles the blue of gentians as nearly as any other known shade. This is a modish spring color and is particularly good in taffetas, of which -the illustrated dress is fashioned. It will be necessary to have a white China silk waist lining, sleeveless, of course, and just serving as a foundation to which the skirt and little shirred neck yoke may be attached. The shirred yoke is merely added

above the round decolletage of the lining and shows inside the wide V of over-blouse.

The top of the skirt is evenly gathered all round, and an added section above is shirred and corded In three or four more rows. The lower part of the skirt is trimmed with two bands of self material, the first a trifle narrower than the second, and both slightly frilled under a finishing cord. The lower edge of these bands Is cut In little square tabs to correspond with the lower edge of the blouse. In front the short unconfined edge of the blouse runs up at the center. The sides and back are held in a little, about four Inches above the waist under a cording. The long sleeves show three encircling bands of self material all slashed to form square tabs. Over either hip and below the center of the V neck a bit of dull silver embroidery Is Introduced, taking the form of long, narrow points that are extremely attractive as a trimming.

Patent Leather Trimmings.

Patent leather trimmings are very effective and decidedly new. Most of the dresses thus ornamented are in modified empire style, the skirts very short. One in blue serge has on each side of the skirt four narrow bias ruffles edged with patent leather.

ALL HAVE MILITARY EFFECT

Cut and Trimming of New Blouses Are Alike In This Respect In the Season’s Styles. The military effect of trigness and rlmness is carried out not only on the cut of the new blouses, but also in their trimmings. Edges are bound with narrow braid, buttons are used in close ranks and bows and all sorts of silk loops and ornaments simulate military frogs. A stunning blouse of coffee-colored golden-rod satin the supple, soft satin so liked for blouse wear—has a buttoned-up collar in choker style and link cuffs fastened with white pearl buttons. Four “frogs" of white silk cord, with loops caught over immense ball buttons covered with the coffee satin, appear to fasten the blouse fronts, but underneath are hidden snap fasteners, a safer and saner dosing than the widely separated frogs. A blouse of dutch blue georgette crepe is trimmed with black edge binding braid and small eagle brass buttons in true military style. One of the most striking new imported blouses, fresh from Paris, is a charming model of sheerest white voile, embroidered with big yellowcentered daisies, and a smart black tie. Pintucking and hemstitching and small motifs of hand embroidery add their quota of prettiness to the new spring blouses, which are so soft in material and so delectable in color.

Simple Lines In Frocks.

, More material and simple lines will be the important points of the new . frocks. '

Roses of serge and patent leather form an effective trimming for the bodice. Another frock, 'with a full skirt cut in large scallops at the bottom. Is faced in red patent leather. There is also a half collar of patent leather.

NEW IDEA IN DECORATION

People Have Learned the Value of Black and White as Means of Securing Color Effect

Black and white have taken the world of interior decoratioy by storm. And the combination isn’t only a fad; it promises to last, now that we have discovered how much character to articles and rooms can be given by thia color effect Even the bedroom has not been spared—or it has been honored, whichever way Vou look at it —with the attention of black and white, and we find black rugs on white floors, and white beds and furniture and woodwork, and sometimes black curtains, and nowthere have been introduced the most charming lingerie sets for the bed, dressing-table, dresser and chiffonier, the set sometimes including from one to half a dozen boudoir pillows. That part of the lingerie used for the bed includes a spread, bolster slip and pillows or shams. It a bolster roll is used, then only the bolster throw is needed, doing away with the necessity of the bolster slips and shams. The black-and-white lingerie bedroom set may be embroidered in any design that you would usr for the all-white embroidery set. me material used is rather heavy white linen. The design is worked in black mercerized cotton. It must be very carefully worked on the wrong side, few, if any, connecting threads being used when passing from one design to another.

If you do not wish to use black curtains at the window, lawn curtains with black figures are good substitutes. If shades are used with the curtains, they should be either all black or white. A black-and-white carpet may be used instead of all white or all black. Black carpet with white rugs, or vice versa, is also effective. The boudoir pillows should be of white embroidered in black. They should not, however, be placed over black pillows, as in the case of pink or blue pillows. White pillows must be used for the purpose or the pillow slips will look soiled. A black-and-white room would prove pleasing to a man.

BLACK STOCK IS BECOMING

Properly Arranged, It Should Give Just the Right Touch to the Tailored Costume. For a tailored waist there is nothing quite so trig as a black satin stock, high in proportions and livened by a white frill of some sort sticking out under the chin. A decidedly goodlooking one of this order is made in this way : Buy half a yard of heavy black satin or grosgrain ribbon. Make this the exact size of the neck, boning it so that it will not sag loosely about the throat. The ribbon should be very wide so that it can be laid over in flat plaits around the throat. These are tacked down in place. Do not fasten in the center back, but on one side, where a row of tiny white, flat peart buttons is placed; These run up and down; a similar row being placed at the side opposite. The row of buttons should come directly under each ear.

Now comes the piece de resistance of the entire stock. These are square tabs of white faille which unfold, petallike, beneath the chin. One square comes directly under the chin, one on either side of the face, another directly behind each ear and a last one •in the back of the collar. These square pieces are wired to stand out like a Pierrot ruff and are a very chic and pretty finish to the somber stock.

LATEST THING IN FOOTWEAR

Military Boots Similar to Those Worn by Russian Cossacks Are a New York Fad. Military boots, made to imitate the boots worn by Russian Cossacks, are now being introduced in New York city, says an exchange, and furnish the latest surprise in feminine foot*

These Boots Are Made of Suede to Match the Costume, With Vamps, Heels and Trimmings of Patent Leather. wear. These boots are made of suede, with vamps, heels, and trimmings of patent leather, and are to be worn with a tailored suit of a military type. They come in all colors to match the cnatume, but are invariably trimmed in patent leather. ~.

Flowered Lawn Dresses.

Flowered lawns will be made up intc afternoon dresses for summer days.

Home Tow Helps

CITY HELPED BY NEWSPAPER Prominent Man of Mobile, Ala., Gives Testimony to Good Work :iby Press. "The Mobile chamber of commerce for the last couple of years has not taken any page space in newspapers; but we have had occasion recently to have a great deal of newspaper publicity on several matters and the results from it have been far beyond our expectations. "Within the last two weeks we had a campaign for the raising of better live stock, which was commented on by the newspapers throughout the country, and brought up scores of inquiries from all parts of the United States. Without this newspaper publicity our campaign would have been for naught, as it was through th® newspapers that the Interest was aroused, and today everyone in this section is talking cattle raising. "Another instance: “Some weeks ago we inaugurated a movement to celebrate a day in honor of the Satsuma orange, grown in this section, which is a recent industry. Our .purpose was to advertise it through the stores, hotels, etc. We did not think our first attempt would be a big success, but the newspapers todk up the matter with a vim, and the attendance from surrounding sections was far in excess of what we anticipated. “This was all accomplished entirely by the newspapers, and without their co-operation we do not believe we could have had such success." — George G. Card, secretary of Mobile Chamber of Commerce.

IMPROVING THE BACK YARD

Women's Municipal League of New York Is Making Elaborate Plana For the Season. Wasted back yards are to be Improved by members of the Women’s Municipal league of New York. Several of the members have taken courses In landscape gardening to prepare themselves for the work of planning other people’s back yards. Even the tiniest space of earth may be cultivated in some way, and where soil is lacking, flowers and shrubs In pots can be used with good effect. A specimen garden is described by Mrs. Robertson Jones, chairman of the gardening committee of the league. First of all, the back fence Is to be painted green, and a garden seat of lighter green put at the center. Trellises for honeysuckle are at either side. Stone jars containing small box trees will mount guard over each side of the path, with rows of barberry bushes leading up to them. This is an all-year garden, for the honeysuckle leaves stay on until December, box is an evergreen and the barberry bushes have leaves in summer and red berries in winter. The cost of this garden complete is about |4O, including labor, plants, painting, bench and jars. Members of the league are trying to induce the owners of whole groups of houses to install these miniature gardens, so that each family may have its own sipall rest-spot and play-space for the children.

MOVE IN RIGHT DIRECTION

Annual Clean-Up Exercises Have Been Taken Up With Enthusiasm That Is Commendable. The good influence of the painters as a factor for health and cleanliness is manifested tn the statement that largely through the persuasion of the national organisation 2,200 cities and towns have begun annual clean-up enterprises, and this season it is expected that about 800 more will adopt the slogan. With. 3,000 cities and towns scouring and scrubbing and painting simultaneously it may be said that the United States has got the habit of cleanliness. This habit once formed will endure. It will make for a healthier, better country. It will set a standard of appearance and sanitation that must necessarily result in the years to come in better citizenship, through sounder health and a more definite consideration for the general welfare. Washington has been cleaned up each spring during recent years and is proud to have been one of the first to go after the diseasecarrying fly and to rout out its breeding places. It has yet to acquire the painting habit, but that will surely follow.

Had No Chance to Grow.

Trees planted along the main streets of a Massachusetts city failed to show any growth for two successive years. Then some of them were dug up to be transplanted, and it was found that the trees had been planted just as they came from the nursery, with the roots all bunched together and wrapped in burlap. t x.. . r

Planning for Good Housing.

Architects and draftsmen have been Invited to take part in an architectural competition instituted by the housing commission of the city of Txm Angeles to secure plans to* tenement no u b es.