the problem of the inexperienced college man, as outlined above, is the greatest one with which the Technical Division has had to contend and yet one which may be easily solved, if employers will again show the spirit which made the Liberty Loans so successful. The Re-employment Bureau of New York City was organized in April, 1919, to centralize all employment work for ex-service men in New York City. It has developed into a wonderfully efficient organization for bringing together the man and the job. The work is under the jurisdiction of the Re-employment Committee, of which William Fellowes Morgan, president of the Merchants Association, is chairman, and two advisory councils: the United Council of Re-employment, composed of representatives of seventeen welfare organizations and employment services, and the Employers' Council, composed of representatives of eighty-two commercial and trade organizations in Greater New York. The Bureau, which is under the immediate direction of Major Warren Bigelow, is divided into the following departments: The Procurement Division has charge of obtaining sufficient jobs and of caring for unsolicited jobs which come in either by mail or by telephone. The Registration Division has charge of registering the applicants and obtaining the information necessary for the Placement Division, and also classifying and routing the applicants to the proper placement sections, as well as filing cards and records of applicants and those who have obtained positions through the Bureau. The Registration Division has registered about 27,000 men. The Vocational Division, which is a unique feature of the Bureau, endeavors to guide unskilled workers into trades which are not overcrowded and which will offer them a future. The Placement Division consists of three main sections: General Placement, with eleven classified subdivisions such as, general labor, skilled mechanics, disabled men, salesmen, office clerks, etc.; Recruiting for Army, Navy, Marines, Air Service, Motor Transport Corps and the Shipping Board; Placement for Executive, Professional and Technical Men. The last mentioned section takes care of all mental workers who receive $1500 a year or over. About 12 per cent of the total registrants are referred to this division, i.e., about 200 per week. Of these, approximately 20 per cent are placed, 50 per cent find positions themselves or through some other agency or go back to their old jobs, while the remaining 30 per cent accumulate. (About 40 per cent of this class, which numbers over 700 at the present time, belong to the group of young college men referred to earlier in this article.) This division has placed over 500 men with an average salary of $35 per week at a cost of $9-$10 per placement. The men registered range from privates to lieutenant-colonels and some have been placed in positions paying as high as $25,000 a year. It is estimated that 95 per cent of the men placed stick to their new positions. There is a great demand for skilled technical men, especially senior mechanical and electrical engineers, since the supply of graduate engineers has been shut off by the war. However, there is an oversupply of junior engineers and there is practically no demand for civil. engineers, so that many of the latter are giving up their profession and entering a business career. Increased activity in proposed construction work was first shown by the extraordinary demand for architectural draftsmen and later for structural draftsmen, concrete and steel designers. Another problem is the placement of professional men, particularly lawyers and physicians, who have lost their practice while in service or who desire to change to some other line of work. Many physicians have expressed themselves as unwilling to return to the practice of medicine. A summary of the work done by the Bureau as a whole from the date of organization until Aug. 25 shows that 27,000 men have been registered, 15,200 have been placed at an average cost of about $5 per placement and that 66,000 positions have been registered by the Procurement Division. Although the Army will be practically completely demobilized by the end of September, the Bureau has learned from experience that it takes from four to five weeks for the ex-service man to reach the Bureau after discharge and from two to three weeks more to place him, so that the work of the Bureau will in all probability continue until the first of November. Philadelphia Meeting of the American The fall meeting of the American Chemical Society will be held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa., under the auspices of the Philadelphia Section, from Tuesday, Sept. 2, to Saturday, Sept. 6, inclusive. The Philadelphia Section, situated as it is so near the center of our chemical activities, is planning an extensive and unusual program. The Rubber Division holds its first meeting and a Dye Section is to be established which will function as a separate section this year. The Industrial Divisionorganized in New Haven in 1908 for chemists in industrial research laboratories, for consulting chemists and chemical engineers and for business executives who find it profitable to keep in touch with the developments in applied chemistry-will hold a symposium on refractories organized by Dr. A. V. Bleininger of the Bureau of Standards. A discussion will also be held upon Dr. B. C. Hesse's open letter concerning annual patent renewal fees for the United States. The Chemical Warfare Service and the chemical fraternity Alphi Chi Sigma have planned reunions in conjunction with the meeting. Among the many interesting papers to be read at the general and divisional meetings the following may be mentioned: General Meeting.-"Stream Pollution and Its Relation to the Chemical Industries," Earle B. Phelps; "The Building of Atoms and the Periodic Systems," W. D. Harkins. Rubber Division-"The Action of Certain Organic Accelerators in the Vulcanization of Rubber," G. D. Kratz, A. H. Flower and Cole Coolidge; "Reactions of Accelerators During Vulcanization," C. W. Bedford and Winfield Scott; "The Effect of Organic Acceleration on the Vulcanization Coefficient," D. F. Cranor; "The Effect of Compounding Ingredients on the Physical Properties of Rubber," C. Olin North; "The Manufacture and Use of Crimson Antimony," J. M. Bierer; "Research on Zinc Products for the Rubber Industry," P. R. Croll and I. R. Ruby. Division of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry.-"A Slide Rule for Special Cases," F. C. Blake; "The Catalyst in the Oxidation of Ammonia," G. A. Perley; "A Metal to Glass Joint and Some of Its Applications," E. C. McKelvy and C. S. Taylor. Division of Industrial Chemists and Chemical Engineers. -Report on the Production of Synthetic Organic Chemicals in the Research Laboratory of Eastman Kodak Co., 1918 and 1919, C. E. K. Mees; Symposium on Refractories, A. V. Bleininger, Chairman: "The Classification of Refractories," G. H. Brown; "Work of the Technical Department of the Refractories Manufacturers' Association," R. M. Howe; Symposium on Annual Patent Renewal Fees with the Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Section of Dye Industry, E. J. Prindle, Chairman: "Carbon Black-Its Properties and Uses,” lantern, G. St. J. Perrott; "Adherent Rust as an Accelerator in the Corrosion of Iron and Steel," lantern, W. D. Richardson; "Some Properties of Commercial Silicate of Soda," J. G. Vail; "The Leaching of Zinc Chloride from Treated Wood,' Ernest Bateman; "Tensile Strength of Glue," G. Hopp; "A New Illuminator for Microscopes," third paper, A. Silverman; "The Extraction of Potash Salts From Kelp Charcoal," by title, J. W. Turrentine and P. S. Shoaff; "Kelpchar, a New Decolorizing Carbon Prepared as a By-Product in the Extraction of Potash From Kelp," by title, J. W. Turrentine, P. S. Shoaff and G. C. Spencer. Fertilizer Division.-"The Conservation of Nitrate of Soda in the Chamber Process for the Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid," Andrew M. Fairlie; "The Caking of Sulphate of Ammonia," C. G. Atwater and J. F. W. Schnultz; "The American Potash Industry," R. O. E. Davis. "American Storax" From the Red-Gum Tree A gum which is in demand by the manufacturers of perfumes, tobacco, adhesives and pharmaceutical preparations is produced by the red-gum tree (Liquidamber styraciflua) of the South, though few owners of this tree apparently are yet aware that the gum has any commercial value. The properties and composition of this "sweet gum," as it is called, are similar to those of Oriental storax, obtained from a tree (Liquidamber orientalis) which grows in Asia Minor. Cinnamic acid and cinnamic alcohol are two of its valuable components. Because the war curtailed the supply of the imported product, the U. S. Forest Products Laboratory this season undertook some co-operative experiments to develop methods of gathering "sweet gum" or "American storax.' Although the yield of gum from each tree is not large, a price of $2 or more a pound has made its collection attractive to many individual operators, and a considerable quantity has been put on the market. The laboratory experiments will be completed in November, and it is hoped that they will provide some cost data which will indicate to what extent "American storax" can profitably compete with the foreign product when normal conditions return. United Engineering Society Resolutions Relating to Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie's death Aug. 11, 1919, at Shadow Brook, Lenox, Mass., brought to its close a career which greatly advanced all the engineering arts and sciences. By the introduction into the United States of the bessemer process for the production of steel and by the establishment and development of steel plants which became the greatest in the world, he made available for engineers the most useful modern material for engineering construction. In the successful conduct of many industrial enterprises he amassed great wealth, the possession of which he became to regard with deep seriousness as a public trusteeship. He devoted himself to the distribution of large portions of his fortune to projects for the benefit of mankind. He distributed his wealth not only in many directions, but also with the exercise of great wisdom based on careful investigation. His munificence provided large funds for the building of a home for the great national engineering societies and many associate societies. He was an hon orary member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was personally known and loved by many engineers. In view of these facts, Resolved, That the American Societies of Civil, Mining, Metallurgical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, the United Engineering Society and the Engineers Club herein express to the family of Mr. Carnegie and record their sincere appreciation of the great contributions of Andrew Carnegie to the advancement of engineering, and of his friendly assistance in making possible beautiful homes for the Engineering Societies and the Engineers Club, thus fostering the spirit of unity in the profession. The Export Trade Act cedure of the Commission can be more quickly set in motion if the papers are in such condition as to give the HE numerous requests for copies of the export Commission "reason to believe" that alleged facts exist. Trad numerous requests for wind the large port ber of inquiries about it call for the publication of a separate pamphlet' by the Federal Trade Commission for the information of those desiring to co-operate in the development of our foreign trade through association formed under that act. We present herewith the outstanding features of this pamphlet. A complete reprint of the Webb-Pomerene law (Public 126, 65th Congress) is given, together with such sections of the Sherman act, the Clayton act and the Federal Trade Commission act as are referred to in the Webb act. Five pages are devoted to a discussion of the act, including a summary of the law, a discussion of requests for rulings and a list of all organizations that have filed papers purporting to be under section 5 of the Export Trade act. One of the difficulties which exporting houses seem to find with the law is that export companies usually do both an export and import business, while the law provides that its protection is given to associations entered into for the sole purpose of engaging in export trade and actually engaged solely in such export trade. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE In several instances suggestions have been made as to modification of proposed articles of incorporation, already filed, in order that these associations may clearly come within the provisions of the act. The commission is authorized by this law to make recommendations as to how export associations may conform their business to the law, and, within its powers, it proposes to advance step by step in aid of the export needs of the country. It desires to work constantly in co-operation with those who form export associations and also with those who may consider themselves or the public in any way injuriously affected by the methods and practices of such associations. Where doubt exists as to whether a given method or practice is proper or not, it would seem advisable that the matter be voluntarily presented to the Commission in the early stages, without awaiting its later discovery and possible correction. The second paragraph of section 5 of the Webb act describes the few formalities as to such procedure. The Commission has prepared blanks, available on request, for making the first and 1919 annual report which enables an easier compliance with section 5 of the Webb act. Should it become necessary for an export association or for others engaged in the export trade to seek the enforcement of the Commission's power to prevent unfair methods of competition under section 4 of the Webb act the rules of practice do not require formalities in the filing of information or the lodging of complaints, but it is worth remembering that the fuller and more exact the information and references as to proof thereof the speedier the results before the Commission. This is especially true where the charges come from foreign countries where the time necessary for transmission might render the case academic through the sheer lapse of time. Where allegations come from abroad the pro "Discussion of and Practice of Procedure Under the Export Trade Act," Federal Trade Commission, Foreign Trade Series No. 1. Copies of letters, advertisements, exhibits and affidavits are extremely helpful, as also the names of witnesses and sources of information both in this country and abroad. As the Commission can proceed on its own initiative, it is immaterial from what source its information is derived, but it is desirable, wherever possible, that for its confidential use the informant be known. The Commission's investigation of foreign conditions, practices and combinations in foreign countries and its recommendations to Congress thereon will be greatly facilitated by American exporters keeping the Commission informed of their experiences and instances where their export business is restrained or injuriously affected by any matter or in any manner. The Commission must depend largely for information and facts upon those who are interested in having the Commission correct any tendencies of export associations to artificially enhance or depress prices within the United States or otherwise burden the American public or restrain the commerce of independent competitors. All mail for the export division should be addressed to the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D. C., and marked "Export Division." Government Soon to Make Armor and The new naval ordnance plant at South Charleston, W. Va., is now about to begin the manufacture of armor plate and forgings for guns of large caliber, entirely new lines of work for Government plants. The South Charleston plant is a $19,000,000 enterprise occupying more than 200 acres of land. It will be ready. for making armor and heavy forgings as soon as the assembling of the necessary working force can be completed. Disturbed labor conditions incident to the war have been responsible for a delay in getting this work started. The new plant is equipped with every modern appliance for the manufacture of its specialties, and will turn out annually 50,000 tons of armor plate, guns, projectiles and miscellaneous ordnance forgings. Engineers, metallurgists and mill and machine shop men will be interested in the positions which are to be filled in the supervisory and subordinate forces. The United States Civil Service Commission has announced for this plant the need of a superintendent of melting shops at $5000 a year, a superintendent of forge shops at $5000 a year, foreman of heat treatment of armor plate at from $10 to $14.40 a day, foreman of heat treatment of large guns at from $8 to $12.56 a day, foremen of 14,000-ton presses for armor and large-caliber guns at from $11.84 to $13.28 a day, foremen of small guns at $8 a day and foremen of heat treatment of projectiles at $8 a day. Applicants for these positions will not be given scholastic tests in an examination room, but will be rated on their training and experience, weighted at 90 per cent, and their physical ability, weighted at 10 per cent. Detailed information and application blanks may be obtained from the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., or from the secretary of the local board of civil service examiners at the post office or custom house in any of 3000 cities. Journeyman workmen and helpers should apply direct to the labor board at the South Charleston plant. Metallography of Aluminum Ingot* Study of the Microstructure of Aluminum Ingot-Influence of Quality of Ingot on the Resultant Castings-"Differential Group Etching," a Phenomenon Noticed in Etching Aluminum-Tentative Explanation of the Differential Etching BY ROBERT J. ANDERSON+ not much has been written on the metal ferred to French Hubert emery papers of succeeding Tlography of aluminum, although there have been finenesses; viz., Nos, 0, 00,000,000. These papers are aluminum alloys. The microstructure of aluminum ingot has not been described, so far as the writer is aware. Hence information on this subject may be of interest to the light-alloy industry in particular and to metallographers in general. During the course of an investigation now being made by the Bureau of Mines in the metallurgy of aluminum, it became desirable to examine aluminum ingot in order to ascertain whether the quality of the original metal had any effect upon the quality of aluminum-alloy casting made from the metal. The final answer to that question is not yet in hand, but certain aspects of the metallography of ingot have been studied. Most foundrymen in the light-alloy industry are aware of variations in quality of aluminum ingot; therefore a microscopic method for determining quality should be of some value. In the microstructure of aluminum ingot, a number of peculiarities still require explanation, and the present article deals briefly with some of these. In addition, this article discusses a phenomenon noticed in etching aluminum which, so far as is known, has not been described for other metals and alloys. This phenomenon, termed "differential group etching" by the writer, is so interesting that it seems to be worthy of description. There seems to be a fixed idea that the internal structure of aluminum is extremely simple; as a matter of fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. PREPARATION OF MICROSECTIONS The preparation of microsections of substantially pure aluminum is difficult at best; the numerous light alloys are, however, somewhat more easily prepared. Distortion of the surface is to be carefully guarded against, and heavy pressure in grinding and polishing must absolutely be avoided. Aluminum appears to be amorphized quite readily' and the production of a relatively thick amorphous surface layer is highly desirable. Hanson and Archbutt' claims that undue distortion may lead to difficulty in etching, since on etching in aqueous solutions the surfaces tend to become covered with a layer of "tarnish" which is troublesome to remove. The section to be examined should be carefully cut out with a hacksaw and then lightly ground flat. This preliminary grinding can be done either with a fine file or by holding the section against a revolving carborundum wheel or a wheel covered with moderately fine emery paper. After this procedure, the section is trans Published by permission of the Director of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. An extract in part from a forthcoming publication. +Metallurgist, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. 'Anderson, R. J., "The Metallography of Aluminum," Journ. Frank. Inst., vol. 187, 1919, pp. 1-47. "Hanson, D., and Archbutt, S. L., "The Micrography of Aluminum and Its Alloys," paper before the Institute of Metals (London), March, 1919; and the writer in discussion of this paper. done by hand. To prevent the emery particles from being forced into the surface of the section, the papers are covered with a film of paraffine or wax. The wax permits a high polish to be given to the section. For final polishing several methods will yield good results. The writer prefers to polish by hand with a good metal polish on a smooth woolen cloth; the polish will remove the scratches from the No. 0000 paper, and the scratches from the metal polish can be eradicated by rubbing the section on another woolen cloth soaked in water. Final polishing can also be done by using fine tripoli before the metal polish, or by using levigated alumina instead of the metal polish. In any case, the polishing should be done lightly so as not to distort the surface unduly. Hanson and Archbutt say they secure excellent results by the use of magnesia powder on a rotating disk covered with a woolen cloth. The disk runs at about 500 r.p.m. They remove the fine scratches from the magnesia by polishing the section then on another disk well wetted with water. The selection of suitable cloth for polishing is very troublesome. metal polish used by the writer has been previously referred to, and it has been found to be entirely satisfactory. ALUMINUM INGOT The For commercial purposes, aluminum ingot is usually divided into two grades; viz., grade No. 1 and grade No. 2. The former contains 99.0 per cent aluminum and over, and the latter from 98.0 to 99.0 per cent. There are also some grades of lower aluminum content, and there is a considerable amount of secondary ingot turned over annually. For vital castings which must meet exacting specifications, the lower grades should not be used. The light-alloy casting industry is mainly concerned wth the first two grades. Aluminum ingot appears on the market customarily in two forms; viz., 33-lb. 4-notch bars and 3-lb. 6-notch bars. In spite of the fact that aluminum ingot may contain over 99.0 per cent Al, the physical properties may be very variable. This matter has been definitely proved, and the subject will be more completely dealt with at a later date. The point to be made now is that the chemical analysis as ordinarily carried out is not a complete criterion of quality. In fact, aluminum ingots of almost identical chemical composition have been found to possess such markedly different physical properties that the analysis has been doubted. The ordinary analysis calls for the determination of copper, iron and silicon, and the difference is said to be aluminum. As a matter of actual fact, this ordinary incomplete analysis is inadequate, gives only a su Hanson, D., and Archbutt, S. L., loc. cit. 'Anderson, R. J., "Metallography of Aluminum," etc., MET. & CHEM. ENG., vol. 18, 1918, pp. 172-178. Fig. 1-Sample 1; average structure. Fig. 2 Same as Fig. 1, but at another place. Fig. 3-Sample 2; average structure. Fig. 4-Same as Fig. 3, but at another place. Fig. 5-Sample 3; average structure. Fig. 6-Same as Fig. 5, but at another place. Fig. 7-Sample 20-1; center of microsection. Fig. 8-Same as Fig. 7, but near the piped edge; foreign occluded matter. Fig. 9Same as Fig. 7, but at another place. Fig. 10-Sample 20-2; center of microsection; foreign occluded matter. Fig. 11-Sample 20-3; center of microsection. Fig. 12-Same as Fig. 11, but at the X edge. All x 75. All etched with HF. Fig. 13-Sample 1; average structure. Fig. 14-Same as Fig. 13, but at another place. Fig. 15-Sample 2, average structure. Fig. 16-Same as Fig. 15. but at another place. Figs. 13 to 16 etched with NaOH; X 75. |