TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT 75 



numerous requests to manufacturers for samples of paint, pig- 

 ments, and oils, to which they have responded very heartily, 

 and some of them have contributed valuable information. They 

 are looking forward with considerable interest to our results. 

 On the other hand, we receive numerous requests for information 

 on the same subject from the users of such materials. Event- 

 ually, we hope to investigate the value of local vegetable oils, 

 gums, and resins as raw materials for protective coatings. 

 Paint consumers and manufacturers have sought for a vehicle 

 which will be less easily saponified by alkalies or oxidized by 

 the atmosphere after drying, and perhaps the vegetable life of 

 this country will furnish a more resistant product than any at 

 present known. 



The special committee appointed by Executive Order No. 32 

 (1913) has requested a special appropriation to carry on re- 

 search work here for the primary purpose of investigating the 

 efficiency of various kinds of galvanized iron. It is hoped that 

 means will be supplied to carry the investigation at least far 

 enough to enable us to purchase all materials of construction 

 according to specified requirements which will guarantee satis- 

 factory service. The specifications adopted by other countries 

 cannot be relied upon to give satisfaction here for reasons already 

 mentioned. 



Six or seven months ago samples of galvanized iron from 

 buildings in the provinces were secured which were in excellent 

 condition after many years of service. Others were badly cor- 

 roded, although they had been exposed for a few years only. 

 We had hoped to complete a thorough study of these samples 

 and ascertain the cause of their relative value. This work will 

 be done as soon as time will permit. 



Work on the expansion of Portland cement mortars under 

 different conditions of exposure and two important problems 

 involved in the manufacture of sand-lime brick and natural 

 cement, begun some time ago, have been practically at a stand- 

 still owing to routine work. 



More than a year ago, at the suggestion of Doctor Freer, the 

 chief of this division began very important studies on the chem- 

 ical and physical properties of fused cement mixtures. He has 

 built a satisfactory furnace, and the results obtained from the 

 preliminary burnings indicated that this line of work possessed 

 possibilities of great scientific and commercial importance. This 

 work demands his personal attention, much of which he has 

 had to give to other things. 



