368 



THE INDIA RUBBER "WORLD 



[August i, 1904. 



Association. The association itself, it seems to me, could accomplish 

 more with the government than a few stray individuals at such long 

 range. All contributions coming from reliable influential sources 

 will, however, have their effect, and we will see what we can do from 

 this end of the line. 



Mexican Mutual Planters Co., Chicago. 



It certainly would never have occurred to us to make this suggestion, 

 but we deem it an exceedingly valuable one, and think that all American 

 rubber growers in Mexico should be grateful to you in your under- 

 taking. 



The Vera Cruz Development Co , Canton, Ohio. 



As per our letter of the 13th inst., stating that we would submit your 

 letter to our Directors, which was done at their last meeting, and heart- 

 ily approved the work you have undertaken ; they directed that the sec- 

 retary address President Diaz amd the Mexican Minister at Washington, 

 along the lines suggested in your communication. 



Conservative Rubber Production Co., San Francisco, California, 



If we are able to do anything to help this matter along, we shall cer- 

 tainly do it. 



Isthmus Plantation Association of Mexico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 



We have also noted the copy of your letter to President Diaz, and 

 would say that we are with you heartily in this matter. 



THE OBITUARY RECORD. 



INVESTIGATION OF RUBBER. 



THE Secretary of Agriculture at Washington having an- 

 nounced lately the installation, in connection with his 

 department, of a laboratory to be devoted to researches in con- 

 nection with leather and paper, a letter was addressed to him 

 inquiring in regard to the disposition of the department toward 

 affording similar facilities for investigations relating to rubber. 

 The answer to this inquiry follows: 



Dear Sir : Replying to your inquiry in regard to the investigation of 

 rubber, I beg to inform you that inasmuch as it is so nearly related to 

 leather in many of its economical uses it will be committed to the Leather 

 and Paper Laboratory. These investigations, however, can only be of 

 a public character for the common benefit and not the particular benefit 

 of any person or firm. 



If there are investigations of this kind which you think should be 

 made, I should be glad if you would communicate the fact to the chief 

 of the Bureau of Chemistry of this Department. I am, respectfully, 



Washington, D. C , July 2j, 1904. 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary. 



ANALYSIS OF CAOUTCHOUC MOLECULES. 



FROM THE "GUMMI-ZEITUNJG" (l)RESDEN), JULY I. 



PROFESSOR DR. C. HARRIES on June 27 delivered a 

 lecture at a meeting of the German Chemical Society on 

 his work in reference to the ozonification of Caoutchouc. His 

 experiments show that ozone may be readily added to the 

 Caoutchouc molecule, and he proved that there are two double 

 sets of bonds for C,„ H lc . The " Ozonite " obtained is an ex- 

 plosive body and it has a chemical formula of (C,„ H lc O i; ),. 



Professor Harries analyzed this " Ozonite" in a beautifully 

 striking manner into levulinic acid, which is an acetone, and 

 which is a derivative from succinic acid. The mystery which 

 has surrounded the Caoutchouc molecule has by this work 

 been now unveiled. Further experiments will follow and the 

 practical advantages resulting from this scientific work will 

 still further benefit progressive technology. Further details 

 on this subject will be shortly published. 



DR. FRANK AND DR. MARCKWALD. 



THE Hon. James Pierce, who died at his home in Maiden, 

 Massachusetts, on July 8, was a prominent citizen of that 

 place and had been throughout his life a successful business 

 man. In addition to his other interests, he had been a director 

 in the Boston Belting Co. for twenty years, and president of 

 the corporation since August ij, 1902. 



Mr. Pierce was born January 20, 1837, at Medford, Massa- 

 chusetts. He was the son of Sewall and Mary S. Pierce and a 

 grandson of Abel Pierce, a revolutionary soldier. He attended 

 the public school at Woburn ; at the age of 16 went to Lowell 



as a clerk in a dry goods store ; five years later went to Boston 

 to fill a similar position ; and at 24 went into business for 

 himself. In 1871 he became interested in the manufacture of 

 leather at Albion, New York, and 1887 transferred his interest 

 in leather to Olean, New York, where he owned an important 

 establishment to the time of his death. In the leather busi- 

 ness he was successively a member of Lane, Pierce & Co., 

 James & W. Pierce & Co., and the James Pierce Leather Co. 



Mr. Pierce's residence, however, was at Maiden, from March 

 29, 1858. He took an active interest in public affairs, and was 

 a member of the first council elected in Maiden after its incor- 

 poration as a city, serving as president of that body. Alto- 

 gether he was elected councilman for nine years and president 

 of the council seven years ; he was elected mayor in 1892 ; was 

 a member of the Massachusetts house of representatives for 

 three years, of the state senate two years, and a state prison 

 inspector five years. He was president of the Maiden Savings 

 Bank for 37 years, and was for years a director in the First 

 National Bank of Maiden and the Freeman National Bank of 

 Boston. He was a member of the First Baptist Society, Mt. 

 Vernon Lodge of Masons, the Royal Arch Chapter of the Tab- 

 ernacle, and the Maiden Club. 



In 1S55 Mr. Pierce was married to Miss H. Louisa Hodgkins, 

 of Charlestown, New Hampshire, and five children were born 

 to them. Mrs. Pierce and two daughters survive. The funeral 

 occurred at Maiden on July 8. 



Mr. Pierce was a warm friend of the late Hon. Elisha S. Con- 

 verse, with whom he came into close contact in many relations 

 of life during nearly half a century, and was one of those who 

 formed the escort to the grave on the occasion of Mr. Con- 

 verse's funeral, only a few weeks ago. 



