OCTOBKR 1, 1915.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



THE NATIONAL EXPOSITION OF CHEMICAL 

 INDUSTRIES. 



<l c.Nclusivfly lo 

 CVntral Palace, 



T^MK lirst cxiKisiti.m lul<l in .XiiK-ricH ckvul 

 ■* chemical industries took place in Grand 

 Xew YorU City, from September 20 to 25. 



The progress of chemical industry was interestingly demon- 

 strated by the attractive exhibits of 80 or more manufacturing 

 companies and chemical, engineering and metallurgical societies, 

 in addition lo an extensive exhibit by the Uureau of Standards, 

 Department of Commerce of the Cnited States. 



The chemical and allied industries represented, included paper, 

 pulp, iisphalt, explosives, aniline and vegetable dyes, hard rubber 

 appliances for use in handling acids and other chemicals ; molded 

 dielectric materials, refractories, glass, abrasives, copper, lead 

 and rare metals; laboratory apparatus; instruments for measure- 

 ment of heat, electricity and pressure, and a large and varied 

 display of machinery adapted for chemical manufacturing oper- 

 ations, such as mixing, distilling, drainini;, drying, evaporating, 

 pumping and weighing. 



Certain exhibits had special interest ior the rubber chemist 

 and manufacturer. Among these should he mentioned the dis- 

 play of chemical apparatus made by the Bureau of Standards, 

 Lenz & Naumann, and Eimer & .-Vmend. The latter showed the 

 direct reading gravitometer of Young designed particularly for 

 determining the specific gravity of rubber samples. Lenz & 

 Naumann showed a torsion balance, by C. Becker & Co.. for 

 reading specific gravity of heavy liquid;~. The well-known and 

 etficient mixing and .solution churns of Werner & Pfleiderer 

 have practically become standard in many branches of industry. 

 and types were shown adapted to light work generally. 



The .\merican Hard Rubber Co. displayed a general line of 

 vulcanite utensils for handling acids. 

 This company also manufactures hard 

 rublier pipes, fittings, bottles, buckets, 

 measures and specialties of every de- 

 scription. 



An interesting installation in their booth was a large elec- 

 trically driven pump in operation, the liquid end of which is 

 built entirely of hard rubber to withstand the destructive action 

 of acids, alkalies, dyes or other corrosive liquids. The illustra- 

 tion shows one of these hard rubber pumps connected for steam 

 instead of electrical operation. 



Bakelite and condcnsite products were shown in great variety 

 by the respective companies. These well-known products have 

 remarkable adaptability, due to their chemical and physical qual- 

 ities. In particular they are found as the insulating feature of 

 many complex electrical devices and instruments. 



An extensive line of machinery was exhibited, especially 

 adapted to industrial chemical operations, with interest centering 

 largely in that designed for the manufacture of dyes and acces- 

 sory materials. In this connection the Eufifalo Foundry & Ma- 



cl.inery Co., Betlilehem I'oundr} & Maciiine Co. and Duriron Iron 

 Castings Co. featured the anti-corn isive ciualities of the cast iron 

 used by them in the manufacture of kettles, stills and connec- 

 liuns for handling acids. Samples of the metal were shown in 

 comparison with ordinary cast iron, in sulphuric, nitric and 

 hydrochloric acids. The macliinery exhibit of the J. P. Devinc 

 Co. was limited because of the demand for their commercial ap- 

 paratus, practically to laboratory apiiaratus, such as autoclaves, 

 vacuum pans, pumps and vacuum dryers. Complete aniline manu- 

 facturing plants have recently become an important section of 

 their output of general chemical machinery. 



The work of the Bureau of Standards of the Department o£ 

 Commerce was attractively displayed in distinct sections with 

 placarded statements of the scope of each division of the work, 

 which was made clear by actual apparatus and samples of mate- 

 rials examined, and by numerous |)hotographs of testing ma- 

 chines used; and also a collection c.t the pul)licati<ms of the 

 Bureau. 



The scope of the work of the Bureau, as relates to rubber, 

 embraces the following: Chemical, physical and electrical tests 

 upon crude rubber, rubber hose, bands, valves, packing, gaskets. 

 gloves, insulated wire and submarine cables; research and publi- 

 cations; methods of chemical analysis and physical testing; 

 specifications ; direct determination of rubber, mixing and vul- 

 canizing of rubber ; experimental plant for manufacture of rub- 

 ber goods; testing mechanical rubber goods; physical properties 

 of rubber, and the effect of temperature on physical properties. 



EDITOR'S BOOK TABLE. 



THE FIN.WCIEK RUBBER SH.ARE H.VXDBtXlK. TWELFTH EDI- 

 tion, 1915. The Financier &• Bullionist, Limited, London. [Cloth. 

 Svo., 815 pages. Price 2s. 6d., net.] 

 'T'HE Rubber Share Handliook is a compilation of information 

 ■*• regarding some 500 companies owning rubber producing 

 properties in the East, Africa and South Ainerica, and gives in 

 each instance the capital stock of the company, shares issued. 

 oflice address, list of directors, cost of estate, and statistics of 

 production, costs, etc. It also contains particulars of the indus- 

 try generally, the following table, taken from the preface, show- 

 ing the world's rubber production for the past two years with 

 estimate for 1915, and the rate of total 



Tlie author gives as his opinion that there is no present cause 

 for anxiety among investors as to the price and supplies of 

 crude rubber, but rather that the possibility may be kept in 

 mind of an actual shortage by the end of the year, the war hav- 

 ing created an increased demand. With regard to the future^ 

 the belief is expressed that the rubber producing industry is ap- 

 proaching a somewhat critical period. The year 1916 will mark 

 the coming into bearing of large plantings made during 1911, 

 from which a production of from 10,000 to 15,000 tons may 

 reasonably be expected. This, with the 100,000 tons estiinated 

 as the 1916 output of the 750,000 acres planted prior to 1911, 

 indicates an increase in plantation production of 25,000 to 30.000 

 tons. 



Discussing tlie situation created by tlie war, since the com- 

 mencement of vvliich Germany and .'\ustria — whose combined 

 receipts of rubber for 1914 amounted to 14,000 tons — have suc- 

 ceeded in importing only a very small quantity of this material. 

 the author believes that these countries will find it necessary 

 at the close of the war to immediately replenish their depleted 

 stocks. He also believes that, though there may be a temporary- 

 drop in rubber prices when peace seems imminent, due to dis- 



