12 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XV. No. 366. 



In 1886 it could perhaps still be main- 

 tained that we held the key to the sitixation 

 if we chose to make use of it ; inasmuch as 

 the principal raAV produ.cts of the color in- 

 dustry (tar oils, naphthalene, anthracene, 

 soda, ammonia, iron, etc.) were in great 

 measure imported from England. In 1878 

 Professor von Bayer had said : ' ' Germany, 

 which in comparison with England and 

 France possesses such great disadvantages 

 in reference to natural resources, has suc- 

 ceeded by means of her intellectual activity 

 in wresting from both countries a source of 

 national wealth. The primitive source of 

 this wealth is in England. It is one of the 

 most singular phenomena in the domain of 

 industrial chemistry that the chief indiis- 

 trial nation, and the most practical people in 

 the world, have been beaten in the endeavor 

 to turn to profitable account the coal-tar 

 which they possess. "We must not, however, 

 rest upon our oars, for we may be quite sure 

 that England, which at present looks on 

 quietly while we purchase her tar and con- 

 vert it into colors, will unhesitatingly cut 

 ofi: the source of supply as soon as all tech- 

 nical difficulties have been surmounted by 

 the exertions of German manufacturers." 



But the initial advantages which our 

 natural resources afforded us have been 

 neglected, and now, in 1901, the conditions 

 are completely changed, and Germany is 

 no longer dependent upon England for her 

 raw material. Through the shortsighted- 

 ness, ignorance, and want of enterprise 

 of those with whom rested the care of 

 the color industry of this country in its 

 earlier days, the opportunity has been al- 

 lowed to pass forever. The English manu- 

 facturer considered that a knowledge of 

 the benzene market was of far greater im- 

 portance than a knowledge of the benzene 

 theory, and little encouragement was given 

 here to chemical investigators and dis- 

 coverers. The control of the industry 

 passed into the hands of men who had no 



knowledge and absolutely no appreciation 

 of the science upon which their business 

 rested, and concerned only with getting the 

 ultimate amount of present profit, dis- 

 couraged all scientific investigations as 

 waste of time and money. The chemist 

 who devoted himself to the elucidation of 

 the chemical constitution of a coloring 

 matter was regarded by them as an un- 

 practical theorist of no value to a manu- 

 facturing business. Even when he dis- 

 covered new coloring matters of commercial 

 value," they were so blind to their own in- 

 terests and so incapable of believing that 

 any practical good could come out of such 

 theoretical work, that in many cases they 

 refused to patent or in any way take advan- 

 tage of the discoveries made by him. 



During recent years this attitude has 

 certainly undergone considerable modifica- 

 tion. Certain firms must indeed be given 

 the credit of endeavoring to pursue a more 

 enlightened policy, but these attempts have 

 always been directed too much in the ex- 

 pectation of realizing immediate financial 

 results. The difficulties which miist be 

 encountered in an attempt to regain the lost 

 ground are of necessity very great and 

 quite unappreciated by our business men. 

 It seems, in fact, to have been the opinion 

 of the public and of the average financial 

 man that this industry ought to be easily 

 won back by the establishment of a few 

 technical schools, the engagement of a 

 dozen chemists, and the investment of a 

 few thousand pounds in new plants, forget- 

 ting that the supremacy of our German 

 competitors has been won by years of 

 patient toil, by the work of hundreds of 

 trained chemists, and by the outlay of mil- 

 lions of capital. Who can be surprised, 

 therefore, if such expectations have not 

 been realized, and if in spite of some no- 

 table successes the general position of the 

 color trade in England to-day presents a 

 gloomy aspect ? 



