strations of the oxidation of ammonia, and to the Gas, Traction Committee, of which Sir Boverton Redwood is chairman, for the interesting collection of exhibits arranged by it. The success of the Exhibition encourages the Committee to believe that an annual display of results of British science, invention, and industry should be organised by the British Science Guild. Such an Exhibition would enable inventors to bring their devices or machines before a large public, and would provide progressive manufac turers with an opportunity of surveying all inventions likely to be of service to them as producers or users, thus serving as a kind of clearing-house for inventors and manufacturers as well as illustrating developments in science and industry. With the approval of the Executive Committee of the British Science Guild, an Exhibition of this kind is to be organised for next year, and it is proposed to use for this purpose whatever balance remains over from the recent Exhibition as a nucleus of the fund that will be required to cover the expenses of the further enterprise.

RATIONING COMMITTEE DISBANDEd.

WITH the general release from Government control of raw materials used in industry the necessity for rationing dis appears, and the Civil Industries Committee through whom that rationing has been exercised is now to be disbanded. The Committee was appointed by Dr. Addison, then Minister of Munitions, in February, 1917, under the name of the Priority Advisory Committee. Its duties were to investigate the claims of industries threatened with hard ship or extinction owing to the shortage of raw materials, and to make arrangements whereby they might at least be kept alive, even if not maintained at their former level. The Committee comprised some Departmental officials, but was composed mainly of business men of such standing as to give to the traders of the country a feeling of con fidence that their interests would be safeguarded. The Chairman was Mr. JOHN WORMALD, of Mather and Platt, Ltd., Engineers, Manchester, and his fellow members

were

Mr. G. E. ALEXANDER (Chairman, United Glass Bottle Manufacturers' Association),

Mr. KENNETH M. CHANCE (British Cyanides, Ltd., Birmingham),

Sir ARCHIBALD DENNY, Bart. (Wm. Denny and Bros., Ltd., Shipbuilders, Dumbarton),

Mr. ALEXANDER WALKER (John Walker and Sons, Ltd.,
Kilmarnock),

Mr. MURRAY WALKER (Walker Bros., Ltd., East India
and South African Merchants),
Mr. HENRY WOODALL (Director, Gas Light and Coke
Company).

The Committee was housed at the headquarters of the Priority Department of the Ministry of Munitions until December, 1917, when it was constituted a Sub-Committee of the War Priority Committee, and transferred to 11, Pall Mall.

In full accord with the Controller of Priority, the Com mittee from the beginning undertook the rationing of manufacturers already grouped together in trade associa tions or capable of being grouped. It investigated the affairs of ninety-one trades, in seventy-eight of which a rationing system was established. Though its work was largely in trades dependent upon supplies of metals, it dealt also with the rationing of chemicals, oils, fats, the last-named in co-operation with the Ministry of Food. In addition, the Committee from time to time, by arrangements with the Minister of Reconstruction, investigated claims made to him for materials, plant, and machinery required in preparation for the resumption of peace-time work or for the starting of new industries.

From the outset the Committee worked on the principle

35

of winning the co-operation of the traders themselves. No decisions were made without consultation with representatives of the industries concerned, and the meetings between the two sides were full and frank. The Committee originated the system of appointing, as official rationing authorities, independent persons of high standing, chic fly firms of chartered accountants. This system has worked to the general satisfaction of the traders rationed. To assure that the supplies of raw materials should be forthcoming, the Committee worked in closest touch with various Government departments, a close liaison has also been maintained with the War Trade Department for the purpose of co-relating manufacture to export.

The Committee has met for almost two years twice a week regularly, and in its earlier monthe three times a week. The Chairman, Mr. John Wormald, has given the whole of his time to the work, assisted by Mr. Frederick Simmons, and by Miss Fraser as secretary, with no other staff. For their valuable services the Committee have been warmly thanked, not only by the Government, but also by the traders whom they rationed. It is generally admitted, in fact, that this Committee has furnished a striking example of what can be effected in administration by appointing one just man of experience and of proved business ability, and by allowing him to select his own colleagues. In this way an authority was created which has done its work quietly and efficiently, and has gained the esteem and confidence of all parties. Manufacturers have seen their necessary applications reduced by a half and yet have cheerfully concurred, realising that this was the reluctant decision of sympathetic men who knew well the anxieties of management and whose lifework has been the conduct of important businesses.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

Ordinary Meeting, December 5, 1918.

Prof. W. J. POPE, C.B.E., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

It was announced that the Society had lost, through death, the following Fellows:-John Percy Batey (killed in action), and James Mason Crafts.

Certificates were read for the first time in favour of Pierre Beghin, 86, Market Street, St. Andrews; John Joseph Bryant, 28, Greenwood Road, Dalston, E. 8; George Butterworth, 107, Burlington Street, Ashtonunder-Lyne; William Harold Squier Cheavin, 70, Somerset Road, Huddersfield; Edward Charles Cull, B.Sc., 31, Bourne S reet, Dudley; John Campbell Earl, 161, South Street, St. Andrews; Algie Hancock, 3, North Street, St. Andrews; George Samuel Heaven, B.Sc., Templemead, Albany Road, Coventry; James Rintoul-Higham, Overmore, Richmond Road, E. Twickenham; Frederick William Hodkin, B.Sc., 28, Thoresby Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield; Richard Edward Johnstone, 504, Lordship Lane, Dulwich, S.E. 22; Francis Frederick Mooney, 39, Queen's Place, Summerseat, Manchester; Albert Riley, B.Sc., Westfield Lodge, Thorger. Leeds; Hugh Vernon Thompson, M.A., Croft House, Garden Village, Stoke-on-Trent ; Greatrex Johnson Woods, 52, Burrard Road, West Hamp stead, N.W.6.

Mr. E. A. Evans and Capt. J. Kenner were elected Scrutators, and a ballot for the election of Fellows was held. The following were subsequently declared duly elected as Fellows:-Lauchlan Henry Pyke Acland, B.A.; James Garfield Anderson, M.Sc.; Valentine George Anderson; William Learmouth Baillie; Frank Bainbridge; Ernest George Balls, B.Sc. ; Bhaktabatar Banerjee, M Sc.; Percy Barrs; William Andrew Stewart

Blaine, B.Sc.; Amulya Chandra Bose, B.Sc.; Louis Pierre Bosman: John Harold Bright; Hubert Thomas Stanley Britton, B.Sc.; Reginald Percy Leopold Britton; Charles Daniel Buckley; Juan Pedige Charles Chandrasena, B.Sc.; Jules Cofman-Nicoresti ; Maurice Copisarow, M.Sc.; Cyril Murton Croft; John Edwyn Davies, B.Sc.; Claude Diamond, B.Sc.; Herbert Hector Donaldson; John Edward Doodson; John Robert Douglas; George Zephirin Du Pain; Herbert John Evans, B.Sc.; Campbell Falconer; James Foster; Alfred Edwin Gates; Herbert William Gepp; Tarak Prosad Ghose, B.Sc.; Geoffrey Gladding, M.Sc.; George Grant; John Russell Green, B.Sc.; William Duthie Haigh, B.A., B.Sc.; Harry Hepworth, M.Sc.; Herbert Leslie Howard; William Claude Jago; Bernard Arthur James Jeffs; Cosmo Johns; Clifford William Judd, B.Sc.; Edwin Percy Keeble; Frederick John Kettel; Thomas Kilby; Norman Victor Sydney Knibbs, B.Sc.; Laurence Francis Le Brocq, B.Sc.; Ernest Alfred Littlewood; Shih Chen Loo; Donald Neil McArthur, B.Sc.;. John Armour McKerrow, M.A., B.Sc.; Charles Stewart Maries, B.Sc.; Robert Alfred Moore, B.Sc.

Albert Victor Mountford; William
Norbury; Edwin Hart Nurse, B.Sc.; Mehtab Singh
Obroi, B.Sc.; Leslie Henry Parker, M.A., D.Sc.; John
Paterson; Wilfred Stanley Pheasey; Alexander Park
Porter; Joseph Francis Pratt; Ralph John Pugh; George
Thomas Purves; Dudley Ridge; George Frederick
Robertshaw; Frederick Maurice Rowe, M.Sc.; Walter
Salmon; Monte Ambrose Shenton; William Ramsay
Sibbald; Eric Sinkinson; George Smith, M.Sc.; Thomas
William Southron; Thomas Rinck Stopford, jun., M.Sc.;
Joseph Tavroges, B.Sc.; William Henry Tomlinson,
B.Sc.; Walter Towse; Frederick Gerald Tryhorn, M.Sc.;
Henry Marshall Webb, B.Sc.; Percy William Weston;
Gerald Noel White, B.Sc.; Sydney Edward Whitehead,
B.Sc.Eng.; Charles Williams, B.Sc.; George Adams:n
Pemberton Wright; John William Reginald Youll.

The following papers were read :

"The Inflammation of Mixtures of Ethane and Air in a Closed Vessel-the Effects of Turbulence." By R. V. WHEELER.

"Blue Adsorption Compounds of Iodine. Part IV. Phenanthracoumarin." By G. BARGER and W. W.

STARLING.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The Chemical Analysis of Iron. By ANDREW ALEXANDER BLAIR. Eighth Edition. Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Company. Pp. 218. Price 21s. net. ALL the various methods used by the experienced analyst in the investigation of iron and steel have been brought together in this book, which is perhaps the best known of its kind and the most appreciated in the English language. The fact that it has passed through seven editions each showing some improvement in detail upon the last is sufficient to show that its value has been fully recognised. The author's wide experience and excellent judgment are both clearly revealed in the choice of methods and the clear and complete directions given for carrying them out, and no pains have been spared to assist the worker in getting really accurate results. The latest edition contains descriptions of many new methods.now employed in the determination of elements present in iron and steel, and a special section is given to the analysis of alloy steels. The Ford method of rapidly determining silicon is described in detail, the section on it having been specially prepared by Mr. Ford for this volume, and the estimation of phosphorus by the method recommended by the Sub-committee on Methods of the International Steel Standards Committee of the United States is also given in detail.

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and Silver Assaying desirable. Permanent position. Good prospects. State age, experience, and salary required Address," A 25." CHEMICAL NEWS Office, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, London. E.C. 4.

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hemist in charge seeks change. Metals, Minerals, Analyses; Plant control and organisation. Research (Inorganic) and new plant inception specially preferred. Good referand varied experience. - Address, Organiser," CHEMICAL News Office, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, London, E.C. 4.

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unior Assistant Analyst required, between 2022 years old, for an Analyst's Laboratory abroad. Salary and bonus--Write, stating experience and qualifiertions, to C Z., care of Street's, 30, Cornhill, E.C. 3.

Wanted immediately, Demonstrator for Che

mical Department. State salary required.-Apply, Secretary, South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.

Works Analytical Chemist required.

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conversant with Soap Manufacture, Nicotine Extractions, and Agricultural and Horticultural Preparations. State full particulars and salary required. Address, W. A, CHEMICAL NEWS Office, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, London, E.C. 4.

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THEIR INFLUENCE ON CHEMICAL PHENOMENA.

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KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.O

CHEMICAL NEWS, Jan. 24, 1919

THE

NOTES ON THE RAPID ESTIMATION OF LEAD IN BRASS AND ALLOYS.

By G. H. HODGSON.

THE usual methods described in technical books for the estimation of lead in brass and alloys serve sufficiently well for occasional determinations, but are usually too elaborate or slow for the rapid examination of large batches of work.

This has been specially emphasised during the past four years in the analytical work necessary for the inspec: tion of non-ferrous metals used in the manufacture of component parts of high explosive shells, all such metal being subjected to a restriction on the percentage of lead permissible.

The number of laboratory tests in connection with this work was considerable, often exceeding 100 per day for any

one munition area.

Of the methods in general use the electro-deposition of lead as the peroxide on the anode gives the quickest result, but was not adopted on account of the elaborate apparatus that would have been required, and also because of the limitation in the weight of sample conveniently taken for this process, and the general difficulties in the deposition which cannot be easily disposed of or controlled in routine

work.

The usual volumetric methods as published and dependent upon the titration of the excess of the precipitant, or direct titration to the apparent complete precipitation point, were found to be inconvenient and unsatisfactory for general working.

The gravimetric method by fuming with sulphuric acid was largely used at first on account of its comparative accuracy, but when carried out in large batches was very objectionable by reason of the fumes evolved, and in addition the time taken to complete the analysis was far too long.

The following methods were finally adopted as being the most convenient and easy to manipulate. Both have been worked in conjunction with recognised methods for estimating lead and can therefore be considered well tested as to their accuracy.

The principal reactions are, of course, well known, but had not been adapted for a convenient and rapid working of the estimation.

The first modification consists in the initial precipitation of the lead as chromate from an acetic acid solution, converting to lead sulphate, and finally weighing as lead molybdate.

The stability of lead molybdate on ignition offers considerable advantage over the methods of weighing up direct as dried lead chromate or as lead sulphate.

METHOD I.-Gravimetric.

Time required to complete analysis about four hours. Weigh out 5 grms. of drillings (this amount is convenient for brasses containing about I per cent lead) into a 750 cc. conical beaker, dissolve in 25 cc. nitric acid (sp. gr. 14), dilute with 200 cc. of water, add 20 cc. ammonium hydrate (ap. gr. o.88), or sufficient to precipitate the copper as hydroxide, then add 20 cc. acetic acid (80 per cent), or enough to produce a clear solution and leave a slight excess of acid. Now add 10 cc. of potassium bichromate solution (3 per cent), shake round, and allow to stand for not less than one hour.

Filter the precipitated lead chromate on to a paper-pulp pad, and wash with water to remove the bulk of the copper, and then pour on to the pad hot douches of 30 per cent sulphuric acid (about 40 cc. will be required) until the

37

yellow chromate is complètely converted to lead sulphate,

giving a final wash with cold water.

If difficulty is experienced in the conversion add a few drops of alcohol to the pad before the sulphuric acid.

The lead sulphate is then taken up in hot ammonium acetate solution (containing free acetic acid) by pouring about 40 cc. or so on to the pad and washing through into a clean 300 cc. conical beaker; bring the solution to the boil, and carefully precipitate as lead molybdate by the gradual addition of a solution of ammonium molybdate, allow to settle, filter through ashless paper pad, wash with water containing a little ammonium acetate, ignite, and weigh as lead molybdate.

Remarks.

(a) It is not necessary to filter off any meta-stannic acid formed on solution of the alloy unless present in such quantity as would interfere with the normal procedure, as it will remain on the pad after solution of the lead sulphate

in ammonium acetate.

precipitation as chromate is better accomplished by adding (b) Where the lead present is under o‘25 per cent the the potassium chromate solution after precipitating the acid. The lead being precipitated as hydroxide in the copper as hydroxide and before the addition of acetic lead chromate on acidifying with acetic acid, and it is first instance considerably accelerates the formation of only so that the complete precipitation of small quantities of lead can be assured in a reasouable time.

conversion from chromate is complete under the conditions (c) The retention of the lead sulphate by the pad during described. The sulphating of lead compounds on the filter-pad is a treatment that can be used extensively to save an operation.

(d) It is essential in the precipitation of lead molybdate that an excess of the precipitant should not be added quickly, but must be added a little at a time until the point of complete precipitation is reached, otherwise acid molybdates are liable to form which would give high

results.

Time required to complete estimation about two hours or less.

This method consists of the precipitation of the lead as chromate from an acetic acid solution, and titration of the iodine liberated by the chromic acid in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid.

The operations as far as precipitation of the lead chromate are the same as in the gravimetric method described above. The lead therefore having been precipitated as chromate is poured on to a paper pulp filter and washed with warm dilute acetic acid (5 per cent) and water until free from copper salts and excess potassium chromate.

Now pour on to the pad cold 1 to 4 hydrochloric acid (free from chlorine), allow to run into a clean 400 cc. conical beaker, and wash well with cold water until all the chromic acid is completely washed through.

The solution will now measure about 150 cc. and will contain practically all the lead dissolved as chloride, which, however, will not interfere with the subsequent reactions,