MINERS' ELECTRIC HAND LAMP.*

THE chief points considered in developing this lamp have been efficiency of illumination over the full run of nine or ten hours, together with strong construction, durability of parts, and freedom from corrosion.

The Accumulator is of the absolutely non-spillable type. Many of the so-called non-spillable devices are only so over a limited period. If the lamps lie on their side for any length of time, acid leaks out of the gas vent holes, but with the accumulator used in this lamp, the lamp can be put in any position for any length of time without the least chance of acid escaping.

The Accumulator Terminals and switch arrangements have been specially designed to minimise corrosion,

FITTED WITH DOME GLASS

223

having the switch knobs rivetted into them. The construction is such that there is no possibility of "shorts" Occurring by the displacement of the springs. The switch knobs also carry a pressure plate which maintains the press re on the accumulator when the head is turned to the "off" position. No celluloid is used in the switchgear. Reflectors.-The lampholder is provided with adjustable conical reflector to come below the lamp, and another conical reflector is supported on top of the lamp bulb. These reflectors are of polished nickel, and are so shaped that they considerably increase the illumination in the horizontal direction. In addition, an External Reflector, Patent No. 22227/14, can be fitted at a small extra charge; this consists of a curved nickelled reflecter, which when not in use snaps on to the lamp case, and when in use partly surrounds the globe, concentrating the light over an angle of about 90°. The use of this external reflector has also the advantage, when lan ps are being carried to the working face, of shielding anybody walking behind from the glare of the lamp.

Case. The leaded steel case is fitted with a strong threaded sleeve which screws into the head of the lamp. The head is built on a strong brass casting, and is provided with a magnetic lock of simplest construction. No parts of this lock are accessible when the head of the lamp is screwed on, but when it is off the taking out of one screw allows the bolt and controlling spring to be removed and examined; the total number of parts for the lock beingthe bolt, the spring, and the aforementioned screw.

and particularly to stop corrosion during charging, at which time there is more liability of acid getting on to the terminals.

There are no springs of any kind attached to the accumulator, the necessary spring conductors being fastened in the lamp itself. As a consequence, it has been possible to make the terminals of the accumulator out of solid pieces of non-corroding material.

The spring controlled Switch Contacts are also of robust construction, consisting of strong flat springs with the upper ends screwed to the lampholder, and the lower ends

Approved by the Home Office in the Safety Lamp Orders of November 16, 1916, Patent No. 102001/ 6. Manufactured by the General Electric Co., Ltd., Birmingham, London, and Manchester.

AN ALL-RED TRADE ASSOCIATION.
New Industrial Grouping.

ALL students of Germany's economic progress are deeply impressed with the efficiency of her methods of collective industrial effort. Trade was developed by great trusts or by smaller companies working in conference, often under the general direction of bankers.

It has been repeatedly claimed that the Germans had reached a condition of "group consciousness" with which British individual consciousness contrasted unfavourably in industrial and other spheres.

Already before the war, however, there were in the United Kingdom very numerous trade associations which did a great deal to protect British industry during a period of dangerous political neglect.

The effect of war's revelations has been simply to show that such associations and combinations are of national advantage, and should be further encouraged and perfected for action on the return of peace.

Competitors and Co-operators.

Just as every producer is a consumer, and every consumer is, or ought to be, a producer, so can every competitor be a co-operator. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that as between the extremes, at one end cast-iron monopoly, and at the other end cut-throat competition, the middle way of collective effort by firms engaged in the same business, wisely controlled, gives the best results not only to Capital and Labour, but also to the market. The efficiency of production is increased, the standard of quality is raised, the wasteful cost of excessively competitive salesmanship is eliminated.

Many Bri ish firms have in the past been so keenly fighting each other that they could not at the same time fight the Germans. In the future they must do that first.

How Trade Meets Trade.

It is not only competitors who have interests in common. In the interaction of productive industry A trade obtains its raw materials from B trade, and its machinery from C trade, while it sells the goods so manufactured to D trade.

Each group has something to discuss with the other, and has much to gain by collective communication,

To provide for such communication between the industries of the Empire is the main purpose of the British Empire Producers' Organisation. Its creed is that British materials should be preferably diverted to British manufacturers and consumers, and should preferably be carried in British shipping; and, again, that the goods and machinery manufactured and produced should be preferably purchased throughout the Empire.

A certain amount of political reform is necessary to this end; but the B.E.P.O. recognises that beyond that it is for the organised industries to do the rest, and the progressive prosperity of the whole Empire depends largely on the vigour and direction of their collective efforts.

An Association of Associations.

As a clearing house or central exchange, the British Empire Producers' Organisation will provide and maintain the means of communication and co-ordination.

It does not admit the individual firm or company. It is an association of industrial associations and nothing else. Its control lies in the votes cast by trade associations as members.

The interests of the firm or company are left to the sectional trade association concerned.

The fiscal adjustments required by any trade are pro posed by that trade. The only stipulation of the B. E.P.O. is that the principle of graduated preference for Empire Dominions and Allies must be observed if duties are to be imposed.

the community, and as between the Dominions and territories of the Empire, must be recognised and maintained in all measures to be considered from the point of view of economic security and progress.

2. That the first claim on Imperial statesmanship is that remunerative employment shall be made available for all under conditions that will crown with comfort and prosperity the freedom for which we are now working and fighting.

3. That to this end the three great agencies of produc tion, capital, labour, and science, should be systematically directed towards the development of the boundless resources of the Empire so that it may become more productive, not only of the prime necessaries of life, but also of the essential materials of industry and of all departments of manufacture.

4. That the resolutions of the Paris Economic Conference provide a sound basis for national self-develop ment, and for maintaining mutually advantageous and privileged commercial intercourse between the Allied Powers.

5. That after the institution of such a system of reciprocal preferential arrangements as will give practical effect to the resolutions of the Paris Conference, which can best be settled in detail by conference with representative organised associations of manufacturers and producers, our next Imperial duty is to stimulate the employment of available resources of mechanical and chemical science for enhancing productive capacity, and so enriching the whole community.

6. That the system of general and technical education should be thoroughly revised to afford to all classes equality of opportunity for talent and industry.

BRITISH EMPIRE PRODUCERS' ORGANISATION.

In the third year of the war the assembly of an Imperial Conference in London affords a fitting occasion for presenting a collective Address in the name of organ sed sections of productive industry, to welcome the representatives of the Dominions Overseas, and to express the confident hope that their visit will mark the beginning of a new era of social and economic development.

Coming from great territories remote from the European scene of conflict, their presence is doubly welcome to the people of the United Kingdom for the splendid spirit in which their citizens rose in defence of the Empire, and for the imperishable glory which their soldiers have won on so many battlefields.

We believe that in the vigour and discernment of their statesmanship, directed to the military and economic problems of the near future, means will be found for further strengthening the foundations of the free Britannic Commonwealth, and for reorganising its economic power and prosperity. The result of their labours is hopefully awaited by associations concerned with the efficient conduct of industrial organisation, in whose opinion the economic policy of this country and of the Empire should always in future be discussed with full regard to the interests and the responsibilities of our common Imperial citizenship.

We associate ourselves with the folloving principles which we believe now represent ideals appealing to the vast majority of the people of the Empire.

1. That the deepened sense of our unity of interest in the face of national danger, as between various classes of

* Memorial presented to the Members of the Imperial War Council on behalf of Organised Industries of the Empire.

7. That the State should, while facilitating general conditions, recognise and regularise the position of industrial organisations and give them additional responsibility for the efficient conduct of each section of industry. In con

ment, they may thus found a system of industrial security and progress in true accord with the spirit of British enterprise as being capable of continuous adjustment to varying circumstances, and giving opportunity for the exercise of individual energy and original endeavour. Imperial Economic System can be constructed worthy of It is in the light of these princ ples that we believe an greatly enhanced in volume and variety as the result of our vast natural resources and of a manufacturing capacity war demands. Further, we believe that a consistent policy aiming at the efficient and bounteous production of the wealth of the Empire by and for our own people will not only establish all British States on a higher plane of progress and prosperity, but will confer material and social advantages on the rest of the world.

List of Signatures to Memorial.
Agricultural Association of St. Vincent.
Agricultural Association of St. Lucia.
Agricultural Commercial Society of St. Lucia.
Antigua Agricultural and Commercial Society.

Associated Chambers of Manufacturers in Australia.
Association of Master Painters in Scotland.

Associated Public Calenders, Sack Sewers, and Packers

CHEMICAL NEWS,

May 11, 1917

Mincing Lane Sugar Trade Association.

Natal Sugar Association.

National Association of Master Plumbers.

North Charterland Exploration Co. (1917), Ltd.
Nottingham Lace Manufacturers' Association.
New Zealand Farmers' Union.

New Zealand Ironmasters' Association.

Ossett Chamber of Commerce.

Pianoforte Manufacturers' Association.

Redditch and District Needle and Fishing Tackle Employers' Association.

River Thames Dry Dock Proprietors and Ship Repairers' Association.

Rubber Growers' Association.

Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana.

Scottish Association of Master Heating, Ventilating, and Domestic Engineers.

Scottish Employers' Federation of Iron and Steel

Founders.

Scottish Master Revellers and Silverers' Association.
Scottish Master Piasterers' Association.
South African Federated Chamber of Industries.
Southampton Engineering and Shipbuilding Employers'
Association.

South Wales and West of England Federation
Master Bikers and Millers' Association.

Sugar Association of Lancashire.

Suva Chamber of Commerce (Fiji).

Trinidad Chamber of Commerce.

Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce.
Tobago Planters' Association.

United Planters' Association of Southern India.
West India Committee.

West India Association of Glasgow.

West India Association of Liverpool.

of

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

Ordinary Meeting, April 26, 1917.

225

Sir J. J. THOMSON, O.M., President, in the Chair.

PAPERS were read as follows:

"The Effective Inertia of Electrified Systems Moving with High Speed." By G. W. WALKER, F.R.S.

If it is assumed that an electron moving with speed KC (where C is velocity of light) becomes deformed so that surface is of the form (1-2) − 1 x2 + y2 + 22 = a2, Lorentz has shown by the "quasi-stationary assumption that the inertia for longitudinal inertia is mo(1-2)-2, and for transverse inertia m。(1-k2)-4. The same results follow from Einstein's "relativity" theory.

In the paper the inertia is determined by a method developed in a former paper (Phil. Trans., A, ccx., 145), which depends directly on the primary equations, and is free from the error that the quasi-stationary method may introduce.

The results are that, for a "contracted" electron the longitudinal inertia is

The X-rays from a bulb excited by low voltages (10,000 to 50,000 volts) are rich in the characteristic radiation of the anticathode.

In the case of iron, nickel, and copper the amount of K. radiation lies between 80 and 90 per cent.

In the case of platinum the proportion of L-radiation is from 40 to 60 p. r cent.

Evidence of characteristic radiations softer than the K and L radiations has been obtained.

"Germicidal Action of Ultra violet Radiation and its Correlation with Selective Absorption." By C. H. BROWNING, M.D., and S. Russ, D.Sc.

1. A new method is described which renders it possible to determine what portion of the ultra-violet spectrum is most effective in germicidal action and, further, to specify the wave-length of the radiation at which such action practically ceases.

The method consists in exposing a thin film of organisms spread on a nutrient surface, such as gelatin or agar, to the spectrum from a tungsten arc. The image of the slit of the quartz spectrometer used produces a permanent effect upon the bacterial film over a certain range of wave. lengths. This germicidal action becomes apparent on incubation at 37° C. subsequent to the exposure; thus a copious growth occurs except in those regions where the organisms have been killed. Records of such action are obtained which resemble a photograph of the spectral

lines.

2. The method has been applied to test the range of susceptibility of a number of different pathogenic organisms. By the process described it is possible to expose cultures of two different organisms simultaneously to the same intensity and character of radiation. The ranges of susceptibility of B. typhosus and B. coli are closely similar, and practically the same as those of organisms such as staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and the meningococcus.

3. A striking feature of the germicidal action of the radiation in question is its abrupt termination at a wave

4. It has been possible to correlate this feature with "selective absorption," for it is found that the organisms exhibit marked absorptive power for just those rays which have germicidal action.

"Morphological Studies in the Life-histories of Bacteria." By E. C. HORT.

According to current theory the life-history of the "lower" bacteria is one of great simplicity, reproduction taking place-apart from endosporulation, in certain cases, of a special type-solely by transverse binary fission.

This theory is mainly based on the unquestioned fact that transverse binary fission is the rule in standardised laboratory cultures. Aberrant morphological types have from time to time been recorded in the past, but these have been usually dismissed either as contaminants, as involution forms, or as examples of mutation.

In the present communication evidence is produced to show that the life-cycle of the "lower" bacteria, as illus. trated by the members of the enteric group, so far from being solely represented by perpetual binary fission, is one of great complexity, and includes an invisible, or almost invisible, stage. The nature of the evidence presented excludes the presence of contaminants, or of "involution" forms, as reasonable explanations of the recorded observations, and throws grave doubt on the adequacy of the mutation theory to explain morphological aberrancy from type-laboratory type-amongst the bacteria.

The evidence, in short, suggests that the true significance of these "aberrant types" has hitherto escaped us precisely because we have-for purposes of ready identification -standardised laboratory media for the cultivation of bacteria, and have not always remembered that their natural habitat, both as saprophytes and as agents of disease, is in a perpetual state of biochemical flux.

The exidence consists of a series of camera lucida drawings and microphotographs of fresh films of killed organisms of the enteric group, together with drawings of living organisms watched, during the process of develop ment, on the warm stage.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

Ordinary Meeting, April 19, 1917.

Prof. W. J. POPE, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

THE PRESIDENT referred to the deaths of the following
Fellows:-Maurice Kemp-Welch (killed in action), Taylor
Cook, John Kerr Forrest, Thomas Utrick Walton.
The following announcements were made:-

1. That the following Committees had been appointed for the year 1917-18 :

Finance Committee-Messrs. E. G. Hooper, G. T. Moody, Sir E. Thorpe, Sir William A. Tilden, and the Officers.

House Committee - Messrs. Horace T. Brown, R. Messel, J. E. Reynolds, Alexander Scott, J. M. Thomson, Sr William A. Tilden, and the Officers.

Library Committee-Messrs. B. Dyer, W. Gowland, A. Harden, J. T. Hewitt, C. A. Keane, A. R. Ling, T. M. Lowry, J. M. Thomson (Chairman), Sir William A. Tilden, J. A. Voelcker, the Editor, and the Officers.

Publication Committee-Messrs. A. Chaston Chapman, A. Harden, T. A. Henry, T. M. Lowry, F. L. Pyman, Alexander Scott, G. Senter, J. F. Thorpe, and the Officers.

Research Fund Committee-E. C. C. Baly, Horace T. Brown, F. G. Donnan, H. J. H. Fenton, P. F. Frankland, A. Lapworth, W. H. Perkin, Alexander Scott, J. F. Thorpe, W. P. Wynne, and the Officers.

2. That owing to ill-health, Dr. Horace T. Brown is unable to deliver his lecture entitled "The Principles of Diffusion-their Analogies and Applications," on May 17, as previously announced. The Council has postponed for

a time the delivery of this lecture, and the usual Ordinary Scientific Meeting will be held on that date.

Certificates were read for the first time in favour of Sr Charles Henry Bedford, D.Sc., M.D., LL.D., 166, Piccadilly, W.; Manmatha Nath Dis, B A., 19, Waverley House, Kenton Street, W.C.; David Richard Davey, 38, Harvey Road, Hornsey, N.; Jimes Nelson Edmand Day, A.R.C.S., 24, Marlborough Road, St. Albans; James Garfield Detwiles, B.Sc., Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.A.; Albert Henry Frankland, Craig-y-don, Marshall Avenue, Crossgates, near Leeds; Harry Gollop, B.Sc., Craigdale, Forbes Road, Faversham, Kent; Kenneth Claude Devereuse Hickman, A.R.C.S., II, Carlyle Square, Chelsea, S. W.; Cuthbert Baring Horwood, B.Sc., Tunstall, Suffolk; George Inglis Hudson, 31, Bay Street, Glebe, Sydney, Australia; Widian King, Empangeni Rail, Zululand, South Africa; Frederick George William Knapman, B.Sc., 28, May Street, W. 14; Robert Illtyd Lewis, B.Sc., 8, Newton Road, Faversham, Kent; Joseph Patrick Madden, Springfield, 39. The Avenue, Hutchin; Joseph Harold Mandelberg, M.A., Redclyffe, Victoria Park, Manchester; John Montgomery, 66,68, Donegall Street, Belfast; Ja nes Patrick O'Callaghan, 36, Tyrwhitt Road, Brockley, S. E.; Cedric Gerard Verver, A.R.C.S., II, Carlyle Square, Chelsea, S.W.; Howell Williams, 14, Camberwell Terrace, Antrim Road, Belfast. The following papers were read :

-

A CERTIFICATE was read for the second time in favour of Capt. N. M. Comber, A.R.C.S., B.Sc. (Lond.).

Certificates were read for the first time in favour of Charles V. Bacon, 1, Dey Street, New York City, Analytical and Consulting Chemist, proposed for nomination by the Council; Kapilram Hardevram Vakıl, B.A. (Bombay), B Sc. Tech. (Manch.), of Bombay.

The following papers were read :

"Rapid Method for the Determination of Nichel and Cobalt in Ores and Alloys." By W. R. SCHOELLER, Ph.D., and A. R. POWELL.

The method is based on the insolubility of hexamminenickelous and hexamminecobaltous iodide in a solution containing 4 per cent of potassium iodide and 80 per cent by volume of strong ammonia. Ferric iron and other trivalent metals are not precipitated in presence of sufficient tartaric acid. Zinc, magnesium, and arsenic do not interfere. Lime, if present in large amount, should be previously removed as sulphate in 50 per cent alcohol. In the absence of manganese, cadmium, and copper, the assay is carried out as follows:

The sample is dissolved in nitric acid, the excess of acid is boiled off, and sufficient tartaric acid added to prevent precipitation of iron, &c. The cold solution, which should have a bulk of less than 15 cc., is then treated with four times its volume of strong ammonia, followed by the necessary excess of potassium iodide in cold saturated solution. The precipitate is filtered off, washed with ammoniacal 4 per cent iodide solution, re-dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid and a little sulphur dioxide, and

CHEMICAL NEWS,

F.I.C.

"Determination of Unsaponifiable Matter in Oils, Fats, and Waxes." By JOHN M. WILKIE, B.Sc., F.I.C.

This determination is often troublesome owing to emulsification. By adopting a definite concentration of alcohol and ether before extraction, best obtained by the use of 2/N alcohol KOH for hydrolysis, the formation of emulsions may be entirely prevented and the determination finished in thirty minutes after saponification.

The trouble experienced in the analysis of bees' and other waxes, lanoline, &c., may be entirely eliminated by using o'5 grm. of wax and 4'5 grm. of castor oil, extracting as usual, and making a correction for the unsaponifiable matter in the castor oil.

SOCIETY OF GLASS TECHNOLOGY.
Ordinary Meeting, April 18, 1917.
Mr. FRANK WOOD, B.Sc., in the Chair.

A DISCUSSION on "Machinery and Labour Saving Devices
in the Glass Factory" was opened by Mr. A. M. ROWLAND,
Chief Technical Assistant, Machine Tool Department,
Ministry of Munitions.

In his preliminary remarks, Mr. Rowland emphasised the need for well-planned works, because most glass factories owing to the fact that they had been built on the patchwork system-were badly laid out. Spaciousness was very necessary both from the point of view of overlooking of workmen and for visibility. Everything should be available and not hidden; visibility being a point conducive to good workmanship. A works, too, should be accessible, both for its workpeople and for the reception and dispatch of materials. Great attention should be paid to lighting, and arrangements should be made for gradation of light, if necessary. One often found, for example, that a storeroom (where visibility is so essential) was quite dark. For glass cutting and polishing a room with a northern aspect was to be advocated. In every works a study should be made of the best means of transport, particularly in regard to the reception of raw materials, the transport of materials inside the works, and the delivery of the finished articles. Overhead runways and not rails were to be advocated for a glasshouse, with a series of standardised trucks, whilst the raw material should be transported to the store by means of a bucket conveyer. Conveying bands, too, could be employed inside the shops for the transport of glass articles to the lehr, and when cold to the sorting room. Motor lorries should be used for delivery of finished goods, as they avoid many handlings of cases-a point of great importance in the glass trade. If glass manufacturers could

227

evolve a lorry of the particular type needed, the motor-car manufacturer would do the rest.

Returning to the works, much labour can be saved by proper batch handling. Grading, mixing, grinding, and weighing all require proper arrangement, so that as little manual labour as possible is necessary. Expense, and labour too, can be saved in the utilisation of waste heat. Commenting next upon particular glass processes, the speaker drew attention to the forward strides that were being taken in the use of compressed air in glass blowing. The introduction of the Owens machine was a triumph for automaticity. In Germany the automatic machine was worshipped; in England it was hated, yet it conferred many advantages. The manufacture of glass tubing could certainly be improved if some automatic or semi-automatic method were used.

Much labour could be saved the glass manufacturer by an interchange of tools and moulds, whilst some means should be sought whereby the taper of all stoppers should be the same, so that a stopper of a particular type would fit any bottle of that particular type. In conclusion, the speaker pointed out that much information regarding new and useful machinery was available at the Ministry of Munitions. Several problems had been worked out, and others were in the process of solution, and the information was at the disposal of glass manufacturers for the asking. Mr. F. R. DIXON NUTTALL continued the Discussion, confining his remarks chiefly to the labour-saving devices employed in America in connection with the Owens machine. He gave a most interesting and succinct account of the up-to-date methods used in grinding, mixing, and conveying batch to the furnace. The batch materials are stored in huge receptacles, connected to the furnace floor by hoppers. To obtain a mixed batch, ready for filling on at the furnace, a workman runs an electrically propelled truck beneath each hopper, which automatically discharges the requisite amount of material. Cullet which has been finely ground can also be added from a hopper. When the truck is full it runs off to the furnace; on its way thither the batch is thoroughly mixed by a revolving mechanism inside the truck.

Mr. S. N. JENKINSON exhibited a very interesting and instructive series of lantern slides showing various machines used in the glass trade, including machines for cutting off, re-melting, puntying, grinding, slicing, etching, shaping marbles for soda-water bottles, &c. Pictures of lehrs, batch mixers, automatic boys, &c., were also shown.

A paper by Mr. G. E. ALEXANDER, in ths unavoidable absence of the author, was communicated by Dr. TURNER. The paper dealt with the Owens machine, and showed how it had revolutionised the bottle industry in the Unitee States owing to rapidity of production and reduced prices. Bottles ranging in capacity from one-tenth ounce to 13 gallons could be made on this machine, in shape and finish as good as the hand-made products. Syphons, tumblers, lamp-glasses, electric bulbs, carboys, &c., were all being turned out successfully. As many as 75,000 quart bottles could be produced by one machine in a twenty-four hour day. Specimens of various bottles made on an Owens

machine were exhibited. No human aid was needed until the bottle was delivered cold at the mouth of lebrtwo types of which were in use, one for small and one for large bottles. Both had proved a success.

A description of the batch mixing and supply arrangements in force in an American factory, following on the lines of Mr. Nuttall's paper, was also included, it being pointed out that one man could keep six to eight furnaces supplied with batch on an eight-hour shift.

A long and animated discussion followed the remarks of the principal speakers, the following gentlemen taking part:-Prof. W. F. G. Fearnside, Dr. P. G. H. Boswell, Messrs. Durants, Simpson, Sweeting, Munro, Steel, and Swann.