Progress of Applied Chemistry

Abstract

THE annual general meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry was held in Birmingham on July 18–20. At the opening meeting the chair was taken by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Ald. A. D. Brooks, who, in an address, said the society had two chief objects at present: first, to assist in the prosecution of the war, and, secondly, to do its best to help the country after the war. The war was being carried on largely by scientific methods, and the chemist was devoting his attention chiefly to destroying human life, whereas formerly his efforts had been directed to the elimination of things dangerous to life. Before the war Englishmen had allowed important improvements to pass into other hands, but they must see to it that this did not happen again. Suspended industries must be rebuilt, and all conducted on sound economical lines, using to the full all scientific and technical help. Alluding to Birmingham industries, the Lord Mayor emphasised the need for recovery of waste products and conserving mineral resources.