M E A S U R E M E N T M U S T P R E C E D E C O N T R O L

Na Κ Ca J>

Measure all 3 quickly, easily, accurately with a COLEMAN FLAME PHOTOMETER

More than 10,000 soil samples per year are measured for sodium, potassium and calcium by an industrial laboratory with one Coleman Flame Photometer. No similar instrument can carry so great a work load . . . certain proof that the Coleman requires very little instru­ment manipulation and a minimum of sample modification.

Sample measurement in the Flame Photometer is so simple that highly precise data can be ob­tained from direct-reading scales by lab assist­ants "trained-on-the job." The Flame Photom­eter uses ordinary city gas and its atomizer-burner and sample handling system are sturdy, precise and foolproof. To sum it up—there just isn't any faster or easier way to measure quan­titatively these 3 important elements.

A Coleman Flame Photometer costs surprisingly little for the amount of work it can do. Find out how it can help in your lab . . . write for Bulletin B-242.

C O L E M A N

COLEMAN INSTRUMENTS, INC., DEPT. A, MAYWOOD, ILL. Circle No. 36 on Readers' Service Card

2 4 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

REPORT

were added. These included lead, zinc, and copper. A laboratory was estab­lished at Kansas City in 1906 for this work. The work of this laboratory eventually was transferred to Chicago.

In 1912 a laboratory was established at Baltimore. In 1917 a laboratory was established at Savannah for sugar work.

The titles of Special Examiners of Drugs, Medicines, and Chemicals, Ex­aminer, and Examiner-Chemist were gradually eliminated and the title of Chemist was established. These per­sonnel were qualified according to Civil Service procedures. In some cases, chief chemists also functioned as ex­aminers and had both titles.

By 1915, considerable specialization had taken place. In New York, for example, each chemist worked with some commodity or group of similar commodities. One worked on coloring matters, another on sugars, one on ores and metals, and one on fats, oils, waxes, and rubberlike products. Considerable research on methods was carried out.

Based on salaries paid, scientists in 1910 were not given the recognition commensurate with their duties and re­sponsibilities. Salaries of $1200 a year were the same as those received by clerks.

Division of Laboratories Established

The variety of items imported in­creased greatly after 1913 because the list of items free of duties was en­larged (Underwood Act). With this increase, there was a corresponding increase in identification or analytical work.

This led to the need for standard methods of analysis and lists of labo­ratory supplies and equipment to do the work. In 1916 a conference of the chiefs of customs laboratories was held to discuss these problems. This con­ference emphasized the need for im­provement in many areas—for example, a central clearing house under the con­trol of a supervisor of laboratories; better sampling procedures; a methods manual; Civil Service status for all laboratory personnel; interchange of information and samples for compara­tive testing; and regular conferences.

Although the need was recognized, the central clearing house did not be­come a reality for another 20 years because of World War I and the en­suing readjustment problems. Prepa­ration of the methods manual also fell by the wayside, although the New York laboratory compiled a set of analytical methods for distribution to the other laboratories.

To protect the infant dye and chemi­cal industry created during World War

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REPORT

I, protective tariffs were established which placed duties on coal tar prod­ucts. This led to the need for a dye division where standard samples were made up.

The Tariff Act of 1922 established duties on components—for example, calcium fluoride in fluorspar, silica in glass sand, and ferroalloys. This re­quired quantitative analyses to fix duty charges. Other items were de­fined in the Tariff Act, such as vinegar, cellulose compounds, hardened and vegetable oils, molasses, and sirups. Other laws were enacted which related to duties on copper, fatty acids, soaps, and petroleum and its distillates.

Enactment of the Volstead Act in 1920 with its prohibition against im­ports and exports of alcoholic bever­ages and the Harrison Act and the Im­port and Export Act prohibiting the illegal importation, sale, and possession of narcotics, created real problems. The Treasury Department established the Alcohol Tax Unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to administer the Volstead Act, and the Bureau of Nar­cotics was assigned narcotics matters.

Second Conference Held. The sec­ond chief chemists' conference was held in New York in May, 1931. Budge­tary problems precluded any recom­mendations to change laboratory set­ups. The conference did, however, promote exchange of laboratory in­formation on methods of analysis.

During 1935 the position of Con­sulting Chemist to the Secretary of the Treasury was created. This was followed by the establishment of a Divi­sion of Laboratories with a central office in the Bureau of Customs at Washington. The nine customs labo­ratories were removed from the juris­diction of the collectors and appraisers and placed under the direction of this new Division of Laboratories. Each laboratory had its own chief chemist.

Creation of the Division of Labora­tories resulted in many technical and administrative benefits. Among these were more effective interlaboratory co­ordination, assignment of geographical areas for each laboratory, establishment of better personnel assignment prac­tices, improved and standardized equip­ment, and reassignment of laboratory functions. A new laboratory was also created (1936) at Los Angeles to cope with narcotic cases.

In 1940 a branch laboratory was opened in Honolulu. I t was closed during World War II, later reopened, and is now closed. A wool laboratory was established at Boston. In 1946, the San Francisco laboratory moved into new quarters. In 1950, the New York office established a branch labo-

PRECISION ALONE IS N O T ENOUGH

A COLEMAN UNIVERSAL spectrophotometer offers precision, speed, RELIABILITY and versatility

The Universal performs precise analyses faster than any other spectrophotometer. The design of this instrument constitutes a classic approach to the use of the visible spectrum as an analytical tool . . . and thus the Universal allows the valid use of calibration curves (precision) . . . it provides consistent reproducible accuracy day after day. . . (it's reliable) . . . and its inherent simplicity avoids numerous mechanical and electronic adjustments (speed).

"Universal" is this Coleman spectrophotom­eter's middle name . . . it promises a very broad scope for the analyst who has a wide range of interests (versatility). Simple, inex­pensive adapters quickly convert it for neph-elometry, fluorimetry, trace determinat ions , micro analysis and other unusual and useful determinations.

If you don't already know about this remarkable instrument—ask for Bulletin ΒΊ41Α.

COLEMAN

COLEMAN INSTRUMENTS, INC., DEPT. A, MAY WOOD, ILL. Circle No. 37 on Readers' Service Card

V O L 3 1 , N O . 6, JUNE 1959 · 2 5 A

INSTRUMENTS