Vol. XXI. No. ll. Plastics Exhibits To Be Sponsored EyArmourMoyZ’ New Yorkfi—Eity to Be Site of Exhibition For two weeks, beginning May 2, 1938, Armour Institute of Technolm ogy will sponsor an exhibition, the first of its kind ever assembled, of plastic materials and new plastic products. This exhibit has been on public display in New York City where it excited considerable inter- est among not only manufacturers, engineers, and designers, but aso the public in general who are lind- inp; these plastic products in their homes and in their offices, and who are anxious to learn more about them. Effective Use of Plastics The exhibits to be shown typify not only the effective use of plas- tics, but also show how the use of these man-made materials has solved a long—felt problem. This exempli. fies a new manufacturing process by which a complete line of instruments can be marketed without a great amount of expensive tooling up, as the product is cast from liquid resins without pressure in very inexpensive molds, and the design is accom» plishcd in a secondary operation when lines and shapes are intro— duced. Compact Ye! Light Dishwarc of molded resins will solve many problems of non-inflam- mability, lightness, compactness, nesting: qualities, non—fragility and style, for use on trailers, yachts, and passenger planes; a steel mesh-lined leather messenger bag contains plas' tic mechanism which locks the bag when seized from the carrier, and after a delayed period produces a series of detonatiens and emits dense streams of yellow tracer smoke, thus attracting attention and aidingr police pursuit; epthalmic lenses made of plastics compare very fav- orably with glass for correcting all phases of impaired vision; an air» plane windshield, with specific grav- ity of only 1.18, is extremely light- weight and yet possesses great strength, because it is formed from one sheet into a three—dimensional curve; a molded spoke gear repre- sents an advanced step into thel evolution of non—metallic gears for elimination of noise in the timing mechanism of high‘speed motors; a lamp guard caire, designed for use (Continued on page four) Senior Placement Grave: Setterherg Fewer Companies Make Senior interviews By W. N. Setterbcry College graduates will find the going hard when seeking work after commencement this June. The indi- cations are that conditions will parallel those prevalent during the years 1932-34. Business in general began to fall in August 1937 and a decrease in the number of calls for men for po- sitions in industry was noted. Com— panics in the heavy industries, whose business reached heights equal to those during 1928—29, felt the de— cline in business quickly and imme- diately resorted to measures of eco- nomy. At first, the result was short- er hours for the men and later, when production became lower, the result was wholesale lay-offs. This condi— tion brought about an increased number of men seekingF employment. At the present time there are about 100 unemployed listed on the Komarewsley Presents Paper before A. C. S. The. American Chemical Society’s meeting at Dallas, Texas was not one of the largest gatherings of this learned group but it was quite suc— cessful in the discrimination of re- cent progress in Chemical Research. Dr. Komarewsky stated that the meeting was well attended, having a total of about one thousand in at— tendance in the various divisions. The Petroleum Division alone had an attendance of three hundred. The trip was of special interest to those members of the Petroleum Indus- tries because of the proximity to the Texas oil fields. Numerous inspec- tion trips were provided for the en- joyment and education of the visit- ing scientists. Among the theses presented was one by Dr. Komarewsky and N. Bal— ai of the Research Foundation in conjunction with the Universal Oil Products Company. He presented a paper on the “Dehydro—polymeriza- tion of Ethylene." The article may be summarized in the words of the co—authors. 1. “It was found that by subjecting ethlyene to a catalytic polymerization in the presence of a polymerizing and dehyarogenating catalyst a directed conjunct polymer- ization takes place with an increased formation of aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline fraction. 2. By subject- ing ethylene to a thermal polymer- ization in the presence of a catalist nickel a formation of aromatic hy— drocarbons takes place. 3. These facts prove the correctness of the mechanism of ethylene polymeriza- tion suggested by lpatiefl and Pines.” This was just one of the many pa- pers presented to the conclavc of eminent scientists and students. Social Science Dept. Clues Many Lectures The social science department of Armour has been doing many things in recent weeks. The professors have all been very active in the do, livering of lectures to several eco— nomic organizations upon important current topics. During the first part of last week Prof. Dutton acted as one of an ex- amining committee on a state proj— ect. The state has started several administrative organizations as a re- sult of the recent unemployment in- surance acts. Since the employees of these divisions are to be under civil service management, the examina- tion board was required to see that the proper men were selected. In addition to these activities Prof. Dutton has also been lectur- ing on several occasions. On April 19 he addressed the Chicago Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Management on the subject of “Management: Some Overall Consid- erations.” Also on April 5, he spoke before the junior section of the Western Engineering Society on “Opportunities in Management for Engineers." Professor Goetz is going to give a one-man debate on the subject of “Collectivisrn” at the Literary Club of Chicago next Monday evening. This subject has become increasingly important in recent years with the development of dictatorships in so many countries. Professor Hansen has been working upon his profes- sional job of statistical actuary in the field of unemployment insurance. Kent Talks on ‘Television ’ Before Commerce Convention Earl L. Kent, a member of the electrical department lectured on the subject of “Television" at the East Chicago Chamber of Commerce records of the Institute Placement Office. This figure is not high, rep- resentingv a little over two percent of the total number of the alumni; but, nevertheless it is significant and presents a problem. This condition reproduced at other points through- out the country can become Very serious. During the latter part of No- (Continued or, page two) forum meeting last Thursday noon in the East Congregational church audi- torium. Mr. Kent is a graduate of Kan- sas State College where he received his Master of Science degree. He has spent three years in study and research work on television equip- ment. At present Mr. Kent is build- ing a high definition television trans- mitter, the first in Chicago. Armour lnstitute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois Sphinx Initiates Eight Men into Fraternity Sphinx fraternity, honorary liter- ary society, initiated eight new men into their ranks last Tuesday night. Sphinx honors a selected group of men each year for their achieve- ments on the school publications, the Armour Tech News, Engineer and Alummcs, and the Cycle. The men were inducted into the organization at a banquet given in their honor, in the faculty grill. A large number of the alumni were present to witncSS the ceremonies and aid in the festivities. Among the faculty representatives at the occa- sion were Professors Finnegan, Hendricks and Ahern. The two first mentioned are honorary members of the Armour chapter, while Pro- fessor Ahern is a member from his student days. Those who were honored include: 13. W. Bernstrom, T. A. Clark, H. R. Coyle, Max Ephraim, S. P. Fin- negan, R. I. Jai‘fee, C. W. Rob, and H. E. Stchman. Elect l9”. Hendriksen President—3i: A.S~.M.E. Officers for the coming year were elected at the meeting of the Ar~ mour branch of the American So- ciety of Mechanical Engineers, held last Friday at 10:30. The men elected to office were: P. I-Ienriksun, president; H. C. Soukup, vice presi— dent; J. J. Janicck, secretary; B. W. Bernstrom, treasurer. Professor Nachman was elected as (faculty) chairman. The new officers will take over their specific duties at the next meeting. Plans for the society’s ac« tivities for the next year have a]- ready been discussed by the new stail’. An event of primary impor‘ tance will be an proposed trip to Detroit next fall, expressly for the purpose of inspecting various auto~ motive industries in that vicinity. The winner of an award of a Junior Elranch membership, worth ten dollars, will be announced next week. The awarding- of the mom- hcrship will be based on scholarship and service to the student branch of the society. FLEECE? TOTAU llE'l'A PI Pledged last week to Tau Beta Pi, engineering honorary fraterni~ ty, are, left to right, top row: W. J. Laise, P. l. Peltier, L. Lange, B. K. Lyckberg. C. l. Kovacik. A. M. Zarem, and N. D. Rice; bottom row: H. S. Anthem, R. A. |. Gebel. Parker and L. B. Poskonka. Freshman Fatally Shoots Self While Cleaning Rifle Theodore A. Andersen, an Armour freshman student, was fatally shot last Monday when a rifle that he had been cleaning accidentally dis- charged. Anderson had made a hob- by of his collection or" guns. He was known to many Armour students through his connection with the glee club and interclass athletics. A.T.§.A. to Elect Officers Shortly The Armour Tech Student Asso- ciation is to have its annual election in the very near future, according to President C. W. Dunbar. Each year, close to Junior Week, the stu— dents are called upon as an entire body to express their choice as to the men who are to lead them for the following year. This year the elections are to be held shortly af— ter the close of Junior Week, pos- sibly the third week of May. President Dunbar has completed his selection of the nominating com- mittee and lists them as follows. The men are Dick Vandekeift, chairman; W. J. Chelg’ren, E. F. Wagner, W. B. Kruse, Paul Hendrickson, Eu— gene Worcester, Bob Graham. The nominating committee will propose men for the position of first vice- president, second vice-president, and secretary. According to the provi- sions in the A. T. S. A. constitution there must be at least tum men nom— inated for each job. The procedure in the A. T. S. A. offices is for the first vice-president to be from tho present sophomore class and the second vice—president to be from the junior class. When the first vice-president reaches his senior year he will automatically become the A. T. S. A. president. Missing from this picture are Braun, T. W. Yeakle, H. B. Nicholas, and Tau Bete pledges L. B. Hall of Faculty at S.P.E.lfl. Convention With about fifty per cent of Ar- mour ’l‘cch’s faculty in attendance, the Illinois-Indiana section of the Society, for the Promotion of Engiv ncering will hold fourth annual meeting next Satur- day at the Rose Polytechnic lnsti~ Education its tutc, Terrc Haute, Indiana. Profes- sor Winston of the mechanical engi— neering department and member of the board of directors of the S. P. E. E. will officially represent Armour. Activities will start next Friday evening with an informal dinner and group discussion for those who ar— rive early. ' The main program will get under way Saturday morning with a speech of welcome by Dr. I). B. Prentice, president of Rose Polytechnic Insti- tute. The morning’s business will also include the regular business. The afternoon session will begin immediately after luncheon and will be composed of group conferences in the various divisions and depart- ments of engineering. Members of Armour Tech‘s faculty will take an important part in these. Mr. C. 0. Harris will be the chairman of the mechanics conference, while that in shop laboratories will be presided over by Professor W. A. Pearl. The faculty members who will take ac» tive part in the conference program will include Professors l—I. McCor— mick. W. Hendricks, H. A. Vagtboru. W. H. Seegrist, R. C. Kinter, A. W. Sear, C. E. Hammct, W. A. Spencer, S. M. Spears, and W. A. Wagner. Each will speak on topics related to their own field in engineering. Professor McCormack will give “An Engineering Professor‘s Opinion” of engineering, while “An English Professor’s Opinion" will be pressed by Professor Hendricks. ex- l junior lUN EOE! WEEEK PROGRAM Tuesday—May l0 1:30——~Interfratcrnity Track Meet. Evening—Interfraternity Open House. Wednesdawaay ll 9:00—Frosh-Soph Baseball Game. 10:00——Juuior-Senior Baseball Game. 3 200-10 ZOOVMOpon House. Willi—«Dancing in the Gym. Thursdaym—May l2. 9:00—-lnterclass Baseball Finals. 10 : BO—Intcr'class Relays. 11:00-Frosh-Soph Events. 1:00—Scnior-Faculty Baseball Game. 2 : 30—«Pentathlon. 8:30—Annuul Spring Concert of Musical Clubs and Inter- fraternity Sing. Friday. May 3 9:00—lnter1‘raternity Baseball Finals. 10:0(l——Junior-Scnior Events. l:OO—Interfrntcrnity Pageant and Presentation of Awards. 3:00~——Clo.ss Rush. Evening—Junior Dance. cello llWll rowel Entry Head of insurance Patrol Lectures Before REES. Captain Young of the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol spoke before the F. I'. E. S. last Friday. With the aid of many fine slides Captain Young- told of the work of the pa- trol in salvaging: property. There are about ten patrols in the city, each one operating in an area of about twenty-five square miles. Each patrol carries forty 14 by 19 foot canvas covers with it for the purpose of covering furniture in a burning building. They also carry first aid equipment. The patrols are paid for by the fire insurance companies who give two percent of their income for their support. H. S. Anthem: Elected W S. E. President or . . Combined Meeting Officers for the coming: year were elected at the meeting of the Armour branch of the Western Society of En- gineers last Friday. . 1.. S. Anthon was elected president, and will be assisted by C. W. Reh, vice presdent, B. Kirz, treasurer, :and E. C. Carlson, secre- tary. F. W. Neubauer is the new student representative. The speaker of the meeting: was 0. T. Birkncss, consultant sanitary en~ gineer, who spoke on the subject “Water, Sanitation, and Filtration.” The oldest of the various methods of sterilizing water, according to Mr. Birkness, was used by the Chinese, who simply boiled it. The next im- portant step in tho. sterilzation of water did not occur until the early part of the twentieth century, when bleaching powder began to be used. This was followed by the use of hypo. chloite of lime, liquid chlorine, and chlorine gas. Some of the many uses of chlorine and chorine compounds other than in the treatment of water were also dis— cussed by Mr. Birkncss. These in- cluded use in the disposition of sew- age and ordors, the sterilization of wounds, and the bleaching of paper and flour. On Friday, May 20, the “ASE. will hold a picnic with abundant re— freshments for members, professors and their wives at Nickolas Marsh’s NOT/CF! Editorial reporters and members of editorial board: An. important meeting is to he held in. the Tech Tuesday, May 3, I938 also Weeds Classes Vie in Friendly Rivalry in Various Competitions Junior Week with its carnival of fun, sports events. exhibitions, con— tests, dancing, singing, concerts, pag— eantry, Open lH‘OUSB, and the Classic annual frosli-soph rush will be crammed into three short days this year beginning» Wednesday, May 11. “Weather permitting-weather is all important—«the event promises to be one of the most successful events of the college year,” said Junior Mor- shal J. Janicck. All classes will be dismissed for these three days. Open Home Fir-at Event Open House, traditionally popular event 01' the Institute will be held Wednesday afternoon beginning at El p.m. Plans are being made to make it one of the greatest exhibits of Armour Toch. Scientific exhibits are being planned for popular ap— peal. Work done by former students will also be on display. All depart- ments of the Institute will partici— pate. Dancing to the music of an eight piece orchestra will follow at 9:45 in the gym. Everyone is wel- come. A large attendance is one pectcd. The senior-faculty game is expect- cd to be a walk—away for the faculty again this year. For many years now the faculty always managed to nose out the seniors by a sizeable score. Professor Schommer is counted on to lead the faculty to another victory. [1. has been rumored by some of the juniors that the seniors lose for stra- tegical purposes but this has been heatodly denied by every senior class of the past who has lost—and they all have. Professor Schommer con— tends that it is just a matter of su- periority. The game should be very interesting. Spring Concert Thursday The Annual Spring Concert of Musical Clubs which takes place the same evening", Thursday, at 8:30 will include the lnterfraternity Sing and will be held in the Assembly Hall. Ev-'yone is invited to attend. Ad- mission is free. 0. Gordon Erickson, Armour’s Musical Director, has ar» ranged a variety program that prom- ises to he very interesting. The fra- ternities who will participatc in tho (Continued on page four) Glee Club to Sing on C B 8 Coast - to - Coast ‘ll/lusic VYEek’ Program Busses will leave at 10:30 Friday morning to entertain at the New State Hospital in Kankakee at. 1:30 pan. Then at 3:30 the same after~ noon, the memhrs of the musical clubs will present a concert before the Kankakee High School. The audience will be entertained by the school‘s 100 piece band until the Armouritcs arrive. Another program will be given at the Old State hos— pital in a seven o’clock performance. Next; Saturday morning, May 7th, the glee club will sing over a coast to coast Columbia network, under the direction of 0. Gordon Erickson from 11:15 to ll :30 am. The Chicago outlet; will be radio sta- tion WBBM. The tentative program begins with the Alma Motor and fol: lowed by: Scorers, Bloc}; Eyed Su- sie, The Drum, Old Man River, :1 baritone solo by Thomas Ycakle, en- titled, Hod a Horse, and Dc Animals A’ Comin’. Last Friday evening the glee club and orchestra presented a program before the members of the Evanston Country Club and the “dates" of the Armourites. After the concert. the musical members danced in the main ballroom of the club. A. private diningr room was re— served for the musical club members at ‘Cooley's Cupboard,” a swanky Evanston restaurant. Another concert was presented be“ News Office {orlrry at 12:20. It . im~ plaintive that curry mambo-r of the; stalf bc 1 escn ‘ a. .. . fore the Union League Club last Saturday afternoon. The members of the Union League Club are promi~ ncnt business men about Chicago.