GOVERNMENT

Behind the Paper Curtain Secrecy policies of government agencies restricting flow of information assailed by House group

Ο LOWLY, almost imperceptibly, a paper curtain has descended aver the activities of the Government. Spawned by the rapid expansion of government activities in the 1930*s, and appreci­ably thickened by the problems of pro­tecting national security during World War II and the cold war, the paper curtain of secrecy now keeps from the public much information that should be available on a routine basis. In­voked in the name of national security, bureaucratic secrecy has continued to spread with the stealth of a noxious weed.

These are some of the conclusions drawn by the House Subcommittee on Government Information. This com­mittee, headed by Rep. John E . Moss (D.-Calif.), has just issued an interim report on its investigations of the infor­mation policies of government agencies. Summarizing the activities of the com­mittee since it began looking into re­strictions on the free flow of govern­ment information back in June 1955, the report contains specific recommen­dations designed to lift the paper curtain.

• What's Wrong. Through the years, the committee finds, many gov­ernment administrators have lost sight of the fact that they are only transient custodians of the people's business. In­stead they have adopted the attitude of private executives responsible only to the board of directors and its chair­man—the President and the Cabinet. As a result, the committee says, access to nonclassified public documents has been a matter of judgment on the part of some officials, not a right to be en­joyed by the average citizen.

During the hearings, the Moss group says, some government witnesses flatly stated that they had an inherent right to withhold information. Other offi­cials were shown to b e contemplating further restrictions on the release of in­formation even as they took the wit­ness chair. In addition, according to the committee, many agency chiefs frankly stated that they had never taken a careful look at their information ac­tivities until prodded by committee questions. In some instances, "open door" information policies adopted by

top agency officials had not percolated down to lower levels, where employees took the position that it is safer to say too little than too much.

"One of the most ominous develop­ments is the effort to extend govern­ment control over nonsecurity informa­tion/' Although the old category of "restricted" information has been dis­carded, the committee finds that it has been replaced by many ingenious offspring. Answers to a .committee questionnaire show that government agencies have developed 30 new labels to keep nonsecurity information from public view. Among the new restric­tive terms are "for official use,'* "private-official," and "while this document is unclassified, it is for use only in indus­try and not for public release/*

To permit the free circulation of un­classified information, the Moss Com­mittee makes this recommendation, **If government agencies wish to restrict information—whether technical indus­trial information, the ideas of scientists, or the simple facts of Government-such information should be classified as security material on a basis of uniform policy under clearly defined rules."

Here are some of the Moss commit­tee recommendations on specific prob­lems investigated by the group.

• Abolish OSI. The Commerce De­partment's controversial Office of Stra­tegic Information was the object of the Moss committee's harshest criticism. After prolonged hearings on the func­tions of OSI (C&EN, April 30 , page 2 1 4 0 ) , the committee concludes that the agency seems to operate in an aura of complete confusion. OSI officials, the committee says, failed to explain what OSI had done in the past, what it was doing at the time, nor could they outline what would be done in the future.

Refusal of OSI officials to reveal the contents of the agency's progress re­ports to the National Security Council is characterized by the Moss group as **a highly unrealistic attitude of cloak-and-dagger self-importance. Upon de­classification it was apparent that there was nothing in any of die reports which was of the slightest significance with regard to national security.'*

Unable to find any justification for the existence of OSI, either to restrict unclassified information inside the Gov­ernment, or control unclassified infor­mation outside the Government, the committee recommends that OSI be abolished.

• Reinstate Science Attaches. The State Department's science attaché pro­gram, inaugurated in 1951, has now dwindled to the point that there are no science attachés in the department (C&EN, Jan. 9, page 112) . The Moss committee recommends that ex­perienced scientists should be attached to every major United States Embassy around the world.

Potomac Postscripts

• Time has almost run out on Inter-handel's legal fight to regain control of General Aniline and Film now in custody of the Office of Alien Prop­erty. The U. S. Court of Appeals has refused to grant Interhandel an extension of time to produce certain Swiss documents required to estab­lish ownership. Moreover, a Senate-passed bill restoring to original own­ers property ^seized under terms of the Trading With the Enemy Act failed to pass the House in the final days of the session.

• A tri-state study of air pollution in the New York metropolitan area lias been approved by Congress. Sen­ate action cleared the last legal barrier to the $60,000 study to be

conducted by the Interstate Sanitary Commission of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Studies will be confined to problems in the New York-New Jersey area since Connecticut does not plan to take part in the survey.

• Curbs on oil imports may be im­posed by Congress at next year's session. Despite repeated requests by the Office of Defense Mobilization to reduce imports on a voluntary basis (C&EN, July 9, page 3350) , oil imports have not been cut back substantially. Sen. Frank Carlson (R.-Kan.) served notice on Congress mat if imports are not limited, he wall lead the fight at the next session to impose mandatory quotas.

3 8 7 6 C & E N A U G . 13, 19 5 6

ADVERTISEMENT— Tkis entire page is « paid aivmriixetmetd Prepared by U. S. Industrial ChemScats Co.

U.S.I. CHEMICAL NEWS July-Aug. * A Series for Chemists and Executives o f the Solvents and Chemical Consuming Industries *~ 1956

U.S.I. TO PRODUCE ZIRCONIUM SPONGE; A.E.C TO TAKE MILLION LBS. PER YEAR

U.S· ! · Semi-Works Metals Plant at Ashtabula

I s Under Construction

A half million pound-per-year semi-commer­cial metals plant is being built by U.SJ. at Ashtabula, adjacent to the site of the projected full-scale zirconium unit, and will be com· pleted by September of this year. It will be used for production of zirconium sponge dur· ing construction of the larger installation.

Titanium, hafnium, thorium, beryllium and other metals can probably be made in this plant by the same basic U.S.I. process. The new plant will serve as proving ground for production of these metals when, and if, full· scale production is planned.

Recovery Process Deve loped A U.S.I. process for recovering reactor-

grade zirconium from hafnium-free scrap will undergo large-scale trial runs for the first time at the new unit. Already successful in the laboratory, this recovery process is ex· pected to convert zirconium scrap into sponge on a toll arrangement for about half the cost of virgin sponge. This development is an im­portant one, since only 30% of all zirconium purchased for fabrication is converted into the final structures or parts. Losses during metal­lurgical and production steps account for the other 7096.

Minimum Standards Being Set for Plastic Pipe

The National Sanitation Foundation has recently announced the establishment of min­imum standards for plastic pipe used to carry drinking water. With the cooperation of the Society of the Plastics Industry, an identi-fication program has been set up whereby par­ticipating companies use an NSF seal on their pipes and fittings when they meet standards. Manufacturers of the plastic raw materials must also have an N S F OK, and U.SX's PETROTHENE® polyethylene resins have already received this approval.

This move is a step toward standardization of plastic pipe for all purposes. Polytheylene pipe is being used more and more, particularly in the chemical process industries, in appli­cations where the conditions require that the best grade of pipe must be used. Purchasers should be sure they are getting pipe made of 100% virgin material, which will withstand the conditions of use.

U.S.I, can supply on request the names of pipe producers who maintain high quality standards in the manufacture of polyethylene pipe.

Sodium Reduction Process to Be Used for Zirconium Manufacture—Yields Purer Product at Much Lower Cost

A 1,500,000 pound-per-year plant for the manufacture of reactor-grade zir­conium sponge is being constructed by U.S.I, at Ashtabula, Ohio, site of the company's sodium and chlorine production facilities· Both of these raw materials

[ will be used in the process when the installa­tion goes onstream in mid-1957.

One million pounds per year £or a five year period have already been committed to the Atomic Energy Commission according to a contract signed in May, 1956. This was the largest single contract awarded by the A.E.C. in its zirconium procurement program.

Essent ia l in A t o m P r o g r a m Reactor-grade zirconium i s essential as

structural material for atomic reactors and for cladding uranium, because of its low nu­clear cross-section. This ability t o let neutrons pass through increases the fuel efficiency of the. reactor. Zirconium also has extremely, high corrosion and • heat resistance vital in atomic energy applications. Hafnium, always found in association with zirconium in the natural state, must be removed in an extra refining step in the manufacture of reactor-grade material, because of i ts neutron-trapping qualities, although the hafnium does not inter­fere with zirconium's corrosion, resistance.

I m p o r t a n t to Chemical Industry The commercial grade, with 1-3% hafnium

content, i s expected to be used extensively by the chemical process industries. It has excel­lent resistance to acids, alkalis, corrosion and heat, combined with strength, ductility, light weight and good machining properties: It is hoped that U.S.I.'s new process can eventually bring the price of commercial grade zirconium sponge down to about $3.50 per pound, which is expected to result in finished fabricated zirconium parts priced at about $15 per pound. At this price it will be competitive with other high-quality materials of construction.

Zirconium has been used for many years to fabricate the spinnerettes employed i n

Nitrofurans Used as Chemotherapeutic Agents

U.S.L Diethyl Carbonate Used in Synthesis

Another group of compounds has joined the sulfa drugs and the antibiotics in the fight against infection. This is the nitrofuran group of products, derived from furfural which has had a nitro-group added in the number five position on the ring, and which has been fur­ther modified by chemical reaction. <

These products have the rare property of remaining effective against bacteria and fungi where resistant strains have been built up against the sulfas and antibiotics. Thus the medical man has a reserve weapon to draw upon when and if other agents begin to lose their effectiveness.

Hundreds of nitrofuran derivatives have been synthesized since 1944, and of these, five have proven effective enough for development into commercially usable antimicrobials: n i t r o f u r a z o n e for contro l l ing infected wounds, burns, ulcers and other skin lesions; infections of the eye, ear, nose and other mucous membranes; bladder infections; and diseases of cattle and poultry. ^nitrofurantoin for treating bacterial infec­tions of the urinary tract. n i trof urf uryl methy l e ther for fungi, spores and bacteria which attack the body. furazol idone for treating some types of vagi­nal infections, and diseases in poultry. The U.S.I. product diethyl carbonate i s used in the synthesis of this material.

A fifth derivative is now almost ready for marketing.

The work of synthesizing and testing new derivatives continues, but investigators are no longer proceeding haphazardly. Years of experiment have shown researchers how vari­ous nitrofurans interfere with the multiplica­tion of bacteria in the body, and how these nitrofurans are dispositioned hy the body. This information permits the synthesis of deriva­tives specially designed for specific body infections. As a matter of fact, nitrofurantoin, specific against urinary tract infections, was created in this way.

Other members of this group show anes­thetic properties. Some are antihistaminic, and some affect certain types of cancer cells. So far, all exhibit a minimum toxic effect.

Zirconium sponge made at U.S.I, pilot plant, flanked by 2 zirconium test rods.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T — Tkts entire page ts a paid advert isewneut Prepared br V. S. Industrial Chemicals Co.

July-Aug. U.S.I. CHEMICAL NEWS 1956

CONTINUED Zirconium viscose rayon manufacture because of its resistance to the alkaline xanthate solution on one side and sulfuric acid on the other. Some other applications include:

• "Getters** in radio tubes. A "getter** is a small piece of metal enclosed in a vacuum tube which combines with any gases remaining to take them out of circulation. Zirconium has high affinity for gases, extends the life and efficiency of tubes.

• Desulfurizing. deoxidizing and anti-aging agent for steel. This use is also based on the metal's affinity for gases.

• Alloy for magnesium and gold. • Powder metallurgy.

S o d i u m Process Employed The new plant will be the first to make

zirconium sponge employing semi-continuous production techniques developed by U.S.I. research men in the company's own labora­tories. These techniques involve the use of sodium as the reducing agent for zirconium tetrachloride, and yield a zirconium sponge of greater purity as a result.

Zirconium sources are abundant, and the metal has been known and used for many years in its impure form. But production of a pure, ductile metal has presented many tech­nical difficulties. Only in recent years, first with magnesium and now with U.S.I.'s sodium reduction process, have the problems of refin­ing the metal been licked.

New Process Lowers Costs The method, which can probably also be.

applied to other metals such as titanium, thorium, beryllium and hafnium, has the ad­vantage over conventional processes of a lower initial investment cost. It is expected to bring the market price of reactor-grade zirconium sponge from the new plant down to less than half of the current price of about $15.00 per pound and to have the same effect on the price of the commercial grade. U.S.I. feels that the lower price plus greater avail­ability will increase applications for the metal substantially. Therefore, the forthcoming plant has been designed for easy and rapid expansion.

Hansa Yellow G Pigment Now in Flushed Forai

Produced From Acetoacetanilide

Pushed Hansa Yellow G pigment in paste form is being offered to the protective coat­ings industry for the first time, for use in finishes where high brilliance, good light-fastness and resistance to alkalis are desired.

This organic azo pigment is produced by coupling m-nitro/Moluidine and acetoacetanil­ide. It is transferred from the water to the oil phase through pigment flushing in a medium-short glycerol phthalate soya-modified alkyd resin, and reduced with mineral spirits,

Improved Method Found For Administering Urethan In Treatment of Leukemia

A new method of administering urethan (ethyl carbamate) has substantially reduced undesirable side effects which previously limited urethan's use in treating several types of leukemia.

Urethan administered rectally by means of suppositories was found to give the same therapeutic response as that obtained by oral and intravenous treatment. Such adverse after­effects as anorexia, vomiting, nausea and diar­rhea were eliminated in most cases.

Electromet Titanium Plant Now Operating

At Ashtabula, Ohio The largest titanium plant in the world,

built by the Electromet Division of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation at Ash­tabula, Ohio, went on stream in April 1956.

Metallic sodium acts as the reducing agent for titanium tetrachloride in the process, and is supplied from the U.S.I. sodium plant nearby.

T E C H N I C A l DEVELOPMENTS

Chemical resistance of polyetbyUnes. both conven­tional and low-pressure, a n d polyvinyl chlorides to about 400 reagents is shown in chart now being offered b y plastics processor. No. 1160

A n e w liquid rubber corroslon-resistcmt coating can be brushed or sprayed onto a l l types of surfaces. Said to adhere wel l , s h o w s excellent toughness, flexibility and abrasion resistance. Claimed to be waterproof, to protect against oil , chemicals, fungi, sunlight. No. 1161

A pepper-like bite in foods, lozenges, toothpastes a n d mouth w a s h e s can b e provided synthetically b y beta-dnnaraylidene acetoyl piperidide at 1% of the concentration required for natural pepper. May aid carbohydrate digestif No. 1162

Nine n e w adhesive* for modern plastic packages h a v e been developed b y one company, both for forming the packages themselves a n d for label­ing. These liquids are custom-made to bond to particular plastics in particular applications.

No. 1163

Manual on electrically-conductive coatings i s avai lable which covers their use in research, development and design in fields such a n auto­mation, aircraft, electronics and geology. No. 1164

A n e w pigment for plastics, rubber and printing inks is reputed to have excellent permanence and resistance to heat discoloration. It is a bril­liant maroon, non-bleeding, e a s i l y dispersed organic pigment. No. 1165

Plastic fittings of advanced des ign for poly­ethylene pipe are claimed to eliminate l eakage problems by featuring secondary serrations be ­neath the clamp compression area : to assure "bite" -with the pipe. A hex hub for wrench tight­ening prevents damage to fitting. No. 1166

A n e w hand cleaner has been designed to remove oil, dirt, tar, pitch, dye, ink, paint or just plain h e a v y grime rapidly and thoroughly, according to producer. Claimed to g ive no skin reactions, l eaves hands soft. No. 1167

The first dermatological cream containing predni­solone, a highly potent anti-inflammatory steroid, i s now on the market. Claimed to relieve itching a n d pain of many allergies and eczemas, shows no systemic absorption. No. 1168

N e w dust mask to protect workers against non­toxic dusts is sa id to be light, comfortable, e a s y to breathe through. Polyethylene frames g ive strength . a n d flexibility. Latex filter protects against particles down to one micron. No. 1169

INORGANIC CHEMICALS: Sodium, Metal l ic: cast solid in tank cors, steel drums, pails; bricks In bar­

rels, pails. Chlorine: liquid, in tank cars. Caustic Soda: 5 0 % liquid, in tank cars. Sodium Peroxide: dust-free granules, in drums. Sulfuric Acid: all strengths, 60 ° Baume to 4 0 % Oleum. Also Electrolytic

grade to Federal specifications. Tank cars or tank wagons. Ammonia: Anhydrous, commercial and refrigeration. Tank cars or tank wagons.

Also Nitrogen Fertilizer Solutions.

OTHER PRODUCTS: Alcohols: Ethyl (pure and all denatured formulas). Normal Butyl, Amyl,

Fusel Oil; Proprietary Denatured Alcohol Solvents SOLOX®, FILM EX®, ANSOL® M, ANSOL<§) PR.

PETROTHENE® Polyethylene Resins. Esters, Ethers «and Ketones: Normal Butyl Acetate, Dibutyl Phthalate, Diethyl

Carbonate, Diethyl Oxalate, Ethyl Acetate, Ethyl Ether, Acetone.

Intermediates and Fine Chemicals: Acetoacetarylides, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Ethyl Benzoylacetate, Ethyl Chloroformate, Ethylene, Ethyl Sodium Oxalacetote, Sodium Ethylate solution, Urethan USP (Ethyl Carbamate).

Animal Feed Products: Calcium Pantothenate, Choline Chloride Products, Curbay B-O® 80, Special Liquid Curbay®, DL-Methionine, Niacin USP, Riboflavin Concentrates, Vitamin Bn» and Antibiotic Feed Supplements, Vacatone{§) -40, Vitamin A, Da and K3 products.

Pharmaceutical Products: DL-Methionine, N-Acetyl-DL-Methionine# Riboflavin USP, Urethan USP, Intermediates.

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Functiom of the attachés would be to report on scientific developments and facilitate exchange o f scientific infor­mation. Except for matters of military security, the Moss group recommends that the reports of the attachés be given the widest idissemination so that American scientists can keep abreast of world developments i n their field.

• Clarify Status of BAC· The Com­merce Department's Business Advisory Council, investigated last year by the House Judiciary Committee (C&EN, bee . 26, 1955, page 5579) , was criti­cized by the Moss group for its dual nature. When masked about advice given by BAC, A e Moss group says, the Commerce Oepartment explains that BAC is a private organization. Yet when BAC is asked about its activi­ties, it explains that its records are government records and not available under the doctriue of executive privi­lege. Net result, the committee says^, is to deny Congress and the public^ML formation about tJhe activities of B^^^r

The Moss committee recommends that the Justice Department clarify the nebulous status of the Business Advi­sory Council. If i t is no more than an assembly of private advisers, the com­mittee says, it should be deprived of immunity from congressional inquiries. If BAC invokes quasi-governmental prerogatives, it should be subject to the same regulations as all other govern­ment advisory groups.

In addition, the Moss group recom­mends that BAC eitber make minutes public promptly after meetings or per­mit the public to attend the meetings.

• What's the Answer? The Moss committee is continuing its investiga­tions of the problem of restricting the flow of public information. As a result of hearings held s o far, some agencies are modifying their information poli­cies. For example, the Defense De­partment has announced a proposal to expedite the separation of basic infor­mation for distribution within the sci­entific community from scientific infor­mation relating to weapons.

Believing that Congress intends to establish a full and complete flow of information from the Government to the people, the committee is attempting to draw up legislation that will free information rather than freeze it. It is possible, the group says, that a "public records" statute may be developed be­fore a final report of the investigations is written. .

Meanwhile, more hearings on the in­formation policies of the Defense De­partment are planned. Hearings will also be held with representatives of the Justice Department and State Department.

NUCLEIC ACIDS, for growth studies.

Y E A S T ADENYLIC A C I D , for its inhibition of tumor growth in mice.

P U R I N E COMPOUNDS, for growth inhibition studies.

JV-ETHYL MALEIMIDE, for its reported antimitotic effect in tissue culture of chick fibroblast.

T R I P H E N Y L TETRAZOLIUM CHLORIDE, for determination of can­cerous tissue.

TRIPHOSADEN® (Schwarz Brand of Adenosine Triphosphate), for phosphorylation studies.

These SCHWARZ preparations meet the exacting requirements of products intended for use in biochemical and clinical research. Write for informative technical bulletins, complete specifications and references to literature.

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230 Washington Street, Mount Vernon, Ν . Υ.

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