8
THE BATTALION
CHEMICAL STUDENTS MAKE
A PROFITABLE TRIP
Whoever went on this inspection
trip can call himself lucky, for the
education received will never be too
highly appreciated by the individual.
On Wednesday, March 24, seven sen
iors and several juniors accompanied
by Dr. C. C. Hedges, head of the de
partment of Chemical Engineering,
and Prof. M. K. Thornton, professor
of Industrial Chemistry, departed
from College Station, headed for
Beaumont. About 9:45 a. m., the
train arrived there and then one
could see how jolly and congenial the
party would turn out, since really
for the first time all were assembled.
Woodrow, with his everlasting sense
of humor. Fuzzy Hamilton, with no
less sarcasm, Major Ballard, discus
sing the merits of the Bryan girls
above those seen in Beaumont.
Landon figuring out the speed at
which the molecule travels through
a given space, Red Taylor wonder
ing whether or not he had relatives
in the city—(he had), and Castillo,
well he did the rest. Thus the party
arrived at the Magnolia Refinery,
where Mr. J. W. Newton, ’ll, assis
tant superintendent, received us in
the most cordial manner. At the
chemical laboratory Capt. W. W.
Leach, who at present is chief chem
ist there, placed into our hands the
entire laboratory. Cai'l M. Fabian,
’19, was in it too, the bunch as well
as he were glad to see each other.
Mr. Leon Skeeler, ’12, also an A.
and M. man, holding a high office
was so kind as to devote his entire
time to us. Dr. Hedges divided the
bunch into several small groups
assigning each to a man testing the
oils, so that every one could learn
the technique used in an oil labor
atory. As soon as one of the groups
was thoroughly familiar, then is was
assigned to another man and thus on
the line, learning from the most sim
plest things on up to the more dif
ficult, such as the determination of
sulphur in sample of oil. Every
test required skill. Next to the lab
oratories was the experimental still
which is used only to devise new pro
cesses in the oil industry. The prin
ciple upon which our little still be
hind the Chemistry building is built,
is based on the same principle, which
all the refineries use. There is not
one in the party who can say that
he did not become familiar with all
the routine work employed in an oil
laboratory, thanks to the leadership
of experienced men. At noon the
company gave us a meal in their re
fractory, which is located just above
the laboratory. We must admit that
the cook’s work was enough to make
a fellow work for the company just
for a meal a day. During the af
ternoon all jumped into overalls and
went to the stills. If a man has
heard a lot of talk about a refinery
and has never seen one, he has not
the ability to perceive yet what an
enormous, gigantic plant it is unless
he can see it with his own eyes, and
then he doubts still whether it is an
image or a reality. Mr. Newton
showed us around and explained in
detail the various processes employ
ed. The company has its own sul
phuric acid manufacturing plant,
which is on the lead chamber process
type. All saw in detail the construc
tion of the receiving houses, pres
sure stils, steam stills, agitators, wax
plant, packing and loading plant, and
many other things which appear to
be of minor importance but which
are little details towards an effi
cient running of the plant. Every
one took notes, and due to the help
which Mr. Newton, Dr. Hedges and
Mr. Thornton gave us our task was
made easier. At five we returned to
the laboratory, where we dressed
and finished our day’s work. Let it
be expressed at this place, that all
students and professors thank the
company and its officials for the kind
hospitality shown to us. Not one
left the place without hoping that
some day he could go through again.
That very day the trip continued
to Port Arthur, where the Texas
Company and the Gulf Petroleum
Company plants were visited. The
same kind reception was tendered us
here too. The feat of the day was
the visit to Port Arthur High school
where Dr. Hedges made a talk about
the College and Woodrow followed
with his good line, emphasizing the
supremacy of the College in athlet
ics. It was gratifying to see what a
prosperous and well managed city
Port Arthur is. Good schools, good
paved streets, good system and good
everything.
On Friday and Saturday the Sin
clair Refinery in Houston and the
Texas Portland Cement Factory
were inspected and on Saturday
morning the Magnolia Provision
company, thus becoming familiar
with the manufacturing of vegetable
fats, and oils.
Least but not last, let us express
our gratitude to all the companies
for their kindness. Especially the
Sinclair Refinery for their courtesy
of sending us a truck. Mr. Richards
and Mr. Barnes of Port Arthur for
their invaluable help.
The members of the party were:
Dr. C. C. Hedges, M. K. Thornton,
E. S. Wilson, E. Taylor, L. A. Bal
lard, R. Thrasher, R. M. Landon, M.
A. Hamilton, C. A. Castillo; Juniors,
Vanderberg, Barnes, Myers, Hamil
ton, Coffin, Smith, Easly and others.
RESERVE TEAMS RECEIVE SIL
VER BALLS
Silver footballs for the Reserve or
Scrub team have been ordered for
the following men and will be on
hand soon: H. M. Adams, M. H.
Anglin, W. L. Ballard, F. Buckner,
N. E. Buescher, R. F. Burns, F.
Buckner, B. L. Coker, W. L. Davis,
T. C. Davis, O. H. Frazier, W. B.
Hamilton, W. B. Hanna, O. Haney,
L. S. Keen, C. M. Kimbrough, S. E.
Leiper, R. H. Maxwell, J. C. Moore,
W. B. Murray, T. J. McCarty, R. E.
L. Pattillo, T. L. Parrish, R. H. Pare,
W. Riley, W. E. Simpson, W. E.
Winn, G. A. Davidson, J. Carmichael.
These balls are given as a mark of
recognition for help in the develop
ment of the first team and are
awarded to second string men in all
sports. It is a matter of history that
these silver balls usually become
gold ones the following year, for the
majority of the A. and M. athletes
come from men who were scrubs the
year before.
Silver balls for the scrub basket
ball team have also been ordered
and will be on hand soon. Those re
ceiving them are as follows: H. E.
DeLee, L. S. Keen, J. P. March, F.
G. Taylor, N. V. Jones and W. N.
Roper.
W. Gristle Beasley, ’14, Agr., for
merly County Demonstration Agent
at Stephenville, Texas, has been pro
moted by the Extension Service to the
position of District Agent, and placed
in charge of District No. 8, better
known as the Brownwood District.
Gristle has his headquarters at Col
lege.
Gristie is remembered for his foot
ball ability by the men of his time.
I DO YOU KNOW?
$
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T
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