Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1930 [PAGE 701]

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698

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 19

Department of Ophthalmology Hiram Jason Smith, M.D., Associate in Ophthalmology (1 yr.) Hyman Cohen, M.D., Associate in Ophthalmology (1 yr.) Carl Apple, B.S., M.D., Assistant in Ophthalmology (1 yr.) O n motion of Mrs. Evans, these appointments were authorized. THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BUDGET (15) The Board of Directors of the Athletic Association submits its budget for the year 1930-31. I recommend that it be referred to the Finance committee for consideration and report. O n motion of M r . S i m p s o n , this r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s adopted. OPTION FOR BUSWELL. PROCESS DECLINED At this point, Mr. Barr presented a letter from Mr. F. N . Bard. June 9, 1930 Mr. Geo. A. Barr, President, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois Dear Sir: In connection with the option extended to m e by your Board for the development and use of the Buswell Sewage Disposal, I wish to advise that I have failed to take up the option and although no reply has been received to m y letter requesting an extension of the option, I wish to withdraw this request also. M y associates and I consider that this process is an excellent one and has substantial possibilities. These possibilities, however, are considerably in the future and we do not feel that we are justified in undertaking the development of the process under the conditions specified and with the information at hand. Our reasons in part, are as follows: 1. There are a number of processes by which the farmer can secure gas for lighting purposes, which are cheaper than the Buswell system apparently is and easier to handle. They do not afford the advantages of the Buswell system but it would take a long time to educate the farmer into doing the work involved in the Buswell system. 1. The production of gas on a large scale is apparently assured but it is a question whether the process will compete with natural gas and the methods being introduced to produce gas from oil well products and by-products. 3. The value of the fiber after the cellulose has been digested cannot be ascertained even approximately. The two possible uses for this material are infiberboard and paper stock and a careful investigation of these two materials indicates that there is a large over-production at the present time and it would only be possible to dispose of this product i the price were far below that of competing materials. f As the raw materials referred to above become more scarce, or the consumption of our population more nearly approaches the available supply of material, the Buswell process will come into its own. In the meantime, it is not considered advisable to try and carry along under continued expense for a number of years in the face of the competitive conditions enumerated. Thanking you and your associates for the courtesies already extended, w e are, Very truly yours, F. N. Bard On motion of Mr. Fisher, Mr. Bard's letter was received and made a matter of record. REASSIGNMENT OF APPLICATION FOR PATENT OF CELLULOSE DIGESTION T O PROFESSOR A. M. B U S W E L L A N D C. S. B O R U F F (16) In view of the recent letter of Mr. Bard, addressed to President Barr, withdrawing from his agreement to develop the Buswell process for cellulose digestion, Professor Buswell requests that the application for a patent be reassigned to him and his associate in this project, Mr. C. S. Boruff. It will be remembered that this research was carried on by State Water Survey Funds and that Professor Buswell and Mr. Boruff assigned their application for a patent to the University in the general interest. It is obvious that it will be a long