PETROL FROM WATER - John Andruss

Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 - 1954)

Friday 19 December 1941

 

INVENTOR VANISHES

Every German diplomatic represen- tative, Gestapo agents, spies, Fifth, Columnists, and many private Nazi citizens in foreign countries have been given an order: "Find John Andruss."

The reason is simple. John Andruss claims he has discovered how to make petrol from water! »

That, of course, ls an astounding claim (says "Answers") and his

"miracle" was investigated under test ? eonditions by competent authorities. A British Munitions expert and repre- sentatives of the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy all agreed that John And russ's discovery had apparently passed bona-fide tests. Representatives of the world's largest oil companies and sevi eral prominent financiers also were impressed.

The first test was made on an auto- mobile. The tank was drained. A gallon of Andruss's "gas substitute" was poured in. The car started and ran as usual. The only change the observers noticed was that the exhaust fumes smelt different from those pro- duced by ordinary petrol.

The inventor explained that his "mixture'' was merely that of water,

fresh or salt, to which had been added - a few chemicals, which could be ob-

tained from any village chemist The ? cost? A gallon of petrol substitute could be made for lid.

Questions were asked, John Andruss, highly suspicious and afraid that his secret would be stolen, answered them. No, his discovery was not patented. His "homebrew" petrol was so simple and easy to make that he would not be able to collect royalties. He dared not reveal the secret until £250.000 cash had been deposited in a bank of his own choosing.

The hard-boiled but business-like investigators were still sceptical. The demonstration, ihey thought might have been a cleverly performed trick. They suggested another-under con- ditions they themselves arranged. Andruss agreed.

SEVERE TEST.

They would provide, they said, a brand-new motor launch. They would moor it at least 20ft. from any pier, building or other craft They them- selves were to fill the boat s petrol tank with seawater. Andruss could then pour his "dope" into that and run the launch-if he could. And he did!

Still officialdom was undecided, and it was then that American oil In- terests stepped in. At the Indiana- polis Speedway, "Andruss's High*Test Gasoline Substitute" was successfully demonstrated again-and for the last

time!

At this point the story becomes one of mystery. Its theme can be em- bodied In a single question: What has become of John A. Andruss?

Distrustful of everyone as Andruss obviously was, he may be earning a modest competence for himself by manufacturing his petrol substitute and selling it to some remote country filling station. Were he doing this, however; he could hardly keep it secret. Somebody would be bound to

find out

Perhaps the best guess ls that some monopolistic oil concern has paid John a million or two for the privi- lege of owning, but not using, the sec- ret There's even an argument against that theory. Were such the case, the name of John Andruss would be on the list of this world's millionaires. It isn't there.

Perhaps John's retired to his native Portugul and peace. Wherever he may be, however, he's the answer to Hitler's ardent prayers. A little of what John Andruss knows would cure Hitler's greatest headache, namely: What is he going to use for oil when his present rapidly diminishing sup- plies run out?

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