5x0
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
work of developing the raw recruit. How then can the War Department aid in the provision of instructors for chemistry students? I n one of a t least two ways: Either by granting class exemption to instructors in chemistry or b y detailing men already in the service t o instructional work in the university lecture rooms and laboratories. If exemption as a class should be given, then some distinguishing emblem should accrue t o such men, for the time is a t hand when peculiar glances are cast a t young men of draft age who are not attired in khaki. If on the other hand it is deemed best t h a t they should be enlisted and detailed back t o universities, then i t is fortunate t h a t under the present orders of the Secretary of War t h e work of detailment would be in the hands of the Chief of the Chemical Service Section, Lieutenant Colonel Bogert, whose long and distinguished career as a teacher in one of our greatest universities preeminently qualifies him for such a duty. Time is a n important factor in the matter, however, for every day t h a t lapses after the opening of the universities next Fall is just so much loss in the work these soldier instructors will be expected t o perform. Of course the time may come when it will be advisable to close university doors and stop many other lines of daily effort, in the hope of putting across the one great blow for victory. T h a t time does not seem to have arrived yet. Our enemies are apparently pursuing t h a t policy now, and judging from the results t o date it is proving disastrous for them. SUPPORT F R O M T H E CHEMICAL I N D U S T R I E S
Third, the future of the industries depends upon no factor more than upon the output of chemists from the universities. Wonderful progress has been made in these industries in the past, particularly during the three preceding years. Much more must be accomplished, if we are not t o rest content simply with doing as well as some other country has done. Within university walls next year will be young men who some day will have t o take up the reins now so ably held b y the present leaders. Already the industries have attracted to their staffs many valuable university teachers. We cannot eat our cake and have it too. Furthermore, the industries have already drained the universities of all available students possessing sufficient training t o go into works laboratories, We believe t h a t the heads of industrial laboratories will bear out the statement t h a t the standard of qualifications of student accessions t o industrial staffs has within the past two years been decidedly lowered. If this condition becomes worse rts deleterious effect will be markedly shown in t h e industries during the next decade. Foresight is called for. How can the industries aid? By giving generously of their well earned profits of recent years t o strengthen and build up the chemistry departments of the universities. I t is not a question of charity or philanthropy, b u t can well be regarded as a n investment. With the aid of funds from this source the pay of professors and instructors can be increased, thereby diminishing the necessity for leaving university ranks because of the increased cost of
Vol.
IO,
No. 7
living. So, too, equipment of university laboratories can be fully maintained and improved. The account (page 581, this issue) of the anonymous gift t o t h e Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the purpose of further improvement in its equipment for chemistry and physics shows t h a t someone’s mind is moving in this channel. Finally, many of the ablest students are in need of financial assistance if they are to get the best training t h e universities offer. The creation of scholarships and fellowships will do much t o alleviate this situation, aside from the stimulation induced by prospective rewards of good work. An important step in this direction has just been taken by the du Pont Company in setting aside a portion of its earnings for this purpose (page 581, this issue). Many other ways of aiding through funds will suggest themselves if once our industrial leaders are convinced t h a t in this matter they have just as important an interest as in the purchase of raw material or in the efficiency of plant operations. The chem‘stry army must have its reserves. Good generalship will provide these. A FRENCH LOCAL SECTION Another tie joins France and America; another offspring of the American Chemical Society takes its place in the family of local sections. On page 5 7 3 of this issue is printed the application t o the Council for permission “to found in Paris a French section of the Society covering t h e entire territory of France.” As the usual Spring meeting of the Council was not held, this application for charter is now being voted upon by the Directors. It requires no gift of prophecy t o predict t h a t the vote will be of such enthusiastic unanimity as never before characterized a vote of the Directors. The first public announcement of the application, made by Secretary Parsons, on the request of President Nichols, a t the recent joint outing of the Philadelphia and Delaware Sections, was greeted with tremendous applause. The signatures on the application are those of distinguished French chemists intermingled with those of American chemists, known t o us all, who are now a t the front in the service of our Army, a joint brigading of French and American forces similar t o t h a t which has been affected recently between units of the respective armies under the leadership of t h a t great soldier, General Foch. The successful result of the military union has already made itself evident on the battlefields of France; with equal confidence we can look forward t o increased strength from the closer coijperation of scientific forces through the medium of the French Section. As we read the application for charter and note the words “the entire territory of France” we know t h a t these words will carry only one meaning t o French and American chemists alike, namely a restoration of the eastern boundary of France, changed from t h a t of August 1914only in t h a t i t shall include Alsace and Lorraine, and t o t h a t end the entire resources of this country, men and material, are now dedicated. All hail t o the French Section!
