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I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERIXG C H E M I S T R Y
Cooperation in industry is not forbidden, and it has been shown by the Supreme Court that the Sherman law did not intend to place a penalty upon intelligence in business. As we looked about the council chamber of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, kindly loaned for the occasion, we saw representatives of many chemical groups working in various chemical trade associations, of which the industry supports some forty. Why cannot a greater, allinclusive organization be formed in which there would be adequate and complete representation of the American chemical industry in its many branches and specialties? On two occasions the executives of the industry have met in large numbers, have found such contacts good, and have considered the time most profitably spent. If these conferences could lead to the creation of such an association, permanent good to the industry would result in a degree to dwarf what has thus far been achieved, and afford easy channels for still further cooperation between the Department of Commerce and industry which, in itself, would be invaluable. Such a representative trade association could foster the cooperation which Colonel Donovan described as essential, and make the most of the assistance which a helpful Government offers a legitimate industry.
Vol. 20, No. 3
The work which men like Seff can do is so important that we take this opportunity to present his example, puticularly to our younger members. While TTe all recognize the inestimable value of those engaged in more fundamental work, we also know that our science and the projects of the SOCIETY would be furthered if we could but enjoy the services of more men of the type of Robert W. Neff.
Institute Conferences
F a vote were to be taken on the most profitable single feature of the Institute of Chemistry of the SOCIETY as conducted in 1927, it would undoubtedly show the daily general conferences to be an overwhelming favorite. Guided by this experience, the committee has given particular attention to conferences in planning the work for 1928. While the entire program of the Institute is to be kept as flexible as possible, that it may be easily adjusted to meet needs that may arise, certain topics have been selected as of greatest interest for general conference discussion. Since some fields are too broad to permit a really detailed discussion, the time will be devoted to establishing broad principles. In the general conference on alloys the aim will be to discuss facts quite generally applicable to that type of metals. Seven conferences will be devoted to a discussion of agricultural products as raw materials in the HE wide circle of friends and acquaintances made by chemical industry or, stated differently, uses other than Robert W. Neff during a life of intense activity was for food of agricultural products. Beginning with a survey shocked at the news of his passing. There will be some of the problem from the point of view of agriculture, chemchemists who did not know Neff, for he was not a contributor istry, and engineering, these conferences will proceed to a to the technical press. But men of his type are necessary discussion of fermentation processes applied to corn, corn factors in the success of any organization, and particularly products of other types, possible use of corn stover, and of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Neff wrote no learned thence to the industrial uses of small grains. Special emphascientific articles and he seldom took part in scientific dis- sis will be placed upon sources of cellulose, from which one cussions, though he ’was always an attendant upon sectional, should obtain a clear picture of the future place of wood, regional, and national meetings. He was not given to much cotton, and annual stalks with reference to cellulose supplies. speaking, but to much doing. He was never too busy to The new competition in agriculture will bring out pertinent find the time necessary for some service to the SOCIETY facts as to the extent to which tropical oils in their various and to the public. He was a member of the “Old Guard.” forms are competing with animal fats-to mention a single He could be counted upon as a “wheel horse,” and perhaps example. Finally, a conference will be devoted to research as applied to these industrial products, extended uses of some people would say he belonged to the “clique”-a term often applied by those unwilling to work to those who which in many cases await a greater and more fundamental carry the burdens incident to any successful enterprise. knowledge. Antioxidants, thermionic emission, and irradiation as Neff gave generously not only of his time but of his means and of his seasoned advice, made valuable by extensive applied to catalysis, vitreous enamels, modern thermodynamics, and the use of energy a t high potential, the latest experience in the business world. Neff had been below par physically for a long time, but word on the new fertilizers, two selected topics on health only his close friends knew it, and how he really felt was well and chemistry, the sciences in national defense, hydrogenamasked beneath his cheery greeting and pleasant smile. tion, hazards attributable to new materials, leather, chemistry and physics as related to life processes, carbohydrates, He was not the complaining sort. He was a true Rotarianwas “Bobbie” Neff-always practicing the teaching of a topic in petroleum, the packing industry, paint and pro“Service above Self,” and turned his hand to many a kind tective coatings, resins, chemistry of sanitation, and a conference on literature and library work in chemistry are the deed of philanthropy, of which others’knew little. There are always too few men of ?Jeff’s stamp, and while other topics. When it is remembered that the subject matter is to be he was successful in his chosen specialty of finishes for cotton goods and in many instances had found and eliminated handled by specialists, that groups identified with such work difficulties which had eluded men of broader technical will be present to lead the discussion, and that all in attendtraining, he was not the extreme specialist which, to some. ance will be given an opportunity both to ask and to answer represents the standard by which members of a scientific inquiries, it is evident that there is justification for the organization should be judged. S o t only will the Sorth- popularity of these general conferences. It is the concentration upon a single topic with assurance eastern Section miss Neff sadly in the conduct of its work. but the whole SOCIETYwill be the loser. He pioneered in of ample time for thorough discussion that makes these daily constructive publicity for chemistry and was invaluable sessions, for which two hours and forty minutes are available, in securing for the A. C. S. Kews Service the cooperation of of such great value. They have demonstrated their utility important Xew England papers. He actively furthered in the Institute of Chemistry and their form can be recomthe Prize Essay Contest, and often came to the assistance mended for more general application in arranging scientific of the committee in difficult situations and when monumental meetings. I n due course through the News Edition we shall announce those who are to conduct the conferences tasks faced it.
A Man Passes
