ACS News
AGS Presidential nominees express their views Candidates for ACS President-Elect at the Society's membershipwide election this fall will be Dr. Anna J. Harrison, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, and Emerson Venable. Dr. Harrison and Dr. Seaborg were nominated earlier this year by the Council from a slate of four presented by the Committee on Nominations and Elections. Mr. Venable is a petition candidate. Dr. Harrison has been professor of chemistry at Mount Holyoke College since 1950. Dr. Seaborg is professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Venable is a Pittsburgh-based consultant and he is incumbent ACS director from Region II. The formal election statements of these candidates will be presented in the Sept. 23 issue of C&EN. However, in order for Society members to obtain a more detailed grasp of their views of ACS and its operations, C&EN has posed the same 11 questions to each candidate. The questions and replies are presented here.
Do you fear or favor the growth in recent years of "party" politics within ACS in which organized, unofficial groups actively support individual candidates or slates of candidates?
Harrison I have no fear of any group actively supporting individual candidates or slates of candidates. Participation is exactly what AGS needs. If we can get wide participation, ACS can truly represent the membership and carry forward the wishes of that membership. I am apprehensive about the future of an organization in which less than 40% of the members vote. This undermines the effectiveness of those elected and reduces the confidence of the members in the governance of ACS. I have absolute confidence in the collective judgment of a hundred thousand chemists. Working within such a body, the activities of groups are to be welcomed. My concern lies in why so few vote. Have the functions of ACS been so well defined and the operation of ACS so meritorious that it has become a habit to leave its governance to a small group? Is membership in ACS ritualistic without expectation for a return that merits participation in its governance? Are lines of participation so indirect that members withdraw from 18 C&EN Sept. 2,1974
participation in frustration? I suspect that it is a combination of all of these, and perhaps others. If you do not intend to vote, would you please tell me why? My address is South Hadley, Mass. 01075. As long as we only know the symptoms, it is difficult to attack the problem.
Seaborg It is clear that a substantial proportion of the ACS membership favors a "political approach" to the nomination, support, and election of candidates to office at various levels including the Presidency. The election of two petition candidates, Alan C. Nixon and Bernard S. Friedman, is an obvious result of this approach and has added important and useful new dimensions to our Society's activities by emphasizing the area of professionalism. This is a manifestation of democracy at work that I have favored in all of my positions of responsibility. I can picture the voice of the membership leading us into additional new areas or demanding additional emphases in the future. The old system—where a candidate usually ran on the basis of his reputation with no efforts required to sell his ideas in competition with those of his opponents—was more comfortable for the candidate. Now, however, a candidate must clarify his thoughts and come before the ACS membership with a platform upon which his qualifications for the position can be evaluated. This forces the candidate to familiarize himself with the issues and better prepares him for his responsibilities should he be elected. A political process has been evolving, but it can be improved.
Dr. Anna J. Harrison
Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg
Venable I do not think that there is any impropriety in any unofficial or official group of members proposing candidates for service in the Society and openly supporting their choices. When members are not satisfied with the official slates they clearly have the right to propose their own. It is equally proper for groups of members to organize to promote the specific interests and needs of members as they believe them to be; to initiate new program divisions; advocate changes in policy or new policy; work for vested pensions, better quotas for chemical manufacturing industry,
Emerson Venable
fair control legislation for drugs and pharmaceuticals, better undergraduate and graduate education for chemists and to petition for changes in the structure of the Society. Certainly such initiative may at times seem annoying to those of us who are satisfied with our Society as it is, but I feel that efforts to limit these basic rights are much more dangerous than any abuse that may be made of them. It is important that the different in terests in the Society identify them selves or be identified so that we arrive at open covenants openly arrived at.
members in a number of ways. First it is Communication System I, to trans mit as quickly, freely, and economical ly as possible, the findings of our crea tive members to the rest of us and to the public. Second, it is Communica tion System Π, by which we arrive at a consensus of what chemistry is and how it can and should be applied for human benefit. It is also a service orga nization of staff and members to expe dite the mechanics of the first two functions and such other services that sustain and increase our individual and collective abilities to be good, happy, and useful chemists. Although the Society for many years had been involved in member-employ Is the overall governance system of ment relations including employment the Society in need of some type of services and surveys of earnings, these overhaul? (For instance, there is a functions were considered peripheral proposal to make the Council the services by many members who felt major policy-making group within the Communication System I was all the Society should do. They were rein Society.) What would you suggest? forced by some members employed as managers who felt that Society in volvement in employment conditions of Seaborg chemists would probably more compli cate than simplify their lives. They The last sentence of my answer to were also reinforced by Constitutional Question 1 anticipates my response to Objects which did not make the inter this question. I believe that the overall ests of members a clear concern of the governance system of the Society is in Society. This difficulty was resolved need of some kind of overhaul. We when a number of members, including should move in the direction of greater myself, petitioned for a Constitutional democratization. I understand that amendment to clarify this point. Since proposals to effect this are under cur such an amendment, suitably worded rent discussion by the Board of Direc by Council's Committee on Constitu tors and the Council and will depend tion and Bylaws, was adopted by over on the outcome of the survey autho two thirds vote of the Council and over two thirds of the membership voting, I rized by the Society's governance. I believe that my recent experience think it is idle to hope that these prob as an officer of the American Associa lems will go away. We now should tion for the Advancement of Science apply ourselves to doing the best possi (AAAS) could be of much help in this ble job for ourselves and our em connection. During my tenure as presi ployers. dent-elect, president, and chairman The arguments over who should gov (1971-73), AAAS instituted changes to ern whom in the Society, in my opin give rank-and-file members rights they ion, derive from the fears of some who did not have even in its earliest days have confused the privilege to serve when it was so small that the entire with a supposed right to govern. They membership could meet in one room find their "authority" challenged by and elect officers then and there. Ex new and alternate ways of getting tensive changes in the AAAS constitu things done. The Society does need tion and bylaws resulted in procedures study and updating to eliminate some for the election—by the membership— authoritative, undemocratic anachro of the president-elect, members of the nisms we have inherited from the past board of directors, members of the and to serve its functions in the reali committee on nominations, members ties of the modern world. of the council, and section chairmenAll purposes, basic policy, and au elect. The new constitution can be thority of a membership society derive amended only by a vote of the mem from the membership and do not rest bers, amendments to the bylaws may in Boards, Councils, or officers. The be proposed by petition of members, day-to-day administrative policies and and members have the right to recall particularly the business policies and elected members of the board. If elect decisions necessary to keeping our $30 ed I would use my experience to effect million publishing business afloat changes along these lines. should be delegated to the Board, as they are in part now. Operation of Communication System I, which in cludes meetings as well as publica Venable tions, should be under our Executive I do not think that the Society is or Director insofar as these are done by should be a "Governance System" of our excellent professional staff. In any kind. The Society, in my view, is a those operations of Systems I and II, communication system to serve its which we members perform as volun
teers, we need help and guidance from our staff, but not authoritarian direc tion! This makes their jobs much more difficult than ours, which we too often forget when dealing with them. The structure and historic develop ment of local sections has been so much bound up in System I that it is shaped almost entirely by that func tion. It is not surprising to me that it does not function well in the new areas of professional concern.
Harrison An overhaul in the governance of ACS is long overdue. Members must have confidence in the fundamental structure of ACS to respond to their needs and interests. If we cannot achieve this, the formation of splinter organizations is inevitable. I strongly support an assessment of the values placed on various activities and services by students, young chem ists, established practicing chemists, and chemists in related activities. To approach an ideal structure of gover nance will require imagination, good will, and good faith. I suspect that in dividuals identify strongly with the ac tivities carried forward by one or more of a local section, a discipline-oriented division such as the Division of Organic Chemistry, and a function-oriented di vision such as the Division of Profes sional Relations. To accommodate to this diversity is a challenge that I be lieve could be met, if indeed this diver sity of interests does exist.
Should ACS be more active in trying to influence the supply and demand of chemists? If so, how?
Venable Certainly the Society should try to in crease the demand for chemists in every legitimate way we can devise. Control of supply through "quality control," which has been Society policy since the depression of the thirties, has not been effective in the short-term swings in employment. I am not confi dent that applying "quality control" to masters and doctorates will work any better for control of supply, since it af fects a much smaller number of chem ists. However, all the conferences of ed ucators and employers report a need for improvement in quality, so it can doutless be justified on those grounds. Last fall I proposed, as new ACS policy, that public and private mis sion-oriented research and develop ment efforts should have specific provi sions for orderly phasing out when their mission is accomplished or aban doned, so that their discharge does not upset the employment market. This has been adopted by the Board. We Sept. 2, 1974 C&EN
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now must find ways to implement this new policy to prevent this kind of mass discharge. There are, of course, a number of additional causes of mass discharges such as mergers and relocation of facilities at considerable distance from established centers. These must be examined so that specific methods may be found to control them. I do not believe that there are simplistic answers to any of our economic problems. In the absence of any rational or reasonable national science policy, I feel that it is out of the ability of the Society, through "quality control," and also beyond the ability of the universities, by controlled enrollment and recruitment, to intelligently plan supply of chemists to meet current and future needs. I advocate every effort to establish a Cabinet-level science department and a clear science policy that includes sufficient planning to prevent oversupply of chemists and other scientists.
Harrison ACS and academic institutions may be more active than we think in influencing the supply and the demand for chemists. Chemical change itself is a remarkably pervasive phenomenon. Studies of chemical changes are going to go on and chemical processes are going to be used to achieve specific ends. Whether those who carry these forward are called chemists depends almost entirely upon the practices of academic institutions and of scientific societies. Individuals committed to these enterprises are going to seek a home in which they are welcome and accorded respect. This may or may not be within the profession of chemistry. This may or may not be within ACS. I am more concerned with the employment opportunities for chemists and the qualities of those who become chemists than I am with the numbers who are called chemists. If our educational system filters through a narrow band of talents and interests we are in for traumatic adjustments regardless of how superior these individuals may be. If chemists are innovative and adaptable as well as well educated, "oversupplies" are not as probable or catastrophic. To perceive of the profession of chemistry in a restrictive manner is to build a dam on unconsolidated terrain. Many opportunities of a chemical nature will filter right on through to other professions. Educational, economic, and social upward mobility has brought great vitality to the chemical profession in the past and there is every reason to believe that the upward mobility of minorities and women also can add significantly to the vitality of the profession in the future. I am a product of upward mobility in more than one sense and I have great faith in the 20
C&EN Sept. 2,1974
youth of the nation who are strongly motivated to pursue professions in chemistry even though they may come into the profession with strikes against them. ACS has done extremely well in the presentation of factual information concerning the employment and salaries of chemists. I doubt that we do as well in getting this information into the hands of students. These are the individuals who must assess opportunities and risks in making their professional choices. The predictions of numbers of scientists needed frequently have proven to be so wide of the mark, I counsel caution on this score. Many current problems are a consequence of an overprediction of some years ago and also of a reward system that has grown up in connection with academic institutions that places a high value on how many students "go on" in the profession.
Seaborg
How deeply should ACS be involved, even indirectly, in the relationship between chemists and their employers? The establishment and promotion of the ACS Guidelines for Employers is one example of such involvement already well under way.
Harrison The ACS Guidelines for Employers and the publication of facts of layoffs by specific employers have been a very positive conscience-raising exercise. The planned ACS Guidelines for Employment, which will include guidelines for both employers and employees, will be of even greater value. Straightforward publicity is an extremely powerful force. Good employment practices are in the long run to the advantage of everyone. The more ACS can do in this direction by itself and in cooperation with other scientific organizations the better. Unemployment insurance, portable pensions, and early vesting are becoming an increasingly crucial matter for an increasing number of chemists in a period in which the social, economic, and political situation changes rapidly and there is no coherent long-range national policy for science and technology. These can best be approached by cooperative efforts with other professional societies. Some require legislative action. The continuing productivity of the chemical profession and the economic welfare of chemists are strongly coupled and the two must be developed together.
Any action that ACS might take should be consistent with the right of any qualified individual to choose, and be educated in, chemistry as his career field if that is his or her wish. For example, as a director of graduate research in chemistry, I welcome the recent increase in female students—a direction in which we should have moved long ago. It is clear that there is an unemployment problem for chemists. The report issued by the National Science Foundation in April, "Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States, Seaborg 1973 Profile," prepared by the Commission on Human Resources of the National Research Council, documents I believe there are many ways ACS can this in an authoritative manner. Of the and should be involved in the relation227,000 doctoral scientists and engi- ship between chemists and their emneers employed in the United States in ployers. the summer of 1973, the overall unemThe issuance of strengthened guideployment was 1.2%, whereas that of lines to employment could be effective chemists was 2.1%, the highest of any if their implementation were aided by category. Of equal importance is the the publication of employment pracfact that even a larger percentage of tices and the publicizing of violations. chemists is underemployed. This can be made more effective ACS should continue to publicize through cooperation with other sciensuch information. There are present in- tific societies and professional organidications that these facts are becoming zations; the Committee of Scientific known. The graduate enrollments in Society Presidents, established by the chemistry have dropped in recent years initiative of Alan C. Nixon, represents to the point where we may expect a potential avenue for such cooperative about a 25% drop in the annual emer- action. Previous ACS Presidents and gence rate of new Ph.D. chemists over Presidential candidates have suggested a five-year period (1971 to 1976). that ACS model its involvement in this This continual up-and-down output area for chemists and chemical engiof chemists is clearly against the per- neers after the role that the American sonal interests of chemists as well as Association of University Professors the national interest. The permanent plays for its members in the academic solution can come only by instituting a area; this might be studied as a model. sensible and stable national science The Employment Aids Office, conpolicy—including a rational program tinuing manpower studies, and general for emergency employment and post- assistance to members with professiondoctoral fellowships—that is related to al problems, including legal assistance, the national employment situation. Continued on page 25
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are effective vehicles for helping our Society's members that should con tinue to receive support.
Venable ACS should become as deeply involved in employer-employee relations as is necessary to protect the independence of our profession and the interests of individual members. If employers of chemists were to accept the employ ment standards of the Society, the sit uation would be much relieved without collective bargaining for many of our members who have not been unionized. But this would not change the fact that many chemists are already mem bers of unions and the Society must be concerned about their professional em ployment conditions as well. Last year I was misquoted to the effect that I ad vocate converting ACS into a union. This is impossible since we cannot pos sibly represent our management mem bers in collective bargaining. I was also misquoted that I wished to turn ACS into an association like the American Medical Association. What I did say is that chemists need a professional soci ety as powerful as ΑΜΑ and the Bar Association. But we will have to shape it to our needs.
fices of Senators and Representatives in Congress; these young chemists would advise these federal legislators and their staffs on problems that have chemical and scientific components and would, in turn, advise ACS of their experiences and make recommenda tions for further involvement of our So ciety. I am led to this recommendation by the success of the system of Con gressional fellows recently inaugurated by AAAS. The legislative counselors established this year through the ini tiative of President-Elect William J. Bailey represent a good start in this di rection. An ACS liaison program with the White House and Congress should in volve the ACS Department of Chemis try and Public Affairs, the Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs, the Board of Directors, and the Council.
Venable
Yes, I favor interaction with the Feder al Government to influence its policies. One of the important reasons why I choose to be a member of the Society is because the Congress of the United States charges us with this as a duty as the chemical society of the country. So far as I know, we are the only open membership, nonelitist organization that is so charged. Even if we were not so obligated, I Do you favor ACS9s efforts to interact would feel that it should be our respon with the Federal Government and to influence its policies? If you feel sibility to do so. In order for our expressed opinions to greater efforts are needed in this area, be honest and effective, we must orga in what directions should the Society move and how can it best be effec nize Communication System Π, which I have outlined above, to be rapid tive? enough to be timely and to reflect the opinion of our membership accurately. To ensure that such opinions do ex Seaborg press the majority they must be pre pared through a representative struc I very much favor our Society's efforts ture that is directly accountable to the to interact with the Federal Govern membership and that the membership ment and to influence its policies. I can change quickly enough to reflect would strive for a larger role for ACS in their position as it changes. the determination of national science At the present time, your Board of policy. This should include policy for Directors is delegated the authority by science (a national plan for the devel you to issue policy statements to the opment of science and technology) and Government and to the public. science for policy (the role of science Through the office of President-Elect and technology in the determination of you can introduce one new face and overall national policy). point of view a year. In the past five I deplore the dismantling of the years the platforms of the candidates Presidential science advisory appara have given you some indication of their tus. A better system for input of scien attitudes on many questions. Each tific advice directly to the President year the members in two of the six re must be established and I believe ACS gions of the Society can re-elect or re can play a helpful role in doing so. We place their regional director. In the should support the formation of a space of three years, the membership council on science and technology in can renew the Board in nine of the 15 the White House. A second, but more positions. The membership cannot difficult, step would be the creation of control the six directors-at-large, who a Cabinet-level Department of Science are chosen for us by the Council. and Technology. Although the Board has authority, it I also believe that ACS should sup seldom issues policy statements on port a number of "chemists legislative public matters that have not gone interns," highly qualified young chem through committees of the Council and ists just starting their careers who the Board and been approved by vote would work for a year or two in the of of the entire Council.
The Council has a number of voting members who are not directly elected by all of the members of the local sec tions or program divisions, and some are returned to Council for additional terms by appointment or election by the executive committees of their sec tion or division and are not subject to review by their constituents. The Constitutional amendment that I introduced last fall will, if adopted, require direct election of all members of the Board and Council.
Harrison ACS must interact with the Federal Government. This is simply the way that national policies for science and technology evolve. It is the conse quence of the interaction of a remark able number of organizations including industrial organizations, academic or ganizations, consumer organizations, religious organizations, professional or ganizations, and the various compo nents of the Federal Government that is national policy. An official group within the White House can be a sig nificant link in communication and in the articulation of various points of view. Its effectiveness depends upon the stature conferred upon it by the President. There are two obvious ways ACS can interact with the Government: We can provide technical information and we can seek to influence the perception of individuals in key positions. Both of these are highly legitimate provided the presentation of technical informa tion is complete with attention called to the magnitude of the uncertainties in current knowledge and provided our goals are not contrary to the national interest. We are learning in this area and ex panding our contacts at both the na tional and state levels. The effort must be responsible and sustained and we can only intensify our efforts to the de gree we can stay on top of the increas ing diversity of topics undertaken. It is easy enough to invite people to come to us for information and counsel but it can be a very difficult matter to re spond in a responsible manner. In the very long run, our most funda mental approach is to work to assure that every child in the country has the opportunity to have a satisfying experi ence with chemistry. I have come to believe that part of our problem in chemical education for those not pro fessionally driven is that we confuse chemistry the discipline with chemis try the profession and that this confu sion has distorted educational pro grams to the degree that many stu dents are denied the rewarding experience with chemistry that is their birthright. Given time, many of these children are our future decision mak ers. Sept. 2, 1974 C&EN
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casion broaden our stand when a general consensus of ACS officials is apparent—as was done recently when ACS called for full ratification of the 1925 Geneva Protocol on chemical warfare and urged that the United States at least postpone production of binary chemical weapons. There is an obvious problem in establishing a position that represents the membership as a whole, and a mechanism should be available Venable for learning of opinions of members and for publicizing those opinions. This could be done readily by sending (See previous answer.) questionnaires with the dues cards. A more broadly acceptable method Harrison of contributing our Society's expertise to public issues is through the medium ACS should take positions only on of panel study of such issues followed those topics on which chemists as a by the publicizing of the panel's report group have unique expertise or unique as a source of information for interresponsibility. This doesn't turn out to ested agencies, Congress, and the genbe very restrictive since chemistry is eral public. An excellent example of involved in so much of technology and this is the report "Cleaning Our Envichemists have been involved in the de- ronment: The Chemical Basis for Acvelopment of so many substances that tion," produced by the Subcommittee on Environmental Improvement of the come under question. It is really quite disconcerting to dis- ACS Committee on Chemistry and cover how incomplete our scientific Public Affairs. knowledge is when it comes to dealing with topics that have become public issues. Our greatest service may be to point out this inadequacy in knowl- In view of the finite limits on the fiedge and help assess the cost in time, nances and resources of ACS, is the dollars, and chemist power required to Society's present overall program reaacquire relevant knowledge. sonably balanced among the major In dealing with issues that have areas of communication, education, moral, political, and various self-inter- membership affairs, and professional est components, I hope we can refrain matters? from taking pious positions on the easy issues and maintaining silence on the Harrison very difficult issues. I believe that our approach to questions of public affairs is fundamentally I am well aware of many areas in sound. The hurdles are numerous and which more funds could be construchigh before an official ACS statement tively used but I simply do not know is made. As we move ahead I hope we enough about the precise demands can expedite the procedure with the throughout ACS to propose intelligentfull realization that we cannot really ly a redistribution of resources. To do speak for all members of ACS. There so on the basis of the knowledge I can no more be an ACS point of view could acquire in a two-week period than there can be a faculty point of would be the height of irresponsibility. view or a labor point of view. ProceSooner or later we simply must recdures can be set up for members to ex- oncile our expectations with the reality press opinion and I am working on this of the investment we are willing to one, but in the end the officers have to make personally. The annual dues is of go ahead. In the long run, the confi- the same order as the daily rate for a dence of the members in ACS endeav- metropolitan hotel room. As confidence ors in public affairs cannot exceed grows in ACS to serve its members, I their confidence in the election pro- have no doubt that the membership cess. will recognize the merits of a more realistic investment. Do you favor ACS's taking official positions on behalf of its members on public issues involving such topics as health, the environment, and safety? How should ACS handle such matters, especially when they involve moral and political, as well as technical, Issues? Is the present method satisfactory?
Seaborg I do favor ACS's—discreetly—taking official positions on some public issues, but I realize this is a very difficult matter that requires the most sensitive handling. Many of the outstanding issues before our people and the Government have a chemical component and there is no better source than ACS to give advice on this aspect of such issues. The emphasis should be on technical advice but we should on oc26 C&EN Sept. 2,1974
Seaborg One would need the exact figures to judge whether the program is balanced or not. But regardless of this I think that the activities within each of these areas can be made more effective, as illustrated by my answers to a number of the other questions. If elected, I would move in these several directions. In possession of the actual data, I might find that a different balance
among these four categories, which it seems to me represent only an approximate categorization of all of our Society's activities, should be sought.
Venable The questions seem to incorrectly assume that we have finite resources and infinite problems! We have two general resources, our members and the public. Our members support us in two ways, as volunteer workers and financially by dues, fees, purchases, and donations. The public already supports us and our program to a very large extent by purchases, donations, subsidies of capital funds, creating us trustees for large research endowments, and by direct grants for a number of aspects of our work. We can draw much more from all of our resources when we demonstrate the value of our program, but don't offer a free lunch. The potential of our volunteer services has hardly been touched. I think that it is unwise and misleading to imply that a "balance" must be struck between the areas given in the questions. Most of these are fully self-supporting and their growth does not impose a limitation on any other area. For example, all of our many kinds of meeting programs are, and should continue to be, financed by those who participate. Although we should study trends to see what kinds of meetings are supported by the membership, I do not think we should restrict or discourage any self-supporting effort simply because it serves a small number of chemists. It has been the policy of the Board, since the Presidency of Dr. Nixon, to put all Society programs on a self-sustaining basis whenever practical. We have neglected our professional needs and public relations and the whole area of chemistry in public affairs so long, that they now require much more emphasis than the traditional functions of Communication System I. But this present emphasis, which I endorse and would continue if elected, does not mean that Communication System II will ever predominate in either dollars or work days over the development of the science of chemistry. If we ultimately succeed in solving all of the problems of chemical science by computer, then indeed its application may become a larger field than its advance, but I am certainly too ignorant to predict that day. The financing of our professional services must be approached in the same manner as all other functions. For example, certification, whether of clinical chemists or others, should be supported by a realistic fee structure and not be subsidized except in the initial stages. When the new Committee on Economic Status raises the average income of chemists so that we can again afford Chemical Abstracts, I am sure that we
will all be glad to reverse the trend de plored in Question 8. In the meantime they need your encouragement and vol unteer help.
and local meetings, less on national meetings? More emphasis on broad topics by invited guests?
Venable How far should ACS commit its re sources to maintaining journal sub scription rates at levels that can be af forded by individual members? In face of rising costs some societies have given up this goal—as has ACS as far as Chemical Abstracts is concerned.
Seaborg I believe that at least some of our Soci ety's journal subscription rates to indi vidual members should be kept at: levels that these members can afford. I[ am impressed by the value to individu al members of the excellent new jour nals Accounts of Chemical Research, Chemical Technology, and Environ mental Science and Technology, but I[ suppose other individuals would focus5 on other ACS journals. This is a problemι that requires careful study before at sensible decision can be made. The rising cost of journal subscrip tions and of books presents a serious> problem, especially to young chemists. Perhaps a special discount rate for se lected journals and books in the Ad vances in Chemistry series can be$ made available to young chemists. The* value of this use of ACS resourcesi would have to be balanced against theÎ other legitimate demands of these lim ited resources.
Venable (See previous answer.)
Harrison The ACS journal program is one of ourr great contributions to the total scien tific community. We would like for itt to go on at prices we can afford to pay,, prices college libraries can afford to) pay, and prices laboratories can affordI to pay. To be able to publish has beenι the ladder to success. To be able to> have journals at hand has been theÎ path to continued growth. I am, of course, in favor of subsidiz ing journals but the final answer de pends upon available resources. Cur rent needs must be balanced with theÎ development of new science informa tion services. The problems of the fu ture may have to override those of the3 moment.
Do you have any suggestions con cerning the handling of ACS meet ings? For instance, would you favorr more stress on regional, divisional,,
What more might the Society be doing to attract new members? What more might the Society be doing to keep its older members?
Harrison
(See previous full answer.)
Harrison Meetings bring people together and provide the opportunity to extend one's education, to exchange information, and to organize activities to achieve common goals. Local, regional, and na tional meetings simply do these in dif ferent geographical contexts. All con tribute to the unity of ACS. Divisions, on the other hand, grew up in the national context primarily and I have some concern about the direction in which they can develop with an in creasing emphasis on regional meet ings. Will the divisions wither on the vine? Will divisions move toward strong national meetings of their own with diminishing ties to ACS? Will divisions develop strong regional subunits? I believe that ACS should take care to encourage and support the last. The pattern of meetings must foster cooperation of all units and the ad vancement of all goals of ACS. Personally, I like national meetings and attended at least five at my own expense while a graduate student and living on an assistantship that never exceeded $550 per academic year.
Seaborg I favor strengthening our Society's program of regional and divisional meetings but do not feel that this needs to be done at the expense of less emphasis on national meetings. I personally enjoy the excitement of national meetings with their potential for making scientific and social contacts as well as opportunities for hearing scientific talks both in my specialty and in other intriguing areas. I believe the national meetings over the next two years should have special importance in planning (1975) and celebrating (1976) the 200th anniversary of the birth of our country and the 100th anniversary of the birth of ACS. The PresidentElect in 1975 should play an important role in planning for appropriate observance of these anniversaries. On the other hand, regional and divisional meetings offer another set of opportunities—the opportunities to explore regional problems, not yet exploited by ACS, and the chance to attend a more dedicated divisional meeting on one's specialty. As far as local sections are concerned, there is such a large diversity in their meeting activities that any generalized statement would be meaningless.
The only sound way to build the membership of ACS is on the basis of the confidence of ACS members in the activities, services, and governance of ACS. The requirements for membership and the flexibility with which these are applied define the number of fish in the pool and various promotional schemes are attractive lures not to be underestimated, but the catch will keep only on a well-structured, functional ship. I find communication within ACS to be a remarkably difficult matter, and believe that easier communication is absolutely essential to attain widespread participation. The publication of a simple membership directory would be extremely useful to all of us.
Seaborg We might attract younger members by further democratizing our Society, increasing our professional services, making our meetings more interesting, and keeping the subscription rates of key journals down to acceptable levels for the young chemist. I have touched on these in my responses to the other questions. Also, efforts should be made to elect young chemists to positions of responsibility in our Society. They could be especially effective in updating our Society in such vital areas as the divisional activities and the scientific content of meetings; this is a prerequisite to interesting young chemists in ACS. We have to recognize the need of our Society to aid some of its older members with such problems as age discrimination and forced early retirement.
Venable The Society should be doing much more work on membership recruitment. Shortly after election to the Board in 1972, I made a preliminary analysis of some of the factors that caused the reversal of our growth curve in 1970 and requested increased support for staff efforts. The Board voted a substantial increase to the membership promotion staff budget and authorized some experimental approaches that significantly increased the number of new members received. We now are growing again, but not at a satisfactory rate when judged by the thousands of young chemists who enter our profession each year. Since I developed the methods and conducted the campaign Sept. 2, 1974 C&EN
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cially since I have consumed my allotted space for responses. I would like to conclude, however, by putting both aspects in a broader context. Chemists and chemical engineers today must show an increasing concern about the social impact of their work, must have as the goal of this work the promotion of human welfare on both a Should the main thrust of ACS activity national and international scale.
that tripled the paying membership of the American Institute of Chemists in four years, I think that I can be of real help to the Society. If elected, I would put much of my time and attention to this problem.
be to promote and support the science of chemistry? Or should it be to proVenable mote and support the welfare of individual chemists? Or can the Society effectively do both? (See answer to question on the balance
of ACS programs.)
Seaborg This is not an either /or question. I believe that ACS can promote and support both the science of chemistry and the welfare of individual chemists. Since I feel that my responses to the other questions have covered this, I shall not try to recapitulate here, espe-
Harrison The continuing productivity of the chemical profession and the welfare of chemists are inescapably coupled. Individuals must be able to enter the profession with confidence in a reward system that extends throughout their careers.
I believe that the support of science and scientists is dependent upon a perception of the contribution science and scientists can and will make in meeting the perceived expectation of society. Society expects chemists to get on with the business of extending chemical knowledge and also to get on with the business of meeting more immediate problems. The esteem of society for chemists is closely related to the esteem of chemists for chemists and for the contributions of chemists. For ACS to be involved in the problems of the welfare of chemists is simply for chemists to recognize the value of chemists and the many activities in which they are involved. In this period of rapid social, economic, and political change, employment opportunities change rapidly, old problems are intensified, new problems are created. To promote the science of chemistry effectively, ACS must promote the welfare of chemists. We can not separate chemistry and chemists.
President Friedman visits Far East to boost ACS ties overseas Chemists in Far Eastern countries face many of the same problems as their U.S. counterparts. The quality of education, unemployment, professionalism, research support, and salary levels are all issues of concern there, too, notes ACS President Bernard S. Friedman, following a tour of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Dr. Friedman's visit to these countries, which involved giving speeches and conferring with chemical society officials and groups of chemists, is in line with an ACS Board-approved policy of strengthening the Society's relations with chemists and chemical societies in other nations. The visit was made possible by an invitation from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute to Dr. Friedman to address a dinner at its fifth national convention in Canberra last May. In education, and particularly science education, the emphasis in every country visited was on excellence, Dr. Friedman says. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, students take examinations to compete for places in the public secondary schools. And in most of these countries, entry to the national universities is limited to those who excel in the national examinations. Unemployment problems were minimal for B.S. and M.S. degree chemists in New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. Ph.D.'s and postdocs seem to have more of a problem, as they "aspire to university posts and are not interested in industrial work," Dr. Friedman notes. "I was told that in Japan industry is not interested in hiring them, and in fact prefers chemists with the master's degree (B.S. and two years). When on occasion industry does 28 C&EN Sept. 2, 1974
employ new Ph.D.'s, it pays them little more (perhaps $100 per month more) than master's degree recruits; this in turn sours potential applicant Ph.D.'s. Industry's lack of enthusiasm stems in part from the narrowness of the doctor-
Friedman: emphasis on excellence
ate training and in part from the disdain many of the doctorates feel for industrial R&D." Professionalism, too, is an issue in several of these countries. Recently, the New Zealand Royal Institute of Chemistry decided to hire an attorney to help in a pending grievance filed against a government laboratory by one of its members. The member charged that the lab violated its own regulations in promoting a technical school
graduate instead of a qualified chemist—that is, a university graduate who had the qualifications for membership in the institute. The professionalism activities of ACS were the main topic of interest to the officials and board of directors of the Chemical Society of Japan. "It was their feeling that even though in the past such activities were not deemed necessary in Japan, they might now be feasible—and helpful at least in maintaining and expanding the involvement of the nation's younger chemists in CSJ," Dr. Friedman says. In Australia and New Zealand industry conducts only about 25% of the research; most R&D is done in universities or government research institutes, Dr. Friedman observes. The Royal Australian Chemical Institute complains that foreign-owned or -controlled firms don't do their share in support of R&D. One strategy suggested is to pass a law requiring those companies that budget a certain percentage of their home sales or production for research in their native countries, to budget the same proportion of their Australian sales or production for research in Australia. Salaries in Australian government laboratories are considerably higher than those in industry. Current annual starting salaries (in U.S. dollars) for chemists in industry average $8250 for bachelor's degree holders, $10,500 to $11,250 for Ph.D.'s. In government, the average for bachelors is $9300; for Ph.D.'s, $12,000 to $13,500. Salaries of professionals in Japan are about 60% of the U.S. level. The goal of government and industry is to raise this percentage to 70% over the next few years.
