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INDUSTRIAL A N D EhTGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Authors’ Cooperation
vo1. 16, No. 3
E FULLY appreciate the excellent cooperation of the authors and reviewers who are helping us in our effort to present the results of scientific work in more compact form. We desire t o continue doing everything within our power to provide publication for all worthy articles in our field. No arbitrary’limit has been set for the length of papers, but me insist that the majority of authors use too many words to express an idea. In condensing manuscripts caution should be taken that no details essential to the proper interpretation or repetition of the work by another are omitted. Crisp presentation is suggested in the interests of all authors and readers, as it will insure wider reading and an increasing amount of valuable information in our pages. Furthermore, progress will be made in achieving prompt publication. We have in preparation suggestions for authors which, when published, will indicate several directions in which our program can be carried out to the best interests of us all.
The members of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY must become better acquainted. Professional men do not require a labor union to enable them to be mutually helpful and t o bring about a general appreciation of the importance of chemical work, which in the end will give the chemist a reasonable return for his investment of time and money in preparing for his life’s .work. This can be brought about through good work, self-assertion, the development of a professional spirit, and the gradual education of the nontechnical public. The AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY has a large part in such a program, but its effort is a composite of individual efforts. I n carrying out such work, nothing is so fatal as the man who just sits, does nothing, contributes no constructive thought, and feels no call to do his share. Yet, such a man is the first to criticize if there is delay in accomplishment or if something goes awry. It is well to remember that “every man owes something to his profession.” Let us assume our individual responsibility, coordinate our efforts, and begin now to show our belief in our chosen science-chemistry.
I ndividua 1 Responsibilit y
Research Exhibits
NDIVIDUAL responsibility and effort are essential to the Ipiece attainment of any objective. Many a well-considered of work has produced inconclusive results because in-
HERE has been too great a tendency to confine exhibits
to the products of applied chemistry and the apparatus required for their manufacture. The importance of such dividuals declined to assume their share of responsibility. exhibits is unquestioned. It has been stressed frequently Organizations can accomplish many things through coopera- in the pages of THISJOURNAL.Yet, the opportunity to active effort under able leadership, but the time comes when the quaint people generally with the achievements of pure reindividual is the deciding factor. search has not been capitalized. We have frequently expressed our views concerning the We have in mind not only the annual chemical exposition, duty of industry toward research and our disapproval of cur- but the opportunities afforded our state universities through tailing research as the first move in any program of retrench- annual state fairs and the possibility of including in exhibi ment. We have also been impressed with the responsibility tions devoted to special industries a section which shall show of the individual chemist in “selling” chemistry and his own the part chemistry has played in the development of the services to his employer. The AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY products ekhibited. Several cities stage annually one or can and must find ways to create a class consciousness and a another type of industrial exposition. Here, again, is a professional spirit among chemists. By means of publication, splendid field for our local sections or other groups of chemists discussion a t sectional, intersectional, and national meetings, to impress upon the public the extent to which chemistry is and the contacts thus made, our chemists are afforded op- involved in any industrial development, and to show its parportunities to become better chemists. ticular applications in their own locality. The SOCIETY’S campaign to secure a better understanding of Before long there will be another place where the latest Chemistry on the part of the public will bring more support for achievements in fundamental research can be exhibited under chemical work, but no organization can do the work of the auspices which should guarantee far-reaching results. We chemist. I n the final analysis, it is the chemist who must refer to the special exhibition rooms in the new building for impress his employer with his own indispensability. the National Academy of Science and the National Research We wonder how many manufacturers have lost faith in Council, planned to be occupied in September, 1923. Seven research because their first attempts, undertaken without spacious rooms have been provided with the necessary facilienthusiasm, failed to yield the results expected, and were ties for the installation of exhibits. These rooms will be open directed by a man unequal to the opportunity or one who had to the public and will be arranged to stress the fact that science is both creative and productive. no salesmanship in his make-up. Past exhibits of the Research Council have demonstrated How many chemists think beyond their laboratory and consider their work in terms of the company’s products and that the public can be interested in research through these the satisfaction of the ultimate consumer? There are chem- channels. The wireless-telephone exhibit was successful ists who actually do not know the uses to which the products of largely because the notable experiments of the past hundred their firms are put. We have known those who never sought years were reproduced in a way that the public could underan opportunity to impress themselves and their work upon the stand. An attendant answered questions and the many who men a t the top, and others who lacked the courage t o back took the time to examine the exhibit went away with a better their convictions when presenting reports upon new processes, understanding of what it was all about. It is hoped that projects, and raw materials. To be sure, some men have gone these research exhibits will soon afford an opportunity to down in their fight for recognition, but only to find themselves show the progress of chemistry and its trend. When that better placed elsewhere. It sometimes requires employment times comes the problem will undoubtedly be more a question in another organization to secure for an able man therecog- of discrimination in selection than a search for sufficient material to fill the space. nition he deserves.
