Vol. 18, No. 3
Perfection in Organization PERFECT organization might be defined as one in A which opportunities are afforded for the activities of the several members, whatever their preferences and capabilities may be. In our opinion the AhmRIcAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY is rapidly achieving such perfection. Local sections distributed throughout the country offer an ideal medium for many constructive pieces of work. We have frequently had occasion to comment upon the many things that they can undertake to the profit of the community, of the science, and of the individual. The member who feels himself hampered and desires a larger field may find in the regional meetings the exact chance he seeks to display his ability. The eighteen divisions and sections of the SOCIETYhave openings for willing workers, not only during the semi-annual meetings but in the preparation of the programs, in committee activities, and in the vizrious duties which go to make up a strong and active organization. Results achieved throughout the years demonstrate the value of the semi-annual meetings. I n no other place are so many specialists brought together and the opportunity for acquaintance and discussion has meant much to many chemists, young and old. We strongly believe in maintaining the present policies relative to semi-annual meetings, and whatever is done should have for its purpose the strengthening of the programs, the stimulation of chemistry locally, and a direct appeal to public interest. Whatever has been done through the various activities mentioned has been made possible because the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY is a national organization, depending for its strength upon a large membership and a constructive program of work. The SOCIETY has become a national force which, properly applied, makes many things not only possible but successful that otherwise might fail. The fecundity of American chemicrtl research has, however, expanded the programs of certain divisions so that our semi-annual meetings do not always af’ord the opportunity sought for extended discussions among a group of specialists. Any who may have questioned the possibility of so managing the affairs of such a division as to meet all its needs solely within our present organization have had their question fully answered. The Division of Organic Chemistry held a national symposium in Rochester, N. Y., in December. The Division of Rubber Chemistry followed with a meeting held jointly with the Akron local section in February. Such meetings might be termed extraordinary meetings of the divisions. Papers of the highest type were read and freely discussed. The corridor confermces were well attended and fruitful in the extreme. The exchange of views on the most minute details thought unworthy of special presentation was a benefit to many workers. They were miniature meetings of the AMERICANCHEMICALSOCIETY,devoting attention to special fields. Without the background of the SOCIETY they would not have been so successful. As meetings of divisions of the SOCIETYtheir success was unqualified. We believe that such special meetings, usually devoted to a symposium, can be held at a time well chosen to avoid
MARCH 1, 1926 conflict with the semi-annual meetings and in a manner effectively to serve the needs of the specialist, thereby adding strength to the SOCIETY’Sposition. We have repeatedly presented our view that chemistry in its several branches can accomplish much in a single organization that cannot be gained if our profession should for any reason separate into small groups according to special fields. Remembering t,he fable of the bundle of sticks, easily broken separately but unbreakable when bound together, we repeat that there is no justification for the further multiplication of societies, institutes, unions, councils, and the like, but that in the AMERICANCHEMICALSOCIETYthere is opportunity for all to work, and work in a way to suit individual preferences and capabilities.
Speeding Up T H E sixth annual Pasteur lecture, recently given before ItheNtheannouncement Chicago Institute of Medicine, John J. Abel made that he had obtained a crystalline form of insulin and exhibited a specimen of the product. The
Journal of the American Medical Association comments editorially upon this significant triumph and points out that “one of the greatest fields of effort for the constructive chemist is the isolation, study, and preparation of pure principles of the organs of internal secretion.” Important as is the preparation of insulin in crystalline form, much work remains to be done in establishing the proof of its identification and chemical constitution and this will perhaps be followed by synthesis. We are impressed by the rapidity with which difficult chemical problems are being solved. It seems only yesterday that insulin itself was discovered and the preparation of the material in standardized, concentrated doses undertaken commercially. With new methods, improved equipment, and perfected technic a t the command of scientists, this would seem to be the time to place great emphasis upon the type of work described as “research,” although that word is much overworked. Discoveries are being made so rapidly that all sorts of dreams come true. I n “The Kalends” of the Waverly Press we read, for example, that Edward Bellamy in his book, “Looking Backward,’’ written forty years ago, pictured his conception of what American civilization would be like in the year 2000. The music he conceived is enjoyed today-seventy-five years in advance of his prophecy. I followed her into an apartment finished, without hangings, in wood, with a floor of polished wood. I was prepared for new devices in musical instruments, b u t saw nothing in the room which by any stretch of the imagination could be conceived as su$. Please look a t today’s music,” she said, handing me a card, “and tell me what you would prefer. It is now five o’clock, you will remember.” The card bore the date “September 12, 2000,” and contained t h e largest program of music I had ever seen. It was as various as it was long, including a most extraordinary range of vocal and instrumental solos, duets, quartets, and various orchestral combinations. She made me sit down comfortably, and, crossing t h e room, so far as I could see, merely touched one or two screws,
