A N A L Y T I C A L CH EM1S T R Y WALTER J. MURPHY, Editor
The Analysts and IUPAC
the Analytical Section of ICPAC is one of the most active, perhaps the most active group in the union. I. M, Kolthoff of the University of Minnesota and, as THE trite saying, “science is international and knows everyone knows, intensely interested for years in no geographical boundaries,” has been employed building up closer liaison between the analysts here and so frequently we hesitate to use it again in comment on abroad, is president of the Section on Analytical Chemthe International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. istry. Through his personal efforts, along with the How better can the universality of science, including work of other internationally minded analysts in chemistry, be described than by these words? The various parts of the world, the program of the section analyst has a number of very special reasons for being has been revitalized and promises t o bring to fruition vitally interested in the Yelfare of the union. Much many projects which have lain fallow for too many years. of what we do requires a high degree of exactness, The 18th conference of the union will be held in perhaps more than most other branches of chemistry or Zurich, July 20 to 28, 1955, together with the 14th Inphysics. This is just another way of saying that precise ternational Congress of Pure and Applied Chemistry, measurement is the chief objective of original analytical which will feature organic chemistry. Our readers will research. Indeed, in all areas it is important that we as recall that a t the congress in New York in 1951, it was analysts continue to develop international understanddecided to discontinue congresses covering the broad ing and agreement. It is important to further advances spectrum of pure and applied chemistry and to devote in pure science as well as in international trade. each congress (to be held every two years instead of In traveling about the country and talking with every four) to some one or two fields of specialization. chemists and chemical engineers, we find an abysmal The reason advanced for this decision was the difignorance on the part of many members of the profesficulty of finding adequate housing in many European sion concerning the work and objectives of the union countries desirous of acting as hosts to IUPAC and conand its frequent conferences, despite the fact that the gresses. We were not in accord with that decision then. largest union conference ever held took place in the We still believe that by proper advance planning, United States in 1951 following the Diamond Jubilee housing difficulties could be solved. Meeting of the f i M E ~ r c . 4CHEMICAL ~ SOCIETY. However, this is neither the time nor the place to adWe strongly suspect the chief reason for this convance the pros and cons of the two meeting approaches. dition is the union’s lack of funds, which makes it Iiolthoff is also chairman-elect of the ACS Division of extremely difficult to publicize properly its activities Analytical Chemistry and he is, therefore, in a peculiarly here and abroad. To remedy this situation, IUPAC is advantageous position to explore the possibility of endeavoring to raise, through voluntary contributions, staging, within the next couple of years, a large congress the sum of $30,000 a year to make possible the employof analytical chemistry in the United States. ment of a full-time paid secretariat in Paris. American Gazing into the crystal ball for a moment-we sugchemists are being asked to raise 55000 of this sum-a gest that analysts seriously investigate the possibility of modest figure when we consider the total membership such cooperative action that would assure the success of of the chemical profession in this country. an international meeting in the U. S. in 1956, 1957, or The National Research Council is, of course, the official U. S. contact with IUPAC, not the AMERICAN 1968. For one year it should be possible to make the annual Louisiana State University Analytical SymCHEMICAL SOCIETY. NRC suggests the desirability of posium, the annual Summer Analytical Symposium of small contributions ($5.00 or more) from a large number the Division of Analytical Chemistry, and the annual of chemists and chemical engineers. Contributions Pittsburgh Analytical Symposium, sponsored by the may be sent to IUPAC Fund, U. S. National CommitPittsburgh Section of the ACS, all part of a huge intertee of IUPAC, Division of Chemistry and Chemical national meeting. Technology, National Research Council, Washington How better could analysts focus further attention on 25, D. C. Contributions to date, so we are informed, the present stature of the field in this country than by have been most encouraging, but the goal of $5000 for staging such an impressive event? Much planning, this year can be reached only if more chemists are willmuch hard work would be needed, but the many and ing to back their belief in the internationalism of science varied tangible and intangible benefits to be derived with a modest sum of money. should constitute powerful stimuli. American analysts should be aware of the fact that 1
