I 80
T H E JOL-RS.4L OF I.\-DCSTRIAL
A S D ESGINEERI-\-G
CHE-UISTRY
Mar.,
I913
EDITORIALS THE PERKIN MEDAL
Davy cautioned Faraday not t o indulge in immodera t e expectations of the rewards of Science. True, her gifts are not, as a rule, redundant, and they are likely, moreover, to be sometimes capriciously bestowed : b u t Science gives more precious rewards for excellence or success than those which can be expressed a s ponderable quantities, and, among these, few are valued more highly than medals. We look upon a medal as tangible proof of preeminence, for it is an indication of individual accomplishments-a token cast, in artistic mold, from a fusion of the golden opinions won b y illustrious work. It furnishes the individual with evidence as t o the regard in which achievements are held by his co-workers and fellow men. On October 6 , 1906, at a banquet given to Sir William Henry Perkin, a t Delmonico’s, New York, Dr. William H. Nichols handed t o Sir William the first impression of the Perkin Medal, in gold. Dr. Nichols announced t h a t this medal would be given annually t o t h a t chemist residing in the United States who had accomplished the most valuable work in applied chemistry during his career, whether this had proved successful a t the time of execution or publication, or had subsequently become valuable in the development of industry. The Perkin Medal is therefore a n acknowledgment of conspicuous services t o technical chemistry-a reward for the successful application of scientific methods t o industry. It is associated with the name of one of the most distinguished chemists, the founder of the immense coal-tar industry, and the recipient of the highest marks of distinction possible for Science to award; and it is conferred in order to show high appreciation of and gratitude for the success of the recipient of the medal in advancing chemical industry in one or several of its branches. In this way the applicability of chemistry to the arts and manufactures is advanced, for someone eminent in the field of chemical technology is indicated for the benefit of the aspiring technologist, and chemistry applied t o the industries receives further recognition. The lessons in methods which the labors of the medalists afford must prove invaluable t o all ambitious chemists. While the award of the Perkin Medal is made by the New York Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, the largest and most prominent of the American sections of a great Society which embraces in its membership all-among the English-speaking races-that is representative of enterprise and progress in relation t o the chemical arts, engineering, and industries, yet the Perkin Medal Committee, which selects the medalist, is constituted of representatives of different chemical societies of this country in addition to a representation from the Society of Chemical Industry ; and, in making the selection, this Committee shows how highly i t appreciates the work of the one
so honored. I t is not required, as in the case of some medals, that a n y particular society enjoy the credit and distinction of disseminating the results of the enquiries to which his fruitful ideas give rise: the Perkin Medal is a medal of merit conferred on chemists and technologists residing in the United States for services done in technical chemistry, as determined by the scope, value and importance, and with no restrictions a s t o any definite field of endeavor. I n being presented, therefore, with the Perkin Medal, the recipient is sensible of the great honor done him, and this sense of the honor is increased by the recollection of the eminence of the preceding medalists. Perkin, Herreshoff, Behr, Acheson, Hall, Frasch, and Gayley ! How proud one must feel in being reckoned of their company ! THE ANNUAL MEETING AT MILWAUKEE
The forty-seventh annual meeting of the American Chemical Society is t o be held a t Milwaukee, March 25th to 28th. The general headquarters will be a t the Hotel Pfister, and the meetings will be held a t Marquette University, located in the business center of the city. The local committee is headed b y Mr. C. H. Hall, as Chairman, and Mr. P. J. Weber, as Secretary. The entertainment committee is planning a n interesting program, and special attention is being paid t o preparations for the entertainment of ladies, a t such times a s they cannot participate in the regular program. Many manufacturing plants will be visited. Milwaukee affords excellent opportunities t o see the tanning and packing industries ; the manufacture of iron and steel, engines-gasoline and kerosene, byproduct coke and gas, glue, refrigerating machinery, automobiles, automobile parts and tires; shops and breweries. Most of these will be open to inspection by our members. President Van Hise has extended a special invitation t o the Society t o visit the University of Wisconsin. The plans as outlined by the local committee clearly indicate t h a t this is t o be an unusually large and successful meeting. The social, business, and scientific value of these meetings is more and more a matter of importance t o the profession. and i t is t o the profession, therefore, t h a t we should look for support and cooperation. Every chemist should attend a t least one meeting each year. Why not begin a t Milwaukee? THE BUREAU OF MINES
The crying need of the Bureau of Mines for buildings and equipment can be easily appreciated on reading Director J . A. Holmes’ Second Annual Report. The amount and value of the work already accomplished in mine safety and rescue demonstrations, fuel investigations, explosive tests and standardization, and other field work is amazing when one considers t h a t the Bureau has never had a permanent home. I t is almost inconceivable t h a t this important department should be
