VOLUME25 NUMBER10
Industrial AND E N G I N E E R I N G Chemistry
OCTOBER ,1933
HARRISONE. Horn, EDITOR
The Editor’s Point of View
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ing the NEWSEDITION a t nine dollars per year, it will be dificult for anyone who is employed and desires to month in Chicago, will be remembered because be known as a chemist to explain why he is not a memof the many records it made. These have to do not ber of the SOCIETY. To fail to join in the advance of alone with a phenomenal attendance, the hospitality the profession to that extent will be a plain admission and eficiency of the Chicago Section, the Willard Gibbs that the individual is either not a chemist or prefers to Medal Award, the dinner given by the Chicago Chem- be one of those who reap where they have not sown. ists Club to those who, as chemists, had attended We shall not repeat here the various details of journal the World’s Columbian Exposition and Congress of subscriptions given in our KEWSEDITIOK for September Chemistry in 1893, and the notable guests from overseas. 20, 1933, but we must emphasize that only IKDUSTRIAL It will be particularly historical because of the funda- AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY will go as heretofore in mental changes adopted by the Council and Directors January and February to those who have not by that and since submitted to the membership for confirma- time renewed their subscription. That will mean that tion in so far as changes in Constitution are concerned. those who have not either remitted for, or ordered in Some of the changes, such as requirements for ad- writing, the Journal of the American Chemical Society mission to membership, had been considered and and/or Chemical Abstracts prior to December 15, 1933, debated on other occasions. What to do about dues may be unable to secure back copies in the same way and subscriptions to the journals has also been in the they have in the past. It has been customary to print minds of many members for a long while. The dis- extra copies of these journals in January and February cussion a t the Council meeting was free and extensive for the accommodation of those who have not yet and both there and throughout the meeting one could indicated their decision for the new year. This has not fail to sense the great loyalty of American chemists often constituted a waste which can no longer be tolerto the SOCIETY,which to all is “our SOCIETY.” This ated, and we repeat that, unless subscriptions are in complete accord between all our members, from those hand, extra copies will not be printed and procrastiengaged in the most basic researches in pure science to nators will be unable to complete their sets. those who have become executives in great industries There is every reason to believe that those who have and primarily concerned with applied chemistry, is the received IKDUSTRIAL AND ESGIKEERING CHEMISTRY marvel of chemists in other lands and is perhaps the in the past will wish to continue to do so. Xeverthegreatest single factor in the strength of the AXERICAN less, it is apparent that budgets must be prepared in CHEMICAL SOCIETY. advance, and consequently the earliest possible exWe believe that most of our members have come to pression of intention regarding 1934 should be made. appreciate the value of the tools which the SOCIETY’S This not only will help the management of the SOCIETY publications actually are. Questions propounded in but will really be self-help for the member and the group after group yielded the information that, in each subscriber. Of course what can be realized from adinstance, the majority of those present intend to sub- vertising depends in large measure upon circulation. scribe to all the SOCIETY’S publications in 1934. We Also what can be done for those who receive the urge all who possibly can to follow that course. The Journal of the American Chemical Society and Chemical change in the basis upon which our SOCIETYshall Abstracts depends in no small measure upon the earnings function in the future has been adopted, not because we of IXDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY.It is face an immediate crisis, but, fortunately, because by obvious, there€ore, that those who find IKDUSTRIAL maintaining loyalty to our organization under the new AND ENGINEERING CHEXISTRYof value and mho, in plan there will be no crisis. With membership includ- addition, are interested in the other publications will
UR SOCIETY,” The eighty-sixth meeting of CHEXICALSOCIETY,held last the AMERICAN
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let nothing interfere with the renewal of their subscription. It is expected that the loyalty to our SOCIETY will also be expressed in an earnest effort to acquire new members and new subscribers. By reference to our NEWS EDITION, May 10, 1933, page 141, it will be seen that our publications, which are unexcelled in quality, offer, even on the new basis, by far the world's best buy in chemical literature. While especially attractive to those holding membership, the new schedule of prices for nonmembers should. gain an increased subscription list. With the realization that no diminution in the various services rendered to our members and our readers is contemplated, the loyalty to our SOCIETY should grow and manifest itself in steadfast support and in active encouragement through numbers and interest on the part of the entire chemical profession.
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HEMICAL TRUTH. There is agreement on a vast amount of chemical data. Many points are open to wide discussion. The first are accepted as facts; the second may be largely opinion. When one is called upon to testify in matters involving chemical facts, it should be possible for an honest court, even though without technical training, to interpret them and assist in reaching a just decision. When opinions are offered it should be made clear that they are opinions, and they should be accepted at their face value. It is when opinions or misstatements are offered as facts that the chemical profession should come forward out of a sense of duty and make the truth plain and well understood. Whenever chemistry is under fire or misused, chemists have an opportunity to render a valuable service. There is a large measure of ethics involved, and the honest chemist should speak on such occasions, whether his science has been misused in selling fakes or in faking evidence. In legal cases, as in scientific discussion, there can be an honest difference of opinion, analytical results may fail to check, there can be disagreement as to methods, and even facts may be subject to wide variations in interpretation or application. But frequently the question becomes, what is the actual fact? This is generally easy to establish and quickly demonstrated. It will be recalled in the Chemical Foundation case heard in Wilmington that, when experts on opposing side3 differed, the wise judge referred them to a laboratory, where, in the presence of a referee representing the court, it was soon demonstrated who was right. Misrepresenting chemical truths in a dogmatic manner or with much repetition does not bring out the facts. I t is incumbent upon the chemical profession t o be on guard and, where it is evident that their science is being misused and twisted, to take steps to broadcast the truth. In many instances local sections have in this an opportunity for public service.
Vol. 25, No. 10
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ELF-REGULATION. Frankly, the preparation of acceptable codes has not gone forward as rapidly as had been hoped. Notwithstanding all that has been said as to self-regulation and the price which industry must pay for it, there are still manufacturers who are so engrossed in discussing maximum hours and minimum wages that they overlook the most beneficial aspects from their point of viewnamely, permission under the S R A to get together in ways which heretofore have been held unlawful. Members of the National Recovery Administration have pointed out that there is no intention of having one plant working under a variety of wage and hour conditions, even though their products may place them under multiple codes, and there is reason to believe that, in due course, these factors will be so cotirdinated as to assist in the reasonable and normal management of a plant. Where the operations are definitely separated, the respective codes for that type of product would doubtless apply. However important hours and "ages are, we think these are going to be definitely regulated by the Government, for after all the National Industrial Recovery Act was admittedly written primarily from the standpoint of labor. The opportunity of selfregulation for industry through trade associations and other industrial groups is the reward offered for the cozperation which the Government will see to it is given by industry in these other particulars. We hold, therefore, that procrastination in some quarters has played directly into the hands of labor and that attention should be given at once to the question of fair trade practices, if industry expects to reap in any large measure benefits possible in this changing economic era.
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HE BLUE PENCIL. The blue pencil has be-
come one of the emblems of the editor, along with the paste pot and shears, but the editorial ofice has no corner on the supply. This is a plea to authors effectively to use blue pencils with greater courage and a bold hand. The curtailment of funds for the publication of scientific papers, coupled with the great prestige of the publications of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, their world-wide circulation and their permanency, bring an increasing stream of manuscripts to the offces of the several editors. Authors may rest assured that the editor would find it more agreeable to be able to accept papers as received than to ask for their condensation, but if the science is to be adequately served and authors given an equal opportunity, it behooves each of them, in his own interest and in the interest of all, to use a blue pencil again and again. We have in mind also the modern reader who prefers to be given his information concisely, yet with completeness sufficient to enable independent conclusion. We are confident of your hearty cooperation.
