ASSOCIATIONS
THE .SECRETARY'S OFFICE True Patriotism Today, t h e need for scientists and engineers in research a n d production is greater by far than the requirements of the military for men with such training. Since the supply is inadequate to meet apparent future demands, there can b e no excuse for wasting this resource in die combat army. Yet, too many lay citizens misunderstand the motives of scientific and engineering societies and of employers of scientists and engineers in their efforts to obtain recognition of this situation. This is especially true when demands are made that young men b e deferred in order to permit them to prepare for important technical assignments. Such an attitude by the person who does not understand the contributions of science and technology in peace a n d w a r is understandable. Every scientist and engineer should, indeed must, assume responsibility for informing his lay friends and associates of the simple and basic facts. The ACS is vitally interested in the well-being of this country. That we have proved many times. A "drugstore cow-
boy" can carry a gun. H e cannot develop a sulfa drug or an antibiotic that will r e duce fatalities from war injuries. H e cannot develop a n antimalarial for use in jungle fighting. lie cannot develop an improved metal or an improved "weapon. In time of emergency every m a n has an obligation to his country. He can contribute the most only if his abilities are used in assignments for which h e has been trained. T o ask a truck driver t o work in the laboratory on atomic energy research obviously is absurd. To ask the man w h o can d o the latter t o go out arid drive a jeep on t h e combat front not only is ridiculous but a tremendous waste. Modern warfare is a continuing race in the development of improved weapons, improved defenses, and improved agents for the saving of t h e lives of those injured in combat. F o r these duties t h e scientist is peculiarly qualified and it is in them that h e should he used. The ACS never has advocated and never will the deferment from milit* ry service of a chemist merely because he is a chemist. It has fought for the .ctention of such men in positions where their technical knowledge
is contributing to the defense of our country and w e hope it never will reduce its effort in that crusade. To put every m a n in uniform and on t h e battle front using weapons a n d protective agents available at any time would b e the surest way to defeat. W h a t always will b e needed are better things a n d it is t h e scientist w h o c a n develop them. Sometimes serving in the combat force is not the highest evidence of patriotism. T o stay in a civilian job in which one can contribute more t o t h e defense of his country' and b e subject to the slurs of those who believe t h a t wars can b e won solely b y combat m a n p o w e r often requires greater courage and patriotism t h a n fighting. T h e position of t h e ACS in this matt e r is not one of "cowardice and selfishness," as a correspondent recently characterized it, b u t rather the only one under which our country c a n survive. These facts must b e presented to every man and woman in diis country. T h e efforts of your executives with t h e W a s h ington bureaucracy are continuous. C&EN and t h e News Service provide an unending flow of comment. But, t h e time has come w h e n publicity n o longer will suffice. Door-to-door salesmen are needed. Steps have been taken by t h e News Service to provide "sales kits" to local sections. At this time, responsibility can not b e assigned elsewhere. I t is YOURS!
Continuous Membership Many members of t h e Society, including some of its officers, h a v e a discontinuous record of membership. Often this is the result of financial difficulties experienced in early years of professional employment or flowing from general economic conditions—inflation or depression. I n better times, some of these people w a n t to pay u p a n d obtain t h e earlier date of continuous membership. F e w give their reasons. W i t h some it surely is pride in their long Society connection. In return t h e y can have emeritus status and t h e recognition of 50 years of membership at an earlier date. T h e practice of permitting p a y m e n t of back dues is a n old one. However, there have b e e n n o "ground rules'" laid d o w n b y t h e Board of Directors although a uniform practice has been followed. There are at least four ways in which this matter can b e handled. These were laid before t h e Board on J u n e 6 a n d t h e following action w a s taken:
1-Phenyl-3-Carbethoxy Pyrazolone-5 C2H5-0QC-C
It w a s moved, seconded, a n d carried
A
new intermediate for synthesis
t h a t a m e m b e r of t h e A M E R I C A N
of dyestufFs and potential drugs WiNTHROP-STEARNS
Send for samples and prices
to:
SPECIAL CHEMICALS DIVISION
CHEMI-
CAL SOCIETY with a discontinuous record of membership b e permitted to obtain continuity b y p a y i n g t h e dues for such years as h e w a s n o t a member of t h e Society between t h e dates of his original membership a n d t h e beginning of a continuous connection provided that t h e Society shall h a v e n o obligation to supply any of the publications for t h e years ror which such p a y m e n t s are made.
INC. 1450
2930
BROADWAY, NEW YORK 18, N. Y.
CHEMICAL
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