ACS
NEWS
What ACS Members Think About Professional Status What do ACS members mean when they speak of "professional status"? Do they feel they have a professional status problem—that is, do they feel their status is too low? What do they believe the ACS can and should do about the problem, if it exists? Answers to these and related questions were sought last year in a comprehensive survey of member opinion conducted for the Society by Social Research, Inc., an opinion analysis concern in Chicago. The survey was recommended by the Council and authorized by the Board of Directors in 1959 in view of the increasing interest shown by ACS members in professional matters. The information obtained will be applied in a professional relations program designed, within the framework of the Society's National Charter as a scientific and educational association, to meet the members' needs and desires. The staff of the Division of Public, Professional, and Member Relations has prepared the following summary of the survey report.
• Twenty-four per cent of American Chemical Society members feel there is a serious problem in their lack of full professional status in the eyes of the general public and their employers; an additional 64 per cent feel the problem exists but is not serious. • Members attribute this lack of status primarily to low pay, lack of autonomy in research, low status on the job, and inadequate public appreciation of the importance of their work. • To help improve professional status, a majority of the members favors such Society activities as seeking greater publicity for chemists and chemical engineers, encouraging discussion of professional topics among college students, and developing a code of ethics. • More ACS members oppose the use of academic degrees after authors' names in journals than support the idea. • Eighty per cent of the members are opposed to joining unions, but 60 per cent feel the Society should collect and publish information on unions without taking a positive stand on the issue. These are some of the conclusions reached by Social Research, Inc., a Chicago opinion analysis concern, as a result of a survey conducted for the ACS to determine member attitudes on 78
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a variety of professional matters. The study also elicited some revealing concepts which chemists and chemical engineers have toward their science. Most, for example, are motivated by the desire to be creative, and regard chemistry as a sort of wonder world from which all important technological breakthroughs arise. Accompanying this urge to be creative, however, is a strong though tacit wish for more mundane satisfactions, such as good pay and high prestige.
The survey of ACS member opinion on professional matters will be discussed at the open session of the Council Committee on Professional Relations and Status at the Society's 139th National Meeting in St. Louis. Dr. Lee Rainwater of Social Research, Inc., Chicago, who directed the survey, will be present to review the findings and answer questions. All interested members are invited to attend the session in Room 1 of the Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel at 9 a.m. Monday, March 27. Reprints of the survey report in this issue of Chemical and Engineering News will be distributed there.
The research organization carried out the survey in three phases: (1) Personal interviews of the "depth interview" type were conducted with 200 member chemists and chemical engineers chosen at random in 10 communities around the country. (2) A detailed questionnaire was mailed to 9981 randomly selected ACS members. (3) Interviews were held with 75 nonmember chemists and chemical engineers, with 25 businessmen in chemical industry, and with 25 scientists and engineers in fields outside the scope of the ACS. The
Respondents
By the deadline 4325 of the mailed questionnaires had been received, a return rate of 44%. Here are some statistics about respondents in this group: • 35% had a bachelor's degree. • 18% had a master's degree. • 42% had doctorates. • 84% read at least one ACS journal regularly. • 72% voted for officers at different levels in the Society. • 68% had attended a local section meeting within the past two years. • 45% had attended an ACS national meeting in the past two years.
• 25% had published a paper in an ACS journal within the past five years. • 3 1 % had presented a paper at an ACS meeting at some time. • 54% worked in cities of 100,000 population or greater. • 72% belonged to one or more other scientific or engineering organizations. • 65% had been active in civic affairs. • The median age bracket for all respondents was 36-45. • T h e median salary bracket was $10,000-$ll,999inl960. • The median membership period was 1 2 + years. While the viewpoints of all who participated in each of the three phases of the survey are included in the official report issued by Social Research, the opinions of the largest group (respondents to the mail questionnaire) dominate. Principally, recipients of the mail questionnaire were asked to provide data on their professional status concerns and on the ingredients which, in their judgment, make up the standing of the chemist or chemical engineer. These findings are reported as a group under Part One following. Information elicited during depth interviews with members, nonmembers, businessmen, and other professionals, and inferences drawn from the mail survey, are reported under Part Two, which deals with some of the more general problems and satisfactions of chemical careers.
Part One: Professional Status Concerns and Their Ingredients Among ACS members returning written questionnaires, there was ample evidence of a real, but not pressing, professional status concern. When asked whether it was true that "people in the field are not accorded the professional status and prestige to which they are properly entitled by virtue of education, training, and the work they do," 88% of the men and 8 3 % of the women indicated that a problem existed. Among male members, for example, 1 1 % asserted that there was no problem at all, 20% felt there was only a minor problem, 44% said there was a problem although not a very serious one, and 24% indicated there was a serious problem (Table 1).
Interestingly, these answers did not vary widely among different occupational groups. Those who perceived a problem identified the general public as the chief offender in denying the chemical profession the esteem it deserves (Table 2 ) . Next on the list was management, followed by other professional people. Relatively few respondents were concerned by the attitudes of others in the chemical field, the government, or students. Status Factors "A well-recognized profession is generally regarded as one which provides a solid measure of autonomy to its members, a reasonable scale of pay, reasonable opportunities to progress in professional development, good facilities to do one's professional work, and an over-all sense of meaningful professional identity." So states the Social Research report in introducing a discussion of the factors now facing the chemical field which may affect the status of its individual practitioners. Of those replying, 55% felt that the pay of chemists and chemical engineers was insufficient in view of the training and experience required of them (Table 3 ) . Lack of professional autonomy, or freedom from management interference with research projects, was cited by 46% as a significant problem. About the same percentage also cited low status on the job, and almost as many indicated that there were too few recruits to the field. Following closely were such problems as low public respect, overshadowing by other fields, poor recruit quality, business domination of research, unionization, and overspecialization. The problems of encroaching government control and too many people entering the field were rated as less serious. Despite the respondents' indication that the general public is considered least inclined to recognize the chemical profession, it appears that the average chemist or chemical engineer may be more specifically concerned about the status he has on the job and the way in which his professional identity there is obtained or maintained. Role of the ACS Data from all survey sources make it clear that the American Chemical
Society is a significant part of the professional identification of its members and that they look to the Society for leadership in solving many of the professional status problems which occur. A large proportion—90% or better—
TABLE I Is There a Professional Status Problem?* Yes, it is a serious problem Yes, but not a very serious problem Yes, but a very minor problem No probtem at all No response
24% 44% 20% 11% 1%
* Replies of 3295 male ACS members.
TABLE 2 Who Does Not Accord Professional Status to Chemists?* General public Management Other professions Other chemists Government Students
43% 32% 24% 15% 8% 8%
* Replies of 2789 ACS members
TABLE 3 What Status Problems Face the Field? Low pay Lack of autonomy Low job status Too few recruits Low public respect Other fields overshadowing Recruit quality low Domination by business Unionization Overspecialization Government encroachment Too many recruits
55% 46% 45% 44% 40% 38% 35% 35% 33% 32% 21% 8%
TABLE 4 General Professional Activities for ACS Activity Set up standards for education and training in the field Get publicity for individuals making contributions to field Promote government relations Set up criteria for use of title of "chemist" or "chemical engineer" Establish salary standards Discourage unionization Foster unionization MARCH
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Do
Avoid
36%
3%
33%
3%
38%
5%
48%
20%
35% 29% 5%
36% 40% 84%
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TABLE 5 Specific Professional Tasks for ACS Activity Get more publicity for chemists, making sure they are identified as members of distinct profession* ACS code of ethics Teach courses on professional and ethical problems of field Address Ph.D.'s as "Dr." Set up voluntary ACS certification Legal licensing or certification Award specialist diplomas
Good Idea
Avoid
64% 54%
3% 10%
53% 48%
14% 28%
31%
32%
32%
40%
27%
39%
.
* Cited as "most important" of group. TABLE 6 ACS Membership Standards and Classes Membership standards are too low Favor more classes of membership Membership should be open to all those with an interest in the field Admit only those with graduate degrees Present admission standards all right
28% 33%
17% 14% 58%
TABLE 7 Should Degrees Be Used After Authors7 Names?* Don't approve Authors should determine use Editors should use their discretion Approve for Ph.D.'s only Approve for graduate degrees Approve for all degrees
35% 22% 8% 9% 5% 21%
* Replies of 3526 ACS members. TABLE 8 Unionism in the Chemical Profession Not a good idea 60% Reasonable for some, not for me 20% Some unions may be all right 13% I might join a union 7% General unionization good idea 5% TABLE 9 ACS Role on Unions ACS should not be concerned ACS should publish facts, but take no stand ACS should investigate and take a stand 80
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17% 60% 21% 1961
recognized ACS sponsorship of such activities as publications, meetings, and employment aids. Almost as many identified other programs in the areas of establishing educational standards and publicizing the accomplishments of the field and those in it. Members also were asked to express their opinions on ACS participation in these and other general professional areas (Table 4 ) . There was endorsement of such steps as getting publicity for individuals making contributions to the field, establishing standards of education and training in the field, promoting better relations with the government, and setting up criteria for the use of the title "chemist" or "chemical engineer." Opinion was evenly divided on the desirability of establishing salary standards. Those wishing the ACS either to foster or to discourage unionization were greatly outnumbered by those who did not want the Society to become involved at all. In addition, members had an opportunity to express their feelings on specific activities of a professional nature, of which some are in progress or under consideration and others have been suggested from time to time to promote the professional identity of chemical practitioners (Table 5 ) . Again, high on the list was the attempt to obtain more publicity for chemists and chemical engineers, at the same time making sure that they are identified as members of a distinct profession. This was singled out by the greatest number of members as the most important project for the Society to engage in, and only 3 % of the respondents felt it should not be done at all. Second most popular idea was that of developing a code of ethics for ACS members. Only 10% said this should be avoided. About as many, 53%, believed that the ACS should encourage the teaching of courses on the professional and ethical problems of the field to college students. Apparently, many chemists and chemical engineers feel that the nontechnical aspects of their profession either are overlooked or receive inadequate attention during college training. On the matter of addressing the Ph.D. as "Doctor," 48% of those responding favored this practice in both written and spoken communication, but 28% did not want the ACS to become involved in the matter.
There was less support for such regulatory activities as legal licensing or certification; in fact, more members were inclined to have the ACS avoid involvement than to promote such plans as voluntary ACS certification or other types of licensing and certification. Even the granting of ACS specialist diplomas, in the manner of the medical profession, was frowned on by many members. In general, members seemed to fear that any such measures would lead to excessive standardization and mediocrity in the
field. Membership
Standards
Somewhat involved in considerations of* professional status are the ways in which chemists and chemical engineers are admitted to, and are classified by, societies such as the ACS (Table 6 ) . Many members, for example, believe that ACS membership, in itself, is a form of professional recognition. This was borne out by the survey. The majority, 58%, feel that present admission standards are satisfactory and keep out the unqualified. When it comes to tightening up membership requirements, 28% believe that the standards now are too low and occasionally permit inadequately trained chemists to get in too easily; 14% would admit only those with graduate degrees as one way of avoiding this possibility. On the other end of the spectrum are the 17% who would like to open up ACS membership to all who have an interest in the chemical field. Social Research summarizes these data by saying that over one third of the members feel there is something wrong with the present membership standards and the requirements should in some way be stricter. Although the data did not allow a determination as to what solution is preferred, a sizable minority, 33%, favored more classes of membership as one answer to this problem. Academic
Degrees
The question of using academic degrees after authors' names in ACS journals probably was the most prominent single issue leading to the professional status survey. Over a period of a year in 1958 and 1959, opinions ranged widely on this topic. Although the survey conducted by So-
cial Research has not yielded a conclusive answer, the results (Table 7) indicate that a greater percentage opposes the idea (35%) than favors it for all degrees (21%). About 30% felt that either authors or editors should be free to use academic degrees in journal articles at their discretion. There was little inclination to restrict the practice to those with a Ph.D.; most respondents felt that, if degrees were used at all, there should be no limitation as to which ones were shown. Unions Unionize tion is a specific issue which arises frequently in connection with the professional status identification of chemists and chemical engineers. Often debated, it has been subjected to member opinion polls several times in the past. The survey just completed for the ACS bears out earlier data (Table 8 ) . Eighty per cent did not favor joining a union; 5% approved unions in general, 13% said some unions may be all right, and 7% said they might join one. As to what the Society should do about unions, a large majority, 60%, thought the ACS should keep abreast of union developments by gathering facts and publishing them for the information of members but should not take a positive stand one way or another on unionism (Table 9 ) . Another 217c favored taking a stand, and 17% thought the issue should be ignored as being beyond the proper bounds of Society interest. Implications of the Findings From the survey's findings concerning the members' feelings about their professional status*, and their views on the ACS role in building and maintaining appropriate recognition, several implications and conclusions were drawn by Social Research, namely: 1. Most chemists recognize that they have a problem in achieving professional status commensurate with their training, skills, and responsibilities. Over-all, academic chemists and research administrators appear most satisfied personally in respect to professional status, whereas non-Ph.D. researchers and chemists involved solely in testing and analysis seem least satisfied. 2. Within industry, two factors appear dominant in the status concerns of chemists—pay and a sense of recognized and valued autonomy.
3. All chemical occupational groups agree that there is reason to be concerned about the status accorded by the general public to chemists and chemical engineers. There is more concern over the possibility of being downgraded in comparison with medicine, law, or business, than over the public's attitude toward science per se. 4. The lack of public recognition prompts members to be more interested in an ACS public relations program to correct this situation than in internal or regulatory measures to raise the status of the membership. A code of ethics is favored by many members as a public relations measure which might help identify chemists and chemical engineers as professionals. 5. In general, members seem satisfied with the organization of their Society—they do not seem to want extensive changes in membership standards nor do they want added structures such as certification or specialty boards. 6. Concerning the use of authors' degrees on journal articles, a minority would be pleased by this as a gesture in the direction of professionalism, but this view is counterbalanced by those who feel either that such a practice is not really in line with a secure professional identity, or that it is strictly the author's private affair. 7. A majority feels that unionization would be a step backward from the goal of true professional status, but that the Society, while continuing to collect and publish information about the problem, should not take a specific stand on the issue.
Part Two: Problems and Satisfactions in the Chemical Profession Basic to an appraisal of ACS members' attitudes on professionalism is an understanding of the factors which motivate them toward their science. That their initial concepts of chemistry, for example, were somewhat altruistic is borne out by the Social Research survey. For many members, in their younger days chemistry appeared as a dreamlike or wonder world in which all practitioners shared the same general aura of success, and all scientists were of the caliber of Faraday and Edison. For many, this viewpoint remains with them throughout their lives, and has an important
influence on how they think about their careers. Desire for Creativity Probably the greatest single motivating factor common to most chemists is their desire to be creative—to "make significant contributions," to "contribute to the understanding of the universe," to "score breakthroughs," and to discover new things "for the good of mankind". For some, creativity is an end in itself and there is little concern for other benefits which may accrue to the individual scientist. On the other hand, being creative is recognized by many as one means of obtaining such desirable things as increased pay, prestige, recognition, and comfortable living. Social Research felt that while some chemists who were interviewed had as their prime goal creativity, most of them were actually seeking material and social benefits. Accordingly, professional standing tends to be measured by chemical scientists in two ways: (1) in terms of scientific contributions which are recognized within and outside the field, and (2) in terms of such material evidences as income, type of home, and the grade of furnishings and equipment used at one's place of employment. Getting ahead to achieve these two ends occupies much of the attention of ACS members. Getting Ahead Important to the achievement of professional standing for the chemist or chemical engineer is the way he surmounts certain crucial experiences apt to be encountered in the development of his career. The "office politics" that may be involved in a position, for example, is one such experience. Many ACS members who were interviewed asserted that professional competence and ability often were subordinate to interpersonal relationships on the job. In such cases, knowing "who" rather than knowing "what" becomes important. Among chemists who are inclined to be altruistic in their views of the profession, politics is viewed with dismay, yet is tolerated as one of the facts of life. While they may struggle for power, prestige, and money at their place of employment, they do not necessarily approve such methods, and would much prefer to be evaluated almost MARCH
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solely on the basis of their scientific ability. Somewhat related is the problem faced by many chemists and chemical engineers of having to explain their work and discoveries to administrators who apparently do not understand what scientific research represents. Many feel this interposes a barrier to the attainment of full professional recognition. The survey points out that another frustration confronting some ACS members is the realization that they lack the ability, training, and perhaps opportunity to advance further in their science and, therefore, in their professional standing. Their careers are filled with disappointment, yet they never lose hope that somehow things will change and they will be able to do creative work, or to change the course of their work in such a manner as to bring satisfaction in other ways. Often, such individuals move into administration, which seems to entail fewer frustrations of this general nature. Even chemists who have had some success in their creative efforts occasionally become administrators to free themselves of the strain of having continually to top their most recent scientific achievement. Particularly important to the attainment of professional stature are the way and the rate at which the chemist or chemical engineer achieves promotion. For many, the power to control and direct research is a paramount objective. Where this is not possible for some of the reasons cited above, then a change within the field often is welcomed. Some chemists, for example, do not hesitate to move from the bench into administration, sales, or some other nontechnical area to get ahead. Continually, the chemical scientist seeks recognition of his accomplishments. Patents and publication in scientific journals offer concrete measures of his achievement. Of course, such recognition also brings a certain amount of additional salary in time, and this then can be used to buy the things which further identify the degree of success which has been achieved. So, as Social Research says, "it isn't money that buys happiness, but rather ability that 'buys' recognition in the form of money which then can be used to buy things that advertise the fact that one's ability has been recognized." Finally, despite all the crucial ex82
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periences the chemical professional encounters, the conviction remains that, although the individual may not succeed, the field will prosper* This optimism for the field pervaded the conversation of the ACS members who were interviewed. Group Attitudes Toward Professionalism Throughout the professional status survey, it was evident that opinions on different aspects of the subject, both general and specific, tended to be identified with certain occupational groups. Although attitudes frequently were the same, just as often thinking was sharply divided among these groups. For the purposes of the survey, seven occupational groups were set up as follows: academic chemists, 14.5%; chemists in administrative or other nonresearch positions, 10.5%; bench chemists (that is, those engaged in testing and analysis), 10.6%; Ph.D. researchers, 17.9%; non-Ph.D. researchers, 17.9%; research administrators, 10.8%; and chemical engineers*, 17.6%. Among these, the sharpest divisions of opinion often were found between the researchers and nonresearchers, the academicians and the industrial scientists, and the chemists and the chemical engineers. Recognition, for example, is one type of problem for the industrial research chemist and a somewhat different one for his manager. The researcher continually strives for the significant contribution or breakthrough which will establish him within the scientific community. Oddly enough, he tends to feel that there is a decided element of luck involved in achieving this kind of discovery. If a breakthrough occurs he would like first to have it published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, but he would also be interested in having it written up in lay terms by a news magazine of general circulation. Hence, a measure of both professional and public recognition is sought. Chemists in management, on the other hand, tend to seek social rather than individual goals, although they also desire recognition from the people they work with and from the general public. They naturally have less interest in achieving recognition as scientists than as competent administrators. This leads to a greater
involvement on their part in the kind *of interpersonal manipulation called "politics." Another pair of groups with somewhat divergent viewpoints on professional matters is made up of chemists in an academic setting and industrial scientists. What has been said previously about the industrial research chemist still applies. The ways in which his viewpoints differ from those of the academician are several. To some extent, the academic chemist is even more interested in obtaining recognition of his scientific achievements by his peers than is the research chemist in industry. This stems primarily from the fact that the academician more often considers himself, and is considered, to be primarily a member of the teaching profession. While this identity is prized for the prestige which it garners on the campus, the scientist-teacher seems more keenly bent on demonstrating his technical competence to his fellow chemists so he can gain status in a scientific profession as well. Another way, according to Social Research, in which academic chemists differ from industrial researchers is in their regard for money. For the academic man, money is considerably less an end in itself. This does not mean that it is despised, but it will not buy what is needed most, namely, recognition from the scientific community. In a sense, the academician has the hallmarks of the true professional, but he has accumulated them primarily through his identity with the teaching profession. The industrial research scientist has no such advantage; he is interested in obtaining more salary so he can buy the accoutrements that will help identify his standing. A third grouping with somewhat divergent viewpoints toward professionalism consists of the chemists and the chemical engineers. The two important themes of creativity and material success, mentioned earlier, have decidedly different Values for the chemical engineers and chemists. "Perhaps the most significant single difference between chemists and chemical engineers is that the latter do not share the view of science held by the former," according to the Social Research report, which explains: "The wonder of science is largely absent from the chemical engineers' early views of science, and in examining their careers it is clear that they
do not identify their professional activity so closely with creativity. . . . The engineers are much more interested in material success than they are in scoring 'breakthroughs/ contributing to the good of mankind, or making 'significant contributions'." Chemical engineers generally take a more businesslike approach to their work. Many who were interviewed in this survey, for example, indicated that they chose a career in chemical engineering primarily because they felt it would be advantageous toward success in the business world. This type of thinking leads engineers to be less upset by such factors as "politics" and the "don't understand" group. This may be due in part to their greater skill in interpersonal relations, born out of a businesslike way of thinking. The Public and Chemistry as a Profession Is chemistry a profession? Do chemists think of themselves as professionals? The answer to both these questions was a strong affirmative from those outside the field as well as from ACS members themselves who were interviewed as part of this study. For chemists, being a professional meant that a very rigorous period of training had been undergone to get an academic degree, that chemistry and chemical engineering were primarily intellectual activities, and that the field was rendering public service by contributing to the welfare of the country. Businessmen and scientists of other disciplines cited most of the same reasons for classifying chemists and chemical engineers as bona fide professionals. Some went a step further and added an attribute many scientists cherish—independence. In other words, there is some feeling that the true professional should be capable of practicing on his own, and that supervision tends to detract from such status. Also, while chemistry and chemical engineering were identified as professions by those outside the field, the so-called learned professions of medicine, law, and theology were ranked somewhat higher. Businessmen have other viewpoints about chemists which are important to considerations of professional status. On the subject of income, for example, the businessman is willing to concede that industry does not reward
those in the chemical profession in a fashion commensurate with their importance. This situation is expected to improve. Standing in the way, however, is the feeling of industry that the chemist does not sell himself or his abilities as well as he could. Instead, he tends to rely on his worth to speak for itself, and thus places himself, at least to some extent, in the category of the learned professions for which money and other material rewards are considered less important than service. Faced with this attitude, some businessmen infer that chemists are not greatly interested in better salaries. The chemist can help eliminate this sort of misunderstanding by taking a more businesslike approach to his employment, without necessarily sacrificing the professional and service aspects of his calling. To some extent he may be approaching this goal, since many industrialists interviewed in the survey thought of the chemist as the businessman's scientist, much more so than, say, the physicist or the biologist. The survey also found that members of other disciplines look upon the chemist as much more at home in industry— a sort of scientist's businessman. When chemists think of themselves as professionals, they often contrast their position with that of two other groups. The first consists of scientists in allied fields, such as physics and biology. More important, and a comparison frequently made, is that involving the medical profession. Chemists strongly tend to envy and sometimes denigrate the physicians. This attitude stems principally from the view that the physician does little research. Instead, he is thought of as a practitioner using results produced by the ingenuity of others. Chemical scientists therefore believe medicine should be rated lower on the status ladder than it is. As Social Research puts it: "The training of young chemists is not only believed to be more rigorous, the work more arduous and demanding, but, generally speaking, the mature chemist is believed to be a harder-working, more dedicated person than is the physician." . Thus the higher pay which the physician is believed to receive, his public recognition, and perhaps even his greater sense of professionally are envied by the chemist. The survey also indicates that many chemists credit much of the physician's high status to the latter's professional
organization, and the sentiment often is voiced that, the ACS ought to be organized along similar lines. On the other hand, there is only a vague notion as to how such reorganization could be carried out. Also, many see in the physician's society an organization which has to work harder than most to maintain a good public image for itself and for its practitioners. In short, many ACS members would like to see the American Chemical Society become a stronger, more public-opinion-molding type of organization, without sacrificing any of the prestige it now enjoys as a scientific and educational association. Perhaps it is in this connection that they react so positively to suggestions that the Society step up its efforts to achieve more publicity for the accomplishments of those in the chemical profession. The Future As Social Research comments near the end of its 220-page report: "It may only be a matter of time before chemistry moves up in the American hierarchy of prestige professions." The report adds, however, that the outsider is struck by several apparent blindnesses on the part of chemical scientists. One is their relative unsophistication as to just how chemistry and chemical engineering fit into a complex society which involves social, economic, political, business, religious, and artistic factors, as well as scientific and scholarly aspects. It seems that ACS members and others in the chemical field do not have a clear perception of the interrelationships of all these. They feel that, because science dominates much of present-day thinking, everything else will be affected. Another fact which chemists do not perceive clearly is that "the public" which can give them a measure of stature is actually several publics, some of which are more influential than others in this regard. Perhaps it is the members' feeling that the ACS should assume the responsibility for discerning these differences in its efforts to achieve greater recognition for those in the profession. They look more favorably toward this type of activity than they do toward such self-regulating measures as licensing, certification, and unionization. It is clear to them that the ACS is their Society and that in it lies their hope for a brighter professional future. MARCH
13, 1 9 6 1
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Dr. Ronald T. Pflaum, associate professor of chemistry at the State University of Iowa, is chairman of the Iowa Section for 1961. Dr. Pflaum has p r e v i o u s l y served the section as secretary-treasurer. Other officers are Dr. John R. Doyle, vice-chairman, and Dr. Rex Montgomery, secretary-treasurer, both of the State University of Iowa.
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84
Brian R. Gottlieb has joined the staff of the ACS Applied Publications as an assistant editor in the technology section of C&EN. Mr. Gottlieb, a native of South Africa, received a B.S. f r o m the Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, in 1952. H e then worked as a radiochemist for Standard Telecommunication Laboratories in London, England, where he was engaged in purification of semiconductor materials. From 1955 to 1956 he worked as a research chemist for Aluminum Laboratories, Ltd., Canada. In 1956 he returned to South Africa to assume the position of assistant director of the research laboratory at the Stilfontein General Mining Co. Before joining the C&EN staff Mr. Gottlieb was with Electrothermal Industries, Inc., Pearl River, N.Y., where he was in charge of the chemical laboratory concerned with the development and analysis of new high temperature materials. He is a member of the ACS and the Chemical Institute of Canada.
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Robert J. Grubb, research engineer with the explosives research and development laboratory, American C y a n a m i d , is chairman of the Penn-Ohio Border Section for 1961. Mr. Grubb has served the section as chairman of the manpower and public re-
lations committees. Other officers include Dr. William H. McCoy, Youngstown University, chairmanelect; Dr. Walter H. Puterbaugh, Thiel College, secretary; Dr. Clarence Vanselow, Thiel College, treasurer; and Dr. Joseph B. Littman, Jr., Packard Electric Division, General Motors Corp., councilor.
Colburn Chairs North Alabama Dr. Charles B. Colburn, Redstone research division, Rohm & Haas Co., is the chairman of the North Alabama Section for 1961. Dr. Colburn served previously as program chairman and as secretary. Other officers are John Lomartire, Chemstrand Corp., Dr. Thomas A. chairman-elect; Neely, Thiokol Chemical Corp., secretary; and Wilbur A. Riehl, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, treasurer.
DeVries Heads Santa Clara Valley Dr. John E. DeVries, senior analytical chemist at Stanford Research Institute, is chairman of the Santa Clara Valley Section for 1961. Dr. DeVries has served the section on various committees and as a member of the Board of Directors. Serving with him are Dr. Worden Waring, Fairchild Semiconductor Corp., chairmanelect; Shirley B. Radding, Stanford Research Institute, secretary; and Howard M. Frantz. Peninsula Testing and Controls, treasurer.
Columbus Section The report of the election held by the Columbus Section (C&EN, Feb. 6, page 92) contained several errors. The correct affiliation of the chairman, Dr. Samuel A. Woodruff, is Ohio Wesleyan University, not Capitol University; the name of the secretary is Dr. Quentin Van Winkle; and Dr. Randall C. Rice, chairman-elect, is associated with Chemical Abstracts.
New! Cary Amplifier-Balance System A complete system, especially adapted for use with isotope ratio m a s s spectrometers, w h i c h m e a s u r e s a n d r e c o r d s ion c u r r e n t d o w n to 10~14 a m p e r e s or smaller. The Cary Amplifier-Balance System provides several o u t s t a n d i n g benefits in isotope ratio or similar w o r k : • Reliable measurement of the ratio of one c u r r e n t relative to another, to precision of ± . 0 1 % , t h r o u g h use of sensitive v i b r a t i n g reed elect r o m e t e r units. • Convenience as well as savings in time t h r o u g h obtaining a complete amplifier, balance and recorder system ready for installation. • Dependability in t h a t t h e highly stable electrometer amplifiers avoid t h e drift problems encountered with other types of amplifiers and require little attention over long periods of time. As illustrated, t h e system consists of: A Cary Model 31MS Electrometer P a i r - a master-slave combination of two modified Model 31 E l e c t r o m e t e r s ; a Balance Panel with a precision voltage divider and the controls required for r a t i o measurements which have provision for independent recording of either electrometer u n i t ; a recorder w i t h either c e n t e r / r i g h t - h a n d o r center /left-hand zero. Details about this new system are yours on request. Ask for D a t a File C26-31.
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INSTRUMENTS
APPLIED PHYSICS CORPORATION 2 T 2 4 South Peck Road Monrovia, California
