A N A L Y T I C A L CH EM1S T R Y WALTER J. MURPHY, Editor
leyan University a t Middletown, Conn., was on the topic “Organic Reagents.” The theme of the third annual symposium, held at Ohio State University, was THE passage of time frequently plays tricks with one’s “Separations,” while the fourth, held in Washington memory. At a meeting, the question mas asked: in conjunction with the semicentennial celebration of “How many summer symposia have been cosponsored by the Division of Analytical Chemistry and XNAI~YTI- the Kational Bureau of Standards, quite properly dealt with the topic “Standards and Standardization.“ C A L CHEMISTRY?”Surprisingly, the guess was four. Michigan State University was the site of the fifth Actually the symposium to be held a t the Cniversymposium and the theme was “Analysis of Materials sity of Minnesota next month will be the seventh in a for Ingredients of Unknown Constitutions.” Last year highly successful series. Despite this success, however, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was the host and the perhaps it is time to glance back and evaluate the subject was “Analytical Chemistry of Less Familiar basic concept of the summer symposia; to gaze into Elements.” The topic of the meeting next month is the crystal ball regarding their future. After all, “Recent Developments in Titrimetry.” science is not static. Perhaps the objects of the sumExamination of the titles of these symposium and an mer conferences should be revised. Possibly the exactual study of the papers presented show that the basic periences gained from the six conferences already held concept has been followed fairly well. Surprisingly indicate that no substantial change is desirable. enough, a comparison of the programs of all the The basic concept of the summer analytical symprincipal symposia sponsored in this country during the posium was to provide an opportunity to explore extenpast five years shows only a very limited amount of sively a relatively narrow field of specialization; to induplication. This would indicate that the program vite outstanding experts to present papers reviexTjng chairmen have exercised excellent judgment in selection authoritatively the field under study and reporting exof subjects. The fact that the summer symposia are detensively on new scientific advances. Considerable signed to cover thoroughly a relatively narrow field of time was t o be devoted to audience participation in specialization is very good reason why these meetings do well-planned discussion periods. so many as do meetings that operate on not attract This approach, one will readily admit, is quite difa broader base of interest. ferent from the pattern of programs generally followed Attendance records are not in themselves an indicaat divisional meetings during national sessions of the tion of the value of a particular meeting. A much Society. To a large extent, sessions at national meetsounder evaluation, in our opinion, is the enthusiasm of ings are devoted to the presentation of general papers those attending. On this basis, every one of the sumusually dealing with unrelated subjects. There is defimer symposia must be considered highly successful. nite need for this type of program and the semiannual General chairman of the seventh symposium is P. J. divisional meetings serve this purpose admirably. Elving, Department of Chemistry, Cniversity of MichiThere are nom held during the course of a year a gan. An interesting sidelight is the fact that the first number of meetings of direct interest to analysts. Insymposium was held during Dr. Elving’s chairmanship deed, some feel that possibly the meeting idea is someof the division. Honorary chairman is I. M. Kolthoff, what overdone. It is our personal opinion that duhead of the Division of Analytical Chemistry at Minneplication is not as yet a very serious problem. The sota and a frequent speaker a t summer symposium annual symposia at Louisiana State University, the meetings. John E. Wertz of the Chemistry DepartPittsburgh Analytical Conferences, the summer symment a t Minnesota is chairman of local arrangements. posia cosponsored by the division and this journal, and Details of the program appeared in the March issue of the Gordon Research Conferences all have separate and this journal and in the May 10 issue of Chemical and distinct objectives, although admittedly they do dramEngineering News, page 1924. largely, if not entirely, from the same group. Earlier in this editorial the question was raised, “Is it The list of the subjects covered a t the summer symdesirable to revise the objects of the summer sympoposia to date helps to indicate the basic objective of sia?” Looking back over the series, it is our considered the symposium idea. The first symposium, held at judgment that they have fulfilled a most useful purKorthwestern University in August 19-48, dealt with pose, one not duplicated elsewhere. For this reason, the very timely subject of “P\Iucleonics and Analytical we believe no change is warranted in the basic concept. Chemistry.” The second symposium, held at Wes-
Annual Summer Symposia
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