ANALY T t C A 1 CH EM1S T R Y WALTER J. MURPHY, Editorial Director
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Essential Element Trained Manpower THEchemical industry has been
expanding at the rate of about 10% per year, a much faster pace than the 37, figure for industry as a whole. The $64,000 cluestion is, of course, whether the chemical industry caii or will continue indefinitely to register the substantial gains it has made in the past, or whether a leveling off in output must be expected in the next decade or tn-o. Frankly, we caii see no fundamental reason why any slowing down in the growth curve of the chemical industry should occur, unless it is due t o a lack of adequate manpower iii the key areas of management, research, production. and quality control. Those readers who have followed the series "Report for Management , " itarted initially in the Sovember 19.55 issue of - ~ % L I . T I C ~ LCHEMISTRY,must have reached at least one broad conclusion-namely, that analysis is not just an essential tool in modern manufacturing operations: it is vital t o the over-all success of any venture where products are researched. produced, and sold for profit. The series has shown dramatically the close relationship that should exist between an analytical department and the research, sales, and purcha4ng departments and also with top management. Quality control today is not just a mere slogaii popularized by the advertising fraternity. Down through the yeare it has been part of every ivell-managed organization. However, it is evident today that quality control i.5 being given more proniiiience in the thinking of top management than ever before. The highly competitive nature of private enterprise demands that the quality of a successful product be consistently high and uniform. This is the basic reason why analysts and analytical departments are receiving much more attention than they did previously from key executives. We ivonder sometimes if these qame eyecutives realize that an insufficient number of young men and women are being trained for careers as analysts. Unless this factor is fully appreciated and something of a practical nature is done about the problem, there is the strong possibility that the chemical industry will not be able to continue its rather fantastic rate of growth. Much has been done in the past t o alleviate this shortage throuqh the development of many remarkable physical instruments. These devices, of course, will
provide checks on the quality of raw materials entering a process and. will guard manufacturing operations in such a way that the finished product will meet predetermined specifications. We do not envision by any means a diminishing of the efforts being made in the field of instrumental analysis. When we talk of shortages or possible shortages, we are not thinking in terms of trained technicians, but of nell-trained and well-rounded experienced analytical chemists-men and women capable of directing analytical operations in manufacturing companies. We are also thinking in ternis of those who are competent enough to do basic or fundameiital research. Without these essential contributions, the science of analysis will be greatly handicapped in the future.
Subdivision Idea THEsuggestion has been
made on more than one occasion t o the Executive Committee of the Division of Aiialytical Chemistry, that subdivisions be created within the division. This proposal does not imply any splintering of the Division of -4nalytical Chemistry. It does envision, however, working machinery that would encourage specific groups to conduct programs of interest to their particular areas. In another editorial on this page, we have discussed at considerable length the subject of quality control. Possibly this is one subdivision that might be initiated. Obviously, there are others. The system of authorizing subdivisions is not nento the h I E R I C . 4 S CHEMICAL SOCIETY.Both the Division of -Agricultural and Food Chemistry and the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry have very active subdivisions. Xnalytical chemistry essentially is made up of a number of specialized fields of interest. The subdivision approach within the Division of Analytical Chemistry seems t o us to be a very practical way of expanding the services the division can render its members. The adoption of this plan in all probability would result in a sizable increase in the present membership. It most certainly would lead to greater interest in the division and its programs by those who currently feel somewhat neglected. Officers of the Division of Xnalytical Chemistry are very anxious to have comments or suggestions from the analysts of this country regarding the idea of subdivisions. Suggestions may be submitted to Warren ITT. Brandt, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
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