WALTER J. MURPEY, HlIToB
7 Financing Scientific Publications
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difficulties expmenced by scientific snd teoh' . . ' nical sonebes m provldmg prompt publication are widely recognized. The disturbing fador is that this condition will probably become more acute in the next few years with the volume of m a r c h expanding in the physical and social sciences. Thk is particularly true in the fields of fundamental research, for we in this country now recognize the necessity of supporting this branch of science more than ever before. The seriousuaas of the situation prompted the National Reeemb Council to bring together in Washington editors snd secretaries of the principal societies serving the physical sciences for the purpose of discwing a common problem. Besides emphaeieing difficulties already well recognized, the informal round-table sessions demonstrated the improbability of finding any one over-all plan for concerted action. However, if nothing more was accomplished than an exchange of viewpoints, the meeting was well worth while. What is the beaic purpose of a scientific or technical journal, and whom is it to serve? All were agreed about the p u r p o s e the dwmination of scientific or technical information. As to the second question, it was surprising to discover some society editors reasoned that the prime objective was to serve the autbo-the researcher-by providing him with a publication medium. Others were equally insistent that the primary responsibility of an editor of a scientific or technical journal is to the reader. Actually an editor bas a double responsibility, we believe. His prime responsibility and service are to the reader and only secondarily to the author. This conflict must be resolved in an editor's mind to avoid uncertainty in administering editorial policies. For example, a number of scientific journals serving the fundamental physical sciences help to finance publication casts by charging each author so much a page, the fee varying, of course. We suspect that editors of these journals are not too happy about such a practice, and authors are hardly apt to be particularly pleased either, unless, of course, the charge can be passed on to tho author's employer. In actual practice such charges are usually so paid. We hope that this will not be extended to AMERICAN CHEMICALSOCIETY publications, although such a proposal bas been made frequently in the past two years. Perhaps there is no alternative for many sacieties in the fields of fundamental sciences other than direct subsidy by Government, The plan providing for direct contributions from authors doea not completely solve the financial problem of many scienti& and technical societies. We may be old-fashioned and not in tune with preaent conditions, but we cannot help feel that the editor of a journal that charges authors or receives direct subsidy from Government lases to some degree independence of action in desling with editorial questions. These editors insist that there is no loea of independence, but we question whether they would continue to follow such a policy if other financial support could he found. We would also point out that m y societies frequently take d&te positions on matters of broad concern, as, for example, that of the -CAN CHEM~CAL ~ C I E T Yon the administrstiou of Selective Service during and immediately after World War 11. NCREABINQ
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Societiesreceiving direct Federirl Government aid may find themselves in an embarrassing position should they differ with Administration or congressional policies. He who foots the bill is very likely to insist on saying just how such financial sid is spent. Actually the long-range problem of finding adequate financial support is one that should have continuous attention. If the National Science Foundation becomes a reality, it is not unlikely that some societies will be forced to saek funds from it, Few, if any, sacieties desire direct subsidy assistance, yet they are faced with the question of whether or not to aocept a large volume of manuscripts reporting research conducted by governmental agencies. Itisimpaasibletopastponethisdecisionmuchlonger. The Atomic Energy Commieaion, for example, bas a large backlog of declwified manuscripts which it would prefer to 8ee published in the established journals of the technical societies. An alternative is the emation of a journal or jonrnals by the Atomic Energy Cornmimion. We believe the vast majority of govcrnmcnt scientists and technologists would prefer to publish in the journals of the scientific societies, but understandably they are restleas with the delaya now experienced and are pressing for action. The seriousness of the situation'cannot be denied and before too long decisions inay be made in government circles to set up journals that in many respects will be directly competitive wit,h the long-estibblished publications of the scientific and technical societies. That INDIISTRIAL AID ENGINEERINO CHEMISTRY and Anolytiml Chemistly are for all intents and purposes on a current publication basis does not blind us to the fact that they are exceptions and that most journals have an extcnsivc backlog of manuscripts awaiting publication. Nor are we forgetful that INDUSTRIAL AND ENOINEE~ING CHEMLBTRY and Analytical Chemistry struggled for two years to reach a onrrent publication basis, and that any sudden and large influx of manuscripts would change materially the present publication schedule. A t least momentarily we are more fortunate than mast of our editorial associates. A satisfsotory'compromise might be for Government to pay page charges in view of the tremendous volume of material currently coming aut of government-supported research estsblishments, rather than to provide direct annual subsidies. Perh a p some such compromise is the only way out. In some fields of the natural sciaices industry has a direct interest and does provide financial aid in one form or another. Industry may be willing to incrits preaent support, but unfortunately there are many fields where industry is not likely to feel any direct obligation. It is mainly in these fields where huge backlogs we growing. One pmsibility would be for industry to support a general foundation designed to supply funds to support fundamental re search, including publication. Linns Pauling in his A.C.S. Presidential Address last year p m w d such a foundation designed to complement the National Science Foundation. Such a plan, however, will require considerable thought and a large amouut of aotive support from industrial leadera if it is to materialize. In the meantime, the poor editors and business msnagers of most society-ownedjournals carry on from day to day hoping and trusting that same miracle will happen to ease their ever-increasing financial burdens.
