VOL.3, No. 2
BASICPR~CIPLES o* E v m o n n m o ~
166
2. In order to carry out experimental work for the purpose of collecting data to be used in designing full scale apparatus, it is important to f o m a mental picture of the mechanism of the process and to test, with experimental data, the assumptions made in deriving the theory. FIRST NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ORGANIC CHEMISTRY N. Y., D E C E ~ E29-31, R 1925 ROCHESTER, The Symposium met in the Music Lecture Room of the Eastman School of Music an Tuesdav morning. The welcome and introductory speeches were by W. R. Webb, Chairman bf the ~ o c h e s t e rSection, J. F. Norris, President of the American Chemical Society, Marston T. Bogert, Chairman of the Organic Division, and Charles H. Herty, President of the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers' Association. The rest of the morning was devoted to the two general papers of the Symposium, by J. F. Norris, on the opportunities for research in the relatively neglected field of aliphatic chemistry, and by Morris Kharasch on his work on an experimental method for determining the relative polarity of organic radicals. Luncheon a t the Chamber of Commerce gave opportunities far gathering in small groups and renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones. The afternoon was devoted to four papers on sugars and cellulose. Of the ten papers given on Wednesday the papers by Roger Adams on substances related to chaulmoogric acid, by John Johnston on melting points in relation to purity of organic compounds, and by J. B. Conant on same recent work in the field of free radicals excited the most discussion. Wednesday evening an informal d i e r w a s held a t the Rochester Club. Of the short talks by offiws of the Society, the Section and the Division, the most notable was that by C. L. Parsons in which he outlined the present and future activities of the Society. After the dinner the chemists occupied the Mezzanine in the beautiful Eastman Theatre and were offered a real treat in a remarkable musical and terpsichorean prelude to Mae Murray's screen version of the "Merry Widow." Once again there w a s much "visiting" among the chemists and some even slipped out after the prelude and "visited" some more. The &st thing Thursday morning, Harry LeBarron Gray presented to the chemists the motion pictures which he took on the A. C. S. trip to California last summer. These were complete even to the episode of the "President and the Queen" with Dr. Parsons batting for the queen. The papers Thursday morning were somewhat rushed because of the time consumed by the business meeting. It was decided to bold the next Symposium on Organic Chemistry in December, 1927. Dr. Wm. Lloyd Evans on behalf of Ohio State Universitv and the Columbus Section of the A. C. S. invited the Division to hold the next Symposium in Columbus. The invitation was referred to the Bxrclltive Committee of the Division for action. It was decided that the Secretary of the Division should investigate the cost of mimeographing the papers for distribution to members of the Division and others interested. Thursday afternoon the chemists divided into groups and went on various trips. The most popular of these were to the Synthetic Chemical Department a t Kodak Park and to the new Medical School of the University of Rochester. The farmer may be summarized by saying that any organic chemist who has never seen Dr. Clarke's plant in action is truly to be pitied. Most of the dyed-in-the-woolIorgauizerstook full advantage of their opportunity. Those whose interests t w k them to the Medical School saw the very latest in housing and equipment for medical education.
