December. 1927
I9DUSTRI;tL A S D ELZ‘GI,VEERISGCHEMISTRY
the Union have come to realize that if it is to survive and perform a useful function its program must be changed. The Union is too much restricted in membership and in the number of individuals involved to accomplish its own ends. At present it brings together far too few really to hasten the day of better international relationships. If augmented in numbers it meets too often, and a t the basis of it all is the neglect of its real opportunity again to make available the advantages of the world international congress. It is conceivable that some of the work of the Union would require the meeting of a small group more frequently than once in three years, provided the Union can be looked upon as a sort of nucleus or holding organization to which is entrusted the promotion of chemistry, international SO far as the science is concerned. This involves assuming responsibility for a scientific congress to be held very much along the lines of the old International Congress. This subject from time to time has been forcefully brought t o the attention of the officials of the Union and was discussed a t the Washington meeting when Ernst Cohen, the president, stressed the importance of organizing a truly international congress of chemistry along democratic lines. At the recent meeting in Warsaw articles providing for such congresses were presented and incorporated into new statutes of the Union. These articles were passed unanimously, but according to the Union’s rules must be held over until the next meeting, scheduled to take place in Holland in July, 1928. In order to avoid undue delay a committee has been set up charged with the formulation of detailed plans for such international congresses. It is expected, therefore, that with the adoption of the new statutes the Union will be in position t o act upon the report of the committee. It seems unfortunate that there should be even a year’s delay for many are becoming impatient, and it is already fifteen years since the chemists of the world have gathered together in a congress organized along democratic lines and devoted to science. We hope that the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry will take leadership in this matter and make the most of its opportunities. It would be unfortunate should i t be found necessary to set up any other organization.
Significant Trends in Nitrogen Fixation SYKTHETIC ammonia plant is under construction A in Korway, contracts have been signed for similar work in Czechoslovakia, and preliminary arrangements are concluded for another in Poland, all under the direction of American chemical engineers. The indication is clear that the position of America in this field is at least very favorable. A belated start in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen seems t o have been overcome by the development of our own processes-so satisfactory as to more than hold their own in world competition. The recently announced German-Sorwegian nitrogen agreement between the Korsk Hydro and the I. G. Farbenindustrie is of real significance, especially a t this time when nitrogen problems remain political issues with us. Comniercial Attach6 H. Sorensen a t Oslo states that the famous plants a t Sotodden and Rjukan are to be completely modernized and the present annual production of 33,000 tons greatly increased. The Birkeland-Eyde arc process is to be replaced by the HaberBosch method. This change is based entirely upon economics for from three to four times as great a volume of nitrogen can be fixed per unit of power consumed by the synthetic ammonia process as is possible by the arc process, highly refined though it is by the genius of the BirkelandEdye group.
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Is it not significant that some other process was not chosen? And does this circumstance not offer additional proof of world trends in nitrogen fixation solely toward synthetic ammonia?
Not Good if Detached OG have frequently noted on your railway ticket a coupon marked ‘ h o t good if detached,” and a lecturer has used the phrase as the subject of an address in which he emphasizes the value of close attachment to high ideals, constructive work, and service. The phrase is equally applicable in describing the professional man who endeavors to pursue his work unconnected with the organization which represents his field of activity. It would be no more accurate to say that all good chemists belong to the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY than that all members of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY are good chemists. But we maintain that these unattached chemists, these non-members of the SOCIETY, however good in their daily work, would be better chemists if attached. Better because the support of their professional society indicates an attitude of mind which is always to be found in the well-rounded professional man; better because it indicates a desire to have a part in the advancement of the science and to do what they can to assist their professional body in reaching the ideal in service to the race, the nation, the professional group, and the indkidual. “Not good if detached.” Think it over.
A New Start in Industry EQUESTS which occasionally come to us for men with industrial experience who would like to return to academic life, as senior research fellows or in some other equally dignified capacity, suggest that through the university a well-trained man may find his best opportunity for making a fresh start in industrial work. The difficulty of locating the exact niche into which a research man fits most comfortably is of course well known. Too often failure to find agreeable employment merely leads to increasing discomfort, with the individual transferred from place to place within the same organization in an effort to locate a position which he can fill with utmost advantage to his employer and himself, In such instances we believe the scientist would do well to consider a return to academic halls. Here certain weaknesses in his training, discovered through contact with industry, might be strengthened while new contacts were being made, a further record being built up with new problems, and a fresh inspiration received for another embarkation upon industrial work. As additional fellowships are established in our schools and cotiperating arrangements are developed with government bureaus, such opportunities increase. We recommend Consideration of this suggestion by those who feel that along another road lies their best chance for success.
Martha and Mary in Science N h recent issue we referred to the guessers and the accumulators as classified by W. D. Bancroft, and wish now to add to that comment a quotation from a lecture by A. V. Hill, of University College, London, who is a t present non-resident lecturer a t Cornel1 University. “Martha represents the scientist always busy in his laboratory, collecting invaluable data. Mary takes the broad view, reflects and discusses, and listens to discussion. Science needs them both.”
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