INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
96
Vol. 16, No. 1
NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE Royally Entertained by French Editor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: The Paris Letter in the December issue of THISJOURNAL gave an interesting outline of the principal papers read a t the recent Third Congress of Industrial Chemistry, held in Paris, October 21 to 26, 1923. As a guest on that occasion, may I record some aspects of this brilliantly successful congress which the modesty of your correspondent, M. Charles Lormand, one of the organizers of the congress, naturally led him to omit. In these times, when from certain quarters there comes so glibly the charge that France is militaristic, it was of particular interest to note that the main theme of the congress was not chemistry applied to war problems, but chemistry as a most potent factor in the recovery from the devastation of war, particularly in agriculture. Prom the enthusiastic remarks of Cabinet Ministers who presided at several of the most important occasions, it was evident that France has determined to call the chemist to her aid in the work of recovery now going forward so industriously and so cheerfully. Throughout the congress it was evident that the vitalizing spirit was the SocietC de Chimie Industrielle, which, though only six years of age, has already proved itself by noteworthy accomplishments the most powerful factor in the development of the modern French chemical industry. To M. Jean Gerard, the president of the congress, and M. Paul Kestner, the president of the Societe de Chimie Industrielle since its birth, and to their able co-workers is due the perfection of execution of every detail of the elaborate program of valuable papers and most enjoyable entertainments. Quite an international aspect was given to the event by the presence of delegates from the following countries : Argentine, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Luxemburg, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. Throughout the week a series of delightful and most artistic evening entertainments provided relaxation from the scientific discussions o€ each day’s program. Nothing could have been more exquisite in good taste and charming cordiality than the reception and soirde on the evening preceding the formal opening of the congress. The dinner tendered the entire congress on Monday evening by Bienvenue Fransaise was a most fitting evidence of the splendid work that unique organization is doing to make warm the welcome of the visitor to France. The closing banquet a t the Palais d’Orsay was brilliant in its setting and marked by unbounded enthusiasm over the success of the congress. The excursions, following the close of the congress, to the works of Potin et Cie., the chocolate factory of Gaston Menier, and to Rheims, the latter including a reception by Cardinal Lucon in the cathedral, visits to the champagne cools of Pommery et Cie., and the vineyards of Heidsieck et Cie.-all were carried out with the same thoroughness of executive detail and spirit of goodfellowship which characterized the whole management of the congress. The AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY was officially represented by Drs. W. A. Noyes, F. E. Breithut, and E. S . Chapin. In company with them I desire to ekpress our sincere appreciation of the many courtesies extended, Especially to M. Charles Lormand are we indebted for his constant thoughtfulness for our pleasure throughout the very happy week. CHARLES H. HERTY NEWYORK,LT.Y. December 12, 1923
‘‘Classified Membership’’ Editor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry:
I have considered the editorial, “Classified Membership,”
[THISJOURNAL, 15, 1212 (1923)l and find myself opposed to the proposal for “subscribing members,” and more strongly to that which would delimit fellowships to “distinguished chemists.” Those of our members who are fortunate enough to have already attained distinction may very well be left to enjoy their honors. The men with whom we are concerned are those who deserve distinction that they have not yet received, and the still larger class of capable, qualified, and efficient chemists, who are entitled to all the assistance we can give them in the difficult process of establishing themselves professionally and securing the opportunity for work which shall earn distinction. I feel very strongly, therefore, that if we are to establish fellowships at all they should be open to those who have received what is ordinarily recognized as an adequate degree of training for the practice of their profession and whose work or publications have shown something more than the usual amount of proficiency and promise. Unless in exceptional cases, there should, I think, be an age limit of thirty years, as it is difficult before that age to estimate the position which a man may be expected to attain ultimately in the profession. Since we all agree that it is highly desirable to maintain the at the highest possible figure, in order membership of the SOCIETY that its resources and opportunity for usefulness may*not be curtailed, it seems to me unwise to draw the distinction suggested in the editorial between “members” and “subscribing members.” Many men not well qualified as chemists undoubtedly now join the SOCIETY and receive benefit therefrom. Many of these would almost certainly hesitate to join under an implication that they were not qualified for full membership. The designation, “subscribing member,” would soon come to have the same connotation as “associate member,” to which such general objection was raised in the past that the classification was abolished. I would, therefore, let membership in the SOCIETYcarry just the significance i t does a t present, while “fellowship” should mean an endorsement by the SOCIETY of somewhat exceptional qualifications and promise of attainment. A. D. LITTLE CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
Calendar of Meetings Federated American Engineering Societies-Annual Washington, D. C., January 10 and 11, 1924. Franklin Institute-Annual 16, 1924.
Meeting,
Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa., January
American Society of, Heating and Ventilating EngineersAnnual Meeting, New York, N. Y., January 22 to 25, 1924. American Ceramic Society-Atlantic 9, 1924. American Chemical Society-67th April 21 to 25, 1924.
City, N. J., February 4 to
Meeting, Washington, D. C.,
American Electrochemical Society4pring Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa., April 24 to 26, 1924.
