October 10, 1940 •hall make appropriate arrangement* for the administration of the policy. Some others go into more detail and delegate administrative authority to the dean, department heads, or various committees. None of the institutions that have set up a definite policy mention any difficulty in administering it, and most of them appear to have devised fairly simple means. Realising the importance of industrial research now being conducted in and by educational institutions, the association believes a clearly defined policy on the part of these institutions towards such activities is desirable. Furthermore, the association commends the composite framework of policy which emerges from the statements submitted by those institutions which have established definite regulations governing this matter. The salient points are covered and dealt with in a manner that appears fair to the various interests involved. Answers to the questionnaire reveal a wide gap between the general practice followed in most institutions and the ideal policies formulated by a few. Anyone wishing to make such a comparison may do so by rereading the earlier part of this report in conjunction with the Summary of Established Policies. Only about half of those replying take account of fixed chargée on space or equipment in computing fees or require reasonably prompt publication of results, and less than half supervise outside work undertaken by members of the staff in any manner whatever. A number of institutions stated that they disapprove of routine work but fail to say what provision has been made for deciding what is considered routine work and what is not It is clear from the repliés that some institutions use this term so loosely that it might mean anything. The situation is much the same in regard to a number of institutions which made the statement that outside work is undertaken only when adequate facilities do not exist elsewhere or "in the vicinity". Investigation may be required to determine what facilities are available, and unless some definite administrative authority is charged with making such an investigation, it may not be made and the absence of other facilities taken for granted. A few replies indicate that research done in educational institutions is superior in quality to that done elsewhere. This is advanced as a reason why educational institutions should undertake outside work. Obviously, the replies to the questionnaire can throw no light on this subject, but since this thought seems to run through a certain number of replies it is simply noted here. Further inquiry would be neeessary to determine what factual basis, if any, there is for this idea. Tabulations of replies to the questionnaire, on which the present summary is based, are on file in the offices of the association, and are open to inspection by responsible parties. Details relating to any spécific institution cannot be fur-
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nished, however, because all replies were received under a pledge that individual data would be held in confidence.
Placement of Cornell Graduates OF THE 148 members of the 1940 graduating class in the College of Engineering at Cornell University, 142, or 96 per cent, are known to have definite employment, according to a statement issued by the college's placement bureau as of September 14. Several have entered the graduate divisions of Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and M. I. T., or have joined the faculties of Cornell or the Chrysler Institute, but most of them have positions in engineering or industry. Sixty different industrial concerns are listed as employers. Placement is 100 per cent for chemical and electrical engineers, 97.6 per cent for mechanical engineers, 95.4 per cent for administrative engineers in mechanical engineering, and 89.3 per cent for civil engineers. Of the six not known to be employed, three are civil engineers, two administrative engineers, and one is a mechanical engineer.
A . J. Nydick Appointed A . G C. L. Executive Secretary TΗΒ American Council of Commercial Laboratories has appointed A. J. Nydick executive secretary. The council, organised in 1937, is com posed of testing and research laboratories throughout the country. The A. C. C. L. serves as a clearinghouse for the dis semination of scientific and testing re search information and as a control board in the maintenance of high standard pro fessional ethics in testing and research.
Laboratory (or Standardization of Biological Stains Moves Γ
Ρ Η Β Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science has been selected as the new location for the research and control chemical laboratory of the Commission on the Standardisation of Biological Stains. This laboratory was formerly lo cated at the Arlington (Va.) Experimental Farm of the Bureau of Agricultural Chem istry and Engineering of the United States Department of Agriculture. Under the direction of Mrs. Anis P. Bradshaw, formerly of Arlington, Va., the laboratory will carry out the chemical analyses necessary for the certification of dyestuffe to be employed as biological stains for bacteria identification and for A
849 diagnostic determinations in the United States and in certain Pan-American coun tries. All of the dyestuffe employed for biological determinations are tested for dye content and identity. Another im portant phase of the work is improvement in existing products and the synthesis of new dyes for specific purposes. The commission is under the chairman ship of H. J. Conn, New York State Agri cultural Experimental Station, Geneva, X. Y.
Medicofilm Service of the Army Medical Library T^ms microfilm copying service has been established to make the extensive col lections of medical literature of this library available to research workers at a distance from Washington. Microfilm copies of research articles in the periodicals received by this library' are made at the flat rate of 30 cents for each complete article not ex ceeding 30 pages in length and 10 cents for each succeeding 10 pages or fraction thereof. A pamphlet describing the serv ice and giving the abbreviated titles of some 4000 medical and related peri odicals currently received by the Army Medical Library will be sent on request to Medicofilm Service, Army Medical Library, 7th Street and Independence Avenue, S. W.f Washington, D. C.
Civil Service Examinations for Engineers Τ Ν CONNECTION with the national defense program, the United States Civil Service Commission has announced an open competitive examination for junior engineers for government service. The examination covers all branches of engi neering except aeronautical, naval archi tecture, and marine engineering. The salary will be $2000 a year. Applications must be in the commis sion's Washington office not later than October 24 if received from states east of Colorado, and October 28 if received from Colorado and states westward. Appli cants must have completed a four-year engineering course at a recognised college. They will be rated on a written examina tion consisting of general and professional questions. The maximum age limit is 35 years, unless applicants are granted veteran preference. Full information and application forms may be obtained from the Secretary of the Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners at any first- or second-class post offic*.. or from the United States Civil Service Com mission, Washington, D. C.
