+ Everything must be done to help people 6nd their proper jobs in this war. In this connection we like especially the remarks made by Watson Davis, Director of Science Senrice, in a recent address:
as physics, chemistry, and general science, there is need of a balanced background of training in several of the physical sciences. In general, the figures indicate that candidates who have been trained in both biological and physical sciences are somewhat better prepared "We must begin an intensive search for genius, or at least, su- in each of these fields than are those whose major periority in sdence. Those who have been endowed by nature fields are more diverse.
and their ancestors and by their training and environment with a 9air for science and research must be allowed to use that ability to the best interests of our war effort and our avilization. We must see to it that tbe unusual boy or girl gets an opportunity to go to college or technical school and is charmeted into a definite spe+kd rrsponosibility in our gmwing national machine for lighting and producing. We must see to it that the exceptional boy or girl is giveu the basic education that will allow him to become a leader in the important remustrudion after the war. "This may mean a new viewpoint upon scholarships and fellowships. It may be nerrssary and advisable to pick the promising individuals while they are still in high school or even earlier and then assure them the training most useful to our national effort, regardless of whether their parents are rich or poor. This may be an activity in which industries should be interested or it may be a matter of governmental concern to the same degree as training airplane pilots or fghting men. "This search for genius in science is a part of the great task of selective service in which during the coming months and years we shall all have tbe opportunity and duty to engage." 0 The remarks we made in the February number concerning the National Teacher Examinations may have seemed somewhat disparaging. We have since seen a more complete account of the examination and its results, which brought out certain points not before apparent. This examination was taken by 4718 candidates for teaching positions, of whom 100 were secondary-school physical science teachers. One part of the e&nination was common to aU candidates, another consisted of subiect matter in the field of suecialization. In only two itof the common examinkion did the physical science group fall before the average for all teachers: literature and English expression. Only the mathematics teachers had a slightly higher total score on the common examination than the physical science group. It was to be expected that the latter group would rate high on the scientitic and mathematical sections, but, strange to say, they also did better than average on contemporary affairs, current social problems, and history and social studies. The results of the section devoted to specialized subject matter showed that when science teachers are d e d upon to teach a combination of such subjects
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0 We were pleased to note recently that our "Editor's Outlook" in the February number, as well as the "Ten Questions" which accompanied it, were read into the Congressional Record. Although we have a profound respect for the C. R. and appreciate the honor bestowed on the JOURNAL, we doubt if this will bring our remarks to the attention of a large number of people1 (Did you ever see a "cover-to-cover" reader of the C. R.?)
About a year ago the Federal Civil Service Commission began a recruiting drive for technologists. The number of persons on the employment lists now established is not suEicient for today's wartime needs. Accordingly, the Commission has recently reissued the announcement of these opportunities for Government employment with slightly modified requirements. Salaries for the positions range from $2000 to $5600 a year. Applications may be Bed until further notice with the Commission's Washington office. By technologist the Commission means a person experienced in "the necessary production, engineering, and scientitic research work essential for the successful operation of an industrial plant, where such plant operation is based upon a thorough and expert knowledge of a branch of an applied science," such as explosives, fuels. plastics, rnbber, minerals, or textiles. We recently had an opportunity to see one of the latest sound productions of Erpi Films, entitled "Chemistry and a Changing World." It struck us as very well suited to its purpose, which is neither to impress one with the "marvels of chemistry," nor to inform one minutely on chemical theory or technology. Its aim is to show the steps that are necessary, by way of research and development, in the complete establishment of an industrial chemical process. The modern method of manufacturing phosphoric acid is the example chosen.
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SUMMER COURSES IN MICROCHEMISTRY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY DURING the coming Summer Session, June 29 to August 7, the Department of C F t r y a t Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, d offer cothat may be taken separately or in combination, as the time and needs of the student jnstify. Quantitative Microanalysis will cover inorganic and organic procedures scmrding to the methods of pregl is limited, and inquiries should
Introductory Chemical Microscopy will include studies of particle size, optical properties and physical chemistry of crystals, lens systems and photomicrography, and applications to technical ~ i croscopical Qualitative Analysis will cover the common inorganic anions and cations. Inquiries regarding these C O ~ ~ or S ~a Sshorter term of study should be addressed to C. W. Mason.
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