DECEMBER 1 9 4 7
the analyst's
17A
column
TΗΕ first four papers published this month were given at the -*- statistical symposium jointly sponsored by the Divisions of Analytical and Micro Chemistry and Industrial and Engineer ing Chemistry, held a t Atlantic City last spring. They cover several subjects and points of view, and the papers with dis cussion are published, so t h a t the continuity and viewpoint can be maintained for the analyst as well as for those who have in terest in the special topics. ABSTRACTS of papers of interest to analysts from the Eighth Pittsburgh Conference on Applied Spectroscopy arc given, begin ning on page 1042. Of special general interest to all emission spectroscopists are paper 15 by W. F . Meggers covering the funda mentals a n d history of spectroscopy and paper 16 which deals with the A.S.T.M. Committee E-2 a n d its new program of com piling current spectroscopic methods successfully used in indus trial and academic laboratories. I t is hoped that from this work standardization of methods may come. All progressive men in this field can benefit by cooperating with this important work and sending in their preferred methods. T H E Armour Research Foundation, Chicago, 111., is sponsor ing a project for the compilation of crystallographic data of in organic and organic compounds. Whenever possible it intends t o maintain standard reference samples of the material. The punch card system will be used, and it is hoped t h a t others working in this field will also attempt this method of filing their data for ready use. All microscopists, academic or industrial, are asked to contribute data and samples. I t is planned t o distribute data at definite periodic intervals to each of the contributing labora tories. T h e data distributed in this way will· be almost in the original form. T h e important compounds for which data are submitted will be checked and completed for formal publication. Credit will be given with each description to the persons and laboratories contributing in any way to the data presented. While one of the most important questions (the conventions to be used in writing the descriptions) has not yet been established definitely, the foundation has adhered in the past to those pub lished by a committee headed by C. W. Mason [IND. E N G . CHBM., ANAL. E D . , 17, 603 (1945)].
F u r t h e r details can be ob
tained by writing to W. C. MoCrone, a well-known microscopist, who is handling the work for the Armour Foundation. The proj ect has reached the stage where the foundation is ready to receive data as outlined in its proposal. P H I L I P W. W E S T writes t h a t t h e symposium a t Louisiana State University on modern methods of analytical chemistry will defi nitely be held February 2, 3, 4, and 5. So far the following have accepted invitations t o speak: J. R. Churchill, L. T . Hallett, M. G. Mellon, R. H . Millier, W. J. Murphy, C. E . Starr, and B. W. Washburn. W E HEAR remarks from time to time on how modern instru mental analysis makes the analyst less and less important. How ever, as for those of us who must be responsible for developing new methods and wrestling with the problems of separating diffi cult mixtures and preparing pure standard samples for instru ments, our only comment is t h a t modern instruments allow us more time for research. There is a scarcity of top-flight research analysts with broad training and clear heads to cope with the analytical problems of modern science. Instruments in the hands of inferior analytical chemists are definitely a hindrance in the solution of problems where the interpretation of data and a sound appraisal of the proper method of attack are of prime importance.
WEATHER-OMETER • Accelerated weathering of fabrics, finishes, paints, rub ber, plastics, and hundreds of other products used in out door service can be conduct ed in the laboratory with the Weather-Ometer. The dete riorating effects of outdoor exposure can be reproduced in the Weather-Ometer by controllable cycles of light, water spray, selected temper atures and humidity. A few days in the WeatherOmeter equals years of outdoor service. Operation is fully automatic, the Weather-Ometer can be run continuously with out attention 24 hours a day.
ATLAS ELECTRIC DEVICES CO. Associate
Editor
361 West Superior Street, Chicago 10, Illinois
