T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D EIVGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
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Yol. 6 , No. 4
EDITORIALS
THE WILLIAM H. NICHOLS MEDAL I n t h e year 1901 t h e New York Section of t h e Society discussed t h e advisability of establishing a* Research a n d Medal F u n d , t h e income from which was t o be used for t h e encouragement of chemical research. A committee reported t h a t i n its judgment t h e establishment of a Medal F u n d was n o t desirable b u t recommended t h e establishment of a Research F u n d . It was further proposed t h a t from t h e proceeds of such a f u n d , t h e s u m of $50 should be awarded annually for t h e best paper incorporating t h e result of original research in Chemistry read before t h e Section. On m a t u r e deliberation t h e Section decided against a monetary reward a n d almost unanimously decreed t h e establishment of a Medal instead. Dr. William H. Nichols, a charter member of t h e Society a n d former Treasurer of t h e New York Section, became interested in t h e movement a n d offered t o provide funds for t h e endowment of such a Medal a n d i t s necessary design a n d dies. H e made no restrictions as t o t h e award of t h e medal, except t h a t i t be given for t h e encouragement of original research in Chemistry, leaving t h e conditions entirely t o t h e Section. T h e Section, b y unanimous vote, accepted t h e gift, formulated rules for t h e award of t h e medal, a n d called i t t h e William H. Nichols hIedal. T h a t t h e medal has accomplished its purpose t h e character of t h e work for which i t has been awarded speaks fully. T h e founder of the medal has been heard t o s a y t h a t he has been profoundly impressed with t h e highly original a n d valuable research work in Chemistry which is accomplished in a most unassuming a n d modest way b y t h e teachers in our unirersities a n d colleges without hope of material recompense, a n d t h a t h e h a d given a great deal of thought as t o what to suggest a n d advocate in recognition. Article I1 of t h e Constitution of our Society states: “ T h e object of t h e Society shall be t h e advancement of Chemistry a n d t h e promotion of Chemical Research.” It is believed t h a t valuable results are being accomplished in t h e advancement of Chemistry through t h e publication of our Journals. W h a t have we done as a great Society t o promote Chemical Research? H a v e we lived u p t o our opportunities? T h e interest accruing from t h e Life Membership F u n d n o t required t o protect t h e rights of Life Members will be available for t h e support of Research. B y a recent vote of t h e Directors of t h e Society financial assistance t o aid in defraying t h e legitimate expenses of chemical research m a y be given if t h e subject of t h e work meets with their approval. This certainly is a step in t h e right direction, b u t t h e a m o u n t available will enable t h e Directors t o meet b u t a small fraction of t h e deserving demands. Is there not some way in which t h e funds for t h e support of meritorious research m a y be greatly increased? It is only through larger resources t h a t we can a t t a i n
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t h e second great object of t h e foundation of our Society a n d become a factor in t h e support a n d advancement of Chemical Research. T. J. PARKER THE COMMISSION ON INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
-4 trip t o include t h e principal cities of t h e country was begun in hrarch b y t h e members a n d investigators of t h e Federal Commission on Industrial Relations, which is t o make a n inquiry into irregularity of employment, t h e possibility of increasing production through scientific management, t h e activities of employers’ associations a n d t r a d e unions, a n d similar industrial problems of moment. I t is announced t h a t t h e Commission will especially endeavor t o bring together manufacturers who are in t h e habit of shutting-down during certain periods of t h e year, in t h e hope t h a t some n-ay m a y be devised whereby employers m a y agree t o close down a t different times, thereby providing practically continuous employment for wage earners. I n order t h a t i t m a y be enabled t o properly perform its functions in collecting information, conducting investigations a n d determining facts, t h e Commission is properly invested with authority t o secure all statements t h a t i t desires. E v e r y interest is t o be given a hearing, a n d , while witnesses m a y be summoned. voluntary testimony from persons looking t o t h e general betterment of conditions is said t o be welcome. It is indeed difficult t o frame specific business a n d industrial legislation without carrying t h e efforts of i t t o almost absurd lengths; b u t , while some prominent manufacturers predict t h a t this investigation into industrial relations will effect little in t h e way of reform in t h e case of concerns which have learned their business lessons under severe competitive conditions, t h e results will be awaited with interest b y those favoring a constructive course of procedure. However, t h e information obtained should be accessible t o t h e public only upon approval of t h e Commission itself, in order t h a t there m a y be some reasonable inquiry into t h e purpose of t h e applicant for t h e information. Publicity has accomplished more t h a n even drastic legislation in industrial reform, b u t t o make t h e material secured b y t h e Commission available t o all would not be demanded b y t h e public welfare i n this case. This Commission might also assume t h e responsibility for effecting certain of t h e results sought in t h e T r a d e Relations Bill, some of t h e provisions of which aim at eliminating practices which should be condemned. W. A. H A M O R TRADE IN CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCT; BETWEEN GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES IN I913
T h e statistics relative t o t h e foreign t r a d e of Germ a n y during 1913,dealing with t h e export a n d import
