ASSOCIATIONS
RAWorSHWi
THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE Democracy
For general service needs a n d fire protection, all plants require a constant, uninterrupted water supply. T h e D i a m o n d Alkali Company, realizing the full importance o f this fact, i n stalled a 5 0 , 0 0 0 - g a l l o n H o r t o n elevated tank at their H o u s t o n , T e x a s plant site. B a c k e d by unfailing gravity pressure, water in a H o r t o n elevated tank is available for plant operation and general service needs at all times. H o r t o n elevated tanks w i t h ellipsoidal b o t t o m s are avail-, able in standard capacities from 15,000 to 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 gallons— with radial-cone b o t t o m s i n standard capacities from 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 to 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 g a l l o n s . For further information, please contact our nearest office.
CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON COMPANY Atl.nU 3 Birmingham 1 Boston 10 Chlceao 4 Cltv.Und 15 Detroit 2 6 Houston 2 Lot Ans«l«» 17 New York 6 Philadelphia 3 Sen Francisco 4 Sdttle 1 Tulsa 3 Withinflton 6, D . C
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S I 3 0 H t a l t y Bids 1 5 3 9 North Fiftieth St. 1 0 5 4 — 2 0 1 Dtvonihir· St. 2137 McCormick Bids· 2 2 2 9 Guildhall Bldfl. 1 5 4 5 U i « y « t t · Bids· 2 1 5 3 C A I Life Bldfl. 1537 Central Petroleum Bldfl. 3 3 2 1 — 1 6 5 Bioadwey Bids, 1 6 3 9 — 1 7 0 0 Walnut Street Bids, 1 5 3 5 — 2 0 0 Both St, 1 3 5 9 Henry Bldfl, 1 6 4 2 Hunt Bldfl, 1 1 3 4 Cafritz Bldfl,
Ask any member of the ACS or any administrator whether or not he believes in democracy in this organization and only one answer will b e obtained, an affirmative one. D i g deeper and y o u are likely to find differences, largely of definition. There are those w h o seize on a philosophy as sound and proclaim it vociferously. There are those w h o look at external procedures only and fail to investigate the fundamentals. If w e are going to talk about democracy and profess t o follow it, let's look below the externals. The dictionary recognizes two kinds of democracy—absolute or pure, in which power is exercised directly b y the people, or representative, in which it is exercised indirectly through a system of representation. Both involve responsibilities, the former more than the latter. The ACS, like the United States, is a representative democracy. Selection of a majority of the representatives is directly in the hands of the members. T h e y and they only have full power to name the President-Elect and regional directors. These persons elected by the members hold nine of the 13 positions on t h e Board of Directors which administers the affairs of the ACS. How does the system work? All local sections and divisions already have been asked to suggest names of persons qualified to hold Society posts for which elections will b e held in 1953. About Jan. 1, l repeated requests will be printed in C&EN I asking individuals to add their proposals. 1 From these lists, the Committee on Nomii nations and Elections will select nominees ! for CPC and for director-at-large and pro! posed nominees for all other posts. In I September the Council will make nominations from the names of proposed nominees. There are skeptics who v i e w the screening by the committee and b y the Council as "the o l d machine" at work. For the moment w e can ignore how these people are chosen to represent the electorate and look only at the safeguard t o "the people's voice." If any group of members ( 7 5 in some cases and 150 in others) don't like the list o f nominees, they can nominate directly b y petition. This has been done frequently and those so nominated have been elected to almost even.· post filled by ballot. Thus, t h e names of those considered for nomination come from the members and nominations are made by the members. Lastly, the nominations for President-Elect and for regional directors are printed in ballots a n d mailed to the members on Nov. 1. Their vote thereon chooses those who will fill these posts—a b i g majority of
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the directors. Are YOU, the members, exercising your responsibility in that s e quence? Democracy involves far more t h a n forms; it is an attitude of mind and w i l l ingness to accept responsibility. Trie mechanism for democratic operations exists in the ACS today and has for a long time, although t h e forms h a v e changed. It has not been used to t h e full. Shortcomings lie less in the machinery than in the way in which it has b e e n employed. O n e doesn't get democracy simply t>y talking about it. It doesn't come s i m p l y from changing procedures. It can b e o b tained only when all of those concerned want democracy so m u c h that they w i l l work for it and sacrifice for it. Then, t h e machinery is of secondary importance. Practical democracy involves responsibilities. Only a handful of t h e 6 7 , 0 0 0 m e m bers make suggestions for nominees. Axe you o n e of them? Only about 3 0 % v o t e in the annual November election. Are y o u in that group? Ballots have b e e n m a i l e d to y o u . V O T E ! W a t c h for the announcement of Society offices to b e filled i n 1 9 5 3 a n d suggest candidates! Accept your responsibilities in this democracy. T h e s e duties are not the only ones w h i c h must b e discharged if w e are to have trie broad participation essential to our system. The two discussed here are the most timely. Until the members will discharge t h e obligations which flow from a democratic philosophy and democratic procedures, there will not be true democracy in t h e Society no matter what machinery is set up, n o matter how much w e talk about it, and n o matter how much w e want it.
T h r e e Jobs f o r You On Nov. I, a bidky envelope was mailed to each member. T h e thinnest contained seven items» the thickest, nine. Some of the enclosures represent matters on which each recipient should act. These fobs are: Vote Fill out and return divisional card P a y bill
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N o t all need be done simultaneously, yet probably it is less effort to do so. Ballots should he returned at once. Enclosed was the customary letter from the Executive Secretary to each memt»er. It reviewed 1952 high lights and briefly looked ahead to 1953. Please read it.
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