698 TECHNICAL CHEMISTRY 



in our. universities and colleges. It is assumed that American indus- 

 tries, based on chemical processes, do not flourish for lack of men 

 trained in this branch of science. This, however, is not the case. It is 

 not more instruction in applied chemistry that America needs, but 

 rather a deeper and broader knowledge of pure chemistry with a more 

 extended training in original research. 



In many of the problems we have already noticed, the solution 

 depends upon the discovery of new compounds - - the investigation 

 and study of new reactions and relationships. This is the province of 

 pure organic and inorganic chemistry. The foundations of these two 

 departments cannot be too firmly or too broadly laid. The method of 

 attack best followed in each cannot be too well understood. But it is 

 not sufficient that we study only the initial and the final products. 

 It is all important to learn the influence of the variable factors on the 

 process; to study the reaction for itself. This is the province of phy- 

 sical chemistry, a department of science, the importance of which to 

 technical chemistry cannot be overestimated. To be able actually to 

 apply the laws of chemistry and to predict the course of reactions 

 from general principles already proven is a tremendous economy of 

 both time and energy. 



After we have acquired the tools, however, we must learn to use 

 them; after we possess a sound knowledge of inorganic, organic, and 

 physical chemistry we must have adequate training in work requiring 

 original and independent thought. 



As I have already noted, the training to be derived from an investi- 

 gation may be the same even though the incentive for its undertaking 

 may be different. While I believe that so far as possible the student 

 should be influenced to work for the love of knowledge and for the 

 mastery of science for itself, yet especially in his later years of study 

 there are advantages in allowing him to combine with this a utili- 

 tarian aim. In America, at least, most men enter our technical schools 

 with the intention of fitting themselves as rapidly as possible for 

 some useful calling in life. They have a feverish desire to get through 

 and to enter the creative industries and accomplish something. They 

 will work with enthusiasm upon whatever they can be made to 

 recognize as contributing to this end, but by their very directness are 

 intolerant of supposed digressions from their chosen path. The pre- 

 sence of too much of this spirit is to be regretted; but it is a power to 

 be turned to service, not to be opposed. It does not follow that for a 

 training in scientific method and for broadening the mental horizon 

 a research which can have little, if any, practical value is superior 

 to one, the solution of which can find immediate application. For 

 advanced work, as much pure organic chemistry, for example, can be 

 learned from an attempt to convert safrol into eugenol (a consumma- 

 tion in itself devoutly to be wished) as in the transformation of some 





