8 THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE IN AMERICA 



istry to activity in applied chemistry constitutes a sound develop- 

 ment. I shall revert to this matter presently. 



It appears that the development of chemistry as a science 

 has been in a measure arrested. In spite of largely increased 

 staffs in our university departments of chemistry, neither the 

 amount nor the quality of the scientific product has been greatly 

 increased during the past ten years. Two immediate causes 

 are responsible for this condition: first, a falling off of the 

 average ability of those going into academic work; second, a 

 depreciation of academic ideals. 



The unprecedented growth of technical chemistry in this 

 country has opened great opportunities for advancement to 

 well trained chemists. There has been an ever increasing 

 demand for men of the highest attainments. Men who, twenty- 

 five years ago, could have satisfied their craving for research 

 only in choosing an academic career, now find a ready opening 

 for their abilities in technical research with a prospect of attractive 

 financial reward. It is an open secret among those familiar with 

 conditions in our larger institutions, that it is becoming increas- 

 ingly difficult to retain the best men as instructors and assist- 

 ants. All too often it is the mediocre student or one who lacks 

 initiative, who remains behind as instructor or assistant and 

 who is ultimately advanced to more responsible positions. And 

 this process of selection does not stop with the student who 

 has just taken a graduate or undergraduate degree. For a 

 period of ten years, at least, it continues, some of the most 

 promising men being thus detached from pure science to enter 

 technical activities in one form or another. Anyone who has 

 been in one of our larger universities or technical schools will 

 have no difficulty in recalling examples. It is to be expected 

 that under these conditions science will advance but slowly if 

 at all; for, if our activities do not carry us nearer the condi- 

 tion of science as developed abroad, we shall yet be retrogress- 

 ing in spite of all our apparent industry. 



Whether technical science will be very much the gainer 

 through its successful competition with the academic profession 

 is open to grave doubt. The advance of technical science 

 depends on an adequate supply of well trained men, well trained 



