460 
NATURE 
and scientific acumen, but fail in their ability to use 
such. There is no question that the element most notice- 
ably lacking in the modern graduate is resourceful- 
ness. A qualified research chemist who possesses 
initiative is usually a creator; but owing to the neglect 
of existing difficulties in chemical pedagogy, the 
present-day graduates of our schools of chemistry are 
too often deficient in inspiration, ingenuity, and in- 
sight. 
The failure to provide adequate and systematic in- 
struction in chemical literature is illustrative of this 
contention. 
Before commencing laboratory work upon any 
problem, it is obviously necessary to digest intelli- 
gently the important contributions which have been 
made upon the subject and to take advantage of what 
other workers have done in the same field. The 
average graduate is usually almost helpless when 
attempting to do this, and consequently requires close 
supervision. The main difficulties are ;— 
(a) He does not know how to go about it; he does . 
not know where to look as the most probable source ; 
and he is not familiar with the standard treatises 
and important journals. \ 
(b) He fails to analyse the subject into its factors 
and hence generally looks for topics which are too 
general. Because he does not find any reference to 
the problem as a whole as he has it in mind, he 
assumes that nothing has been done upon it and 
that there is nothing in the literature which will be 
of aid to him in the investigation. Were he to 
separate his subject into its essential parts and then 
to consult the literature on each factor, he would 
find considerable information which he otherwise 
would miss. 
(c) He does not critically digest the articles under 
examination, but often he makes only a few dis- 
connected quotations and fails to interpret the work 
done. 
The solution is to be found in the provision in the 
chemical curriculum, preferably in the senior year, 
of a course of lectures on the literature of chemistry, 
with particular reference to the character of the 
writings and the status of the authors. The purpose 
of these lectures should be to present a general survey 
of the voluminous literature and to impart an accurate, 
systematic working knowledge of chemical biblio- 
graphy. A concurrent seminar should be devoted to 
indexing and tracing chemical literature, to the culti- 
vation of an acquaintanceship with authorities, and 
to the solution of bibliographic problems. 
The sub-committee also recommends that pedagogic 
attention be given to the arrangement of a course of 
study in the principles of technical reporting and in 
the criteria of literary excellence in the preparation 
of reports of researches and professional reports. The 
completion of such a subject, with its accompanying 
analysis, practice, and criticism, would usefully 
supplement the training received in chemical biblio- 
graphy and would develop a capability which is much 
needed by chemical graduates. 
It may be noted in passing that, during the academic 
year 1914-15, distinct courses in chemical literature 
and in technical reporting were established at the 
University of Pittsburgh. Much success has attended 
this pedagogic innovation. 
The chemical graduate of to-day is also deplorably 
deficient in resourcefulness in planning research, 
While this is an extensive subject, a research student 
may be trained in correct methods of attack, 
namely :— 
(a) Analytical Methods.—Almost all investigations 
require analytical control. In no feature of chemical 
work is there more apparent an inability to use the 
analytical training which the man has received. 
NO. 2467, VOL. 98] 
(b) Planning the Investigation—Resourcefulness in, — 
separating a problem into its essential factors and in 
clearly grasping the inter-relationship of these factors, — 
Too many men desire to start in 
at once and solve the problem at the first attempt. 
All this might be summed up in the expression — 
rice fee 
is most important. 
‘“*methods of research.”’ “ 
(c) Apparatus.—The sub-committee has not con- 
sidered just how a man could be trained to be more 
resourceful in this respect, but it is surely a marked 
weakness in the average graduate. 
to be possible to give the undergraduate some train-— 
ing in the use of his mental equipment in desi ning 
‘the 
and planning apparatus which is to accomplis 
desired end. ¢ 
The Factors involved in the Promotion of Co- 
operation between Manufacturers and the » 
Universities.® 
The recent impetus imparted to the research activi- 
ties in American chemical manufacturing has materi-_ 
ally altered the traditional policy of industrial secrecy. 
A ‘striking illustration of this improvement is to be 
found in the reports of the Industrial Conferences 
held at the fifty-third meeting of the American 
Chemical Society.6 This change in attitude, a 
natural result of the appreciation of urgent action in 
industrial research, has long been desired by our 
universities, and it will undoubtedly result in the 
extension of the practice of referring certain of the 
problems of industry to university laboratories for 
study. Many of the numerous problems of chemical 
as well as mechanical technology could be advantage- 
ously attacked outside of the plants, but some central — 
organisation is needed for securing and properly dis-— 
tributing those problems which are pressing. It is 
clear, however, that stable relations between the uni- 
versities and industrialists will be worth while only 
if some mutual benefit can accrue therefrom. This 
co-operation can therefore be most satisfactorily pro- 
moted by actively demonstrating the advantages of 
the exchange or interchange of subjects for research, 
which primarily presupposes a reasonable freedom 
from the concealment of knowledge which persistently 
adheres to all industrial research, 
Industrial research laboratories can be of mutual aid 
by supplying advice and materials. These laboratories 
should also publish reports of investigations just as 
freely as possible and thus, by proving the utility of 
it, assist in the general scheme of the universities— 
promote the dissemination of knowledge. Ab 
In general, the sub-committee endorses the con- 
clusions of the University and Industry Committee’ of 
the New York Section of the American Chemical — 
Society.7 
The Promotion of a Better Appreciation of Research. 
The promotion of a better appreciation of research 
by the general public can only be obtained by pub- 
licity.8 No complaint can be made of a lack of this 
at the present time. The large corporations support- 
ing industrial laboratories are themselves expending 
great sums on giving publicity to their research work. 
The sub-committee thinks, however, that though the 
general public now appreciates the value of scientific 
research, the thing required to increase the number 
5 The president of the American Chemical Society has been authorised to 
appoint a central committee from representatives of the universities and the 
industries to study opportunities and to make recommendations for ¢o- 
operation. ‘ 
6 See J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 8 (1915), pp. 947 ef seq. . 
7 See J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 8 (1916), p. 658. 
8 It is important to mention here that the American Chem‘cal Society has 
under consideration the publication of a journal of popular cheney a 
periodical for which there is a real need because of the desirability of the 
proper dissemination of chemical information to the public. ! 
[Fepruary 8, 1917 
While a native © 
cleverness’ is doubtless born, and not made, it ought — 
pie 8 ee eS 
