DECEMBER. 20, 1918] 
ing absent-minded philanthropists striving for 
the benefit of the human race. They still fail 
to see the connection between science and their 
industry. They are not aware that the whole 
vista opened out by modern chemistry lays 
bare hitherto unsuspected depths of complex- 
ity in the most insignificant things about us. 
It is ignorance pure and simple and truly a 
curse upon the nation’s advance. 
Another condition that must be remedied— 
the engineer with little knowledge or training 
in chemistry in charge of the design, erection 
and control of chemical plants and processes. 
Associated with him is a routine “analyst,” 
entirely dependent upon him. Neither have 
any idea of the mechanism and interpretation 
of chemical processes involving mechanics, 
hydraulics, hydrostatics, thermodynamics, ther- 
mophysies, thermochemistry, physical chemis- 
try and what not. Our pressing obligation, 
therefore is to train men more profoundly and 
thoroughly in the fundamental theories of the 
science—in mathematical, in physical, in bio- 
logical as well as in the chemical branches. 
The industrial world to-day demands this type 
of broadly-trained man. 
The unfounded popular craze and ery of in- 
tellectual people is for “ applied science,” fail- 
ing to realize that there is no applied science 
until you have science to apply. Pasteur pro- 
pounded the wonders in bacteriology by at- 
tempting to disprove the doctrine of spon- 
taneous generation. Helmholtz never thought 
of preventing eye diseases when he introduced 
the ophthalmoscope. Cavendish never dreamed 
of the double purpose of his idea of “ fixing 
nitrogen” appearing like Brahma in two as- 
pects—Vishna the Preserver and Siva the De- 
stroyer. The world triumphs are indebted to 
pure science. 
THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY IN THE SERVICE 
OF PROGRESS 
Such being the case, our chemical associa- 
tions should welcome more papers on theo- 
retical than on “dollar” chemistry—of mu- 
tual benefit to all its members—teaching, re- 
search and technical chemists. 
The American Chemical Society, the great 
SCIENCE 
611 
growing body of American chemical genius 
should organize a central research clearing 
house to receive problems for research from 
all conceivable sources in the country—indus- 
tries, schools, research laboratories. These 
may be published in the journals for interested 
members to attack. 
Then too, the question of handbooks must 
be settled. It is useless to continue to discuss 
the matter. Discussions evolve more heat than 
light. This is no time for talk but for action. 
We must have our own handbooks in English. 
We must stop relying on any one for anything. 
The time has come for independence in edu- 
cational and scientific materials in this coun- 
try. There is no greater body than the Amer- 
ican Chemical Society to foster by united ac- 
tion this wholesome spirit of scientific inde- 
pendence. 
THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN OUR CHEMICAL 
INDEPENDENCE 
Another vitally important réle in the estab- 
lishment of chemical independence in our 
country must be played by our government. 
To stop depending upon foreign sources of 
supply, our government should utilize and ex- 
tend its surveys of national resources; enforce 
their conservation; transform sleeping villages 
into great centers for industrial activity ; enact 
wise legislation for protective duties which 
will aid in the improvement of essential indus- 
tries for daily needs; encourage the use of 
“ Made-in-U. S.” materials; carefully consider 
patent legislation; establish more official ex- 
perimental stations for theoretical and indus- 
trial research; build central scientific research 
reference libraries indispensable in research in 
growing industrial centers; continue through 
“scientific statesmen” to stimulate and en- 
courage research; and give the chemist, the 
scientist his entitling share to a highly respon- 
sible position in national life and in the coun- 
ceils of those directing our national policies. 
“To him that hath shall be given.” 
In the midst of all our great chemical prog- 
ress, our government should concern itself 
with a feature of dire import—the standardi- 
zation of the title “chemist.” A bottle- 
