Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1919. 
Editorial. 
339 
SOME  OF  THE  DEFECTS  IN  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF 
THE  AMERICAN  PHARMACEUTICAL 
ASSOCIATION. 
i 
"  Whatever  thou  hast  to  take,  that  take  thou  quickly ; 
Give  quickly  what  thou  hast  to  give ;  do  quickly 
The  work  thou  hast  to  do ;  if  thou  delay 
Time  will  drink  up  the  spirit  of  thy  act." 
There  is  probably  no  desire  so  universally  held  by  the  pharma- 
cists of  America  as  that  earnest  wish  to  advance  the  welfare  and 
progress  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  The 
earnestness  of  our  desire,  the  enthusiasm  of  our  efforts,  however, 
should  not  blind  us  to  the  errors  that  have  become  engrafted  upon 
its  methods.  On  the  contrary,  our  concern  for  its  interests  and 
advancement  fully  justifies  the  calling  of  attention  to  defects  the 
correction  of  which  becomes  necessary  if  our  association  is  to  fulfill 
its  aims  and  objects.  Love  for  an  association  that  has  bestowed 
upon  the  writer  its  highest  honors  and  office  has  deterred  and  de- 
layed public  criticism  for  a  long  time,  and  coupled  with  this  has 
been  the  fear  that  such  criticism  would  be  misunderstood  or  the 
motives  actuating  this  be  misconstrued.  The  world  never  has  and 
never  will  love  cowardice,  either  physical  or  moral,  and  the  convic- 
tion has  grown  that  duty  demands  that  attention  be  directed  to 
certain  well-developed  evils  in  order  that  reform  may  be  ac- 
complished. 
The  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  by  reason  of  its 
composite  membership,  is  in  a  position  to  combine  and  coordinate 
the  best  efforts  of  pharmacy  in  the  attainment  of  any  desired  ob- 
ject and  therein  is  the  great  opportunity  of  this  organization  to  serve 
both  the  professional  and  commercial  advancement  of  pharmacy. 
If  one  read  over  the  addresses  of  its  presidents  for  only  a  limited 
period, — we  will  say  of  the  last  ten  years, — he  becomes  cognizant  of 
the  many  topics  of  vital  importance  to  pharmacy  that  have  been 
thus  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  association.  If  he  further 
follows  up  the  consideration  received  and  the  action  taken  as  set 
forth  in  the  published  proceedings  of  the  meetings  he  will  learn 
that  in  most  of  these  matters  the  association  has  by  resolution  taken 
appropriate  action  or  directed  that  certain  duties  and  services  to 
pharmacy  should  be  performed  by  some  one  or  by  some  committee. 
Then  what?    Frequently  that  is  the  end. 
