Analytical Chemistry September 1954 [antikvár]

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY WALTER J. MURPHY, Editor The Magic Number 2000 This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that this page is devoted to a discussion of why every analyst should be a member of the American Chemical Society's Division of Analytical Chemistry. Fortunately, on this occasion we can quote liberally from the division's August News Letter, largely devoted to reporting the details of the current drive for more members. The proper perspective relative to the importance of analytical chemistry in the whole structure of the now well established chemical age has been a development of the past 10 years. This period has brought the field of analytical chemistry into prominence it never had attained in its previous existence. The younger members of the division may not realize this fact. Tlie older members have experienced the transformation. Our problem as analysts, whether routine or research experts, is to keep this status growing. The best way to accomplish this is for the Division of -Analytical Chemistry to outgrow the lightweight division and to get over into the heavyweight class. By increasing our number of dues-paying members to 2000 from a present figure of approximately 1000, we can carry just twice as much weight in any projects we may find worthy and may want to sponsor to the interest of each and every member of the division. Our membership committee, under the chairmanship of K. G. Stone of Michigan State, is entitled to a vote of appreciation for its splendid efforts toward augmenting the numbers of our division. Much progress has been made and there is more to follow-"Ching Chow" has commented that it is his worthless opinion that "Musical Notes Return the Highest Interest." So we want to sing the praises of the membership drive committee. We might suggest also that the musical notes of a full symphony orchestra make a bigger impression than those of a string quartet or street corner group of serenaders. This is the reason for the membership committee's current drive for a larger enrollment in the division. We have consulted the "Official Annual Reports" of the Society (C&EN, March 1, 1953, p. 836) and find that the Division of Petroleum Chemistry in 1953 had 2654 members, followed closely by the Division of Rubber Chemistry with 2240. If the Division of Analytical Chemistry is to move into first place—and there are many reasons why it should— then it must pass 10 of the 21 divisions. This may sound Uke a monumental task, but it need not be if all analysts vvill but accept their professional responsibility. The current paid subscriptions to Analytical Chemstry total approximately 26,000. This figure gives a good idea of how many analysts there are who should be active members of the Division of Analytical Chemistry. Tlie August News Letter points out that in the July issue of Analytical Chemistry there were 62 contributed papers and analytical contributions, by the gombined efforts of 137 authors. Of this group less than 13% were found listed as members of the division in the 1952 directory. Of course, this figure may not have included some who are now members. Over 85% of professional publishing analysts need to "cross over the bridge"—some need to cross two: ACS membership and division membership. The goal for 1955 is 2000 division members. A new edition of the directory of the division will be published next year financed by the Arthur H. Thomas Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Every anal5'^st should want to be listed in this directorj'- as a matter of professional pride. The gains that the profession of analytical chemistry has made in the past 10 years can be sustained and enlarged upon only if every analyst accepts as a very minimum of professional responsibility membership in ACS and in the Division of Analytical Chemistry. This feeling of belonging, of participating, of helping to build still further the prestige and influence of the profession of analytical chemistry, is not the only reward accruing to division members There is, for example, a substantial saving in the purchase of the Book of Abstracts of Meetings (published for each national meeting). Members get the "separates" free. There is also personal prestige that is highly important in this day and age when the entire chemical profession is becoming more and more conscious of the esteem in which it is now held by the public and in top management circles throughout all industry. It is incumbent upon all of us to realize that with this recognition there are minimum personal responsibilities we cannot delegate to others to do for us. Specific information as to cost of divisional dues and where a check should be sent will be found in the Analyst's Column, by Science Editor L. T. Hallett, on page 21 A of this issue.