u . is . C em. 6 ( 0
8 . 0 . e o e goi g o ess we we e i o me a E ga a a s asse away (Augus 0 .
A e um: W i e a II was ei g e ise , e E i o , W. . e se , a ise me o wo e e e ces ew o me. e i s is o e sig i ica ce o a a s ea ies esea c ( a w ic wo im e ic o Meye i e . I 2 , A u . Cus y, o esso o a maco ogy a Ma e ia Me ica a e U i e si y o E i u g , ga e e i se ies o e C a es E. o me Memo ia ee u es. Ea ie e a aug a U i e si ies o Mic iga a o o . is ec u e was u is e u e e i e, Biological Relations of Optically Isomeric Substances, Wi iams a Wi ki s, a imo e, 26. Cus y e ei e e s o e im o a ce o a a s ea y wo k i a swe i g some ques io s aise y as eu ega i g e ac io o e ymes a i s owi g a ei s e eos eci ici y i a c emica eac io ca e ma c e y a asymme ic mo ecu e (see es ecia y . 0 , 20 2 . e e e ce o e mo e com e e u ica io o a a s esis esea c , "Se ec i e Ac io o Ca a ys s o S e eoisome s a O ica Ac i a io y Asymme ic Ca a ysis", Z. Physik. Chem., 0, , 2 6 (Ge ma , s ou a e ee i c u e wi e . i a I o is a ic e. I a o ogi e o ci i g o y e e imi a y o e. e seco , . ige eise , "C emis y o Iso o es", Science, 6 , 147, 46 4 , .46 , c e i s a a s wi ei g e i s o ecog i e a e iso o es o a e eme , a oug o c emica y se a a e, s ou e i i i e e ces i ose o e ies w ic e e o " e eque cies o a omic a mo ecu a i a io s". a k Wigg eswo C a ke E a a: I e e e ce 44, . 2 o a I, e a e o e E g is a s a io s ou e 8, o 28. e as wo e e e ces, same age, a e um e e 46 a 4 ey s ou e 4 a 48, es ec i e y. i c u i g e eac e s. e Ame ica C emica Socie y (o ew Yo k wou o o, e e o a uc eus. I seems o e so o a ickwick C u , a oke ( , 2 . Dr. Reynold E. Holmen, 2225 Lilac Lane, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, is retired from the 3M Company, where he was Such were the sentiments of William Glenn of Baltimore as employed as an organic chemist. He received his Ph.D. from he wrote to Frank W. Clarke in Washington, D.C., on 21 June the University of Michigan, where he had the stimulating 1890 (3, 4). Glenn's letter was just one of about 100 that Clarke experience of taking several courses from Fajans. Part I of and Harvey W. Wiley received during the summer months this article appeared in the Fall 1989 issue of the Bulletin. from a wide spectrum of chemists in the United States. This spurt of activity was prompted by a circular calling for the formation of the Continental Chemical Society (CCS) and mailed "to the Chemists of America" in early June. THE CONTINENTAL CHEMICAL As co-authors, Wiley and Clarke were acting on behalf of SOCIETY the Chemical Society of Washington (CSW), the Chemical Section C of the American Association for the Advancement James J. Bohning, Beckman Center for the History of of Science (AAAS), and the Association of Official Agricul- Chemistry tural Chemists (AOAC). Their proposal was brief, attractive in its simplicity, and appeared to provide an obvious course of C emis s o e U.S. oug o a e some i g e e a e C emi action. The plan was "to organize a Continental Chemical ca Sec io o e Ame ica Associa io , e u ica io s o w ic a e Society, representative of all North America, by affiliating e o i . ey oug o a e some i g e e a mem e s i i together as far as possible all existing local organizations. The e Ame ica I s i u e o Mi i g E gi ee s. ey oug o a e a Society as a whole to hold an annual meeting at such time and a io a socie y, i c u i g a wo ki g c emis s i e cou y place as may be agreed upon from year to year; while local 6 u . is . C em. 6 ( 0 sections, like sections of the British Society for Chemical In- to make Section C of the AAAS serve as the nucleus for the new dustry, shall have their regular frequent gatherings in as many organization, and the final report for implementation of the scientific centers as possible; all publishing their work in one project was to be presented to the AAAS during the annual official journal." The broadside recipients were asked to meeting at Indianapolis in August, 1890 (8). "kindly state whether you regard the project favorably, and if The response to all of Clarke's suggestions was generally modifications or objections occur to you, will you formulate quite favorable. A typical reply came from C. J. Reed in the them? Do you favor a society at all? Do you favor the idea of Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison. Acknowledging receipt of local sections? Do you favor the publication of a journal?" (3). "your circular letter of recent date, proposing the organization Ironically, Clarke publicly opposed the formation of a na- of a Continental Chemical Society," Reed continued "that the tional chemical society when Persifor Frazer suggested the project meets my hearty approval. I would favor 1) the idea idea at the Priest- of local sec- ley House in tions, 2) the 1874 (5). Even publication of a after the Ameri- journal, 3) an- can Chemical nual meetings Society (ACS) of the whole was organized, society." Sixty- Clarke refused to nine other let- participate in its ters, most of affairs. Instead, them equally his efforts were terse, a few directed to the even written in AAAS, where he the margin of was instrumental the original cir- in the formation cular, contained of the Permanent similar com- Subsection of ments. Twenty Chemistry of -three others, Section A in however, took I874, and where the time to de- he served as an velop more de- officer and the tailed ideas. author of a large The diversity of number of papers their remarks presented at the reflects notonly annual meetings. the heteroge- Fifteen years neity of the later, with the sample obtain- number of chem- ed from the poll, ically related or- but also is a ganizations in- Ci cu a ca i g o e o ma io o e Co i e a C emica Socie y, u e 8 0 measure of the creasing, and the state of Amen- organizational affairs of chemistry in disarray, Clarke suc- can chemistry in 1890. ceeded Albert P. Prescott as chairman of a Committee on a While not claiming any priority, Thomas H. Norton (Uni- National Chemical Society. Prescott, from the University of versity of Cincinnati) gently reminded Clarke "that in 1884 Michigan, had presented a report to Section C of the AAAS in when at Washington I broached the idea to you, but at that time August of 1889 explaining the desirability of a truly national you rather doubted its feasibility." Some were concerned chemical organization (6). With Wiley's assistance, Clarke about the name of the new organization. Winthrop E. Stone obtained unanimous approval of the national society concept (Purdue) felt that the name "American Chemical Society" from both the CSW and the AOAC. Being careful to exclude would be more definitive since "we are accustomed to seeing the CSW members from the mailing list to avoid charges of [Continental] used as designating Europe in distinction from bias, Clarke "widely distributed" the circular to obtain more England." E.H.S. Bailey (University of Kansas) wondered if support at the national level (7). It is clear that the intent was "the name American [is] monopolized by the N.Y. Society, so u . is . C em. 6 ( 0 that we cannot use it?" More directly, Henry Trimble (Phila- would "flourish, according to past experience, but if the delphia College of Pharmacy) simply did "not like the name pharmacists could be interested, they might help as they are `Continental', but thought it should be 'American' although getting better educated than they used to be." Conflict with the such a name could only be adopted by an arrangement with the Scientific Association at Johns Hopkins caused William Glenn New York American Chemical Society... The name 'North to doubt the success of a local section at Baltimore, since it American' might be used, or the 'United States Chemical "could not live ... unless led by the Hopkins men; it is doubtful Society' which would exclude Canada - a small loss." This if they could find time and inclination to lead it." dilemma was solved by M. F. Edwards (University of Michi- In spite of their various approaches to the implementation gan) who called the project an "American Continental Chemi- of local sections, most respondents were in accord with Char- cal Society." les D. Woods (The Storrs School Agricultural Experiment Separated by their geography as well as their specialties, Station) who found "the way in which chemical publications in most of the chemists had strong feelings about local sections. this country are scattered is to be deplored." Walker Bowman Divisions "drawn on geographical or on technical grounds" (Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College) saw the pro- were equally acceptable to Thomas Robinson (Fort Mitchell, posed journal merging "the chemical work now appearing in so Alabama) who could envision either an Eastern Section head- many different journals in so many different parts of the quartered at Boston, Montreal or Halifax or sections of Agri- country." "A journal in which all papers will have a right to cultural, Mining, and Biological Chemists. Supporting this appear and not by abstract only" was anticipated by F. B. view, Alfred E. Hunt (Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory) consid- Dancy (Raleigh, NC). F. E. Engelhardt (Syracuse, NY) looked ered "the idea of the local sections to be a good one; but think for an official journal in which American chemists could pub- that there are at present chemic al society organizations, organi- lish their work, "instead of a dozen or so which is now the case, zations of engineers' societies in which the chemists have and quite expensive for a chemist of small means when he takes sections, or could form sections, that this should represent the European journals at the same time." Finances were also the local sections." However, Davenport Fisher of Milwaukee felt concern of H. J. Patterson (Maryland Agricultural Experiment "so out of the way of intercourse with my fellow chemists that Station) who did "not think it would be wise to make the I hardly know how practicable and useful such a society could subscription to the journal exceed $5.00 per year." be." Similarly, F. W. Woll (University of Wisconsin Agricul- Quality was the chief concern of Alfred M. Peter (Kentucky tural Experiment Station) argued that "local sections may be Agricultural Experiment Station) who proposed to "purchase advantageously formed in the East, where a considerable or combine" with an established journal to make "the journal membership of chemists are gathered within a comparatively the best chemical journal published on the Continent." Ac- small area, but I doubt if they would be a success anywhere cording to W. Simon (Maryland College of Pharmacy), "it else, and I should rather see a good strong meeting of the whole should not be undertaken before a number of prominent writers society once every year than more frequent weaklings of have promised to make this journal the chief means for publish- sectional meetings which cannot help taking away the interest ing and exchanging views." Purdue's Stone complained that from the mother society." W. P. Cutter (Utah Agricultural "at present publication in American journals is often insuffi- College) agreed that his "isolated position would make it cient to secure a permanent record in the literature." Perhaps practically impossible to attend any such section," yet recog- this was because Albert M. Todd (Nottawa, MI) believed that nized that "the formation of such local organizations would be many "journals are conducted largely for the purpose of gain; the only way to prevent the society from becoming a mere their editorials column as well, being subservient to the inter- publication firm...". ests of gain rather than scientific accuracy and the public J. . Willard (Kansas State Agricultural College) predicted good." Peter T. Austin (Rutgers) warned that "the trouble with that "not over six or eight local sections could be organized," a journal is that there is not enough work done in this country even though "these would probably embrace the best men of to fill another. The American Chemical Journal might be the profession in this country." Willard also presumed it assimilated, otherwise we should not try to get up another. To "unnecessary to point out the conditions obtaining here and in devote a large portion of another journal to abstracts would be Great Britain are vastly different, the area of the latter being an outrage on us, for our libraries are now crammed with five scarcely more than that of Kansas. Successful annual meetings or six abstracts of every article that comes out." which can be attended by a large majority of the members can Several writers addressed items that were not specifically thus be held there, while here many of us would not be able to mentioned in the circular. Based on his experience as a student attend once in five years." More prophetically, Bennet F. at the University of Freiburg, Edgar Everhart (University of Davenport suggested that "the American Chemical Society at Texas) thought of "admitting to membership advanced stu- New York City and the Washington, D.C. [Society] could form dents of chemistry" since "in this way the subscription list sections, and we could have one here at Boston." However, would be considerably increased and a livelier interest and John Ordway (Tulane) did not think a local section in Boston enthusiasm in chemistry would be given young men." Simi- 8 u . is . C em. 6 ( 0 larly, John Eyermans (Easton, PA) wanted to elect " fellows to ground" for both groups to meet. However, a group headed by be composed of college instructors and others doing original Louis M. Norton (MIT) preferred to have the society "devote work" and "also a second class to be termed associates to its strength mainly to applied chemistry rather than to pure include all other classes of chemists." For Charles S. Parsons chemistry", looking to the Society of Chemical Industry rather (Dartmouth) there was a much different concern. "While I than the German Chemical Society for an example. Citing the recognize the value and beauty of organic chemistry" he wrote, Journal of the CCS as the crucial step in implementing the new "and wish to keep up with it as far as I can, still I hope that if society, George H. Masson (Trinidad) tied the rise of the a Continental Chemical Society is founded it will not make professional status of the members "with the progress of the organic chemistry too prominent ... to the exclusion of other Society, which if worked with earnestness and concord would branches." Thomas Robinson enthusiastically wanted to "go soon become an association of recognized importance among further and make [the CCS] a section of a world-wide Chemi- the scientific institutions of the world." "Organization is the cal Society." spirit of our time" wrote Charles Munroe (Newport, RI) The details of organizational problems will evoke as many philosophically, for "it gives force to action and effects an solutions as there are individuals to propose them. Writing economy in effort while the strength which follows a well from the Fellowcraft Club in New York City, Marcus Ben- matured union of interests is axiomatic and is the fundamental jamin examined the overall concept of a new society as well. idea of the government under which we live and of the Pointing out that Clarke had copies of his editorials in the institutions with which we are surrounded. I cannot for my part Engineering and Mining Journal, which advocated a similar conceive of any reason ... why every chemist in the country plan, Benjamin expressed "doubt that [Charles E.] Munroe's should not wish to become a member of such an organization." idea of reviving the American Chemical Society by infusing Not everyone shared such optimism. An emotional re- new life into that body" would succeed. Instead, "I believe in sponse came from C. Loving Jackson (Cambridge, MA) who a new start with new machinery, officers, etc., and then let the was "opposed to any chemical society on the grounds that the ACS come in... Years ago I proposed that the ACS become a country is too large for meetings, and I do not see that it would local section of the Society of Chemical Industry, but I was be of any advantage to chemistry." Incredulously, Jackson hooted at. In consequence, I resigned and have been $5.00 also saw "no field" for a journal, stating that "anyone who does ahead each year since." Conversely, J. W. Mallet (University anything toward multiplying the sources of scientific informa- of Virginia) confessed "that I retain an Old World tendency to tion deserves the curses ... of all scientific men." In a more build upon foundations already laid by others, rather than subdued tone, C. F. Maberry (Case School) concluded that sweep away the past and set up something entirely new." from the "opinions I have heard discussed, I am convinced that Others argued for a rational amalgamation of existing socie- this [CCS] is quite out of the question. Such an attempt would ties. It seemed important to A. H. Hunt that the proposed CCS receive little help from the men who are carrying on the larger should "use every effort and endeavor, not so much to form portion of original research in this country. Without such new societies as to combine and collate the work of the organi- support the scheme would evidently be hopeless." Toxicolo- zations already formed." A consulting chemist, James B. gist E. H. Bartley (Long Island College) was confident that MacKintosh (New York) thought that "if we could get a society Clarke did "not expect much support from the members of the wide enough to embrace the coal tar color men at one end and ACS." After all, "this society is now in the field as an American the mineral chemists at the other with representation both of Society with members all over the country. Is it likely that theory and practice ... we should be able to form a society to be another will do better? There are more chemists in and about proud of." From the United States Patent Office, William N. N.Y. than in any other location in America. Why change the Seaman preferred "giving greater autonomy to the sections [of headquarters for such an association when there are but a the AAAS], and whether this be done by making the Associa- handful of chemists? To make all of the existing societies tion a confederation of partially independent societies or by en- subsections would ... aid in building up the Washington or larging the powers of the sections is ... a question of expe- some other Society." diency." Pennsylvania Railroad Company chemist Charles B. Dudley Yet State Assayer S. P. Sharples (Boston) noted that the (Altoona, PA) lamented that "I have done all I could thus far to "AAAS is largely made up of those who are interested as help on the society whose headquarters are in New York, teachers or in theoretical work" while "the chemical side of the having constantly paid my dues, although I felt that very poor Engineering Society at present is a very strong one embracing return was given for the money, since the New York Society most of the chemists who are interested in metallurgy and has not been as efficient as could be desired." Convinced that commercial work." Since those "engaged in everyday conflict "there is not room for two large societies," Dudley contended ... are after results rather than theories" while the teachers are that "the question turns more on what can be done with the New "furnished with abundant material" for their theoretical work York Society than on any other single consideration". While from those needs, the new society would serve as a "common merging this society into the Continental was a possibility, he u . is . C em. 6 ( 0 concluded that "perhaps better still the American Chemical o es a is e socie y a is o ose . Society could be made the basis of the Continental." Support of the ACS also came from William McMurtrie (New York Chandler's caustic comments were not meant to be taken Tartar Co.) who could "scarcely see the necessity for another casually. He had watched the organization he founded in 1876 and independent organization until absolute or at least practi- decline in membership as financial difficulties and journal cal failure of this [ACS] society has been demonstrated." The publication problems increased (10). In addition, the growing ACS "is an active operation, is thoroughly organized, has a dissatisfaction of chemists outside of New York resulted in the good membership of men of high standing, [and] is making an formation of other societies such as the CSW, founded by endeavor to extend its usefulness along exactly the lines Clarke and Wiley in 1884. In spite of a dismal situation there proposed in this circular." was no real public concern about the ACS future until news of The longest defense of the ACS came from Charles A. the AAAS meeting in Toronto during August of 1888 reached Doremus (City College of New York) who elaborated on eight New York. "At the [7] December [1888] meeting the subject reasons why the ACS "shall be continued and that whatever was discussed in the light of some vague reports, ... and there may be deemed faulty in its constitution shall be modified to was a certain irritation expressed at the possibility of a new harmonize all existing views." Doremus hinted that "if in its organization being formed without consultation with this [ACS] administration some, even of the most prominent chem- Society, to assure the name which it has born." As a result, ists, may have felt aggrieved because perhaps their names may Chandler "was appointed ... Chairman of a Committee in not have figured in high places, you may rest assured that the considering any further developments of the subject" (11). same difficulties ... will exist in any new organization. What In early 1889 Prescott had begun gathering information for guarantee is there of any new society being more successful? the AAAS on the feasibility of organizing a national chemical Are present prospects higher than those under which the ACS society (12). Among those responding to his inquiries were A. was born?" Doremus trusted "that at the American Associa- R. Leeds, J. P. Cooke, J. W. Mallet, W. A. Noyes, and Ira tion meeting there will be no evidence of sectionalizing or petty Remsen (13). While objecting to the proviso "that appointees jealousy, but that a truly liberal spirit will prevail all delibera- of the AAAS remain a majority of the voting members" on a tions on this subject." The eight-page letter dated 1 July formal organizational committee, A. A. Breneman (editor of evoked an Independence Day reply from Clarke. Six days later ACS was willing "to make any sacrifice that would secure a Doremus responded again, this time constructing a detailed better organization of American Chemists" (11). Worrying scenario for implementing Clarke's scheme by "starting with about how "to respect the organization and the vested rights of the charter of the ACS." In rebuttal of Clarke's specific the ACS", he was optimistic "that your own name [e.g. comments, Doremus pointed out that "men such as Dr. Bolton Prescott] at the head of the committee is a guarantee of caution never entered the ACS because of dissension at the time of its and judgment in the direction of the new movement, and for founding," and "the meetings of the ACS have been held in that reason wish it every success." N.Y.... owing to the general apathy of the profession." Sen- Writing to Prescott on 20 May 1889, Chandler saw "no sitive to individual interactions, Doremus wrote "strongly__ difficulty in the way of accomplishing this most desirable end, for I should much regret to have our foreign professional provided everybody concerned is desirous of seeing it accom- brothers witness any inharmonious factions arising out of this plished". Not surprisingly, Chandler thought "the best plan movement." would be for all the chemists in the country to join the ACS" It was Charles F. Chandler, however, serving as ACS and proceed to reorganize the ACS with an annual meeting, President for 1889, who described the situation succinctly and local sections, and a journal. He was very specific that the candidly. He considered (9): journal issue was the most important matter of all. Suggesting that the rn l f th A r n Ch l S t , Hart's ... i a e y g a e mis ake o o ga i e a o e c emica socie y o a rn l f An l t l Ch tr , and Remsen's A r n ge e a c a ac e . We a ea y a e a Ame ica C emica Socie y, Ch l rn l should be combined, Chandler was willing a we a e ece y mo i ie e co s i u io so as o mee a e e to give Remsen every concession to become editor. Using an qui eme s, a I i k i wou e a e y se ious mis ake o c ea e unusual descriptor, Chandler assured Prescott "that the mem- a o e o e. e ese Ame ica C emica Socie y wi o e bers of the New York Chemical Society (the American Chemi- isco i ue u e a y ci cums a ces, a i seems a g ea i y o e cal Society) would be willing to do everything that is reason- c emis s o e cou y o sca e ei i e. e e m "Ame ica able in order to bring about so desirable a result" (3,14). C emica Socie y" is us as co i e a as a ma e o ac . W a you Almost immediately Prescott broached the idea with say i you ci cu a a ou a socie y simi a o e i is Socie y o Remsen, who "carefully considered the subject" but "reached C emica I us y is me com e e y y w a as ee ece y o e an unfavorable conclusion" (I5). In a lengthy exposition of his i c a gi g e co s i u io o e Ame ica C emica Socie y. ... I reasons, Remsen made it clear that in his opinion the new wou say, e e o e, a i my o i io , i wou e a a a mis ake organization and journal would not "advance the interests of 20 u . is . C em. 6 ( 0 chemistry in this country." On I7 August 1889, with appar- dation would come to fruition, but the die was cast and the ently little positive information to report on, Prescott solicited future of the organization that "would rather swallow than be help from Clarke and Wiley in Washington. "I beg" Prescott swallowed" was secured (24). wrote, "that you and your associates in Washington will make propositions, as to this report of the AAAS Committee, and as e e e ces a o es to action, if any, at Toronto... May I ask you to lay this letter before Professor Wiley and ask that he will kindly consider this . ese e i a a e 8 a io a Mee i g o e letter addressed, also, to himself (16,17). Ame ica C emica Socie y, S . ouis, MO, A i 84 A s ac Shortly thereafter, the final report was delivered at Toronto 0 . e ge e ous assis a ce o a i M. Kie e (Ch l nd by Prescott and included a summary of individual and group En n r n a a a a A. Ga ag e (Ame ica C emica comments, concluding with a brief order of procedure for Socie y is g a e u y ack ow e ge . ei e sis e ce was i s u formation of the new society (6,18). Prescott's fear that me a i u co e i g e ocume a io e o e i is a e . "unless the project is pretty clearly defined, to satisfaction of e ey . S u c io (Me ck & Co. g a y o i e im o a sou ce council, this body may refuse to confirm" (16) was subse- ma e ia a s a e is e e si e e e ise o e ea y ACS is o y. quently justified, for no formal action was taken on the Com- is co i ue i e es a su o is i a ua e. mittee report. On 23 September 1889, Prescott turned over his 2. is icke sia ema k com a e e ACS o e C u "meagre bundle" of correspondence to Clarke with his "good w ic was ea u e i e ickwick a e s, u is e y C a es wishes for further effort" (19). icke s i 8 . See . a ey, h Oxf rd C p n n t En l h Alarmed by the AAAS committee suggestion that "the t r t r , O o U i e si y ess, o o , 8 . 6 . ACS holding meetings in New York ... submit its constitution . om e co ec io o e Ame ica C emica Socie y, and operative laws for the use of the committee, and to yield its eco s e a me , Si ee S ., .W., Was i g o , .C. name to the new Society," (16) and confronted with a formal 200 6. proposal from C. E. Munroe on reorganization, the ACS began 4. U ess o e wise o e , is a a su seque e e s we e serious deliberations at the monthly meeting on I November w i e y e i i i ua o e o a k W. C a ke i u e, u y, o 1889 (20). Discussion continued well into I890 (21), culmi- Augus , 8 0. See o e . nating with a revised constitution adopted on 6 June 1890 (22). . . . o i g, "O osi io o e o ma io o e Ame ica At the same time, Clarke and Wiley were gathering their C emica Socie y", 84 a io a Mee i g o e Ame ica C emi support for the August I890 AAAS meeting at Indianapolis. ca Socie y, Ka sas Ci y, MO, Se em e 82, A s ac IS 008. With a new constitution in effect, the ACS Board of Directors 6. " e o o e Commi ee o Co e e ce o e O ga i a decided to meet Clarke and Wiley head on. On 22 July, a call io o a a io a C emica Socie y", r . A . A . Aäv. S . was issued for the first general meeting of the ACS at Newport, 1889, 8, 8. RI. The dates were set as 6 and 7 August, just two weeks before . W i e e ci cu a i se is u a e , e ea ies e y was the AAAS meeting. Munroe, who had been agitating for ACS w i e o 6 u e 8 0. e e is o i ica io o e si e o e reform, was surprised to be designated "chairman of the local o igi a mai i g is , a oug e es o ses seem o i ica e a e committee with power." His apprehension about the lack of 88 mem e s i os e s o e ACS, AOAC, a AAAS Sec io C time and a poor location was dispelled by the arrival of the we e use . "genial, efficient, confidence-inspiring Dr. Charles F. Chan- 8. I 8 0 a k Wigg eswo C a ke, age 4 , was C ie dler, a host by himself." By special invitation, nonmember C emis o e U i e S a es Geo ogica Su ey. o mo e i o ma Frank W. Clarke was also in attendance (23). io o C a ke, see C. C. Gi es ie, t n r f A r n r Chandler chaired all of the sessions of the meeting, and on ph , o . , Sc i e s, ew Yo k, Y, 0 , . 2 2 2 4 C. the second day "announced an informal discussion regarding E. Mu oe, " a k Wigg eswo C a ke", . A . Ch . S ., 1935, the more general organization of chemists in America" and , 20 0, a . M. e is, " a k Wigg eswo C a ke", . invited Clarke to present a "brief history of the movement" M . tl. A d. S ., 1934, , 46 6 . (23). There is no formal transcription of the resulting discus- . I 8 0 C a es . C a e , age 4, was o esso o C em sion. The effects, however, "were immediately noticeable" is y a e Co um ia Co ege Sc oo o Mi es. o mo e i o ma io and "an era of good feeling and confidence were established" o C a e , see M. . oge , "C a es e e ic C a e ", , (23). When Clarke presented his report to the AAAS in M . tl. A d. S ., 1932, 4, 2 8 , a . . i i ge , " e Indianapolis just a few weeks later, he concluded with concili- C a e I ue ce o Ame ica C emis y", . Ch . Ed ., 1939, atory remarks about the ACS. Particularly, he agreed that in "a 6, 2 2 . consolidated national society the name of the American Chemi- 0. A e ai e accou o is e io i ACS is o y is gi e y cal Society might well be retained by the enlarged organization C. A. ow e a M. E. Weeks, A t r f th A r n Ch l .,. which also would have rank of seniority above the other S t : S v nt v Ev ntf l Y r , Ame ica C emica Socie y, branches." It would be several years before the final consoli- Was i g o , .C., 2, . 26 40 a e e e ces e ei . Bull. Hist. Chem. 6 (1990) 21
. A. A. e ema o A. . esco , 2 a ua y 88 ( o e . ow e a Weeks ( o e 0 a e gi e u c e i o e CCS Gi e e s a e o a ai s o e ACS i ecem e , 888, C a e was mo eme o C a ke, a o o e e me io esco i ei mos ike y e e i e "Commi ee" esc i e y e ema . esc i io o ese e e s. 2. esco a se e as e ACS esi e i 886 a AAAS 20. "Mi u es o Mo y ACS Mee i gs, o em e ", . A . Sec io C ice esi e i 88 . is commi ee a oi e a e Ch . S ., 1889, , 40. 888 a ua mee i g o AAAS y ice esi e C. E. Mu oe a so 2 . "Mi u es o Mo y ACS Mee i gs, ecem e ", . A . a A e S i ge (Ci ci a i a E wa a ( a aye e Co Ch . S ., 1889, , 4 Ib d., " a ua y", 1890, 2, 6 ege as mem e s. o mo e o esco , see A o ., "A e e ami " e ua y", 2 "May", 2 " u e", 8 . esco ", . A . Ch . S . 1905, 2 , ocee i gs . 6 8. e 22. "Co s i u io o e ACS", .A .Ch .S ., 1890, 2, 84 o icia eco s o e mee i g gi e o Commi ee e o , u sim y 88. a is i g o e Commi ee mem e s. ("S ecia Commi ees", r . 2 . See Mu oe s e so a accou i C. A. ow e, "A a A . A . Adv. S ., 1888, , iii . See a so M. . oge , Ce u y o C emis y i Ame ica" Ame ica C emica Socie y, "Ame ica C emica Socie ies", . A . Ch . S . 1908, 0, . i a e ia, A, 26, C a e I . e o icia eco is gi e i . . W. Ma e o A. . esco , 2 e ua y 88 ( o e : "[I " e ew o Mee i g", . A . Ch . S ., 1890, 2, 24 2 . am o ] sa gui e as o e ike i oo o a igo ous C emica Socie y 24. E wa a o a k W. C a ke, 8 A i 8 ( o e , ei g es a is e ". "I e y o you ques io as o c emis s w o comme i g a ou e og ess o e co so i a io ocess. mig e w i e o i e Sou ", Ma e ga e 8 ames a a esses. A e . ee s o A. . esco , 6 e ua y 88 ( o e : " e i icu y i o um e a i 8 4 was a e ea i g James J. Bohning is Assistant Director of Oral History at the c emis s wou o coo e a e. ey wi o o so u i a ma o Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry and Professor e s am o Agassi , o o ma , o o e e so a mag e ism (i Emeritus of Chemistry at Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA o imi e ce o Si e y oscoe i s em a i o i e i is ea . 18766. He is particulary interested in the history of the e Ame ica C emica Socie y was o igi a y o ga i e wi sec American Chemical Society. io s, e esi i g o ice o e i a e ia Sec io ei g . Ge , u ese we e a a o e om ack o ge e a su o , so e ce e a c emis as Ge e e i g o u is i o e c a e s." DIVERSIONS AND DIGRESSIONS osia . Cooke o A. . esco , 0 e ua y 88 ( o e : "I a e i e ai i e use u ess o a io a Socie ies o a y ki i is The Tie That Blinds cou y." I a emse o A. . esco , 2 e ua y 88 ( o e : "Wi e e y esi e o coo e a e wi you, I o o ee a muc ca James J. Doheny, Chicago IL e accom is e ." 4. C. . C a e o A. . esco , 20 May 88 ( o e . is This is a tale of the "Terrible Thirties", when (as now), e e i ica es a C a e was wi i g, e e a ious, o i s i u e chemists were expected to be serious and single-minded, and e o m wi i e ACS e o e e 88 AAAS mee i g. om e even a bit sub-cultured. It involves George L. Parkhurst, a imi e a ai a e sam e i is e o y osi i e a e cou agi g retired Vice-President of Standard Oil of California, and the es o se esco ecei e . A a e y esco was o e use late Robert E. Wilson, one-time Chairman and CEO of Stan- a ou C a e s o osa , u e e e o kee e AAAS as e dard Oil Company (Indiana). George was a recent graduate of omi a g ou i e eo ga i a io . the Armour (now Illinois) Institute of Technology, and Bob . I a emse o A. . esco , 0 u e 88 ( o e . A co y was then Director of Research, ca. I930-3I, and had picked o is e e was a so se o C a ke o u e 88 . George as one of his up-and-coming young men. In later years, 6. A. . esco o . W. C a ke, Augus 88 ( o e . Wilson was on the first U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and . e e is easo o e ie e a esco i o a e muc o was always active professionally and scientifically, and in e o i e ms o a co se sus o Ame ica c emis s (see o e . I business and civic affairs. ac , esco aske C a ke a ou e ese a i es o a o ga i a io a One year at Christmas, Wilson received a particularly commi ee ("W a o e s? C em. Sec io o a k i I s ? e Soc. horrendous example of a "Christmas necktie" which he could o Ag . C emis s?" is e e o C a ke a Wi ey was a es e a e not persuade Parkhurst to accept. We can only surmise that ea o e . somehow the two agreed that the only possible solution to the 8. esco s e o a ea s o a e ee g ea y e agge a e i problem would be to present it to someone formally. They e c aim a e e a ee co su a io wi commi ees o co e decided on Dr. Ward V. Evans, Professor of Chemistry at e ce a oi e y AOAC, ACS, CS W, a e a k i I s i u e. e Northwestern University, esteemed teacher, bon vivant, and a ACS Commi ee was C a e , w i e o icia a o a o e AOAC raconteur par excellence. Obviously there were some condi- a CSW came a e is mee i g (see o es , 4 . tions attached to the gift, as there is a somewhat cryptic . A. . esco o . W. C a ke, 2 Se em e 88 ( o e . reference in the Chicago Section A.C.S. publication, the