The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-09
an EVEOF GREAT DISCOVERY
CHEMISTS CHEER SIR WILLIAM
B4uS4Y,S ANNOUNCEMENT.
origin of Ordinary Elements May Soon
lie Re,ealed-Prof. Chandler Rebultes
INV officials for Not welcoming
distinguished Guests-New President.

i,ds and their brethren OF this country who
aro hore 10 attend the convention Of the
societv of Chemical Industry had dinner
a, the Waldorf-Astora last night that was
In many respects a notable gathering. 1t
was made even more so by prediction Of
air william Ramsay, the great English
chemist, that chemistry was on the eve OF
the discovery of the origin of the ordinary
sloments for which it has been striving for
vears The announcement was greeted
with loud and prolonged cheering.
There were nearly 800 at the dinner.
The large ballroom in which it was held
was decorated with the colors Of the United
States, France and Germany, the three
countries in which the society has branches.
In consideration of Sir William and his
compatriots, who form the largest part of
the foreign delegation, the English colors
were entwined with the American flag
over the head table, and two figures of
John Bull and Uncle Sam decorated the
table itself.
Prof Ramsay sat the right OF Prof
Charles +. Chandler, the toastmaster.
Others with him were DR.. Liereich of Berlin,
Prof r. Mohlau Of London, Prof. Ostwad
of Leipzig, DIR. Tyrer Of London, DR.. j. II.
Finley, president of the City College; Give
Bayley. British Consul, and Dr. H. II. Wiley,
head of the Bureau Of Chemistry OF the
Department of Agriculture, and DR.. Hugo
Schweitzer of this city.
On the toast list President Fornes Of the
Board Of Aldermen was down to welcome
the guests. His absence was the cause OF
an announcement by Prof. Chandler, in
which he sounded note of apology for
what it was patent he and other American
chemists present considered disoourtesy
toward the distinguished foreigners on the
part of the city officials in failing to give
any welcome to them.
The Mayor Of this city, would inform
you, said he, speaking in tone that showed
chagrin, lis the head of our city govern
ment. President Fornes is the head OF
our Adermanic body. Neither of them
is here, unfortunately, this evening, al
though both were asked. In fact, / may
saw we asked every one from the Mayor
down to the white wings who sweep Fifth
avenue We have been unable to get one
representing this city of nearly four million
OF people to come here and offer you well
come and 1t devolves upon the society
here in New York to do it for them"
1t was learned that the Mayor had de-
clined on the ground that he would be on a
vacation and that President Fornes had
sent word he had had to go out OF town.
Prof. Chandler introduced Sir William,
who told of some of his wo rk with radium
and with radioactive subst ances. He said
that only recently in an experiment he had
come across new substance which might
possibly be the key of new discoveries.
Then he added:
1t seems to me that we may be on the
eve of the discovery of the origin Of the
ordinary elements, which may be the
products of the breaking down of radio
active elements of high atomic weight
Going on, he said that all that had been
accomplished in the past and might be in
the future tended to promote international
good will
Il hope said he, that we may ever
that America and Great Britain may remain
together in absolute harmony, not under
one government for that is impossible,
but under the same society"
When Prof. Ramsay finished the chemists
waved their napkins and cheered for him.
The ovation seemed to please the English
men, who were numerous. DR.. Wiley
then proceeded in a speech TO tell the for
eigners something about America, which
they are to see more of while on tour.
Then he said:
Now, you will hear our worthy Pres-
dent held up as the Big Stick. the vio-
lator Of the Constitution, and yet, if any one
was to tread on our toes every one who Is
denouncing him to-day would rally to his
support. Don't believe word you hear
when we are talking politics.
you may think that Parker never does
a thing but take bath-that he'd be the
dental chair. Don't believe it. He's al
most as good as | am.
We've quite forgiven you for burn
ing our capital. We've made it much
better since but | want to tell you that
you couldn't do it again
Dr. Wiley's speech was greeted all through
with cheers and outbursts of laughter until
some of the Britishers were almost rolling
out of their chairs He got great cheer
when he sat down.
Prot Erdmond Of the University OF Halle
and Prof. Ostwald also spoke on the inter
national good feeling promoted by the
society. 49, naSs9e<s q
W. H. NICHOLS CHOSEN PRESIDENT.
The annual meeting Of the Society was
held Yesterday afternoon at Columbia
University. An address by Sir William
Ramsay X c. B., Fl FL r; s.. the re- e,
the gold medal Of the society for dis
tinguished services in the field OF chemistry
to IRA Remsen, Phi. D., president of Johns
Hopkins University, were the chief features
OF the gathering.
The first business was the meeting OF the
council of the association in Havemeyer
Hall. William II. Nichols, president Of the
General Chemical Company OF New York
was chosen president OF the society. fTol .
Virgil Coblentz was chosen a member Of
the board of vice-presidents
The report Of the council showed that
the society numbers 4,134 members, of
whom $50 are citizens OF the United
States.
The meeting in the university gymnasium
followed. Prof. Charles F. Chandler Of Col
umbia, in the absence Of President Butler,
welcomed the society to the university. Prof.
Chandler mentioned that Sir William Ram
say the retiring president. had been the
first man nominated for the F. A. p. Barnard
medal at Columbia, given to the man whose
most distinguished services to chemistry
and mankind seemed to warrant it. Through
his co-discoveries with Lord Rayleigh in
srgon the medal was given to him.
In the course of his address Sir William
brought out scheme for an association Of
chemists which should fulfil a double
function, that of giving practical training
Ia future technical chemists and that OF
encouraging invention. He said.
nave wondered il it might not be possible
TO establish training school Tor technical
chemists somewhat on the following lines:
10 start an association having for its object
the encouragement of invention. each mem
her OF which would subscribe n certain sum
for the erection of buildings and plant. There
would need to be number of isolated build
ings and considerable collection OF stock