New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-07
HONORED BY CHEMISTS
Sir William Perkin Guest at Dinner
Celebrating Coal Tar Anniversary.

Besides receiving CONGRATULATIONS from four hun
dred chemists last night at tho dinner at Del
monicos celebrating the fftieth anniversary Of the
beginning of the coal tar industry. Sir William
Henry Perkin received several more material
things. The chemists gathered from all over the
country honor the British scientist. Dr. William
II. Nichols presented the first impression OF the
Perkn medal TO Sir William. A massive silver tea
set. suitably incribed. the gift of the American
chemists. presented by Adolph KuttroT, while
the American Chemical Society. through its presi-
dent. DR.. William Francis Hillebrand. presented an
honorary membership in that body Nearly all the
guests at the dinner were chemists-professiOnalo or
amateur. Senator McCarren was there He spent
most OF his time in earnest conversation with Con
troller Metz The Senator left the hall before the
speechmaktng. his interest in chemistry apparently
not extending beyond its relation to food
Professor c. F. Chandler presided. After stand
ing toast to President Roosevelt King Edward VII
ana the German Emperor. President MCGOWAN OF
the BOARD OF Aldermen welcomed Sir William in
the name of Mayor Mcclellan and the city
DIR. Hugo Schweitzer then spoke of the fnsuA7cs
OF Sir Williams great discovery on chemistry lie
told how coal tar products now dyed everything
from the Coney Island frankfurter to the 'rnahoE-
any piano He spoke at length on the great in
nuence OF the discovery OF methyIene in the medi-
cal world and in the meteorological laboratory
In presenting the first impression of the Perkn
medal TO Sir William DR.. Nichols said the medal
henceforth would be presented every year TO the
american chemist making the greatest progress in
chemical research
Adolph Kuttroff who presented the silver tea set
was one OF the pioneers in introducing coal tar
colors TO American dyers The tray bore the
chemical symbols of many other coal products
The certificate of honorary membership in the
American Chemical Society then presented
by DR.. Hillebrand. who made eulogstic speech
he made the presentation.
AS Sir William stood up TO respond, not only TO
DR.. Hillebrand. but to the other speakers, Mr. Nc
Gowan called for three cheers for Sir William
wTe gTsa of ana nsp
rnaa and his lack of stature is made more notice
work in more than half century of LABORATORY re-
search His nair, though white. is thick and long
vigor.
He said this mis- first visit to this country IN
twenty-five years: On his last visit he made tour
OF the Eastern cities Of this country and Canada
warm friendship he told OF how he came to be
His father he said. was fairly wel-to-do build
er, who wished him TO become an architect He
Wsbe ea at ne 1a a t some dese 70 follow hs ]
chiefly through lack Of material. A few months
later he read some stories of chemical discoveries
and the romance of chemistry made such a strong
be chemist His father opposed this but finally
granted him his desire to study the fascinating
rnauve, the initial discovery that revolutionized
medical research
:. Nicholas Murray Butler president of Columbls
express dogmatic opinions on any subject and too
ready to follow the dogmatic opinion Of those who
know nothing all about any subject. In ending
he paid high tribute Sir William ''the simple
and dignihed illustration Of what ought 10 be-
The Rev. DR.. S. Parkes Cadman regretted that
he could not wear the mauve because he was not
bishop. He spoke OF his early life at Oxford, and
said that when boy he had Darwin. On be
half Of the Church he extended welcome to Sir
William.
Among those present we're Professor Schumacher
of the University of Bonn; H. H. Rogers. Commits
sioner Woodbury., Professor H ". Wiley. Presi-
dent Henry w; Prttchett Of the Carnegie Fou1da-
James speyer. Sir Percy sanderson, Commissioner
Darlington, Ira Remsen President Johns Hopkins;
Professor Nernst. OF the University of Berlin
Jacob H. Schiff and Frederick L. Allen. Commits
sioner OF Patents and President Finley the Col
lege Of the City of New York.