The Washington herald., 1921-09-29
SHOULD LOCAL SCIENTIFIC
SOCIETIES. FEDERATEf

tific and engineering societies. thar
are either branches Of national or
ganizations or are fourishing local
bodies
Has the point been reached in the
development of this phase OF sclen-
the Washington when an all-In-
elusive federation of these orgsnI-
zations is desirable?
This question. worded differently.
perhaps. has been discussed during
the past year. The situation now
may be summarized as follows:
Fourteen Of the scientific ana en-
Cineering societies OF Washington
are now affiliated with the Wash
ington Academy OF Sciences. which
since its organization in 1885 has
been for Washington what the Ma
tonal Academy Of Sciences has
been for the country at large. This
utilization has resulted in the hold
ing OF joint meetings. the publica-
tion OF a journal. and the issuing
of red book" or membership di-
rectory every two years. as wei as
I consideration by a representative
board Of managers Of problems af-
fecting scientific Washington.
The question Of federatinr the
technical or engineering orEanlza-
tions Of the city was brought up al
meeting on June 9 OF this wear
that was called by the Washington
branch OF the American Society Of
Mechanical Engineers. and attended
by representatives Of the local
engineering societies. At this meet
ing. and a subsequent meeting. the
NJ nagNk
ing a larger organization OF enr,-
neers and technical men. using an
existing organization as a nucleus.
was discussed. Further plans Of
this project are awaiting the be-
ginning OF fall activities. The idea
as outlined at the meeting conterr--
plated an orGa with rooms
and library. similar TO the erri-
neers' clubs Of other cities. The
Washington Society OF Engineers
was suggested as the nucleus or
ganization. This society also has
had a committee considering the en-
larCement Of its scope.
Editorially. The Herald pointed
out the possibilities Of local scien-
tiic cooperation on February 10.
In this column OF June .. the fol-
.
GRAFTON were made:
The original fourteen societies.
OF the Washington Academy. the
engineering organizations Of the
city and a gathering in Of the other
local scientific ORGANIZATIONS. would
make a federation that would sur
pass the united scientific clubs q
other cities. Then add the posi-
bilities OF the participation OF na-
tional organizations with Washing
ton headquarters or branches such
as the National Research council.
the American Engineering Coungl.
the American Chemical Society. aud
the American Association Of EnEi-
neers. and the project OF a science
home does not appear impossible.
The superorganization should
take in the biologist. the geoiocist.
the chemist and the physicist as
well as the various varieties az en-
gineers. The engineer needs % mix
with the scientist. and the scientist
with the engineer. IL you can dis
tinguish vigorously between them
Both work in Science with a cap
ital s. And the more who can be
interested and aid in a federation
Of scientific and technical societies.
the bigger and better will he this
chamber OF commerce OF scientists
and engineers.
"overdeveloped pride in indlvidna!
organizations or groups Of organl-
zations should not stand in the way
with their separate identities ana
freedom of action protected. they
can federate to mutual adNaria-t.
In the hope OF crystallizinc the
feeling on this matter and bfln.
i ing out the possibilities Of a ted-
Grafton, IL is desired to publish IN
this column representative state
ments from those who are inter-
ested in scientific and technical or
4 gsnization here. These must pe
shorter than 500 words, the more
concise the better
These questions might he sns-
gested:
1. Is a federation desirable
4 2. Should federation in'!uoe
both scientific and engineering or
ranizations. or should tho 'ncih-
GERS Of different varieties nav
their own federation without r
gard to the more scientific organ"
xations7
\ 3. Can the Washington NcaSel''
of Sciences be enlarged into '"'
federation?
4, should a federation look %,
ward a building with Offices a.
assembly hall. or should II or
bring the various societies t'se'se
for discussion Of mutual rroh''."
CT the holding OF Joint meetings.
i s. Should a federation be NIUE
up Of the existing societies.
should n also have indiNidual
memberships?
With or without federato
The Herald's scientific column daily
will continue 20 bring together ana
report notices and happenings
WashInRton's scientific meeting
and make them available 10 all IN
terested.
Before the war very little indus
trial alcohol was used in this coun
try Production on a large sea-
was begun TO supply the needs
munition makers. and now the an
nual production OF denatured ano
hol exceeds so,oo0,ooo gallons
A four-foot seam OF coal contain
Il erough ammonium sulphate TO Ter
i tiiise the land above it for NOR
'AAh' ''' years w. D.