Abstract
IN his presidential address to the Society of Chemical Industry (Chemistry and Industry, July 12, 1941), Prof. J. C. Philip outlined the history of recent efforts made by chemists to bring order and co–operation into their ranks by the formation of some kind of federal union. These efforts began at the close of the War of 1914–18, at the instigation of the late Lord Moulton, and are still continuing. So far they have had little result, and their recapitulation would have little interest except to chemists and possibly to other professional men who desire to substitute co–operation for extreme individualism and laisser–faire. Sectionalism, as Prof. Philip says, has undoubtedly been a determining factor in the want of success, but another, not mentioned by him, has been inability to choose the right type of leader, a defect which seems to be common in many democratic organizations. A learned professor, however brilliant in his own special field, will fail unless he possesses the power of influencing other men's minds, and his failure may lead to the emergence of the self–appointed type of leader who has a gift for oratory, that harlot of the arts, et prceterea nihil.
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The Profession of Chemistry. Nature 148, 136–137 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148136b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148136b0