Science: Chemistry Pays

The Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation of New York gave $500,000 to the American Chemical Society to found a prize of an annual value of $25,000, to be awarded to the American chemist of either sex who, in a period to be determined, makes the most outstanding contribution to the science of chemistry. This is one of the largest prizes in existence, being outranked only by the Nobel prizes of about $40,000, awarded annually, and the Bok peace prize of $100,000, to be awarded but once. A committee of leading chemists will administer it, including Drs. Edgar F. Smith (Pennsylvania), Ira Remsen (John Hopkins), T. W. Richards (Harvard), C. F. Chandler (Columbia), F. P. Venable (North Carolina).

Simultaneously the American Chemical Society, meeting in Milwaukee, announced a national prize essay contest for high school students, made possible by the generosity of Francis P. Garvan, President of the Chemical Foundation, and Mrs. Garvan, in memory of their daughter Patricia. Six four-year scholarships in chemistry or chemical engineering at Yale or Vassar will be the reward of the boys and girls who submit the best essays before April 1 on certain prescribed chemical subjects. In addition, part of $10,000 will be distributed in $20 prizes to the six highest contestants in each of the 48 states. The contest will be directed by a committee consisting of Harrison E. Howe, Wilder D. Bancroft, Charles H. Herty, and Alexander Williams, Jr.

Mr. Garvan is a New York lawyer who came into national prominence through his administration of the office of Alien Property Custodian during and after the War. He was also Assistant Attorney General of the U. S. In 1919 he became President of the Chemical Foundation, organizedby himself, Attorney General Palmer, and others, to take over a number of German dye and chemical patents seized by his office during the War. On account of this direct interest, the Foundation has been the target of much litigation from the companies whose property was confiscated, but it has not been dissolved, and has devoted much of its activity to the encouragement of American chemistry and the protectionof Uncle Sam’s infant chemical industry from foreign competition.