divchas, our early history

DIVCHAS, our early history

Jay A. Young12916 Allerton Lane

Silver Spring, MD 20904

In 1976Howard Fawcett and Ernest Becker

petitioned the ACS Council

Guided through the red tapeby Herman Mark and Halley Merrell.

Howard Fawcett, P.E. Chairman of the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety He promoted the application of the principles of chemical safety and health: In his writings for the National Safety Council, in his book, co-authored with William Wood, and every day in his contacts with others. Howard was indefatigable.

Professor BeckerAn exemplar in the practice of chemicalsafety.Herman MarkWell-respected, Division-friendly ACSmember.Halley MerrellSafety-conscious, high level, ACS staffmember.

The petition was approved“Three years probationary status.”

Howard appointed as ChairmanEli Pearce Vice-Chairman,Ernest Becker Secretary

Other executive committee members:Larry Domeny, George O’Neill, and

Frank Van Atta.

---Member Recruitment--- Howard was a one-man fire-ball. He persuaded friends to solicit. He talked it up in halls and meeting rooms at Local, Regional and National ACS meetings. He wrote letters inviting interest and membership in the division.

Howard worked tirelessly and imaginatively, coordinating his own ideas with suggestions of others. He planned symposia and solicited papers for national meetings.

[Not until the 1980’s did the division have its first non-invited paper.]

125 (approx.) members in 1977,360 in 1978 513 in 1979.

In 1977 20 papers and 3 symposiaIn 1978, 88 papers and 5 symposia

In 1979, 137 papers and 12 symposiaThree books published in the

ACS Symposia seriesShort course on safety established

and presented at regional meetings.

THE SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION Secretary’s duty: Prepare annual reports-- Dr. Becker -- a very busy fellow. The lack of timely reporting did not go unnoticed. The Divisional Activities Committee instructed Barbara Hodgson, staff associate, to recommend that the Division of Chemical Health and Safety,

be dissolved--- forthwith!

DANGER! Imminent disasterMrs. Hodgson informed the

Council Policy Committee that atthe 1979 National Meeting in

Washington, DC. the DivisionalActivities Committee would so

recommend to the ACS Council.

Fortunately, two CHAS spies on the CouncilPolicy Committee were now fore-warned. As skilled parliamentarians--a clever counteraction. Certain discussions transpired. Glen Seaborg, Gardner Stacy, President of the ACS Warren Falconer, Chairman of the Science Commission.

At the Council meeting, the Council overwhelmingly voted for full active status. HUZZA! HOORAY! SUCCESS!!

For the new Division The DIVCHAS elected officers: Jay Young, Chairman Lawrence Doemeny, Vice-chair Douglas Walters, Secretary Lyle Phifer, Treasurer Ralph Scott, Program chair Howard Fawcett, Councilor Members-at-Large: Emma June Tillmanns Phillip Landis

Acknowledgements:This report is based in part upon the article by RuthHathaway, “Chemical Health and Safety” pages 28-29 in“The American Chemical Society at 125; A Recent History,1976-2001” edited by K. M. Reese, published by theAmerican Chemical Society, 2002. (The few errors in thatreport are corrected here.)

I also wish to thank Frank Walworth, Juanita Hampton, andAlicia Harris, of the ACS staff who provided me with copiesof pertinent documents used in the preparation of this briefreport.

Thank you

for your kind

attention!