WALTER J. MURPHY - C&EN Global Enterprise (ACS Publications)

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WALTER J , MURPHY

NEWS DECEMBER Z r 1959 VOL. 37, N O . 4 9 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS 1 1 55 SIXTEENTH ST.t N.W. WASHINGTON 6, D.C. Director of Publications: C. B. Larrabee Ediforial Director: Walter J . Murphy 1943-1959 Executive Editor: James M. Crowe Assistant to the Director of Publications: Joseph H. Kuney CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING NEWS Editorz Richard L. Kenyon Managing Editor: Robert F. G o u l d Assistant Managing Editorz Gordon H . Bixler EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS W A S H I N G T O N 6, D.C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone REpublic 7-3337 Teletype W A 23 News Editor: Ken net H *«"_ Reese Associate Editors: George B. Krantz, David E. Gushee, Ruth C o r n e t t e , A r t h u r Poulos Assistant Editors: Kathryn Campbell, Robert J . Riley, Robert J . Kelley, Donald J. Soisson, Mary Thompson, Richard T . Wtïtch Editorial Assistants: J . Howard Snoke, Pauline J . Fagan layout and Production: Joseph Jacobs (Art Director), (V/lelvin D. Buckner (Art), Betty V. Kieffer, Clarence l_. Rakow, Col lis Campbell, John V . Sinnett BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES C H I C A G O 3, I L L . Room 926 36 South Wabash Ave. Phone STate 2-5148 Teletype C G 725 Associate Editors: Howard J . Sanders, Chester PlaceR Assistant Editor: James H . Krieger

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HOUSTON 2, T E X . 718 Melrose Bldg. Phone FAirfax 3-7107 Teletype H O 72 Associate Editor: Bruce F. Greek Assistant Editor: Earl V . Anderson

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NEW Y O R K 16, N.Y. 2 Park Ave. Phone ORegon 9-1646 Teletype N Y 1-4726 Associate Editors: William Q. H u l l , Harry Stenerson, David W. Klefer, D. Gray Weaver, W a l t e r S. Fedor, Laurence J. W h i t e Assistant Editor: Louis A. Agnello

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SAN FRANCISCO 4, C A L I F . 703 Mechanics' Institute Bldg. 57 Post St. Phone E X brook 2-2895 Teletype 5 F 549 Associate Editor: Richard G . Newhall Assistant Editor: Joseph Sturchio EASTON, PA. 20th and Northampton Sts. Phone BLackburn 8-9111 Teletype ESTN P a 7048 Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Joyce A. Richards Editorial Assistants: Elizabeth R. Rurfe, Barbara A. Conover EUROPEAN OFFICE B u s h H o u s e , Aldwych, London Phone T e m p l e Bar 3605 Cable J I E O H EM Associate Editor: Albert S. Hester Advisory Board: W . O. Baker, R. W. Cairns, Lawrence A. Coleman, C. C. Furnas, John L. Gillis, Lloyd A. Hall, R. E. Huise, Ft. W/_ McNamee, J . E. Magoffin, Theodore) Marvin, C . G . Overb-erger, Glenn T . Seaborg, Jôrsfî C . Sheehan, nans Stauner, Thomas H . Vaughn Advertising Management REINHOLD P U B L I S H I N G C O R P . (For List of Offices s e e p a g e 139) The American Chemical Society assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to its publications. Views expressed i n the editorials arc those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.

Vv ALTER J. M U R P H Y was a vital force in a period w h e n chemical science a n d industry in the U.S. grew from adolescence to manhtood. H e felt that a professional man should accept responsibilities beyond those prescribed b y his title. With such an attitude and a high capacity for work, h e made a great range of contributions. H e c a m e into chemical publishing with a practical background. Work in the rough and tumble of t h e post-World War I industry had given him an understanding of its attitudes and approaches. He vised this understanding in t h e 1930's when h e edited Chemical Industries. There h e began to show his exceptional ability to interpret the significance of events and situations in the chemical world. W h e n he was asked to succeed the late Harrison E. Howe, in 113452, as editor-in-chief of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry and its publication family, he accepted the chance for further growth. HLis feeling for the importance of close, healthy academic-industrial relationships and understanding showed from the beginning. H e was a stimulating influence in the growth of industrially oriented divisions within the ACS. Yet he believed firmly in research as the base for industry's future a n d as a vital nutrient of t h e general welfare. H e regarded chemical scientists and technologists as key men in m o d e r n society. Foreseeing the increased public importance of science, h e saw trie need t o disseminate accurate information. His direction of the American Chemical Society News Service helped build an organisation unexcelled in the scientific world for cooperation with news rrmedia. Walter Murphy's efforts contributed much to the stature of analytical chemists, their ACS division, and the journal, Analytical Cheimistry. He took seriously the n e e d for scientific advances to feed the world's growing population, a n d contributed vigorously in establishing t h e Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, And he saw, many years ago, that the chemical industry would rise to a position of first ra_nk i n our economy. This stimulated his dream of a national weekly newsmagazine serving all areas of chemical science and industry. The modern C H E M I C A L AND ENGINEERING N E W S is the result of that cbrearn. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, the parent of all the other ACS applied publications, was particularly dear to him as the medium for conveying scientific and engineering knowledge as it affects industry. Advances in Chemistry was conceived under his leadership «as a n instrument for publishing collections of papers on a single sirbject, which otherwise might become widely scattered a n d less useful. In the past few years he was able to see another of his forward looking efforts bear fruit in the field of international technical reporting. A campaign of many years led t o a European office for the applied publications. T h e stature gained there was indicated when Dr. Murphy was invited to address the directors of the German society of chemiical industry last summer—the first American so honored. Forthright editing opens the gates to controversy. But Walter Murphy could weigh the emotion or bias in a controversy. This kept u n d i m m e d his talent for fresh approaches. His powers of analysis of practical problems salvaged many worthy ideas. Integrity, responsibility, and leadership were foundations of his editorial policies, which he believed should b e designed for the benefit of the readers. These a n d his devotion to service were cemented into a working philosophy. The cement was a h u m a n warmth that nourished d e e p loyalty7 in his colleagues and strong friendship amozng a n extraordinary r a n g e of people. The man's true value is best known to his wife a n d family. The devotion within t h e Murphy family was both a reflection and a source of his strength. Second only t o that was his feeling for his staff; hie had the d e e p affection and high esteem of all who worked with hLrn. Walter J. Murphy was the inspiration for work that will continue to draw on that inspiration far beyond the lives of those who k n e w him. Thus d o men achieve a measure of immortality on the human scene.