INAUGURAL MEETING OF BRITISH SECTION 143 "I have not, by the way, selected these names in any spirit of dis- crimination or partisanship, but only because most of the gentlemen concerned will be familiar to many of you here as writers of material that has proved useful and stimulat- ing to you in your work. These names are merely typical of the general quality and caliber of the Society, which in this country, and on this occasion, can also boast of several distinguished members-- who incidentally provide a strong nucleus for the newly formed British Section. "I will leave to Dr. Taylor the task of referring to the general ob- jects of the Society, but I cannot refrain at this stage from quoting some of the very pertinent observa- tions of Dr. Klarmann, 1947 Presi- dent of the Society, on the Qualifica- tions of the Cosmetic Chemist: "'For the benefit of those who are not sufficiently aware of a cosmetic chemist's qualifications (Dr. Klar- mann states) one might point out that, in the first place, he must have a good acquaintance with the several branches of chemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, colloidal, and analytical, since in his active work he deals continually with materials and procedures relating to these branches. In addition to this he must possess some knowledge of chemical engineering in order to be able to translate, or to assist in translating, the results of his labora- tory efforts in terms of large-scale production. He must be on speak- ing terms with physics, e.g., in con- nection with spectroscopy in the visible and ultra-violet regi6ns, as well as in other chapters. He must be somewhat of a pharmacologist and toxicologist in order to form an intelligent conclusion as to the safety and efficacy of the materials considered as components of his formulations. He must have a smattering of dermatology in order to follow the discourses of this branch of a medical specialty, where they concern themselves with the effects of cosmetics and of their ingredients upon the skin .... A good cosmetic chemist has every reason to be proud of his profession by virtue of his training, his exper- ience, his versatility, and his over- all intelligence in applying himself to the multitudinous problems re- lating to his specialty. For the same reason it behooves him to be jealous of his professional standing'. "The cosmetic chemist and the perfumer, as pointed out by Dr. Klarmann and others, not forgetting my good friend Dr. Sebastian Sabe- tay, Editor of L'Industrie de la Parfumerie, are engaged in work of a rather highly specialized scientific and technical character. And it is precisely because of this increas- ingly specialized outlook that they have come to require a common meeting ground and a common basis for the exchange and stimula- tion of ideas. The Society of Cos- metic Chemists is their own attempt to put the discussion of their pro- fessional and general technical prob- lems on a sound and practical basis. A study of the by-laws readily re-

144 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS veals the fact that the Society keeps well within the scope of ethical pro- fessional practice and does not in any way attempt to usurp the func- tions of other professional or trade bodies. It has its own mission to fulfill and its own standards to maintain. "Some emphasis should, I think, be placed on the fact that this link- up with the American body is defi- nitely intended to be a free associa- Dr. Walter Taylor, President, addressing the British Section in London. tion of equals, and not a mere sub- ordinated affiliation. The British Section will not be overshadowed by authority: it will preserve its own character and its own autonomy. This liberal attitude has been fre- quently stressed by our American associates, who wisely consider that the Section should make its own arrangements within the general framework of the Society, even to the point, if and when desirable, of suggesting to the American group that the framework itself be modi- fied. In other words, they are hoping that we shall become a really ,. active part of the Society, running our own affairs and making our own arrangements regarding the pay- ment of fees and all other internal matters. "This freedom of action is, I feel, essential to the proper development of the British Section. We should not be forgetful, nevertheless, of the debt of gratitude that we owe to our American colleagues for all the really hard work that they have carried out in order to make such an easy start possible for us. "The main purpose of this meet- ing is, as I have said, to announce the formation of the British Section. An important secondary purpose is to increase the membership. To that end a number of copies of the Society's JouaNAn, two or three copies of the by-laws, and a few dozen membership application forms are today available. In connection with these, and with all aspects of the Society's current membership, policy, and activities--questions will later be cordially invited from the body of the hall." Mr. Wells then formally intro- duced Dr. Walter Taylor, the So- ciety's President, to the meeting. THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH "It is an honor and privilege," Dr. Taylor began, "to be present at the inaugural meeting of the British Section of the Society of Cosmetic