Needed: More Science Teachers President's cabinet committee on scientific man­

power hears teacher shortage may become more acute ' T H E President's cabinet committee on ·*- scientific manpower got an up-to-

the-minute report last week on a vital subject: the training of scientists and engineers. The report came from a "task force" made up of some of the nation's top manpower experts. Head­ing the task force is James H. Taylor, assistant director for manpower of the Office of Defense Mobilization.

One of the big bottlenecks in science training is the lack of qualified high school teachers, the task force found. The shortage may become even more acute, the group believes, adding that action should be taken now to help re­lieve the shortage. This means that teachers who are teaching now should be encouraged to continue their work, while qualified young people should be given a realistic picture of careers in science teaching.

Instruction in science can be im­proved at both the college and the high school level, according to the task force. Tied in with this factor is the need for more space for instruction, laboratories, and libraries. Industry can help to maintain interest in science by providing summer work for both stu­dents and teachers, it was said.

A big question sometimes overlooked is whether scientists are used properly after they are trained, the task force points out. An increase in the supply of technically trained manpower is can­celled out if these new scientists are used in positions where their training is ι " 1:ttle or no value.

Ί task force also studied the mo­tives of students in career selection, the training of women scientists, fi­nancial aid to students, and methods in reducing student "mortality" in the sciences. The group believes that the Government can help in solving cer­tain manpower problems, bu t it can­not do the job alone. Scientists and their professional societies must bear a major share of the load.

Findings of the task force will be the foundation for studies undertaken by the cabinet-level committee later. The President's committee, established in May, is made up of the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, and Health, Educa­tion, and Welfare, the Assistant Secre­tary of Defense for Manpower, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Com­mission, the director of the National Science Foundation, and the director of ODM, who is the chairman.

The known and potential require­ments for scientists and engineers are among the things the committee will

study. Coupled with this project is a related study aimed at determining the present supply of such personnel. The group also will review the trends in education and training of scientists.

This will not be a strictly "fact-find­ing" committee. It will make some definite suggestions about how the sci­entific manpower situation can be im­proved. Under consideration are such subjects as how to provide financial and other incentives which will increase the numbers of able students in train­ing. The committee also will consider how to encourage action by educational institutions which would accelerate training.

The President's committee believes that more figures are needed about the scientific manpower situation—and that these figures should be disseminated widely to give potential scientists a true picture of requirements and supply. Another phase of the committee's work will be in seeking ways of improving science and engineering teaching. This program would include encouraging the development of an adequate supply of well-trained and competent science teachers, particularly at the secondary school level. Methods of improving teaching facilities would be considered.

Another important subject to be con­sidered is the early recognition of po­tentially competent scientists. Dis­covering these potential scientists is only the first step, according to the committee. Finding out their reasons for wanting to become scientists and encouraging them to pursue scientific training comes next.

In all their studies, the committee will consider quality as well as quan­tity. They recognize that quality is particularly important "when the possi­bility of major scientific breakthroughs is markedly increasing." The group also will give attention to the problems of developing scientists and engineers who have companion skills in adminis­tration and government.

The cabinet-level committee will be a continuing advisory group to the President on matters of scientific man­power. T h e Government has a specific responsibility to follow trends in the development of scientists and engi­neers, committee members maintain. To help measure these trends, the group will run periodic analyses of the supply and demand relationship for scientific personnel. They also will at­tempt to judge how well the United States is doing in its technological race with Russia.

• ACC Atom tests -will be conducted early in 1955, probably in February. New series will be generally similar to others held a t the test site, Nevada Proving Ground. Civil defense and the armed forces also will participate. • Nautilus sea trials will be delayed about three months, says the Navy. De­lay is due to failure of steam pipe dur­ing routine dockside tests. Recheck of all such piping showed it did not meet specifications and hence is being re­placed. • Minerals Test Laboratories to which mineral samples can be sent for identi­fication and special tests to determine their value are listed in a new Bureau of Mines report. Besides giving ap­proximate costs at commercial labora­tories for various tests, the report de­scribes the techniques employed.

Certificates of Necessity From Aug. 26 through Sept. 22 the Office of Defense Mobilization granted

82 certificates of necessity amounting to $43,788,777. Of note is the $25,273 certificate to Rohm and Haas for an emergency bomb shelter. Certificate grand total is now $29,230,237,000 for 19,104 facilities a t an average 60% allowed for rapid depreciation. Items of chemical interest are listed below. N A M E OF COMPANY AND LOCATION OF FACILITIES

Rohm and Haas Bristol, Pa.

The Harshaw Chemical Elyria, Ohio

Bay Petroleum Chalmette, La.

Esso Standard Oil Bayway, N. J. Humble Oil & Refining

Baytown, Tex. Shell Oil

Wood River, Π1. Bell Aircraft

Niagara County, Ν. Υ. Cincinnati Milling Machine Cincinnati, Ohio

Allegany Instrument Cumberland, Md.

Fenwal Ashland, Mass.

PRODUCT OR SERVICE Emergency bomb shelter

Metallic salt crystals Petroleum refining Petroleum refining Petroleum refining Petroleum refining Research development and

production Research and development Scientific instruments

Scientific instruments

AMOUNT CERTIFIED

$ 25,273

125,000 909,725 248,600

5,938,000 1,052,000

635,000 170,000 858,500 327,500 661,718 178,732 201,500

7,649

PERCENTAGE ALLOWED

1 0 0

6 0

6 5 4 0 5 5 4 0 4 0 6 5 1 5 6 5 6 5

6 5

7 0

7 0

V O L U M E 3 2, NO. 42 · · O C T O B E R 18, 1954 4 1 8 7