1. DIVCHAS, our early history
Jay A. Young
12916 Allerton Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904

2. In 1976
Howard Fawcett and Ernest Becker
petitioned the ACS Council
Guided through the red tape
by Herman Mark and Halley Merrell.

3. 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.

4. Professor Becker
An exemplar in the practice of chemical
safety.
Herman Mark
Well-respected, Division-friendly ACS
member.
Halley Merrell
Safety-conscious, high level, ACS staff
member.

5. The petition was approved
“Three years probationary status.”
Howard appointed as Chairman
Eli Pearce Vice-Chairman,
Ernest Becker Secretary
Other executive committee members:
Larry Domeny, George O’Neill, and
Frank Van Atta.

6. ---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.

7. 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.]

8. 125 (approx.) members in 1977,
360 in 1978 513 in 1979.
In 1977 20 papers and 3 symposia
In 1978, 88 papers and 5 symposia
In 1979, 137 papers and 12 symposia
Three books published in the
ACS Symposia series
Short course on safety established
and presented at regional meetings.

9. 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!

10. DANGER! Imminent disaster
Mrs. Hodgson informed the
Council Policy Committee that at
the 1979 National Meeting in
Washington, DC. the Divisional
Activities Committee would so
recommend to the ACS Council.

11. Fortunately, two CHAS spies on the Council
Policy Committee were now fore-warned.
As skilled parliamentarians--a clever counter
action. 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!!

12. 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

13. Acknowledgements:
This report is based in part upon the article by Ruth
Hathaway, “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 the
American Chemical Society, 2002. (The few errors in that
report are corrected here.)
I also wish to thank Frank Walworth, Juanita Hampton, and
Alicia Harris, of the ACS staff who provided me with copies
of pertinent documents used in the preparation of this brief
report.

14. Thank
you
for
your kind
attention!