COMMERCIAL

STANDARDS

MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS OF THE

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - v v v v WASHINGTON, D. C., U. S. A.

Vol. 6, No. 2 AUGUST, 1929

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. See page 3 of cover for prices
Lyman J. Briggs

Assistant Director for Research and Testing

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. Lamont, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

George K. Burgess, Director

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

S. F. Tillman, Editor

Ray M. Hudson

Assistant Director for Commercial Standards

DIVISIONS OF THE COMMERCIAL STANDARDS GROUP

DIVISION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE, Edwin W. Ely.

The division of simplified practice was formed in November,

1920, to provide a clearing house or centralizing agency through

which the manufacturer, distributor, and consumer groups

could meet to discuss their common problems and decide upon

eliminations which would prove of mutual benefit to all concerned. The activities of the division are purely cooperative

in character. It orders nothing; it dictates nothing; the ini- tiative must come from business itself. It has no regulatory nor police powers to enforce adherence to the simplified-practice

recommendations that industry develops under the auspices

of the United States Department of Commerce. Its chief function is to serve as a neutral meeting ground for the purpose

of bringing together producers, distributors, and consumers, whose aims are sometimes divergent and possibly antagonistic,

and who would be unwilling to cooperate, except through some

unbiased central agency. Following the approval of the tentative simplified-practice recommendation by a general conference

of all interested elements thereof, the project is then presented

to the entire industry by letter referendum for its approval and

written acceptance, the publication and indorsement of the recommendation on the part of the Department of Commerce

being dependent upon acceptance of the program by at least 80 per cent, by volume, of the manufacturers, distributors, and

users concerned. AMERICAN MARINE STANDARDS COM’TEE, A.V. BOUILLON. The American Marine Standards Committee was organized

to promote simplification of practice and elimination of waste

in the marine and allied industries. It is composed of indi- viduals, corporations, societies, Government departments, public bodies, or other organizations or groups engaged in building

or operating ships, port facilities, and related activities. It works in close cooperation with official agencies, but its activities are controlled by an executive board elected annually

by and from the membership. For further information, write

direct to the secretary, A. V. Bouillon, Room 713, Department

of Commerce, Washington, D. C. DIVISION OF TRADE STANDARDS, 1. J. Fairchild.

The commercial standards unit, now known as division of trade standards, was created on October 1, 1927, for the purpose

of aiding those industrial and commercial groups desiring to establish standards of grades, quality, or measurements for their products or their purchases on a purely voluntary basis. The division functions only at the direct request of the in- dustry concerned. Its procedure is similar to that of the divi sion of simplified practice, except that at least 65 per cent of the industry, by volume of annual production, must accept

the commercial standard in writing before it is published by

the Department of Commerce. A certification plan is applied

DIVISION OF TRADE STANDARDS—Continued. on request as a means of increasing the effectiveness of such

standards. Provision is made for regular revision of the standard

through the appointment of a standing committee to consider

periodically any necessity for revision of the standard, in order

that it may be kept constantly compatible with progress in the

industry.

DIVISION OF SPECIFICATIONS, A. S. McAllister.

The duties of the division of specifications are to promote and

facilitate the use and unification of specifications. In doing so

it carries on activities involving cooperation with technical

societies; trade associations; Federal, State, and municipal Government- specifications making and using agencies; producers, distributors, and consumers; and testing and research

laboratories. The cooperation with technical societies and

trade associations includes ascertaining the standardization

and specification promoting activities of these organizations,

and bringing to their attention the work being done by the commercial standards group. The cooperation with producers

involves the compilation of lists of manufacturers who have

expressed their willingness to certify to purchasers that materials supplied by them comply with the requirements and tests of certain United States Government master specifications or commercial standards. The division prepares the directories of governmental and nongovernmental testing laboratories; the

directory of specifications; and is working on an encyclopedia

series of specifications, of which “Standards and Specifications

in the Wood-Using Industries” is the first volume which has been issued. It also aids in preparing the Standards Yearbook.

BUILDING AND HOUSING DIVISION, J. S. Taylor.

The division of building and housing cooperates with business, technical, and professional groups in practically all its undertakings on building and housing. Its work to modernize

building codes and to encourage improved standards for the

quality of building construction promotes the practical application of the latest development in design and use of build- ing materials. This division was also formed in 1921. In furthering home ownership, an effort is made to develop an enlarged, steadier, more intelligent, and more discriminating

demand for soundly built dwellings, the largest single class of buildings which the construction industries provide. The

division also cooperates with many business and professional groups in efforts to distribute building activity more evenly

throughout the year, and to secure less fluctuation from year

to year. The work on city planning and zoning has in mind

the broad objective of buildings made more useful because

well located with respect to other buildings, a well-coordinated

street system, and appropriate public works. Good city

planning and zoning likewise encourages stability in land

values and property uses, and thereby contributes to the demand for durable structures.

Except where otherwise indicated, for further information address

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

WASHINGTON, D. €.
COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

Volume 6 WASHINGTON, D. C., AUGUST 15, 1929 Number 2

CONTENTS

Page

Correcting engine tests for humidity 35

Detecting by precision measurements 36

Studies on firing of pottery may result in savings 38

Industry developed three new simplifications in second

quarter of 1929 38 One hundred and two marine standards effected to date- 41 To standardize on lower bumpers 42

Activities in trade standardization 42 Asphalt association gets out seven new standards 43 Trends in small-house design outlined to realtors 44

Building and plumbing codes 45 Government specifications now known as “Federal

specifications” 45

Facilitating the use of nationally recognized specifications - 45 Cooperative relations of American standards association and the Bureau of Standards in reference to commercial standards 49

Page

First American standards association board of directors organized 1 50 Standard terms eliminate waste 51 Technical and practical trends in construction 53 North European producers propose standardized moldings 55 Recent changes in bureau 55

Feel lack of standardization 55

Wood-utilization program shows progress .... 55

Industrial organizations 56 Develops method for preparing gas-free liquids 56 Concrete reinforcing bars tested 56

Steel rail stresses believed well within endurance limit. _ 57

Realtors are urged to eliminate waste 57 Screw thread standards comprise two series of threads.. 57 Turning with shallow cuts at high speed 58

CORRECTING ENGINE TESTS FOR HUMIDITY

Automobile engines are like humans in many ways,

among these being that when the weather is humid, or “muggy,” they also are inclined to loaf on the job.

Tests made by an automobile company, on a 1-cylinder

engine, demonstrated this; more recent tests made by

the Bureau of Standards on a well-known type of

6-cylinder engine confirm the previous results. The

loss of power due to humidity is found to be directly proportional to the amount of moisture contained in the air. This does not necessarily mean that the engine has

less power when it is raining, as it is quite possible to have more moisture in the atmosphere on a hot,

“muggy” day, with no rain, than on a cooler rainy

day. In other words, the loss of power is proportional,

not to the relative, but to the absolute humidity.

During the hot summer days, the loss of power

between a very dry day and a very humid day may be

as large as 10 per cent. One of the reasons why this

loss of power with humidity usually is not noticed is that power is dependent on other factors, principally

atmospheric pressure and temperature. It frequently

happens that a change in one of these factors balances

a change in another factor. Other effects of high humidity are to decrease detonation, enrich the mixture,

and, in effect, to retard the spark advance. All of

these effects tend to give smoother operation.

(35) 63945—29 1
DETECTING BY PRECISION MEASUREMENTS

By Dr. Wilmer Souder, Bureau of Standards

Scientific identification of criminals through precision methods of measurement and comparison has

been the subject of exhaustive investigation in an

effort to assist in combating the widespread crime wave.

Scientific precision in crime detection has long been

practiced by the police of London, Paris, and Berlin,

but due to lack of standards the American authorities

have not been able to take full advantage of the most

modern methods.

Identifications by comparisons have been made

with more or less success for centuries. The application of precision-measurement methods for these

purposes is of recent origin and is not generally understood. This lack of understanding of the principles

upon which the science is based is responsible for the

confusion which sometimes results in evidence introduced in courts of law.

We are so accustomed to the usual methods of

description which are only approximate, and because

of these approximations are susceptible of no precise

interpretations, that we fail to appreciate the extreme

accuracy of identifications made possible by precision

measurements. When we say we are looking for a man 6 feet tall, of rather heavy build, with dark hair,

with a scar on one hand, and with some gold teeth we

should not be surprised to find thousands of citizens

of the United States who meet the description. If we

increase the precision of the description to a man

72^/2 inches tall, weighing 207 pounds, index finger

of left hand amputated at the second joint and with

gold crowns on left cuspid and right bicuspids, we may

feel sure that comparatively few men in the entire

country will meet the specifications, and thus our field of search is conveniently reduced.

The justification for this definite conclusion of

positive identification is based on the “law of probability.” Briefly and in nontechnical terms this law

is interpreted from the fraction which represents the

ratio of the number of times a specific characteristic

appears divided by the maximum number of appearances possible, and for two or more characteristics

appearing simultaneously the probability ratio is represented by the product of the individual fractions.

The Bureau of Standards has taken up the problems

of identification of written and typewritten documents,

signatures, guns, bullets, etc., in an effort to establish

standards for these classes of work. There are a few

experts who made identifications in a logical and

precise manner, but there are many so-called experts

who recognize no limitations, no standards, and no equipment as essential in this field. The instruments which are now generally recognized

as essential for satisfactory results are the products of

years of effort on the part of men who have been

actively engaged in this work and who have recognized

the value of increased precision in making comparisons

of data available for identifications. In each instance

the positiveness of identification increases with the

number of agreeing characteristics, the narrower limits

of measurement, and the increase in precision measurements. When, if ever, these ideal conditions are established there will be fewer conflicting expert

opinions.

Precision measurements are the primary standards

for identifications of questioned documents. The

typewritten page may, at first glance, appear to be

a perfect piece of work and not susceptible to analysis

of numerous individual characteristics which will prove it to be, beyond question of doubt, the product

of one and only one certain machine. Type styles

and characteristics distinguishes one make of machine

from another. Manufacturers using similar styles of

type usually differ in dimensional proportions of the

individual letters. For example the (i) is given the same space as the w in the typewritten document,

and it is the problem of the artist to design these and

other letters in such manner as to minimize what

could easily appear to be excessive crowding or isola- tion of type in the printed work. The modification

of letters to avoid these defects gives the first opportunity for precision measurements.

In type made from the same model, or formed

against the same die, we may look for defects or lack

of all details of perfection over the lines of the letter

face. The process of plating and polishing may add

defects. The surer source of identification, however,

lies in the adjustments of the type on the bars after the machine has been completely assembled. Some

letters will be placed high and some low in the line, some will be rotated and some will make contact on

one portion of the face before the other portion hits

the paper. Adjustments for minimizing these discrepancies are made by inspectors who usually reduce

them to apparent uniformity in so far as the unaided

eye is able to judge.

The variations are all susceptible to precision meas- urements which, when made and compared with

measurements from other machines, will usually dis- close 5 to 10 characteristics sufficient to establish the

identity of the machine which produced the document—the product of probability of there existing

two machines which will produce documents having

all the characteristics specified. For the number of

agreements given above and in the absence of unexplained disagreement the ratio usually reduces below

the ratio for the number of machines in existence and,

therefore, justifies the conclusion of identity.
37

The excellence of this type of evidence arises from

the consistency of the variations; the evidence speaks

from every line of the document and barring a few

readily explainable variations there are no contradictions. Attempts at destroying these “beacon

lights of evidence” through mutilation are seldom

successful, as to do so would require a perfect analysis

of all defects in the machine and facilities for this type

of analysis are limited.

Here, as in all fields of metrology, the value of

measurement depends upon the precision of the instruments and the ability of the user. Inaccuracies in either render the results of little value. Exports in

this field usually design their own types of measuring

instruments and assemble numerous specimens of typewriting from which they draw conclusions as to what

constitutes proof of identity.

The identification of handwriting has many points

of similarity to the identification of typewriting, to which may or may not be added the feature of attempted

disguise. The style of script, the slope, size, and relations

of parts of lettei’s, the methods of handling the pen

or pencil are important. The absence of consistency

and the glaring discrepancies in attempted disguise are

readily separated from the parts which show the true handwriting features characteristic of the individual.

Expertness in this field necessitates the acquisition of many qualities of art which are difficult, if not impossible, of specification as belonging to any one particular

phase of precision measurement. Experts develop an

art which can not be transmitted by instruction. It may be acquired by those who have talents in this field and who are willing to put forth the efforts necessary

to master the fundamentals. The author has witnessed

methods of procedure and displays of results by experts

and is convinced of the correctness of these conclusions.

Ballistic identifications have for their purpose the answer to the question: From what gun was a certain

bullet fired? There is often a further question of identifying a case or shell as having been fired in the same gun. Evidence from measurements of guns,

bullets, and shells have at present, in many instances,

relatively little weight in courts of law except in their

general confusion of juries and the development of “a

reasonable doubt.” This is to a large measure due to the amateurish and incomplete methods pursued by

many so-called experts. Properly prepared data on guns and bullets are often unique fix the conclusiveness

of identifications and often possess definite supei'iority over what is classed as direct visual evidence. The

points of superiority consist of the following: (a) The

markings are definite and can not make false or per- jured statements, (b) There is no limit to the time

available for studying the case, (c) The mental state

of the observer need not be confused as is so often the

case in visual observations of murders, etc. (d) The

findings are available to all parties interested and wishing to verify the conclusions.

The make of a gun is sometimes available from the

gross markings on the bullet. Measurements of the

land and groove widths, and depths, diameters, and

twist markings of the barrel give data for the identification of the make of gun. Further progress must be

made from the characteristic markings which arise

from imperfections in manufacture of baiTel or breech

mechanism. Rifling cutters do not have smooth

edges. These tools wear with each cut and the small

saw-tooth-like projections along the cutting edge produce a constantly changing pattern in the barrel. Bullets pressed against this surface will take these

markings and retain them to a remarkable degree even

after the penetration of many relatively hard materials.

Rust spots and injuries to the inner surface of the

barrel provide additional marks of identification.

Firing pin and breech markings on shells are equally

positive when the shells are available for comparisons.

Briefly, the method of identification consists in

comparing these characteristic markings on the questioned bullet or shell with the markings on a test bullet or shell fired through the gun in test. These tests are most satisfactory when made through a comparison

microscope of the type perfected by the late Charles E.

Waite and by Col. Calvin Goddard, of New York,

N. Y. Images of the questioned and test bullets or

shells from two microscopes, each focused on a bullet or

shell, ai'e combined in a single eyepiece. These images

may be caused to make contact with each other at cor- responding positions over the surfaces being examined.

Usually there will be a few lines on one surface which

do not have their counterparts on the other. These

correspond to fouling marks, pieces of metal or powder,

rust cavities, etc., which have developed between the

two shots in question. Experience shows these to be

not contradictory, but properly regarded as further

proof of the constant changes taking place with use. Incidentally these accidental changes should not be

expected to render two guns more nearly uniform, but

rather, by virtue of their promiscuity, to render them

more divergent and individualistic in their markings.

The identity is established thi’ough the agreement of

the numerous fine markings present, the agreement of

all major markings and the absence of disagreements

beyond those which may be ignored from the conditions mentioned above.

Bullets deformed by impacts with bones or other

substances require special study, as the dimensions of

markings can not be expected to agree precisely with

dimensions taken from the gun or from undistorted test

bullets. Skill in this field requires ability in the use

of the microscope and in the ability to make precision

measurements of diameter, angle, and width of nxarkings.

Visual and photographic evidence must be complete

and readily understood if it is to be of value in evidence.

Eventually it is predicted that this method of identification will be standardized and will furnish one of our most reliable means of identification.
38

STUDIES ON FIRING OF POTTERY MAY RESULT IN SAVINGS

Because of the heavy losses sustained annually by

the ceramic pottery industry on account of the comparatively short life of the average sagger, the Bureau

of Standards, is conducting an investigation, the ulti- mate purpose of which is to determine those properties

which affect the life of the sagger. (Pottery, to be

successfully fired and glazed, is usually placed in heatresistant containers known as saggers before being

placed in the furnace for firing. These prevent the

flames and soot present in the kiln from harming the

ware.)

The majority of pottery is fired at temperatures over 1,000° C. (1,832° F.), which is above a bright

cherry red heat, and it is essential to know what effect the stresses from heating and cooling have on sagger

bodies. Saggers are usually made from suitable mixtures of one or more clays and grog crushed to pass

sieves of certain sized openings. The grog as a rule

is prepared from broken or discarded saggers. In

order to determine what properties might cause the

saggers to crack or fail in service, a study has been made

of two series of saggers fired at 1,230° C. (2,246° F.)

and 1,270° C. (2,318° F.). Two clays and a mixture

either of coarse or of fine graded grog were used in the

mix for these bodies. The data resulting from the

tests to which 39 different bodies were subjected indi- cate that sagger bodies having high strength, but

properties that enable considerable yielding under

stress, combined with low expansion from heating,

crack the less. The coarse-textured bodies resist failure from heat shock to a considerably greater degree

than do the fine-textured bodies.

INDUSTRY DEVELOPED THREE NEW SIMPLIFICATIONS IN SECOND QUARTER OF 1929-

14 PROGRAMS NOW OUT FOR ACCEPTANCE

During the second quarter of this year, three new

simplified practice recommendations were completed

by industry, under the auspices of the division of

simplified practice, bringing the total for the fiscal year to 12. The various industries have now promulgated, through the Department of Commerce, a total of 98 completed recommendations. Fifteen recommendations, of which one is a regional recommendation, are now in process of acceptance by manufacturers, distributors, and users. The introduction of regional recommendations is a further development of the division’s effort to cooperate with American business. Hitherto the work has

been confined to projects which from their inception were national in scope. It has, however, become

increasingly evident that the division of simplified

practice has a large field of service in assisting to develop programs covering only a part of the country.

For the present it has been decided to limit the development of regional recommendations to (a) natural

products or commodities and ( b ) programs which hold

a definite promise of ultimate development into

national recommendations.

During the quarter, standing committees of the

respective industries conducted surveys and later reviewed a total of nine simplified practice recom- mendations under the auspices of the division. The

average degree of adherence was very satisfactory,

having been determined as 89.81 per cent. In addition

to these nine, six other industries took action, through

their respective committees, in reaffirming their particular recommendations. The action taken, however, was not supported by factual surveys, and no estimate

of the degree of adherence is available.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1929, a total of 41 recommendations received consideration by their

respective standing committees. Compared with the

previous fiscal year, in which 38 recommendations

were reviewed, the number was increased by 3. The

average degree of adherence was 3 per cent less for the

present fiscal year than it was for the previous one. This decrease, however, was due to the increased

number of recommendations reviewed rather than lack

of conformity on the part of industry.

HOSPITAL PLUMBING FIXTURES

The Simplified Practice Recommendation for Hospital Plumbing Fixtures, which was adopted on May

22 at the Department of Commerce by a general conference of plumbing-fixture manufacturers, hospital

officials, architects, and other interests, is now before

the industry for acceptance. The recommendation as adopted establishes a simplified list of dimensions and

types of plumbing fixtures for hospital use. It is the

general belief that this recommendation, if accepted

and wholeheartedly adhered to by those concerned,

will tend to eliminate the constant calls from hospitals

for fixtures varying slightly from standard products

which cost the manufacturers more to produce than

they can reasonably charge and cost the hospitals more to buy than the results justify.

TIGHT COOPERAGE (BARRELS AND KEGS)

Acceptances of the simplified practice recommendation recently adopted for tight cooperage and tight

cooperage stock are being received at a very satisfactory rate. The recommendation becomes effective
39

July 1 , 1930, for new production, subject to annual

revision by a representative standing committee of the

industry. The adoption of this recommendation

resulted in a reduction from 20 different capacities or

sizes for tight barrels to 8 standard sizes and from

approximately 122 different dimensions for staves and

heading to 8 standard dimensions for cooperage stock.

It is expected this constructive simplification program

will result in many economies and benefits to manufacturers, distributors, and users of tight barrels and

kegs.

BUFFING WHEELS

At the request of the simplified practice committee

of buffing-wheel manufacturers the division has just

circularized a list of GOO users for their views regarding

the standardization of diameters of buffing wheels with

the view of formulating a simplified list of sizes for

discussion and adoption at a subsequent general conference of all interests. Recent investigations of the

simplified practice committee brought out the fact

that the adoption of certain diameters as standard

would result in a marked elimination of wasteful

cutting of sheeting out of which buffs are made.

LUGGAGE

Acting upon the cordial invitation received from the

National Luggage Dealers Association, the division has

arranged for a preliminary conference of the officials of

that association, with the officials of the Trunk,

Luggage, and Leather Goods Manufacturers of America, and others interested, to meet in New York City on August 16, 1929, to discuss the subject of standardization of luggage sizes. The National Luggage

Dealers’ Association has worked out a list of suggested

sizes for wardrobe trunks, dress trunks, steamer trunks,

women’s suit cases, tourists cases, Pullman cases, and round-edge hat boxes. It has been suggested by

several leaders in the luggage industry that a general

conference be held under the cooperative auspices of

the division of simplified practice to formally adopt a

list of recommended sizes to go into effect January 1, 1930. The matter of a general conference and suitable date for such a meeting will be decided upon at the preliminary conference, on August 16. CARBONATED BEVERAGE BOTTLES

The variety survey covering data on diameter,

height, capacity, and weight of glass for carbonated

beverage bottles has just been completed, and at the

request of the joint simplified practice committee the

division of simplified practice is preparing a consolidated report based on the figures furnished by the

manufacturers showing the volume of production on

the various types now in use. The report will be used

by the joint committee in working out a tentative

simplified list of sizes, capacities, etc., for consideration at a general conference to be held sometime this

fall under the cooperative auspices of the division of

simplified practice.

ICE-CREAM CARTONS AND MOLDS

A simplified practice committee of the International

Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers has been en- gaged in making a survey of the ice-cream industry

to ascertain the variety of sizes of cartons used. From

the results obtained the committee will formulate a tentative recommendation to standardize the size of

the 2-gallon pan molds and corresponding quart and

pint cartons and the machine-filled quart and pint

cartons. As soon as the committee has completed its report it is planned to hold a general conference of

manufacturers, distributors, and users of ice-cream

molds and cartons to adopt a simplified practice recom- mendation under the cooperative procedure of the

division of simplified practice.

DENTAL HYPODERMIC NEEDLES

A general conference was held on June 17 at White

Sulphur Springs, W. Va., in conjunction with the

annual convention of the American Dental Trade

Association. The schedule, which has to do with

gages and lengths of needles, was approved with slight

modifications. The report of the conference will be

issued upon completion of the standing committee.

COLOR FOR SCHOOL FURNITURE

A general conference was held on June 28 at the

headquarters of the National School Supply Association, Chicago, at which the color for school furniture,

“school furniture brown,’’ winch was tentatively

selected at preliminary meetings of manufacturers, was approved bv representatives of all interests. The

recommendation will be effective from January 1, 1930. The report of the conference will be issued

upon completion of the standing committee.

SHOE GORING

A general conference of all interests will be held on July 23, in New York, N. Y., at which the tentative

schedule prepared by the manufacturers’ committee of

the whole will be developed into a recommendation.

RESTAURANT GUEST CHECKS

A request has been made by the secretary of the

Restaurant Check Manufacturers’ Association to organize a general conference of all interests about the

middle of September, when the tentative schedule

will be developed into a recommendation. This proposed schedule w'as prepared some time ago by a manufacturers’ committee of the whole.
40

PAPER BOARD

A suggestion has been received from the Cameron

Machine Co., of Brooklyn, in connection with simplifying the dimensions of rolls of paper board. This was

referred to the managing director of the Paperboard

Industries Association in Chicago, and he will refer the matter to the simplification committee of that

association for action at the July, 1929, meeting at Rye, N. Y.

PACKAGING OF DENTAL PLASTER AND

INVESTMENT

A meeting of the simplification committee of the

American Dental Trade Association was held in connection with the project at the convention at White

Sulphur Springs on June 17. The discussion at the

meeting was based on the report made up from

questionnaires sent out from this office to manufacturers of plaster and investment, in which they were

asked if they could conform to the practice proposed

by the simplification committee. The representative

of the division of simplified practice was requested to organize a general conference to be held in connection

with the meeting of the dealers’ section of the association, in Chicago during November.

SHOE-BOX SIZES (LEATHER SHOES)

This project has been inactive for some time, but on June 14, the secretary of the St. Louis Shoe Manufacturers’ Association requested the services of the division, submitting a schedule of sizes adopted by the as- sociation at a recent meeting, stating that they wished

to see these sizes presented to manufacturers outside

the association for their approval.

PACKAGING OF FLASH-LIGHT BATTERIES

At the request of the National Wholesale Druggists’

Association, the division of simplified practice is making an effort to find out if manufacturers of these batteries are in favor of a uniform packaging system. Replies received to date indicate that they are generally

in accord on the proposal. It is intended to organize

a preliminary meeting of manufacturers in the near

future, to discuss the details, and to prepare a tentative

schedule to serve as the basis for a recommendation.

SEPTIC TANKS

The committee of manufacturers appointed at the

preliminary conference held on May 2, 1928, has submitted certain recommendations to all manufacturers

for suggestions and criticism. As soon as replies have

been received by the committee, it is expected that

the committee will arrange with the division of simplified practice to hold a general conference during

September.

METAL PARTITIONS FOR TOILETS AND SHOWERS

The simplified practice recommendation covering

this commodity has received 80 per cent acceptance,

and is now in the hands of the printer.

MASONRY OPENING SIZES

A preliminary conference on this subject was held at the Department of Commerce on June 12. The conference included representatives of door and window

manufacturers, architects, building material manufacturers and dealers, awning and screen manufacturers,

and others interested in sizes of masonry wall openings.

The subject was discussed in considerable detail, and

the conference authorized the appointment of a rep- resentative committee to study the various phases of the proposition and to draft recommendations for later presentation to a general conference of all interests.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK TIRES

The general conference on simplification of industrial

truck tires, mentioned in the June 15 issue of the

Commercial Standards Monthly, was held at the

Department of Commerce on June 6. Recommendations were unanimously adopted by a representative

group of manufacturers, distributors, and users of these

tires, representing a material reduction in the number

of different molds now made. A summary report of

the conference has been mimeographed and distributed

to all interested associations, firms, and individuals,

together with a request for written acceptance in each

case. A standing committee was appointed at the

conference to sponsor the recommendation which will go into effect on September 1, 1929. Henry F. Schippel, of the B. F. Goodrich Co., is chairman of the committee.

INDUSTRIAL CASTERS

Further conferences have been held with individual

manufacturers and users of industrial casters, with a view of formulating definite projects toward reducing

the present variety in this commodity. Users of casters for industrial trucks, both for original equipment

and replacement, are particularly interested in bringing about as high a degree of interchangeability as possible. It is expected that a second preliminary conference of caster manufacturers will be held in the near

future.

GRAVEL SIZES

The committee on standardization of the National

Sand and Gravel Association met in Atlantic City,

N. J., on June 28 and discussed the question of establishing a simplified list of gravel sizes. A representative of the division of simplified practice attended the

meeting, and the division has been requested to co- operate with the National Sand and Gravel Association in securing the adoption of a minimum list of
standard sizes of gravel, with standard equivalents between square-mesh and round-hole screens for each

size. The committee on standardization has already

formulated a tentative list, which will be presented to the membership of the association, and to other producers of gravel, for their consideration and action.

REFRIGERATORS (ICE-COMPARTMENT SIZES)

A general conference of refrigerator manufacturers,

distributors, users, and refrigerating engineers was

held in Washington on June 26, 1929. The simplified

practice committee appointed by the manufacturers

presented definite recommendations for sizes of door

openings and ice-compartment depths for the various

types of domestic refrigerators in ordinary use. The

conference resulted in unanimous adoption of standard

dimensions for ice compartments of "side icers” and

"front icers.” It was also agreed that standard capacities of ice compartments should be 25, 50, 75, 100,

or 150 pounds, to conform with the standard weights

for ice cakes, as stated in Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 96, which was adopted in June, 1928.

FORGED TOOLS

The manufacturers of forged tools revised their

simplified practice program on June 18, 1929, in New

York City. They found it necessary to add 24 items

and to eliminate 16. The effectiveness of the recom- mendation was proved through survey figures, which

showed the degree of adherence to be approximately

93 per cent. COTTON DUCK

The standing committee representing Simplified

Practice Recommendation No. 27, Cotton Duck, re- affirmed their simplified schedule on June 20, 1929,

without change. The reaffirmation is effective as of July 1, 1929.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MARINE STANDARDS EFFECTED TO DATE

A total of 102 marine standards have been promulgated to date, according to the quarterly report

(second quarter of 1929) of the secretary of the

American Marine Standards Committee. In his

report the secretary calls attention to the fact that

the membership of the organization now comprises

357 member bodies. The marine standards so far promulgated are in the following classification: Hull details 50

Engineering (machinery) details 27

Ship operation details and supplies 24

Special subject 1 The Superintendent of Documents, of the Government Printing Office, has been requested to distribute

to the membership the following publications recently

printed: AMSC50, Fittings for Tubular Steel Cargo

Booms; AMSC56, Ship Scupper and Drains; AMSC57,

Chinaware for Ship Equipment; AMSC58, Lifeboat

Disengaging Apparatus; AMSC59, The Rat Proofing

of Ships; AMSC62, Marine Boiler Steel Plates.

Other publications are in course of printing and are expected to be ready for distribution at an early date.

A complimentary list of all marine standard publications issued to date is available upon application to the secretary of the committee or the division of

simplified practice.

1.

FLANGED PIPE FITTINGS AND PIPE FLANGES

Preliminary drafts of proposed standards for differ- ent zones of pressures—viz, to 125 pounds, 126 to 250

pounds, and 251 to 400 pounds—have been submitted

to the Technical Committee on "Engineering Details”

for approval. If and when approved and promulgated,

these standards are to be appended by data showing

standard body thicknesses for different pressures, for

cast-iron, semisteel, cast-steel, and bronze fittings; also

by tables showing thicknesses and pressures allowed in

marine installations for standard lap-welded or seamless wrought-iron or steel pipe, solid drawn or seamless

wrought-iron or steel tubing, and copper pipe.

2. STANDARD UNIFORMS FOR MERCHANT MARINE

OFFICERS

A subject committee has been organized to develop

specifications for types and grades of uniforms, and a rough draft of proposed specifications for materials,

garment manufacturers, and rank and corps insignia

is now under consideration by the committee.

3. STANDARD SOCKET FOR HATCH BEAM ENDS

Preliminary drafts of two types have been submitted

to the Technical Committee on Hull Details for choice

of one to be proposed as standard.

4. PROPOSED STANDARD FITTINGS FOR OIL-TIGHT

FITTINGS FOR OIL TANKERS

Preliminary drafts of gasket frame, hinge, dogs, cover support, lifting ring, and auxiliary cover have

been submitted to the Technical Committee on Hull

Details for ballot vote.

5. THE SHIP’S MEDICINE CHEST AND FIRST AID AT

SEA

The Public Health Service has published a book

bearing this title. A limited number of the books

have been issued by the Bureau of Standards to the

secretary of the American Marine Standards Committee for distribution to the membership. The book

is intended to form part of the medical equipment for ships standardized by the committee. Additional

copies of the book are available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,

Washington, D. C., on remittance of $1.
42

TO STANDARDIZE ON LOWER BUMPERS

Because motor cars are being built lower than a few

years ago, it is proposed to change the specification

for standard bumper heights as adopted in 1922 and

revised last year by the Society of Automotive Engineers. A subdivision of the standards committee of the

society recently recommended that the height above

ground of both the front and rear bumper be standardized at 17 inches, instead of the present standard of 18

inches for the front bumper and 19 inches for the rear bumper. The measurement is to the horizontal center

lin e of the bumpers, and is to be the mean height between no-load and full-load position of the frame.

It is also recommended that the mountings for the

front bumper have their faces perpendicular to the

ground when the car is unloaded, and those for the

rear bumper perpendicular when the car is fully loaded.

The purpose of this is to assure that the faces of the

bumpers will be set to the correct angle to the horizontal to give the best appearance. Unless both front

and rear bumpers on all cars are set at approximately

the same height, they will not afford maximum protection, as the face of the bumper of one car may be

above or below that of another when the cars come into contactACTIVITIES IN TRADE STANDARDIZATION

(Division of Trade Standards, formerly Commercial Standards Unit) BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

In an editorial in the July issue of the Magazine of

Business, Whiting Williams compares the Russian

attitude toward business with the American situation

in a warning against questionable practices, and in

conclusion says:

It is of the utmost concern to all of us that every once in a while some group of stockholders should, by some such gesture, remind even their very most powerful employees that even

deficits are rather to be faced than profits made in questionable ways. The necessity that America’s business shall continue to merit

the confidence of America’s people is so much the keystone to the arch of both our social well-being and our political security

and strength that none of us in business or connected in any

way with its pursuits and practices dares either commit or countenance anything that might, even in the most indirect manner, contribute a straw to a situation similar to that in Russia. FUEL-OIL GRADES SUPPORTED BY INDUSTRY

Signed acceptances denoting approval of the six standard grades of domestic and industrial fuel oil have been received from 146 companies representing

the more important oil refiners, many distributors, and

practically all of the oil-burner manufacturers, which

thus assures beyond any doubt the interest in this constructive program and presages its universal adoption.

Present indications, most assuringly point to contin- uous growth in the use of oil as a domestic and industrial fuel. Production of fuel oil in the period between 1914 and 1927 increased more than 400 per cent. To stimulate this natural trend and further increase

the availability and general satisfaction in use, all interests in the fuel-oil industry have enthusiastically cooperated in the formulation of these standards

for their mutual benefit.

Heretofore gravity was the only commercial basis on which fuel oils were classified. It is now a well-known

fact that of two oils having the same gravity one may

be completely satisfactory for a certain type of burner

while the other may be almos tunusab1 e

.

The efficient fuel oil is one that will flow readily, cause no clogging of the burner, and be completely

consumed. These points are fixed in the commercial

standard grades by the following tests: Maximum pour points to assure satisfactory flow and storage. Flash point.—Minimum flash point is usually controlled by

law and governs fire hazard, while the maximum flash point

insures the required ease of ignition.

Viscosity measures the resistance of oil to flow and the

degree to which atomization may be secured.

Distillation.—The 10 per cent point is an index of the ease

of ignition, while the 90 per cent point and the end point govern

the completeness of combustion. Water and sediment.—Impurities that reduce the efficiency of fuel oils and may cause clogging of the burner. The use of these standard grades of fuel oil is being

recommended by the members of the American Oil

Burner Association and other independent manufacturers, and they should go a long way in restoring

order to the industry and instilling confidence in the

minds of prospective buyers of oil-burning equipment.

HICKORY GOLF SHAFTS TO MEET STANDARD

GRADES

Extreme toughness, strength, and resiliency—the

essential trinity of any good golf shaft—are admirably

combined in hickory, and as a wood for this purpose

it stands in a class all its own. Of all the specialty products made from hickory,

it is doubtful if any are more exacting in their requirements than golf shafts. Knots, bird pecks, worm

holes, and cross grain immediately disqualify the raw material, and after a good sound tree is found

only a comparatively small portion of the butt log is usually suitable for high-class golf shafts. After careful selection of the trees, close attention

to sawing out the rough squares, and very slow, even

drying, the raw material is machine turned into

cylindrical forms called dowels. The dowels are further air-dried for a year or more, then conditioned

in warm-air kilns, after which they are ready to be
43

turned into the finished product. This process, accomplished on automatic turning lathes, reduces

the shafts to what is known as a “B” form finish. A standard “B” form size has been adopted which

is sufficiently large to allow the club maker wide

latitude in his judgment as to shaping the shaft for

final use.

Stiffness, the cardinal requirement of a superior

shaft, has been gaged in the past by the inspector

flexing the shaft in his hands; and while this crude

method might serve to differentiate between the very

stiff and the soft shafts, it is not adequate for the classifi- cation of a lot of shafts into several well-defined grades.

A very simple machine has been devised for the

mechanical testing of hickory golf shafts that elimi- nates much of the personal error. Shafts are classi- fied into four grades that will become well-known

divisions of quality to everyone in the golf-equipment

industry.

These sizes and grades were unanimously recom- mended for adoption as a commercial standard by a general conference of all interests of the industry

that met in Columbus, Ohio, June 14, 1929.

WALL-PAPER SPECIFICATION APPROVED

Industry has placed its formal approval upon the

minimum specifications for wall paper that were recommended by a general conference of all interests on May 25, 1929. Practically all of the more important manufacturers and wholesalers, together with

many decorators and users, have signified their approval of the specification as a recommended commercial standard and indicated their willingness to be guided accordingly in their future operations.

ASPHALT ASSOCIATION GETS OUT SEVEN NEW STANDARDS

OTHER SPECIFICATION NOTES

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY

Through its educational campaign for better and

safer driving in the hope of reducing automobile acci- dents to a minimum, the American Automobile Association, in cooperation with other interested organizations, has published for circularization among its member clubs pamphlets relating to brake-testing

campaigns and headlight-testing and adjusting campaigns for A. A. A. clubs. As a member of the

National Conference on Street and Highway Safety,

the A. A. A. has indorsed and is now promoting the

movement among its affiliated clubs to support both

the uniform motor-vehicle code and the model municipal traffic ordinance. The association has also adopted a code for the promotion of safe driving and

the removal of irresponsible drivers from the highways,

known as the “A. A. A. Safety—Responsibility.”

The principles of this code are now being urged for adoption in all States in lieu of compulsory liability

insurance or the setting up of State funds to compensate for damages or injuries. In order that its affiliated clubs may secure conveniently and economically standard materials and supplies with which to carry on their work, the A. A. A. has in operation a

central purchasing office through which all purchases

are made.

REPORT ON STREET TRAFFIC

Since February, 1929, the American Engineering

Council, ably assisted by the United States Chamber of

Commerce and the American Automobile Association

have distributed 10,000 copies of the council’s report on Street Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings.

Through the local sections of the American Society of 63945—29 2

Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, as well as other national engineering societies,

this report is being brought to the attention of the

municipal authorities throughout the country.

PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING

Two of the five parts of the Code for Protection

Against Lightning, formulated under the joint sponsorship of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the National Bureau of Standards, have

been approved as American Standard by the American

Standards Association. These parts deal with the

protection of persons, buildings, and miscellaneous

property. Part III, which is devoted to the protection

of structures containing inflammable liquids and

gases, has been approved as American Tentative

Standard. The remaining parts, which deal with

transmission and distributing lines and apparatus,

have not yet been completed.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION

Publication of revisions of seven specifications rela- tive to pavement construction by the Asphalt Association is one of the early summer trade association

accomplishments. The standards, revised to April 10,

1929, have recently been published and are available

at the association headquarters. The revised list includes specifications for asphalt macadam surface course (penetration method), asphaltic concrete surface course (fine and coarse graded aggregate type), sheet

asphalt binder and surface courses, asphaltic concrete binder and surface courses, asphalt macadam base

(penetration method), and asphaltic concrete base

(commonly known as black base).
44

ELECTRICAL DEFINITIONS

A revised report on electrical definitions dated June,

1929, has been issued by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers to supersede the report of August,

1927.

CONSTANT CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

The subcommittee of the electrical machinery committee of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers has prepared a new report relating to tentative

standards for constant-current transformers, which

is now available through the institute. It contains

definitions rating requirements, temperature limitations, and methods of making temperature test, effi- ciency and losses, dielectric test, insulation resistance,

lead markings for transformers, and recommendations

for operation.

SWITCHBOARDS AND SWITCHING EQUIPMENT

A report covering proposed standards for switchboards and switching equipment for power and light,

not specifically covered elsewhere as apparatus, is now ready for distribution by the American Institute

of Electrical Engineers. The standards do not apply

to industrial-control equipment or communication

switchboards and switching equipment. The general

subjects covered by the report are service conditions,

definitions rating, temperature limitations, tests, and

name plates.

HEATING AND VENTILATION CODE

The American Society of Heating and Ventilating

Engineers has recently issued its Code of Minimum

Requirements for the Heating and Ventilation of

Buildings. The purpose of the code is to standardize

as far as practical the installation of heating and

ventilation equipment.

DICTIONARY OF TERMS

Considerable progress has been made in bringing

about standardization in the terms and descriptions

used by carriers and other agencies in reporting on and describing carloads of fresh fruits and vegetables.

A dictionary embodying the different terms used by

railroads and other shipper organizations, prepared

by the Freight Container Bureau of the American

Railway Association, is ready for distribution in large

numbers to all interested persons by the transportation

division of the same organization.

TRENDS IN SMALL-HOUSE DESIGN OUTLINED TO

REALTORS

Preliminary findings resulting from a field study of

small-house construction in 38 cities were described in an address before the home builders and subdividers

divisionfof the National Association of Real Estate

Boards in Boston by James S. Taylor, acting chief of the division of building and housing of the Bureau of Standards. This study was undertaken to find out

what sizes, shapes, and kinds of small houses are being

built in American cities, how they are finished, and

what equipment goes into them. It is expected to furnish facts that will aid in the bureau’s program of cooperation with business, architectural, and other

groups to encourage better and more economical construction of houses and to promote home ownership on a sound basis. The speaker noted a distinct improvement in American domestic architecture, which he said “is due in no small measure to the improvement in public taste which is taking place.” After pointing out the influ- ence of the automobile on the spreading of home areas

into the suburbs, he further stated that “modern fea- tures that contribute to saving time and labor in housekeeping, and that make for health and comfort, have come to be demanded in most new houses, and absorb

a considerable part of the cost of the house. This has

created a pressure to cut down on the cubical contents

and has meant somewhat smaller room sizes, lower

ceiling heights, and greater attention to economical

arrangement of space. “This process has its limits, and there are already some evidences of a reaction. Where people can

afford more space without too much extra labor for housekeeping, they are glad to have it. Some prophets

foretold the passing of the dining room in the small

house, arguing that, being used only three times a day

it was the most expensive space in the house. A good

breakfast nook, and well planned arrangements for serving meals at one end of the enlarged living room,

so they said, would suffice, but there is no proof yet

that they are right. In our survey we found many

small houses where a breakfast nook was added, but

almost none where the dining room was omitted.

“In the small houses visited in our survey, mostly

of five or six rooms, kitchens were more nearly alike in

size than any other room. Most of them contained

about 100 square feet, with the width about threequarters of the length, so that 8 feet 10 inches by 11

feet 8 inches would be typical. Living rooms from 11

to 15 feet wide and 15 to 22 feet long, with the width

commonly about two-thirds the length, were most

frequent. Dining rooms tend to be more nearly

square, with about half again as large in area as the

kitchens. Bedroom sizes run distinctly larger in 2-story than in 1-story houses. The owner’s bedroom

in many 2-story houses is over the living room and of about the same size. These figures represent actual

practice, which may or may not be the best, and variations are frequent, due to differences in local customs or conditions, and the varying needs of individual families.

“The lowest-priced houses now being built in quantity in the larger cities to-day are of five and six rooms.
45

with 1-story construction apparently predominating

for the 5-room and 2-story for the 6-room size. The

6-room 2-story house is favored more in eastern cities,

whereas in cities of the middle and far West the 5-room

bungalow is in the lead in the lowest-priced group. In

the latter cities, however, the 2-story house actually

has six rooms.”

BUILDING AND PLUMBING CODES

Copies of the building code and plumbing code tabulation were distributed to building officials and others

who had requested it during the past month, according

to the division of building and housing reports. The

returns showed 858 cities and towns having building

codes and 840 cities and towns having plumbing codes.

Of these, 281 reported that they ,were revising their

building codes and 191 their plumbing codes.

Sixty-seven cities reported that their building codes

had not undergone a major revision for 20 years, 85

for 15 years, and 159 for 10 years. In some cases it

is probable that amendments from time to time have

operated to keep the requirements more up to date

than is indicated on the face of the returns. More

than 200 cities reported the use of the recommendations

prepared by the Building Code Committee of the

Department of Commerce, and half the same number

reported use of the recommendations on plumbing

prepared by the subcommittee on plumbing. The data

obtained on the number of employees in building

inspection departments and the allocation of their

duties will be used in studies of code administration.

A limited number of copies of the tabulation are available to those interested.

GOVERNMENT SPECIFICATIONS NOW KNOWN AS

“FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS”

Specifications adopted and promulgated by the

Federal Specifications Board will be known and

referred to hereafter as “Federal specifications,”

instead of “United States Government master specifications,” or “Federal Specifications Board specifications,” in accordance with recent action of the board.

The Federal Specifications Board has recently

promulgated a number of revisions of Federal specifications, including Manila Rope, No. 61b; Unbleached

Cotton Sheeting, No. 301a; Shears and Scissors,

No. 361a; Flint Paper, No. 385b; Aluminum Oxide

Abrasive Cloth, No. 387b; Emery Cloth, No. 388b;

Office Huck Towels, No. 422a; Rigging Leather,

No. 483a; and Mattress and Pillow Ticking, No. 615a.

A revision of United States Motor Gasoline, No.

622a, which supersedes the specification included in Federal specifications No. 2d, is believed to be quite an improvement over the old specification, and is a result

of considerable cooperation on the part of industry.

This specification is intended to cover gasoline for automobiles, trucks, tractors, motor boats, and

similar engines. A new specification, known as “Motor Fuel V, No. 623,” has been adopted and

promulgated, and is intended to be used particularly

in winter for such emergency vehicles as ambulances,

fire engines, military and naval equipment, and for other equipment under special conditions.

A number of the brushes and brooms specifications

have been recently revised and promulgated: Calcimine Brushes, No. 396a; Ceiling and Wall Dust

Brushes, No. 397a; Flat Fitch Brushes, No. 399b;

Hair Floor Sweep, No. 400a; Round Glue Brushes, No.

401b; Flat Glue Brushes, No. 402a; Flat Lacquering

Brushes, No. 403a; Marking Brushes, No. 404b;

Mottling Brushes, No. 405a; Oval Sash Tool Brushes,

No. 406b; Badger Hair Flowing Brushes, No. 512a;

Squirrel Tail Hair Flowing Brushes, No. 513a; Skunk

Hair Flowing Brushes, No. 514a; Flat Metal Bound

Paint Brushes (high grade), No. 515a; Flat Metal

Bound Paint Brushes (medium grade), No. 516a;

Radiator Bronzing Brushes, No. 517a; Knotted Style

Roof Brushes, No. 518a; Stencil Brushes (flag ends

cut), No. 519a; Stencil Brushes (flag ends preserved),

No. 520a; Flat Varnish Brushes (triple X thickness),

No. 521a; Flat Varnish Brushes (double X thickness),

No. 522a; Whitewash Brushes, No. 524a; Flat Painters’

Dusters, No. 525a; Round Painters Dusters, No. 526a.

Copies of these specifications, which are believed to be a distinct improvement over the old specifications

for brushes, may be obtained without charge, by

addressing the “Federal Specifications Board, National

Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.”

FACILITATING THE USE OF NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SPECIFICATIONS

A. S. McAllister, (Jhiej Division of Specifications

Closely akin are the subjects of standardization,

simplification, and specifications. For some time the

Bureau of Standards has been assisting industry in promoting the use of nationally recognized specifications. This story will present to the readers of the

Commercial Standards Monthly an outline of the

methods being employed for facilitating the use of

United States Government master specifications (Federal specifications) by governmental and institutional

purchasers, Federal, State, county, and municipal.

Before describing the methods referred to, it seems

well to call attention to the conditions under which

the United States Government master specifications are prepared and to their real commercial significance.
46

Prior to the organization of the Federal Specifications Board in 1921 each department and establishment of the Government had its own specifications for

all materials purchased by it, the specification requirements being often in conflict with each other and

seldom in conformity with commercial practice. To

avoid duplication of effort in the procurement of material and to insure better utilization of our resources and industries the board was given the duty of not

only compiling and adopting standard specifications

but also of bringing them into harmony with the best

commercial practice wherever conditions permit,

bearing in mind the broadening of the field of supply.

Each United States Government master specification promulgated by the Federal Specifications Board

is formulated by a technical committee consisting of

official representatives of every department and establishment interested in the commodities covered by

the specification. Full consideration is given by the

technical committee to such advice as can be obtained

from interested commercial and industrial concerns. The specification thus prepared by the technical committee is submitted formally to all departments and

establishments of the Government and informally to various interested engineering and technical societies

through the American Standards Association. All criticisms received are given consideration by the

technical committee in placing the specification in final form for promulgation by the board for the mandatory

use of the Government departments and establishments in the purchase of material covered by the

specification.

It will be understood, therefore, that the United

States Government master specifications represent a most serious effort to cover by means of specifications

commercially satisfactory commodities for use by the

Government in its own purchases. Considered as a whole, the 623 specifications formulated by the Federal Specifications Board are probably the best group

of commodity specifications thus far compiled. Many

of them are far from perfect, but all of them are kept

constantly under consideration for revision.

To the provisions made for revising the specifications and bringing them into harmony with commercial

practice in order to broaden the field of supply can

be attributed much of the value of the specifications

to Federal Government purchasing agencies and other

public purchasers and interested organizations. It is fully realized that the specifications must be subject

at all times to revision as the state of the art of production improves, as the quality of raw materials

available for a given product changes, and as new

limitations are imposed on the use of a product.

That these conditions have been given serious consideration, and that they exert a controlling influence on the United States Government master specifications, is shown by the fact that more than 25 per cent

of the specifications have already been revised from

one to four times since their initial promulgation.

An effective first step in the broadening of the field of supply of commodities covered by United States Government master specifications is taken in the compilation of complete lists of firms manufacturing the

general types of commodities which are the subject of

these specifications. In compiling such lists use is made of all available governmental and nongovernmental sources of information concerning the manufacturing firms, and this information is checked by

direct correspondence with the individual firms. To

obtain a list of firms of definite use in connection with

any selected specification, there are omitted from the

complete list such manufacturers as do not build commodities in accordance with the designated specification, and from the smaller list are omitted the names of

such manufacturers as have not as yet expressed their

desire to obtain contracts based on the chosen specification and their willingness to certify to the purchaser, when requested to do so, that the commodities

delivered under contracts based on this specification

do actually comply therewith.

In applying the “certification plan” to the United

States Government master specifications serious consideration is given to the exact status of each specification. Selection is being made first of such of the

specifications as are believed to be most nearly thoroughly satisfactory in their present form. “Willingto-certify ’’lists involving more than 7,500 requests from

about 200 firms manufacturing commodities covered by

248 specifications have been compiled and placed in mimeograph form, including 23 specifications relating to bituminous roofing, waterproofing, and paving materials.

When the plans for compiling lists of “willing-tocertify” manufacturers were first formulated, more

than 100 outlines thereof were sent to public purchasers and to the officers of technical societies and

trade associations having national recognition. The

replies showed that the plans would be fully indorsed

by consumer organizations, and that the only opposition to the “certification plan” as such (rather than

to certain selected specifications to which it might be

applied) would come from such organizations as are not truly in favor of real effective standardization.

It was to be expected that technical societies familiar

with the formulation of specifications would be in favor of the plan. Correspondence brought to light

the fact that many trade associations that might have

been assumed to be opposed to the plan, at least initially, were actually very favorably inclined toward it. It is not to be assumed that all trade associations

and all manufacturers are enthusiastically advocating

the certification plan. For various reasons certain

manufacturers would prefer not to have the certifica-
47

tion plan applied to commodities sold by them. It

is noteworthy in this connection that practically all of these same manufacturers strongly advocate specifications for the materials purchased by them. The

fact is that in no case has there not been a considerable

number of thoroughly responsible manufacturers

anxious to have their names listed among the “willingto-certify” manufacturers of commodities covered by

United States Government master specifications.

The widening application of the certification plan

has been welcomed by practically every organized consumer group in the country. Moreover, it has

received the indorsement of man}7 officers of national

organizations representing producers and distributors,

including the National Industrial Council, “a federation of National, State, and local associations organized under the leadership of the National Association

of Manufacturers to foster constructive legislation

and to oppose enactment of class laws.”

In commenting on the p

1 ogress being made with the

certification plan the executive secretary of the council

said

:

If your department has not already done so, I would most

earnestly suggest that you may with great and practical co- operative value communicate on this matter with every one of the State manufacturing associations’ secretaries who are members of the advisory committee of this council, as given on

the attached list. Let me further suggest that in any communication you may

send to these association executives we would be happy to have

you say that the work and cooperative participation in it meets

with the warm approval of this council, and specifically urge each one to systematically invite their membership to take an active part in the same. As I have observed this whole effort by your department, I believe it carries with it one of the most effective media for combating questionable or unethical merchandising and pro- duction practices ever conceived. Its strictly voluntary

character in my opinion is one of the most constructive works

any branch of the Government is carrying on, and it is bound

to prove a million times more effective than all the legislative

dictums or panaceas, such as indigestible truth-in-fabrics laws

could or would accomplish. For these and other practical reasons I want to assure you

that the vast progress your department has already made and

its whole purpose in this work under your splendid direction

will receive every feasible measure of cooperation we can

directly or indirectly extend.

Please keep me advised of your cooperative responses from

industrial associations so that anything we can do to be of service in these directions may be done promptly.

Special efforts are being exerted to prevent any misunderstanding on the part of either the manufacturers

or the users of the exact significance of the lists of “ willing-to-certify ” manufacturers. The certificates

which the manufacturers state they are willing to issue

upon request are to be addressed to the purchaser and

not to the Bureau of Standards.

So far as concerns the effectiveness of the certifica- tion plan, it is unnecessary for the Federal Government or any governmental agency to police the

contracts entered into by buyers and sellers of commodities guaranteed to comply with certain specifications. The existing laws of the land relating to contracts are adequate to take care of all such cases. A manufacturer who places on record the statement

that his commodity complies with a United States

Government master specification is shortly made

to realize that both his customers and his competitors

are vitally interested therein and will check the

accuracy of the statement and take such steps as may

seem necessary or desirable to prevent any manufacturers from “obtaining business under false pretenses.” The process of checking the accuracy of statements of this kind made by competing manufacturers is essential for the protection of the manufacturers themselves as well as the consumers. Both

trade associations and better-business bureaus have

shown themselves to be vitally interested in this subject. By serving as an agency through which the

various manufacturers keep watch on their competitors, trade associations can become very active in backing up the certification plan. Nongovernmental

organizations making use of nationally recognized

specifications can properly render such a service as this but it would seem unwise for the Federal Government to do so—that is, beyond its own needs as a consumer.

In 1923 President Barns, of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, in discussing

the voluntary adoption of standards of quality, said:

In lines of merchandise where conditions warrant the adoption by representative trade associations of certain definite standards of quality or performance, the associations can hold to account any member failing to make delivery up to the standards adopted and incorporated in sales contracts. Disputes arising in connection with such transactions readily lend themselves to settlement by the parties themselves or by

commercial arbitration. Purchasers who might be inclined to do business

with unknown or untried manufacturers whose names

appear on the “willing-to-certify” lists should not fail to insist upon receiving from such manufacturers

properly signed certificates guaranteeing compliance

with the specification requirements. Manufacturers

who might be somewhat careless in making deliveries

under normal conditions are quite apt to select the

best specimens from the “factory run” to accompany

quality-guaranteeing certificates which they have

reason for believing will be looked upon seriously by

the purchasers. In order to avoid delay and confusion, when placing

orders requesting certificates from “willing-to-certify”

manufacturers, the correspondence should always be

conducted with the individual officer of the company

whose name appears on the “willing-to-certify” list. This officer can be assumed to be familiar with the
48

specification and with the plan for issuing certificates,

whereas other officers of the same company may be

unfamiliar therewith.

Whether or not there is available a list of manufacturers willing to certify to compliance with the

requirements of the specification upon which a certain

purchase contract is based, the purchaser can protect

himself somewhat by requesting that quality-guaranteeing certificates be supplied with the commodities

delivered. Honest manufacturers accepting contracts based on a satisfactory specification wdll always be

willing to issue the desired certificates. Such manufacturers and the purchasers should be protected

against manufacturers unwilling to place in writing

their claims that goods delivered by them comply

with the specification requirements.

In any event, the certificates issued by or on behalf

of the manufacturer will be given weight according to the reputation for accuracy and reliability of the manufacturer or certifying agency. Manufacturers, cer- tifying agencies, and consumers all will have need for

increased testing and inspection services.

Encouraging the very large number of public purchasing agents to make use of the specifications of the

Federal Specifications Board broadens the field of

supply by inducing a large number of persons to manufacture commodities meeting the requirements

of the Federal Government. Moreover, the widening

use of the specifications of the Federal Specifications

Board serves to draw attention to such modifications

as might well be made therein in order to render them

satisfactory to the various purchasers and to bring

them into harmony with the best commercial practice.

Reference is made herein specifically to United

States Government master specifications, as the lists referred to are those of manufacturers willing to certify to compliance with these specifications. However, the

plan outlined could readily be, and is being, applied to other groups of nationally recognized specifications in

this and other^countries. It is to be expected that the

application ofjthe plan will be of benefit not only in

the general promotion of the use of specifications by

both the small and the large consumers but also in the

unification of specifications having national recognition.

Reasonable specifications, formulated after a thorough interchange of ideas and experiences of the

manufacturer and the user, and setting forth those

requirements considered essential to safeguard the consumer without hardship to the manufacturer serve

to show to both parties to the contract what service

the commodity must render and how it must be manufactured in order to fit it for use. It is to the best

interest of all persons concerned that the specification

be formulated jointly by both parties to the contract working together harmoniously, each benefiting from

the knowledge and experience of the other.

Specifications formulated under proper auspices,

recognized alike by both producers and consumers as being reasonable, protect the honest seller from unfair

competition, and the buyers from purchasing an inferior

product at the price of a better one. From the point of view of the purchaser there are many advantages to be gained from using proper

specifications rather than buying without specifications. To make the specifications thoroughly effective

commodity acceptance testing must be resorted to. A fair substitute for such testing—or, rather, a good

method of minimizing acceptance testing—is to be

found in placing contracts exclusively with manufacturers known to be reliable and accepting from them

certificates guaranteeing compliance with the specification requirements. It is not suggested that testing

be abolished, but that the great bulk of routine accept- ance testing be eliminated and that check testing at convenient irregular intervals be resorted to. In case goods ordered on contracts based on specifications are found not to comply with the specification requirements, the existing laws of the land relating to contracts

furnish adequate protection without any special

policing.

There is a certain amount of automatic policing of

certificates based on specifications when the certificates are placed on the goods in the form of self-identifying

quality-guaranteeing labels. Agencies are operating

effectively to minimize, if not eliminate, misbranding

and mislabeling with intent to deceive. In this work

the Federal Trade Commission is receiving the very

helpful cooperation of numerous trade associations,

the members of which are vitally interested in eliminating such unfair trade practices as the issuing of misleading labels. It is to be understood, of course, that the labeling

system here referred to is inseparably associated with

the certification plan and is not to be confused with

the many systems now in operation involving labels the exact significance of which is seldom understood

by the “over-the-counter” buyer who is therefore

somewhat inclined to discredit all labels. By the widespread application of the quality-guaranteeing labeling system, based on certified compli- ance with nationally recognized specifications, not

only can some of the benefits derived by the largequantity and medium quantity purchasers from using

such specifications under the certification plan be

passed along to the small-quantity “over-the-counter”

buyer—the nonspecifications-using public—but the

specifications-using buyer obtains a measure of protection second in effectiveness only to the much more

expensive commodity acceptance testing. Moreover

when producers employ these labels, they are afforded

considerable protection against the unfair competition

of dishonest manufacturers.
49

Certain manufacturers of dry cells, gypsum, ink,

lineoleum, lumber, paint, pipe, Portland cement, soap, and textiles have stated that they are now using, or planning to use, quality-guaranteeing labels with

goods manufactured to comply with United States

Government master specifications. One of these

manufacturers makes three grades of liquid soap, marketed under three different brands. One grade

is said to exceed the requirements of the Government

specification by a certain percentage, and is priced

accordingly; another grade, which is said to “answer

every average requirement,” is sold at a price some- what less than that asked for the Government specification soap. The Government specification soap

carries the following label

:

GUARANTY

This liquid soap is guaranteed to comply with the United States Government specification No. 27 for Liquid Soap as adopted by the Federal Specifications

Board, on June 20, 1922, when tested by method

shown in circular of the Bureau of Standards No. 124. Copies of specification and method of testing will be

sent gratis upon application.

Comments of certain manufacturers using self- identifying labels guaranteeing compliance with United

States Government master specifications are of interest

in this connection.

Obtains new customers. In answer to your letter of the 4th, wish to state that we

have enjoyed very good responses to our circular on the standardized liquid soap as per copies recently sent you. The sur- prising thing is that a good many inquiries came in from very

large industrial and educational institutions who ordinarily do

not pay much attention to circulars, so evidently it drew their attention. Then, too, we have had a lot of favorable comments from school officials who are too busy and have too many things to look after who are pleased to know that at last they are able to buy liquid soap with some assurance of standard

quality at a definite price.

Holds customers’ business.

It is our impression that the tags guaranteeing compliance

with the United States Government master specifications really

do a job for us in assuring the customer that he is buying

standard merchandise, and in this way assures the continuance

of the customers’ business. Comments of certain manufacturers investigating

the possibilities of using the quality labeling system

are also of interest:

Economic advantages.

We believe that the general use of such a system would be an economic advantage to the ultimate consumers of the

Nation, protecting them from their own false ideas of values which have skillfully been built in their minds by exaggerated

national advertising campaigns.

Protection to manufacturers and consumers. The whole plan is a mighty fine idea, affording full protection to both the consuming public and manufacturers alike, and deserves the hearty cooperation of every industry.

In connection with his advertising literature, one of

the prominent textile manufacturers certifies that

every one of his trade branded sheets “fulfills all re- quirements of the United States Government master

specifications No. 304, for high-count cotton sheets,

and No. 305, for high-count cotton pillow cases.” Concerning his pipe unions a certain manufacturer

states that they “conform to United States Government master specification No. 393” and are “also

listed as standard by underwriters’ laboratories.”

Much interest has been shown in the certification

plan and labeling system by a large number of national

and local organizations, including chambers of commerce, better-business bureaus, colleges offering courses

in commerce and business administration, women’s

clubs and federations, home-economics teachers, and as- sociations of manufacturers and advertisers. Judging

from the correspondence with the officers of these or- ganizations it seems evident that many manufacturers

could make effective use of labels showing compliance

of certain of their commodities with nationally recognized specifications which may or may not be those of

the Federal Government.

The maximum benefit to be derived from the specification method of buying and selling will be obtained

when the “nationally recognized specifications” for a chosen commodity has been so formulated as to cover

the most satisfactory commodity in the best possible

manner, the manufacturers place this commodity in “mass production” in accordance with this specification, the suppliers issue their certificates guaranteeing

compliance with this specification, and qualityguaranteeing labels are based on the tests and inspections of this identical specification. The conditions

here outlined are ideal and can be realized with few

commodities at the present time. However, they

would seem to represent a proper goal for the various

agencies concerned to strive to reach.

COOPERATIVE RELATIONS OF AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION AND THE BUREAU OF

STANDARDS IN REFERENCE TO COMMERCIAL

STANDARDS

“The following statement of the cooperative rela- tions of the American Standards Association and the

division of trade standards of the Bureau of Standards

has been formally indorsed by the association and by

the bureau, and is issued with their joint approval for the information of all who are interested in industrial

standardization

:

1. The American Standards Association is the agency through

which standardization by trade associations, technical societies, and governmental agencies is advancing in the United States on

a broadly national scale. The association is maintained by a group of national organizations, industrial, technical, and gov- ernmental (at present 40 in number).
50

2. The association imparts a definite status to standards which are prepared by industry in accordance with the association’s procedure, through declaring them American Standards,

after a consensus has been reached among the various groups

substantially concerned—producers, consumers, distributors,

and general interests.

3. The National Bureau of Standards, through its division of trade standards, is acting as a centralizing agency for industrial and commercial groups requesting its cooperation in the adjustment, application, and promotion of standards that will facili- tate production and marketing of the commodities which concern

the requesting group. After proper acceptance of such standards by the interests immediately concerned, the bureau publishes them as the “commercial standards” of those interests. Primarily, the effort of the bureau is to serve those groups which

have no satisfactory standardization facilities.

4. Since “commercial standards” are obviously of interest to groups immediately concerned with the manufacturing and

marketing of specific commodities, such standards are not

considered to have the same status as is imparted to standards approved as American standards by the A. S. A., though it is hoped that some commercial standards will eventually receive such approval. Commercial standards are temporary standards.

5. In the advancement of commercial standards to the status

of American standards, the Bureau of Standards may serve as the sponsor for a given project if it shall appear that such

sponsorship is desired by the proponent group and if such assignment is consistent with other sponsorships and with the regular

practice and procedure of the A. S. A.

6. With reference to changes or revisions of a standard for which the bureau acts as sponsor, the bureau will, under the

A. S. A. procedure, in the same way as other sponsor organizations, assume responsibility for presenting the proposed changes

to the proponent group for consideration and action.

7. The foregoing does not apply to simplified practice recommendations, since the bureau endeavors to keep the elimination

of unnecessary varieties a separate function.

FIRST AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ORGANIZED-OTHER

A. S. A. NEWS

The first board of directors of the American Stand- i ards Association, provided for in the association’s new constitution, has been completed and held its first meeting last month. The board of directors is given

complete control of the general policies and finances

of the association. It includes nine members designated for a period of three years by the memberbodies of the association, in addition to the president,

vice president, and junior past president of the association. The members of the board are as follows:

Quincy Bent, George K. Burgess, Cloyd Chapman,

C. L. Collins, Howard Coonley, L. A. Downs, Bancroft Gherardi, F. E. Moscovics, W. J. Serrill, C. E.

Skinner, Matthew S. Sloan, and R. J. Sullivan.

SILK WEIGHTING STANDARDS REQUESTED

Upon formal request of the American Home Economics Association, the A. S. A. has authorized the

calling of a conference of manufacturers, dyers, dis- tributors, consumers, and others concerned with silk I weighting to consider the establishment of national

standards for methods of determining and expressing the

percentage of silk weighting and methods of labeling silk fabrics and garments to give the consumer reliable and

understandable information concerning the weighting.

BOLT. NUT. AND RIVET PROPORTIONS

A new subcommittee of the A. S. A. sectional committee on the standardization of bolt, nut, and rivet

proportions has been organized to formulate standards

for socket head cap and set screws. Consideration of technical details of the subject to be covered has been

started.

WEATHERPROOF WIRES AND CABLES

Technical committee No. 12, of the A. S. A. sec- tional committee on wires and cables have prepared a

draft, on specifications for weatherproof wires and

cables, which also contains a section on heat-resisting

wires and cables. Copies of the draft are available at the American Standards Association office, 29 West

Thirty-ninth Street, New York, N. Y., for loan to those

interested. This report takes up in detail the covering,

the size of conductor, and the saturating compound for weatherproof wires. The drip, bending, and melting

tests of the saturated cable are explained in some

detail. The draft contains a table of weights given in pounds per 1,000 feet of cables varying in size from

250,000 to 1,500,000 cir. mil. The section relating to heat-resisting wires and cables gives the flame-proofing

test and other material on fireproof cable. SHAFTING

The A. S. A. sectional committee on the standardization of shafting is now revising four of its standards.

The present standard for Cold-Finished, Standard

Diameters and Lengths, Bl7-a, is being revised to include an extended range of shafting diameters of

6 K, 7, 7%, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 inches. In the case of the standards for Standard Widths and Heights of Square and Flat Stock Keys, Bl7-b, Square and Flat

Plain Taper Stock Keys, Bl7-d, and Square and Flat

Gib Head Taper Stock Keys, Bl7-e, the revisions

introduce the use of a %-inch square key and a %6 by /

inch rectangular or flat key for use on shafting diameters ranging from 1 / to 1% inches.
51

WIRE AND CABLE NOMENCLATURE

As a part of their comprehensive program on specifications for insulated wires and cables (C-8) the

American Institute of Electrical Engineers has submitted to the A. S. A. its standard No. 30 covering terminology and certain methods of test for electric wires

and cables. DRY CELLS

The A. S. A. sectional committee on this project is preparing revisions which relate to the A. S. A.

standard C-18-1928 and to Federal specifications No.

58-a, Dry Cells and Batteries.

A. S. A. INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION RELATIONS

The United States Committee of the International

Electrotechnical Commission and the American Standards Association have appointed conference committees to develop closer working arrangements

between the two organizations.

SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING SYMBOLS

The A. S. A. sectional committee on this project is circulating a draft of the proposed tentative American

Standard Abbreviations for Scientific and Engineering Terms, prepared by the subcommittee on abbreviations. The draft includes about 285 abbreviations.

SWITCH BOXES AND OUTLET BOXES

The Underwriters’ Laboratories have submitted

for A. S. A. approval their specifications for outlet

boxes. These are a part of an extensive project on

electrical devices and materials with relation to fire and casualty hazards for which the Underwriters’

Laboratories hold sponsorship.

STANDARD TERMS ELIMINATE WASTE

By T. H. Hicks, Rear Admiral, Supply Corps, United States Navy, Chairman Federal Standard Stock Catalogue

Board

The greatest project of construction in ancient

times—the Tower of Babel—was frustrated by the

confusion of tongues. Man power and materials were

still available and the motive and design were un- changed; but when the builders’ plans and instructions

could no longer be communicated from one to another,

accomplishment became impossible and the work had

to be abandoned.

We are all familiar with the difficulty experienced by

the average American business man in his dealings

with foreigners. Even in transactions between this

country and England obstacles are encountered

because of the variances in usage of the same language.

But few people realize how great is the loss of effort in

dealings between one American and another due to misunderstandings that arise from different uses of the same terms. The very richness of the English language in synonyms is a source of constant trouble in the transaction

of business. With the options offered in the tfse of

words, specialized vocabularies have grown up that

vary from one industry to another and even from one

individual to another. This is true in many lines of

endeavor, but applies in a most disadvantageous manner to the names given items of supplies and materials

that make up the bulk of everyday business dealings.

Another result of the flexibility of the English

language, which is equally important, is the general

tendency to inexactness in the descriptions of articles. Frequently essential information is lacking in urgent

and important business communications.

In consequence of the difficulties mentioned, efforts to convey information, instructions, etc., in the

business world are almost as arduous as though the

various persons concerned were employing different

languages. Thus the confusion of tongues has persisted insidiously long after the incident of the Tower

of Babel.

That misunderstandings cause dela}Ts and volumi- nous correspondence, everybody knows. While often

the cause of considerable exasperation, most people

look upon them as a necessary, although undesirable,

component of business procedure. It is hard to esti- mate the losses in dollars and cents of wasted effort through misunderstandings, but reflection will show

that the grand total must be great. How many other

great projects unrecorded in history have been abandoned on account of this selfsame obstacle?

As an illustration of the existing variation in names

for an identical article in each case, let us take a paint

ingredient in common use. It is known commercially

as

1. Barite. 4. Blanc fixe.

2. Barium sulphate. 5. Heavy spar.

3. Barytes. 6. Permanent white. Many other similar cases could be cited. It is easy

to understand how delays and errors in supplying

material are occasioned frequently by the inability of

the supplier to determine what is wanted.

It is true that many attempts have been made to overcome the difficulties described, but these en- deavors have been confined, for the most part, to a
52

particular industry or part of an industry. The Government has not been unaware of the possibilities of increased efficiency through the adoption of standard

nomenclature and descriptions.

On March 29, 1929, Circular No. 260, Bureau of the

Budget, was issued, establishing under the supervision

of the Chief Coordinator, a Federal Standard Stock

Catalogue Board, with representation from all of the

departments and the larger establishments. The duty was assigned the board to determine the articles to be included in a Federal Standard Stock Catalogue for the use of the several departments and establishments,

together with information relative to nomenclature,

descriptions, classifications, groups, specifications,

stock numbers, code words, and other pertinent data,

and to decide questions of arrangement and other considerations that may arise in connection with the

compilation of the catalogue.

The Federal Standard Stock Catalogue is designed

to list in orderly and classified arrangement all supplies

regularly procured, stored, and issued by or for the

various departments and establishments of the Government, and to furnish in the case of each item of

such supplies the information necessary for procurement, storage, and issue. It is limited in its scope to such supplies. It is intended that this catalogue,

when completed, shall include all items of supplies and

materials necessary to meet the ordinary requirements

of the various departments and establishments, except

in the case of specialized technical materials, and re- quirements should be so regulated as to avoid, so far as practicable, orders or requisitions for articles that

do not appear in the catalogue.

The catalogue will comprise the following sections:

I. General index of Federal property.—Listing in al- phabetical arrangement each item of supplies regularly

procured, stored, and issued by or for the various departments and establishments, and indicating the class for storage and issue, the group for procurement, and

the Federal Specification applying thereto.

II. Classes for storage and issue.—The criteria of

classification being similarity of application of storage

requirements. There is listed in alphabetical ar- rangement under each class each item of supplies regularly stored and issued by or for the various departments and establishments, specifications, standard

nomenclature, stock numbers, data as to departments

by which used to facilitate interdepartmental transfer

of supplies, approximate prices, and code words to facilitate the placing of orders by radio or telegraph in the case of each item. This section also embodies

storage notes and stowage precautions.

III. Groups for procurement.—Each group repre- senting a major division of productive industry.

These groups are in turn subdivided into divisions

conforming to the general trend of specialization in industry. There is embodied detailed information required by Government procurement agencies as to geographic distribution of sources of supply, variation

in practice as to production or marketing and other

data requisite for economical and expeditious procurement.

IV. United States Government master specifications .

The technical requirements are mandatory upon all executive departments and establishments. The index

has been arranged in two forms—alphabetical and

numerical.

Throughout the various sections of the Federal

Standard Stock Catalogue standardized and uniform

nomenclature is used.

While prepared primarily for the Government

service, it is believed that its usefulness could be

extended to the commercial field. For this reason

it is planned to have copies of the catalogue—either

complete or in sections—made available for sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office. As the assignment of nomenclature to the items

comprised in the catalogue is based on a truly scientific system, it is believed that its adoption as a standard

will be welcomed by industry and will have a widespread and beneficial effect in the commercial field. The importance of exactness and uniformity with

respect to nomenclature can not be overemphasized.

With a single standard of nomenclature in general use, the transactions of individuals, firms, industries, and

the Government—both inside and outside their

organizations—would become immeasureably more

efficient and economical.

The Government’s requirements in the way of supplies and materials cover a very great variety.

This is reflected in the catalogue by the segregation

into 81 classes for storage and issue of the upward of

60,000 items it will list. Furthermore, this is shown

by the fact that these commodities are obtained

from 61 main groups of industry which are further

subdivided wherever specialization in industry has

developed.

Comparatively few articles peculiar to the sole uses

of the Government are shown in the catalogue and the

great majority of articles are those in common use by

most lines of business, both large and small. Specialties are not included, but, even where a firm makes a

specialty, it will find in many cases that the items

entering into the manufacture of its product are included in the catalogue and it will be of value to the

firm on that account. What is true of standard nomenclature and descriptions applies with equal force to standard stock

numbers and code words. These are provided by the

catalogue.

The catalogue will perform a service for the Government and the commercial field in addition to and

quite distinct from the features already described.
53

The division of simplified practice, Bureau of Standards, of the Department of Commerce, has for several years been carrying on a broad program of assisting American industries to reduce the extensive

wastes which now result from unnecessary varieties

in shape, size, classification, or any characteristic or process connected with products. This work has

been in the form of simplified practice recommendations by which the division has aided the interested

producers, distributors, and consumers to establish.

These recommendations have been widely accepted

by those concerned and have proved of the greatest

value in giving better service at less cost. The program has received the enthusiastic indorsement of everyone familiar with it. The Government has adopted these simplified practice recommendations except where special technical

requirements prevent. The Government has also done much simplification on its own account. As a

result, many of the lists of'particular items in the

catalogue will appear on first inspection to be incomplete, as they cover in some cases less than half of

the usual stock range. Experience, however, has shown

that these simplified lists will take care of every reasonable need and do it more economically by reducing

stocks and facilitating replenishment. So the cata- logue will perform a valuable service in making readily

available to the Government and the commercial field the proved results of many simplification projects.

One object of great importance in the publication

of a Federal Standard Stock Catalogue is to fill a vital

need of the Nation for such an authority in case of war. Many of the almost insurmountable difficulties encountered during the World War would be resolved

by the application of standard nomenclature in the

manufacture, transportation, and issue of supplies in

any future national emergency. Industry would then

be familiar with the Government’s needs and be pre- pared to meet them with the least delay and confusion.

Since its creation, the board has undertaken actively

the work of compiling the Federal Standard Stock

Catalogue, and it has been advanced to a point where

several of its sections can be published within the next

few months.

TECHNICAL AND PRACTICAL TRENDS IN CONSTRUCTION 1

By John M. Gries, Former Chief, Division oj Building and Housing, Department of Commerce

No one can deny that during the postwar period

there has been a tremendous advance in planning and

carrying out road-building projects and other large

engineering undertakings. In the case of buildings,

particularly small houses, where the greatest criticism

has been directed, distinct improvements do not wholly

dispel the charge that the building industry has failed to keep pace with other groups in modernizing its methods. But the groundwork laid by the tendencies

for construction to follow nation-wide, rather than

purely local, standards undoubtedly forms a neces- sary basis for further advances.

GROWTH IN PROFESSIONS

One indication of the increased appreciation and use

of engineering data and technical skill is the growth in membership of professional societies, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute

of Architects, and the American Society of Heating

and Ventilating Engineers, several of which have more

than doubled in membership since 1913, and some since

1919. There has also been a notable increase in the

technical activities of trade associations in the construction industries, and in national and local cooperation between groups.

1 From Chapter III in Recent Economic Changes in the United States—Report of the Committse on Recent Economic Changes of the President's Conference on Une mployment, pp. 232-235.

MORE CAREFUL DESIGN

Structures are commonly planned more carefully

for adaptability to use and economy in construction.

For large structures the architects often collaborate

with committees of experienced building managers.

Architectural and engineering firms, assigning more important roles to cost engineers, consult more often with

contractors on economical features of design. Much

construction is carried on by public utilities and large

corporations, such as chains of stores and motion-picture

theaters, which employ specialists who work out plans

with great refinement. Some of the larger mortgage

bond companies also employ architects to pass on the

design of structures and to suggest desirable improvements. Improvements in small-house design include

better lighting, heating, heat insulation and ventilating, economy in the use of materials, regard for effi- cient construction methods, and for durability and appearance of the finished structure. RESULTS OF COMPETITION IN BUILDING

MATERIALS

Competition between the producers of various types

of building materials has been keen, with many millions of dollars spent for group and association advertising and other forms of promotion, research, and en- gineering service. Quick-setting cements and mortar
54

materials, wall boards, composition strip shingles,

quick-drying lacquer paints, materials for heat insulation and sound deadening, and the evolution of dozens

of varieties of floor, wall, and roofing materials illus- trate the trends.

National trade associations, with annual budgets

for research and promotion work running into the

hundreds of thousands of dollars, are active in en- couraging the use of Portland cement, lumber, steel,

brick, hollow tile, and other materials. Building

material retailers more and more have had to carry

nationally advertised commodities and brands in order

to meet the wishes of customers.

STANDARDS FOR MATERIALS

Great savings have been effected in the use of materials through more careful analysis of strains and

stresses, wider use of specifications, and better in- spection, which permits greater reliance on uniform

quality. There is a distinct and steady trend toward

thinner masonry walls and lighter structural elements.

The American Society for Testing Materials has

adopted many new specifications for building materials.

The transforming of construction from a local to a more nearly national basis has been reflected in and

stimulated by the adoption of simplified practice

recommendations, which have recognized standard

dimensional varieties for about 50 building material

items, including yard lumber, common brick, hollow

tile, concrete building units, metal lath, and builders’

hardware.

A standard filing system, established in 1916 by

the American Institute of Architects, is finding wider

use by manufacturers of materials.

DURABILITY

Increased durability of structures is emphasized by

attention to fire-resistive features and use of noncorrosive metals. The amount of wood treated with

preservatives to lengthen its useful life doubled from

1922 to 1927. The subgrading and substructure of

highways is more carefully prepared, and the surfacing more lasting.

BETTER ORGANIZATION AND REDUCED TIME FOR

CONSTRUCTION

The execution of many more contracts of large size has been accompanied by improvements in the organization of many contracting firms. The time required

for executing practically all types of construction

operations has notably diminished, a development

stimulated during the war and made possible by better

planning and scheduling of work, improvements in

design, increased shop fabrication of materials, more

dependable delivery of materials, and wider use of labor-saving devices and equipment on the job.

Groups of subcontractors have developed highly

specialized organizations and their relations with

contractors and designers have tended to become closer. IMPROVED MACHINERY

Labor-saving machinery has been made more

adaptable and reliable, and is more widely used.

Development of the gas engine has had a widespread

influence. Motor trucks have left to horses only a

small share of the hauling of materials, and have also cut into the use of light railways for filling operations.

Gas engines have made possible a much wider use of

compressed air furnished by small portable motordriven units, and they and electricity are displacing

steam in power shovels. The motor truck with its self-dumping body is displacing the wheelbarrow and

common labor, in the assembly of materials in the

hoppers and skips of concrete mixers and pavers.

Standardization of ratings of capacity, and other

features of mixers and pavers, has been effected by the

cooperation of the manufacturers who in 1923 organized the Mixer Manufacturers Bureau, affiliated with

the Associated General Contractors. This now repre- sents nearly 100 per cent of the machine capacity in both classes of mixers. The greater mobility and

capacity of motor trucks have stimulated the use of

power shovels on a greater number of jobs and kept

larger shovels at work a greater portion of the time.

Many devices have been perfected for cutting down

labor at the building site, particularly in the use of concrete and masonry materials, where there are material-handling problems.

Field studies show a more general rental of construction machinery and equipment, even by the large

contracting firms. This practice has tended to reduce

overhead carrying costs and transportation charges,

and has encouraged and made available at less cost the use of the most efficient types of equipment.

PUBLIC REGULATION

The modernization of municipal building regulations

has been accelerated. The enactment of zoning

ordinances in more than 700 municipalities has already

been mentioned.

The Department of Commerce Advisory Committee

on Building Codes has been at work since 1921 on recommended requirements for municipal codes, co- operating with many other groups. Its findings have

been used in code revisions in at least 120 municipalities.

National trade associations have extended their

work of securing fair treatment for their materials in

building codes. Several new associations have appeared in this field. The Building Officials’ Conference has gained in

membership and strength. Corresponding regional

bodies have been formed. Altogether, the framing
55

and administration of building codes has come to be more widely recognized as a serious problem, to be

solved by scientific research and engineering skill. NORTH EUROPEAN PRODUCERS PROPOSE STANDARDIZED MOLDINGS

Representatives of the lumber export organizations

in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as of the

Norwegian and Swedish standardization committee,

held a meeting in Stockholm, when sawn lumber

standardization was discussed. It was agreed in principle to use similar moldings for planed lumber in

the export trade. This agreement, which requires

the confirmation of the boards of the various organizations, stipulates that the Norwegian moldings are to be used in all thicknesses, except that of five-eighthsinc.h,

for which dimension the Swedish molding is to be used.

With regard to the application of a common length measure for sawn and planed goods, those at the meeting decided to approach the English Standardization

Commission with a view of securing its assistance in establishing this length measure. The length measure would thus be observed in sales both in England and

to the continental markets; in the first place, France

and Belgium, where the goods are measured in metric

feet. It was further decided that the export organization in the northern countries, on receiving the reply

from the English committee, should do their best to expedite the settlement of this important matter. The sizes and patterns of Norwegian standards of

planed lumber for export are shown in the Department

of Commerce publication, Special Agent Series No. 211,

The Lumber Industry in Norway (1922). Special

Agents Series No. 211, which also covers the forest resources and export trade of Norway, may be secured

from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington,

D. C, or from any of the district or cooperative offices of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce,

for the price of 30 cents. There is no information

immediately available on the pattern of the five- eighths inch Swedish molding.

RECENT CHANGES IN BUREAU

Edwin W. Ely, who has been acting chief of the

division of simplified practice since the promotion of Ray M. Hudson to Assistant Director of the Bureau of

Standards in charge of the commercial standardization group, has been appointed chief of the division.

At the same time the following promotions were also announced: I. J. Fairchild to be chief, division of

trade standards; Dr. A. S. McAllister to be chief,

division of specifications; and H. S. Rawdon to be

chief, division of metallurgy.

FEEL LACK OF STANDARDIZATION

In his opening address delivered before the Twentysixth Annual Convention of the American Road

Builders’ Association at Cleveland, Ohio, R. Keith

Compton, president of the association, said that

"there has been a lack of standardization and coordination of construction and administration functions

among municipalities. There are numerous sets of

specifications, numerous methods of applying them,

and coordination is sadly lacking.” In closing his

remarks on this subject he suggested that "further

efforts be made toward the simplification and standardization of various features of road-building machinery

and equipment, such as nomenclature, terminology,

ratings, and capacities; also, as far as practicable, the

standardization of sizes and dimensions of items, such

as dump bodies, shovel buckets, and other equipment.

The general idea, of course, being the further interchangeability and ease of replacement in those parts

calling for highest frequency of renewal. In these

matters we must have the cooperation and assistance

of the manufacturers.”

WOOD UTILIZATION PROGRAM SHOWS PROGRESS

Approximately 600 Maryland sawmills and woodworking plants are cooperating with the National

Committee on Wood Utilization in its survey of wood

waste in that State. If conditions in. other States may

be taken as a criterion, thousands of tons of wood in | Maryland-—potential raw material for paper and pulp

mills, fiber, box, and furniture factories, and similar

industries—are annually burned up for want of a better outlet. The information obtained from this survey will show the character, kind, quantity, and

exact locations of the nonutilized wood available in the

State. Similar surveys conducted by the committee

have developed the fact that more than 60,000 carloads

Over 10,000 copies of the booklet "You Can Make

It,” published by the committee as a part of its effort to put old boxes and crates to good use, have already

been sold. A newspaper in Birmingham, Ala., is staging an

arts and craft contest and has purchased 300 of these

bulletins to present to the boys and girls entered in

this contest. One box company alone has ordered

4,500 copies.

"Seasoning, Handling, and Care of Lumber” (Manufacturers’ Edition), is the title of a bulletin released by

the National Committee on Wood Utilization early in July. The object of this bulletin is expressed in the

opening paragraph of its foreword, which reads:
Probably no other measure will so greatly increase the useful- ness of lumber as its proper seasoning, not only because the seasoned stock is increased in strength from one to three times

as compared with green lumber but also because its lastings

qualities are enhanced and charges for freight and handling

costs are greatly reduced. The report points out in a purely suggestive way the

various methods of producing properly seasoned lumber. Yard layouts, methods of handling, and yard

seasoning are also discussed. Briefly, the bulletin is a summary of the methods employed by manufacturers

of practically all the commercial wood species of importance in the United States. The price of this bulletin is 30 cents. It may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,

Washington, D. C.

Attention is especially directed to the fact that this

is the fourth and last of a series of bulletins on the same general subject, the first three of which were

written for the lumber consumer, the lumber distributor, and the lumber fabricator, respectively.

The cutting of lumber less than 13 inches in diameter

with the type of machinery used in American mills

has heretofore been unprofitable. Because of this fact the committee is sponsoring a test of Scandinavian gang saws, which have proven very efficient in European sawmills, and which are designed especially to cut small logs. This test, which is under

way in Pacific coast mills, has already demonstrated

that miscuts and scant lumber are practically eliminated where timber is cut with the Scandinavian type

of machinery. This insures to the trade, lumber

which conforms to American Lumber Standards.

Furthermore, the surface of boards sawn with the

Scandinavian gang saw is such as to preclude the

necessity of planing and surfacing them after they are

cut. The tests have shown conclusively that the

gang-saw type of machinery is very well adapted to the cutting of the species of timber grown on the

West Coast, particularly Douglas fir. The decrease in the stands of merchantable timber I located near our large fabricating centers and con- sequent increasing transportation costs of rough

lumber have brought to the attention of the lumber

industry the economic importance of the use of smalldimension stock cut to size at or near the source of supply and 100 per cent usable for those industries

which fabricate and assemble the finished product.

To make available the latest information concerning small-dimension lumber, the National Committee

on Wood Utilization has prepared a bulletin under

the title “Small Dimension Lumber, Its Seasoning,

Handling, and Manufacture,” which will soon be

ready for distribution.

The objects of this bulletin, which summarizes the

methods followed in plants producing in excess of a

billion board feet of small-dimension stock per annum,

are threefold: (a) To summarize present conditions j

in the""small-dimension industry; ( b ) to present to the

manufacturer and to the prospective operator a sum- mary of what are considered the best practices of

manufacture, seasoning, and handling, as applied to small-dimension stock; and (c) to discuss the important

subjects of cost finding and standardization as applied

to small-dimension stock.

INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Commercial and Industrial Organizations of the

United States is the title of the 1929 edition, issued by

the United States Department of Commerce. In it are listed more than 13,000 trade associations and

nonprofit organizations, an increase of nearly 50 per

cent over the 1926 edition. The book is valuable for locating the association representing any industry, its address and secretary’s name. Copies may be obtained

from the Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, Washington, D. C. The price is 60

cents per copy.

DEVELOPS METHOD FOR PREPARING GAS-FREE

LIQUIDS

An improved method for removing and collecting

dissolved gases from liquids has been developed. It has been found, for example, that under proper conditions, the amount of oxygen dissolved in water

may be reduced to less than 0.0001 per cent by only one sublimation. Ammonia, carbon dioxide, and

many other gases may be Completely removed from

liquids. This is of importance in accurately determining the vapor pressure, conductivity, and density

of pure liquids.

The investigation was conducted at the Bureau of

Standards, where it was discovered that, through the

principle of vacuum sublimation, gas-free liquids

could be prepared without appreciable loss of either

liquid or dissolved gas. These liquids are used in the

determination of physical constants, one of the primary

functions of the bureau. This subject was treated more fully in the July number of the Bureau of

Standards Journal of Research.

CONCRETE REINFORCING BARS TESTED

In an effort to find a method of making the coldbend test of uniform severity for concrete reinforcing

bars of all sizes and degrees of hardness, and the

finding of an impact test suitable for detecting brittle- ness in such bars, a series of tests has been made at the Bureau of Standards.

A standard test for quality of concrete reinforcing

bars consists in bending the bars, without heating,

through 90° to 180° with a radius of bend equal to

1, 2, or 3 diameters of the bar. The angle and radius

of the bend depend generally upon the size and hardness of the bar. The difference in the angle and

radius of the bend required for different types of bars
57

causes differences in the severity of the tests applied

to the different bars. Thus it seems that the tendency

is to suit the specification to what the bars of differ- ent grade will meet successfully rather than to the

service demanded of the bars in bending for use as reinforcement.

In the tests made on bars purchased in the open

market it was desired to find out also whether the

application of the cold-bend test might impair the

tensile strength although the bar did not fail in the

bend test. Cold-bend, tension and impact tests were made. The cold-bend tests were made by the standard methods and by means of an improved machine

designed and built at the bureau. Bars which did

not break in the cold-bend test were not seriously

affected as to strength by the bending. With the

special bending machine used, all bars, regardless of

their size, appeared to undergo about the same strain

when bent through the same angle. The apparent

yield point in the bending test was much higher than

the yield point determined in direct tension test. The

impact test used gave an approximate measure of the

yield point of the bar, but none of the bars broke in

the impact test except a few which had been quenched

in water from a high temperature.

STEEL RAIL STRESSES BELIEVED WELL WITHIN

ENDURANCE LIMIT

As the result of extended tests on rails subjected to heavy service conditions, the Bureau of Standards has

concluded that the steel in these rails had not been

subjected to stresses greater than its endurance limit,

and that fatigue failures in service arise from preexistent nuclei.

This investigation is in line with the policy followed

by the bureau for many years, of cooperating with

railroads and manufacturers in problems relating to the betterment of railway equipment, with particular

reference to improving the safety of travel.

It has long been recognized that the so-called trans- verse fissure type of rail failure was of the fatigue type,

the result of the repeated stressing of the rail by the

passage of trains. The failure always spreads from a

well-defined nucleus in the interior of the head of the

rail. The origin of this nucleus has never been defi- nitely established. It is thought by some investigators

to be present in the rail before placing in service, but

by others to originate in service due to excessive wheel

loads. Recent developments in the endurance or fatigue

testing of metals has made possible the determination

of the stress, called the endurance limit, to which a metal, such as rail steel, may be repeatedly subjected

without causing failures. Tests to determine this value for new rails from several different heats of steel have been previously reported at the bureau in Technologic Paper No. 363. In those tests of new railsfit

was shown that service stresses might increase or decrease the fatigue resistance of the rail steel according

to whether the service stresses, the exact values of which are not at present determinable, were less 'or greater than the endurance limit of the steel. Through the cooperation of the Baltimore & Ohio

Railroad and the Canadian Pacific Railway, rails from

the same heats previously tested were taken out of

track and returned to the bureau after having been

subjected pn some cases to over 20,000,000 tons of

traffic in about one and a half to two years’ service.

A redetermination of the endurance limits showed

that the stresses imposed in service had not affected

the endurance properties of the steel, the endurance

limit being practically the same after as before service.

REALTORS ARE URGED TO ELIMINATE WASTE

The substitution of efficient, economical methods

for present “wasteful” practices employed in the real estate business was urged by Edward A. Filene, president of William Filene’s Sons, of Boston, before the

annual convention of the National Association of

Real Estate Boards, held in Boston.

“To-day,” he said, “modern business is in a period

of supercompetition for the consumer’s dollar. Whole

industries are competing with each other for the con- sumer’s business. In this ceaseless competition the

elimination of waste and the corresponding increase

in good will play a most important part, and at present the real estate business is a weak competitor

because of its deficiencies in these two essentials.”

SCREW-THREAD STANDARDS COMPRISE TWO

SERIES OF THREADS

The 1928 edition of the Report of the National

Screw Thread Commission has recently been released

for distribution, and may be secured from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, at 50 cents per copy. It is published as Miscellaneous

Publication, Bureau of Standards, No. 89. As the Commercial Standards Monthly is ex- pected to reach a large number of readers who are not familiar with the work of the Screw Thread Commission, a rather extensive outline of the work of the

commission is given herSin.

The commission was established in 1918 by act of

Congress; its life was twice extended by subsequent

acts, and in 1926 it was made a permanent body.

The commission is composed of 9 members appointed

as follows: The Director of the Bureau of Standards

is ex officio chairman of the commission; 2 members

are appointed by the Secretary of War, 2 by the

Secretary of the Navy, and 4 by the Secretary of

Commerce; 2 of the latter are from nominations

made by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and 2 from nominations made by the Society

of Automotive Engineers.
58

The duties of the commission as set forth in the act are

* * * to ascertain and establish standards for screw

threads, which shall be submitted to the Secretary of War, the

Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of Commerce for

their acceptance and approval. Such standards, when thus accepted and approved, shall be adopted and used in the several manufacturing plants under the control of the War and Navy

Departments, and, so far as practicable, in all specifications for screw threads in proposals for manufactured articles, parts, or materials to be used under the direction of these departments.

It is thus seen that the screw-thread standards

adopted and promulgated by the Screw Thread

Commission are mandatory only upon certain departments of the Federal Government. The commission

has, however, had the fullest cooperation of engineering societies, standardizing bodies, manufacturers and

users of screw threads, threading tools and gages, and

the standards established by the commission have

been accepted by industry, to such an extent that they

have become in fact, as well as in name, American

National Screw Thread Standards.

The screw-thread standards as established by the

commission comprise two series of threads, a coarse- thread series corresponding to the old “U. S. ” series,

and a fine-thread series corresponding to the S. A. E.

series. A complete classification of fits, with limiting

dimensions and tolerances for each class, is also established.

The report also contains information on pipe

threads, fire-hose threads, small hose threads, Acme

threads, threads for electric fixtures and fittings,

electric-lamp bases and sockets, cutting and welding

torches, wood screws, tap drills, threading tools,

'ages, and methods of measurement.

Three reports have been issued by the commission,

the first, or Progress Report, in 1921, the second in 1924, and the third, known as the 1928 Report, was issued in June of this year. In the new report the thread series and basic dimensions are essentially the same as in the earlier editions.

The new report, however, is completely revised, rear- ranged, and much new material has been added.

Among the important changes and additions the

following may be mentioned: The fine-thread series has been extended from 1% to 3 inches; the section on special threads has been revised for greater con- venience in use; a 12-pitch series of threads, tentative

specifications for class 5, wrench fit, dimensions and

tolerances for bolt heads, nuts and wrench openings,

threads for cutting the welding torches, and specifications for gage blanks for plain and threaded plug and

ring gages have been added, and the sections on

threading tools, tap drills, and gages have been revised.

The 1928 report will also be published in several

sections as a series of commercial standards. The

first three sections will cover the following:

1. Regular fastening screws, bolts, and nuts, coarse and fine thread series, dimensions and tolerances for

class 1, 2, 3, and 4 fits. 2. Screw threads of special diameters, pitches, and

lengths of engagement.

3. Gage blanks for plain and threaded plug and ring

limit gages. TURNING WITH SHALLOW CUTS AT HIGH SPEED

Up to the present time, the only generally accepted

method of test for lathe tools has been a life test under

heavy duty—that is, under deep cuts and coarse feeds. However, these tests are known not to be representative of a large part of industrial turning operations for which adequate methods of test have not been developed.

This report describes a new method of test for lathe

tools to be used under shallow cuts and fine feeds. It

is based upon the fact that when two tools are set at equal depth in the same tool holder, the second, or

“trailing,” tool will not cut so long as the leading, or

test, tool shows no wear. This method of test was first used in a study of the

conditions of cutting including variations in cutting

speeds, feeds, depths of cut, and the presence or absence

of cutting liquids; tests were also made with tools of

different form and with tool steels of different compositions heat treated in various ways. The tests were made throughout a period of about three years and

included over 1,000 tools. The performance of carbon and low-alloy tool steels and chromium-tungsten-vanadium (high-speed) steels was studied by means of the new method of test, and

the results compared with those obtained in the

heavy-duty tests. It was found that composition

variations which were beneficial for the one type of

service were not necessarily so for the other.

Both the new test and the customary heavy-duty

test were applied to high-speed steel containing additions of arsenic, antimony, copper, tin, cobalt, nickel,

molybdenum, aluminum, titanium, tantalum, high

phosphorus, and high sulphur. Of these 12 elements

only 1, cobalt, produced decidedly beneficial results. Two others, molybdenum and nickel, offered promise

under certain conditions while the balance either had a

negligible effect or were definitely deleterious from one

viewpoint or another.

The extent of the experiments seems to justify the

conclusion that the new method of test is a useful

addition to those previously available for comparisons

of lathe tools under conditions approaching those of practical service. The new method can readily be

applied in almost any machine shop since the only

special equipment required is a special tool holder

which is neither expensive nor complicated in construction.

o
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, AND COMMERCIAL

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE

national bureau of standards

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH

The new Journal describes the bureau’s re- search results in science and technology. The

union of science and its applications in one

journal shortens the lag between discovery

and application.

All engaged in industry and commerce should

have available for current use and permanent

reference, the Bureau of Standards Journal of

Research.

Early in its firSt year the Journal developed a

liSt of paid subscribers double the anticipated

maximum.

This Journal is full of interest to executives

and technicians controlling industries and

commercial enterprises. It enables them better to promote efficiency by determining the

scientific measured controls ofprocess through

experimental and theoretical research.

Issued monthly. . . . Price, $2.75 per year

TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN

The Bureau of Standards periodical with a WAR RECORD! Started during the dark

days of 1917 to keep the Army and Navy and

other branches of the Government informed

of progress in scientific war research at the

bureau. Upon urgent request this publication was continued and expanded to serve the

Government, science, and industry.

The TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN will

keep you informed of current progress in the

scientific and technical work of the bureau’s

laboratories, and gives each month a liSt of

the publications of the bureau. A complete

cross index is published with the December

issue.

You can not afford to be without the TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN. Every article is short and to the point. The busiest executive can afford the time to read it. Subscription price, 25 cents per year

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

This new governmental periodical is a review

of progress in commercial simplification and

Standardisation. It is the only journal of its kind. It covers the national movement ini- tiated by President Hoover for the reduction

of needless sises and varieties of products and

the promotion of voluntray commercial

Standardisation by industry.

The Secretary of Commerce in the firSt issue

of this new journal said: “Certain Standards,

such as those used for weights and measures,

* * * have been fixed by legislative enactment. Mandatory Standards of this character, however, are few in number when compared with the large and steadily growing

volume of Standards developed by industry

and commerce and voluntarily maintained.

* * * The activities of the Commercial

Standardisation Group of the Bureau of

Standards are concerned with Standards

adopted by voluntary agreement.”

Subscription price, $1 per year

STANDARDS YEARBOOK FOR 1929

The new Standards Yearbook for 1929 is the

third annual issue of a publication devoted to the great and growing field of standardisation

in its broad aspects. It is a 400-page summary

of progress.

Standardisation is a world-wide movement.

It covers all industries. It is part of the application of scientific methods to industry. Its achievements are of interest and concern to business men and manufacturers as well as to engineers. To the technician it is full of

example of methods and results of suggeStive

and Stimulating value. To business men it discloses trends which deeply concern their

interest.

NOW READY Price, $1 ORDER AT ONCE

“ Standardization, is becoming an aspect of all well- ordered activity rather than an incidental

activity supplemental to others.”

To obtain regularly the above-described publications send your order, with remittance, addressed: Superintendent

of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Foreign prices (countries other than the United

States, Canada, Mexico, Newfoundland, Cuba, and Republic of Panama) are: Journal, $3.75; Bulletin, $0.40;

Monthly, $1.25; Yearbook, $1.20
“ * * * this department * * * is devoted solely to aiding and fostering the development of higher standards of living and comfort of our people * * * its ideals are clear: That by cooperation and not by compulsion it should seek to assist in maintaining and giving the impulse of progress to commerce and industry in a nation whose successful economic life underlies advancement in every other field." —President Hoover, at the laying of the corner stone of the new building

of the U. S. Department of Commerce, June 10, 1929.

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. LAMONT, Secretary of Commerce

AERONAUTICS BRANCH, William P. McCracken, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics. Establishment of civil airways and maintenance of aids to air navigation; inspection and registration of aircraft and licensing

of pilots; enforcement of air traffic rules; investigation of acci- dents; encouragement of municipal air ports; fostering of air commerce; scientific research in aeronautics; and dissemination of information relating to commercial aeronautics. (Some

of these functions are performed by special divisions of the Lighthouse Service, the Bureau of Standards, and the Coast and Geodetic Survey.)

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, William M. Steuart, Director. Taking censuses of population, mines and quarries, water

transportation, arid religious bodies every 10 years; censuses of agriculture and electrical public utilities every 5 years; and a

census of manufactures every 2 years. Compilation of statistics of wealth, public debt and taxation, including financial statistics of local governments, every 10 years; annual compilation of financial statistics of State and municipal governments.

Compilation of statistics of marriage, divorce, births, deaths,

and penal and other institutions annually, and of death rates in

cities and automobile accidents weekly.

Compilation quarterly or monthly of statistics on cotton, wool, leather, and other industries; annually of forest products;

and publication monthly of Survey of Current Business. BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE.

The collection of timely information concerning world market

conditions and openings for American products in foreign countries, through commercial attaches, trade commissioners, and

consular officers, and its distribution through weekly Commerce

Reports, bulletins, confidential circulars, the news and trade

press, and district and cooperative offices in 65 cities. The

maintenance of commodity, technical, and regional divisions to

afford special service to American exporters and manufacturers. The compilation and distribution of lists of possible buyers

and agents for American products in all parts of the world and

publication of weekly lists of specific sales opportunities abroad. The publicity of statistics on imports and exports. The study of the processes of domestic trade and commerce. BUREAU OF STANDARDS, George K. Burgess, Director. Custody, development, and construction of standards of measurement, quality, performance, or practice; comparison of standards used by scientific or other institutions; determination

of physical constants and properties of materials; researches and tests on materials and processes; and publication of scientific and technical bulletins reporting results of researches and

fundamental technical data. Preparation of specifications for Government purchases,

through the Federal Specifications Board.

Collection and dissemination of information concerning

building codes and the planning and construction of houses. Establishment of simplified commercial practices through

cooperation with business organizations in order to reduce the wastes resulting from excessive variety in commodities.

BUREAU OF MINES, Scott Turner, Director. Technical investigations in the mining, preparation, and

utilization of minerals, including the study of mine hazards and

safety methods and of improved methods in the production

and use of minerals. Testing of Government fuels and management of the Govern- ment Fuel Yard at Washington.

Research on helium and operation of plants producing it.

BUREAU OF MINES—Continued.

Studies in the economics and marketing of minerals and col- lection of statistics on mineral resources and mine accidents. The dissemination of results of technical and economic

researches in bulletins, technical papers, mineral resources series, miners’ circulars, and miscellaneous publications.

BUREAU OF FISHERIES, Henry O’Malley, Commissioner.

The propagation and distribution of food fish and shellfish,

in order to prevent the depletion of the fisheries; investigations

to promote conservation of fishery resources; the development

of commercial fisheries and agriculture; study of fishery methods, improvements in merchandising, and collection of fishery

statistics; administration of Alaska fisheries and fur seals; and

the protection of sponges off the coast of Florida. BUREAU OF LIGHTHOUSES, George R. Putnam, Commissioner. Maintenance of lighthouses and other aids to water navigation. Establishment and maintenance of aids to navigation

along civil airways. Publication of Light Lists, Buoy Lists, and

Notices to Mariners.

COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, R. S. Patton, Director. Survey of the coasts of the United States and publication of charts for the navigation of the adjacent waters, including

Alaska, the Philippine Islands, Hawaii, Porto Rico, the Virgin

Islands, and the Canal Zone; interior control surveys; magnetic surveys; tide and current observations; and seismological

investigations. Publication of results through charts, coast pilots, tide tables, current tables, and special publications.

BUREAU OF. NAVIGATION, Arthur’ J. Tyrer,[Commissioner.

Superintendence of commercial marine and merchant seamen.

Supervision of registering, enrolling, licensing, numbering,

etc., of vessels under the United States flag, and the annual

publication of a list of such vessels. Enforcement of the navigation and steamboat inspection laws,

including imposition of fees, fines, tonnage taxes, etc. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE,'/Dickerson |N.

Hoover, Supervising Inspector General. The inspection of merchant vessels, including boilers, hulls, and life-saving equipment, licensing of officers of vessels, certi- fication of able seamen and lifeboat men, and the investigation

of violations of steamboat inspection laws. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, Thomas E. Robertson,

Commissioner.

The granting of patents and the registration of trade-marks,

prints, and labels after technical examination and judicial

proceedings

Maintenance of library with public search room, containing

copies of foreign and United States patents and trade-marks. Recording bills of sale, assignments, etc., relating to patents

and trade-marks. Furnishing copies of records pertaining to patents. Publication of the weekly Official Gazette, showing the patents and trade-marks issued. RADIO DIVISION, W. D. Terrell, Chief. Inspection of radio stations on ships; inspection of radio

stations on shore, including broadcasting stations; licensing radio operators; assigning station call letters; enforcing the terms of the International Radiotelegraphic Convention; and

examining and settling international radio accounts.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1929