Bureau of Standaras^.

COMMERCIAL

STANDARDS

MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

Photographed by Army Air^Corps AIRPLANE VIEW OF BUREAU OF STANDARDS (LOOKING SOUTH)

ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS OF THE UNITED

STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, WASHINGTON, D. C., U. S. A.

Vol. 9, No. 3 SEPTEMBER, 1932

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

ROY D. CHAPIN, Secretary

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

LYMAN J. BRIGGS, Acting Director

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY, S. F. Tillman, Editor

The Commercial Standardization Group

A. S. Me ALHSTER, Assistant Director

DIVISION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE

Edwin W. Ely

The division of simplified pradlice cooperates with industrial and commercial groups to reduce wa^te, usually through

eliminating unnecessary variety of produdl, method, or

pradlice. Its fundlion is to bring together all parties inter- ested in a projedt of this charadler, and to coordinate their

work in developing a simplified pradlice recommendation.

Such work includes surveys of current pradlice, formulation of a simplified pradlice program, and presentation of

that program for adlion by a general conference representing

all interests. The division then transmits to all concerned

a full report of the general conference, with a requeSl for written acceptance of the adlion taken. When the volume

of acceptances is sufficient to indicate initial success, the

Department ofCommerce indorses the program and publishes

the recommendation. The division thereafter cooperates

with a Slanding committee appointed by the induSlry concerned, in condudling periodic surveys to determine the

degree of adherence, to maintain and extend support of the

recommendation, and to secure data for reaffirmation or

revision. Simplified pradlice may be applied to any com- modity or adlivity in which it will reduce

waSle. The division Slands ready to render

service in developing and making effedlive any application of simplified pradlice which

will reduce waSle, Slabili^e business, or extend commerce.

BUILDING AND HOUSING DIVISION

J. S. Taylor

The division of building and housing,

formed in 1921, cooperates with business,

technical, and professional groups in furthering condlrudlion adlivities. It works to modernize building codes and to encourage improved dlandards for the quality of building condlrudlion, and the practical application of the latedl development in design and use of building materials.

It encourages home ownership through the development

of an enlarged, dleadier, more intelligent, and more discriminating demand for dwellings—the largedl single class of

buildings which the construction industries provide.

The division also cooperates with other governmental

agencies and with many private business and professional groups in efforts to distribute building aeflivity more evenly

throughout the year and to secure less fludluation from

year to year. The work on city planning and zoning has the broad

objedlive of making buildings more useful through proper

location with respedl to other Slrudlures, Stabilizing of land

values and property uses, well coordinated thoroughfare

sySlems, and well laid out public works.

STANDARDIZATION

..IS.. A CONTINUING PROCESS

ITS AIM IS NOT FIXITY OR STAGNATION

..BUT.. TO ADD SERVICEABILITY

AS OFTEN AS THE

POTENTIAL GAIN

MAKES IT WORTH WHILE

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 adlivities involving cooperation with

technical societies; trade associations; Federal, State, and

municipal Government specifications making and using

agencies; producers, didlributors, and consumers; and tedling

and research laboratories. It ascertains the standardization

and specifications promoting adlivities of the associations and societies, and brings to their attention the work being

done by the commercial dlandardization group. It brings the

Federal specifications and commercial standards to the atten- tion of the maximum number of producers and users of commodities complying with these dlandards and specifications.

It compiles and didlributes lidls of sources of supply of materials guaranteed to comply with the standards and specifi- cations. It shows both buyers and sellers the benefits from

handling nationally specified, certified, and labeled commodities. The division prepares diredlories of governmental and

nongovernmental tedling laboratories and theDiredlory of

Specifications, and is working on an encyclopedia of specifications, the firff two volumes of which

have been issued, namely, “Standards and

Specifications in the Wood-Using Induffries” and “Standards and Specifications for Nonmetallic Minerals and their ProducSls.” It also

aids in preparing the Standards Yearbook.

DIVISION OF TRADE STANDARDS

I. J. Fairchild

The division of trade ffandards, on requeff

,

assiffs induffrial and commercial groups in the voluntary effablishment of ffandards

covering grades, quality, dimensional interchangeability, or other acceptance criteria as a national

basis for marketing manufaffured commodities.

The detail criteria are seleffed or determined voluntarily

by intereffed buyers or sellers, without any Government

diffation or domination, and adjuffed at a general confer- ence of producers, diffributors, and users so as to represent

the composite views of all branches. The division fundlions

chiefly as a neutral agency to see that all intereffed elements

are given full opportunity to be heard and satisfied; to

solicit and record acceptances; and to publish and promulgate

the ffandard when a satisfaffory majority of acceptances is obtained and provided there is no affive opposition.

Induffries are encouraged to apply self-certifying labels to produdls meeting the commercial ffandard requirements, as a means of protedling the consumer and the scrupulous seller from misrepresentation or unfair methods of marketing.

Provision is made for regular revision of the ffandard

through the appointment of a ffanding committee to consider periodically any necessity for revision of the ffandard,

in order that it may be kept conffantly compatible with

progress in the induffry.

Address BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Washington, D. C., for further information
COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

Volume 9 WASHINGTON, D. C., SEPTEMBER, 1932 Number 3

SUBJECT

BUILDING AND HOUSING

Page

A new industry established 61

Builders’ template hardware 74 Canadian research laboratories dedicated 67 Commercial standard approved for fiber insulating

board 58 Eaves trough, conductor pipe, conductor elbows, and

fittings 64 Highway-Building Congress to meet 67 Home-modernizing activities stimulate business 63

Interior illumination 55 Power-driven derrick cranes 74

Standardization in connection with home making 62

Tests of elevator buffers 68

DENTAL SUPPLIES

Dental mouth-mirror program approved 72 Dental rubbers program accepted 69 GROUP ACTIVITIES Aluminum analysis 70 American Society for Testing Materials 57 American Standards Association 66 A new industry established 61 Coal stanaards 54

Federal specifications 56 How standardization effects saving for city of Mil- waukee 65

International steel group formed 74 Standards for buying and selling 58 INTERNATIONAL AND FOREIGN

British standard for braided cables 73

British standard for radio tubes 73

British standard for railway rolling-stock springs 71

British standard for screws 74 Canadian research laboratories dedicated 67

Imperial economic conference fosters standardization

as a means of economic cooperation 71 International steel group formed 74

Metric weights and measures exhibition to be held in Austria 70 New British standards for copper 64 Power-driven derrick cranes 74 Standard test on galvanized wire 72

ANALYSIS

METALS

Page

British standard for braided cables 73

British standard for railway rolling-stock springs 71

British standard for screws 74

Builders’ template hardware 74 Eaves trough, conductor pipe, conductor elbows, and

fittings 64 Forged-tools schedule reaffirmed M

Hose connections for welding and cutting torches 74 New British standards for copper 64 Packaging of railway equipment 56 Recommendation covering cupola refractories before industry for acceptance 73 Standard test on galvanized wire 72 PAPER AND RUBBER

Adherence report on industrial truck tires 70 Commercial standard approved for fiber insulating board. 58 Commercial standard for apple wraps submitted for in- dustry’s approval 72 Dental-rubbers program accepted 69 Recommendation for corrugated boxes made available.. 65 Recommendation for folding boxes now available 74

Specifications for photographic paper approved 62 PETROLEUM, PAINTS, AND VARNISH

Simplification for paint and varnish 73 PUBLICATIONS

Recommendation for corrugated boxes made available.. 65 Recommendation for folding boxes now available 74

Safety codes for the prevention of dust explosions 71 Standardization in connection with home making 62 QUALITY MARKS AND LABELS

Hose connections for welding and cutting torches 74

Precision measurements in firearm identification 59 Promotion of simplified practice recommendations 72 TEXTILES A new industry established 61 Conference examines cotton for staple tj^pes 64 Flax and hemp twine simplified in variety 68

Surgical dressings 69

AN INVITATION TO VISIT THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS

A cordial invitation is extended to all interested in scientific progress to visit the laboratories of

the Bureau of Standards when in Washington. A personally conducted trip is organized at 2.15 p. in. daily except on holidays. Special trips for groups may be arranged at other times by writing to the

bureau in advance. The bureau’s illustrated Visitor’s Alanual may be had for the asking. This lists the work in progress and gives an airplane view of the eiLsemhle and a brief statement of typical dis- coveries and inventions which have iieen notable, basic contributions to radio, aviation, and other

modern arts and industries.

1.381'24—.S2 1 .53
COAL STANDARDS

FIELD SURVEY AND CLASSIFICATION STUDIES

By Marius R. Campbell

Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior

I

N ORDER to determine the extent and value of the coal fields, field parties organized

by the Geological Survey, of the Department of the Interior, have examined and

mapped pradically every coal field of the We^. The geologic mapping of the we^ern

coal fields is ^ill in progress, though many of the mo^ valuable areas have been examined,

and the thickness, extent, and quality of the coal beds have been determined. Some of the more important results of this work are: (1) The publication of many reports describing

individual coal fields, indicating the outcrop of each bed, and giving careful e^imates of the tonnage present; (2) the publication in 1908 of the fir^ fairly complete, though small, map of the coal fields of the United States; (3) the presentation at the Twelfth International Geo'

logical Congress, in 1913, at Ottawa, Canada, of the fir^ reasonably complete ^atement of

the coal resources of the United States; and (4) the pubHcation by the Geological Survey in 191? of a large wall map of the United States showing all the coal fields and, by the use of

different colors, the di^ribution of the various kinds of coal that are generally recognized.

These are anthracite, semibituminous, high-grade bituminous, low-grade bituminous, sub- bituminous, and lignite.

It is intere^ing to note that when the World War threatened to involve the United States, the previous work of the Geological Survey in mapping and Undying the coal fields of the country made it unnecessary to que^ion the amount, location, and accessibility of coal that was available.

The late^ work of general interest in the ^udy of coal is the attempt of various organizations to agree upon a ^andard classification, so that anyone ordering coal may specify the kind he

desires and be sure that the dealer will underhand what he means. If such a ^andard is adopted, it will mean a universal language, so far as coal is concerned, which may be used

and underwood not only by the scienti^, but by the dealer, the railroad man, the attorney,

and the Representative in Congress, and which, it is hoped, will bring order and underhanding where now there is only confusion.

The work is being carried on by several committees working under the rules of the American

Standards Association. On these committees are representatives of the Geological Survey

and the Bureau of Mines, and the results so far achieved are due largely to the field work of

the former and the excellent laboratory work of the latter. This combination of acflivities has produced results which may enable these committees to solve the troublesome quehions

that conhantly arise regarding the number of classes to be recognized and the criteria for

their differentiation.

54
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 55

INTERIOR ILLUMINATION

Proper Illumination Results in Economies, but Depends on Adequacy in Interior Wiring

By G. H. Stickney and Walter Stukrock ^

Progress in securing good illumination in building

has, within a few years, been seriously impeded by

lack of sufficient wiring capacity, much to the dis- advantage of owners and managements. For the rank

and file of ordinary lighting installations, such as small stores, workshops, and offices, rather definite rules have been evolved. In fact, these rules have

become sufficiently definite as to constitute practices

from which the requirements which lighting imposes

upon the wiring may be predicted within reasonable

limits. The lighting practices, referred to, have been ex- pressed in papers and reports before various associat i o n s. Notable among

these are the lighting

codes of the Illuminating

Engineering Society, the

American Standards Association, and the Inter- national Commission on

Illumination. The ac- cepted illumination levels for the most common

conditions of b u i 1 d i n g

lighting have been compiled in tabular form by

leading illuminating engineers. Among other

places these tables have

been published in the

Franklin Red Seal Specification of the Society for

Electrical Development, which also prescribes approximate rules for the lighting design of the simpler and more common classes of building interiors.

While, as has been pointed out, electric lighting

practice in the more common applications is comparatively definite, it is not static. Illumination levels—

that is to say the quantitative elements—have been

rising steadily for many years and except for the

retardation during periods of business depression,

there is no indication that most fields have approached

saturation. Moreover, there is an increasing demand

for diffusion and reduction of glare, which is generally

secured at a sacrifice of light, and therefore puts an

additional requirement on the amount of electricity

to be supplied. While qualitatively these advances

are generally recognized, it is exceedingly difficult to secure any quantitative measure for them. Since the

advances are the resultants of various forces, some

peculiar to the application, the locality, the time, etc.,

it follows that they are variable and can not be simply

expressed. Probably the best authoritative examples

are illustrated by the illumination values for the in- dustrial lighting field as published in the 1921 and

1930 issues of the American Standard Code of Lighting for Factories, Mills, and Other Work Places.

1 Incnndescont lamp department. General Electric Co., Nola Dark.

Cleveland, Ohio ; an abstract of paper recently delivered at a meeting

of the A. I. E. E.

For a number of years illuminating engineers have

been encountering installations in which suitable lighting could not be provided because of a lack of capacity

in the wiring. This was first evidenced by the blowing of fuses when new lighting equipment was put in

operation. It became, therefore, necessary to check

up on capacity before placing larger lamps in old

installations or recommending suitable lighting even

in some new installations. While the advance dis- covery of the limit saved some embarrassment, it did

not produce a happy situation to be unable to provide

the illumination needed and desired by the building’s

occupants. Even where the safe carrying capacity of

the wiring was not ex- ceeded, excessive losses of

electrical pressure in the

wiring were frequently

encountered so that the

voltage delivered to lamps was considerably less than

it should have been. Such

losses were greatest at times when the demand

was greatest, and resulted

in serious reduction in

light output and lamp

efficiency. To the user

it showed itself in in- adequate illumination, a yellowing of the light,

and when other loads were switched on and

off’, a flickering of the lighting.

A review of the papers and reports presented before

the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and

other engineering association, shows careful treat- ment of practically every other phase of electrical

engineering. Building wiring alone seems to have

been neglected, perhaps because it has been considered

as an economic problem rather than an engineering

problem. Inasmuch as the engineering result of the

entire system is in so large a measure vitiated by

wiring inadequacy, it seems important that more

attention be given to this subject. Moreover, it is not

sufficient to provide merely for initial requirements.

The wiring should be planned with reference to the

exiiected life of the building, anticipating future needs

as far as jiossible. Hence it is also important to consider the trends of lighting practice.

Interior wiring has received a great deal of atten- tion on the part of code writers, and has been the subject of numerous rules. By many in the electrical

industry the National Electric Code has been taken as

a standard of good engineering, overlooking the fact

that the purpose of this code is fire prevention and

other safety features. Being mandatoi’y in character,

the code can not iirescribe wiring on the basis of

best economic engineering. Because of tlie common

failure of those responsible for sucli wiring to provide

for later additions to the load on a wiring installation

There is hardly an aspect of present-day in- dustrial problems that does not involve, directly or indirectly, the problem of lighting. Safety,

workman’s compensation and insurance premiums, output, labor turnover, spoilage, quality,

unit cost, fixed charges, and maintenance—eveiy one and all of these are affected favorably or unfavorably by the illumination.

To-day industry is thinking of illumination in

terms of fewer accidents and lower insurance

premiums, less labor turnover, reduced spoilage,

and greater output of higher average quality.

Adequacy of wiring is of major importance as explained in this article.
56 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932

it has been necessary for the code to anticipate these

additions, but still on the basis of safety only. The

code has been the subject of considerable controversy

among the various interests involved. Since good

engineering would incorporate the requirements both

for safety and for economic operations, there is good

reason to believe that these misunderstandings would

disappear and the code assume its rightful position if good engineering were to prevail in this field. In the interest of good economic engineering there

is needed a reasonable standard, based upon good

lighting practice, with an allowance for advances in

the art and probably changes in the use of buildings.

Such a standard would do much to overcome the conditions which have been responsible for the present

unsatisfactory condition. A few illuminating officers,

with country-wide contacts, became conscious of building wiring as a limitation of good lighting about 1921. After several years of study, investigation and consultation with an ever enlarging circle of engineers,

a plan was formed, and in the summer of 1928 the

National Electric Light Association was asked to promote a movement for better wiring practice.

Preliminary specification paragraphs were agreed

upon in the spring of 1929. Immediately some of the

illuminating engineers, especially those associated

with electric utility companies began an informal

application of the standards so embodied. The

results were very gratifying. After a year’s experience an extension of these paragraphs for commercial buildings was published by the National Electric Light Association. In the summer of 1931 a corresponding specification for industrial buildings was issued under the same auspices. Several interested groups and individuals undertook the preparation of corresponding specifications for residence wiring. In the fall of 1931 an industry committee was

organized to coordinate the several undertakings into

a single standard specification. This work is not yet

completed, although the reports indicate that the end

is in sight. The specifications for commercial and

industrial structures are undoubtedly the best available expression of the needs felt by illuminating en- gineers for building wiring. "V^Tiile especially in- tended for the smaller installations, the quantities

and principles are applicable to larger buildings.

They have Been used as a guideJn hundreds and probably thousands of installations and all reports seem

to indicate that they represent reasonable and proper

standards.

It is to be hoped that consulting engineers will

familiarize themselves with these specifications, and

subject them to criticism, and that out of this there

may come generally accepted standards of wiring

practice. This would strengthen the weak link in the

system of electric lighting, and encourage a normal

development along the lines of good economic en- gineering. The public could then look with confidence

to its advisors in the field of electric lighting, and be

assured that good illumination, according to its needs can be had in any building constructed under responsible auspices.

PACKAGING OF RAILWAY EQUIPMENT

General Conference Approves Simplifications for Packaging

of Electric Railway Motors and Controller Parts and Packaging of Electric Railway Bonds and Bond Terminals

On August 18, 1932, a general conference on the

packaging of electric railway motor and controller

parts was held at the Bureau of Standards. This

meeting was attended by representatives of the electric railway industry, as well as manufacturers of motors

and controllers and other interested parties.

The conference was called at the request of committee No. 2, standard packages, of the American

Electric Railway Association. This committee had

developed a simplified-practice recommendation based on the practice of the consumers as represented by

electric railway operating companies and desired to submit it to such a meeting for approval. The rec- ommendations as proposed were approved with

minor modifications. These modifications were made

in the interest of greater clarification and did not

affect the important details of the recommendation.

The program will become effective January 1, 1933. A standing committee was appointed, made up of four

manufacturers and four users. The function of this

standing committee will be to keeji the recommendation abreast of the development of the industry and

make such revisions as appear necessary from time to time.

A simplified-practice recommendation on the packaging of electric railway bonds and bond terminals was also considered and was approved subject to such

changes as might be deemed necessary by the manufacturers to make the recommendation more effective.

FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Twenty-four specifications were acted on by the

Federal Specifications Board during the month of

August. Of this number two proposed specifications,

and 22 revisions were received and sent out for official comment and criticism. Copies of these specifications

(in mimeographed form) and further information

can be obtained from the Federal Specifications

Board, Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

Specifications proposed:

Sets, nail. Tags, shipping and stock.

New designation Specifications to be revised OldF. S. B. No.

C-M-381a Milk, fresh.. H-B-51 - -- Brooms, corn 333a H-B-71 204 H-B-75- Brooms, rattan, upright. . 205 H-B-91 Brooms, scrubbing 206 H-B-101 Brooms, whisk 332 H-B-111 Brooms, push, wire 207 H-B-131 191 H-B-201 208a H-B-221 Brushes, dust, radiator... 199 H-B-271 398 H-B-321 198 H-B-471 Brushes, roof, knotted style, 3 knots 518a H-B-551 407 H-B-571 Brushes, shaving 200 H-B-591 201 H“B-671 - Brushes, tooth 202 H-B-751 203 O-E-571 318 KK-L-181 Leather, hydraulic packing (vegetable tanned) 496 WW-T-721 349 WW-T-731 Tubes, boiler, steel, lap-welded and seamless 347
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 57

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS

Society Tenders Report on New Projects in Progress or Contemplated

There is given below a suinniary of new projects in progress or contemplated by several of the committees

of the American Society for Testing Materials. This

is some indication of the extensiveness of standardization activities planned by the society for the next year.

Steel.—Committee A-1 on steel has under consideration specifications for seamless alloy-steel still tubes

and seamless carbon-steel tubes and pipe for gasoline

cracking plants.

Wrought iron.—A few of the important items before the committee on wrought iron include the preparation of specifications for wrought-iron rivets and

for sheets and shapes of wrought iron, and a revision

of the plate specifications. The committee is collecting

data on what constitutes quality in Avrought iron, and

has under consideration an investigation on effect of

elei^ated temperatures on wrought iron to be confined

at first to wrought-iron jiipe.

Cast iron.—For the past twoi years, the committee

on cast iron has been engaged in an investigation of

impact testing of cast iron. The Avork has been substantially completed and it is expected that a report

will be presented to the society next spring. The subcommittee on pig iron has been enlarged and the first work of the subcommittee Avill be tOi review the present

specifications and to determine AAdiether or not these

are satisfactory. Consideration is also being given to the heat treatment of gray cast iron, a subject which

is developing rapidly.

Malleahle-iron castings.—Committee A-7 on malleable-iron castings is engaged in the study of the cause

of galvanizing embrittlement of malleable-iron castings. This study is being conducted without any particular thought in mind of developing a specification

coA-ering this particular feature at this time, although

there may be a demand for such a specification when

a better understanding of the subject is available. A

specification for malleable-iron castings suitable for

pipe fittings, vah^es, and valve parts is being developed. and considerable progress is reported by the

subcommittee in charge. The corrosion-resisting properties of malleable iron as they pertain more in particular to castings for overhead trolley construction

are being investigated.

Magnetic analysis.—Committee A-8 on magnetic

analysis is proceeding Avith a survey of the magnetic

properties of commercially important steels. It is proposed to collect a representative series of samples

and determine their magnetic properties after cer- tain specified heat treatments Avhich Avill correspond

as nearly as possible to the treatment given to individual steels in practice.

Light metals and alloys.—Committee B-T on light

metals and alloys, cast and Avrought, is continuing the

preparation of specifications for the Avrought alloys

of aluminum and magnesium as rapidly as the demand

for the products is called to its attention. During

the present year the committee is anticipating the is- suing of specifications for aluminum-alloy tubing and

aluminum-alloy forgings. The committee has also undertaken the preparation of comprehensiA'e data

covering the various alloys of aluminum and magnesium. These data will include a surA^ey of the industrial applications of these materials and a compendium of the chemical analyses, physical properties

and fabricating qualities of several commercial alloys

;

they Avill be prepared primarily for the engineer and

fabricator interested in the designing and construction of metal structures and apparatus. The data

Avill also include a comprehensiA’'e article on the cor- rodability of the alloys in various media and practical

methods for preventing deterioration due to corrosion.

Fire tests of materials and construction.—In the

committee on fire tests of materials and construction,

ncAV subcommittees on fire tests of acoustical and

similar finishes, and one fire tests of scaffolding are

in process of organization. The committee contemplates certain refinements in the Dunlap fire-tube test and the preparation of standard methods of the crib

and timber tests which have been in use for some

A^ears in NeAv York, N. Y.

Refractories.—The committee on refractories will

undertake during the coming year a wider distribution of information regarding standards among both

producers and users of refractories. It is planned to get the standards and specifications booklet, which

Avill include all A. S. T. ]\I. standards on refractories

and the manual of interpretation of refractory test data, into the hands of those primarily interested in

the use of refractories.

The subcommittee on spalling is following and en- couraging the Avork at Mellon Institute, where Avail sections are being air-spalled and Avater-spalled be- fore and after slagging. The committee feels that a

test Avhich more nearly simulates service than has

been suggested in the past Avill be the only satisfactory answer to the question of Avhether a given brick

sample will stand a giv’en service. The only field in

Avhich any of the jiroposed standards for spalling can

be recommended is that of comparison of the uniformity from shipment to shipment in the case of one

brand. There is no method that can be used for the

comparison of brands.

The subcommittee on temperature measurement

has been doing some excellent Avork in the comparison of temperature measurements especially in various P. C. E. (pyrometric cone equipment) fur- naces and using Auirious fuels. During the coming

A^ear this committee Avill make a survey of temperature measurements and atmospheric conditions in

load-test furnaces of various types.

Committee C-8 is making progress in the preparation of specifications for refractory insulation.

This Avork is an amplification of the committee’s

original program for determining methods and

standai’ds for thermal conductivity. The Avork is of

particular interest, since at least tAvo neAv high-tem-

]rerature insulating materials liaA'e come on the market during the past year and indications appear to be

that in the very near future there Avill be seA'eral materials for furnace linings Avhich Avill be not oidy

good insulators but primarily refractories.
58 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER. 1932

Concrete and reinforced concrete . —Committee C-9

on concrete and reinforced concrete has, as usual, a very full program under way. The subcommittee on

strength tests has studies in progress on methods of

capping, on loading beams, and a method of measuring cores drilled from a concrete structure. A sug- gested standard test method for permeability and the

standardization of test methods for absorption are

active projects of the subcommittee on permeabilit}?.

The subgroup on aggregates has more than 20 items

listed, including studies of soundness, abrasion, lightweight tjqies, etc. Standardization work involves tests to ascertain the amount of soft and rotten particles,

specific gravit}^, alternate mortar test for sand, etc. The subcommittee on extraneous substances in concrete is working on the efi'ect of mica in sands, effect of

organic matter and oil-bearing aggregates, and a standard color solution.

Several other subgroups of this committee have important problems before them. The subcommittee on admixtures is developing a method of measuring unit

weight and the normal consistency of these materials.

A standard method of test for determining volume

changes in concrete is being worked up by the group

covering elasticity and volume changes. The subcommittee on durability has several items to forward, in- cluding the development of test methods for measuring durability and the method of making freezing and

thawing tests. A proposed method for this latter project was appended to the annual report of the

committee, which was presented at the recent A. S. T. M. annual meeting. Consideration is being given by a subgroup to proposed tentative specifications for ready

mixed concrete. HoTloxo masonry Imilding units. —Committee C-10

on hollow masonry building units has in preparation

definitions of terms relating to concrete masonry units,

and it also expects to pro]iose revisions of the defini- tions relating to structural clay tile. Its program in- cludes a study of the specifications relating to struc- tural clay tile with particidar reference to the tables

of dimensions and weights.

Petroleum products and luhricajnts . —The working

groups in committee D-2 on petroleum products ancl lubricants are subcommittees and technical committees, the former concerned with the development of

methods of test and the latter with the relation between test data and service performance of materials

and with the preparation of material specifications.

The outstanding features of the subcommittee program are as follows

Subcommittee 4 on grease is giving further study to the penetration method D21T-27T, particularly with

respect to its use on hard greases; subcommittee 5 on

viscosity is cooperating with representatives of committee D-9 on electrical insulating materials on the

determination of the viscosit}'' of electrical insulating

oils at temperatures around 0° C. ; subcommittee 8 on

distillation is deveolping a method for distillation of

petroleum oils under vacuum ; subcommittee 10 on

Sligh oxidation test is a new subcommittee organized

to perfect the Sligh oxidation tests so that reproducible results may be obtained ; subcommittee 12 on flash point is studying the determination of the flash point

of cut-back asphalts and similar materials; subcommittee 21 on crude petroleum is developing a method

for evaluating crude petroleum ; subcommittee 27 on

classification of transmission lubricants and automotive greases has been requested to prepare a classifica- tion of automotive gi'eases based upon consistency and

the viscosity of the mineral oil content. Technical committee A on gasoline is investigating

the relation between the gum content of gasoline by

A'arious methods and the behavior of the gasoline in

service, also the gum stability of gasoline. An at- tempt is being made to correlate vapor pressure data

by tentative method of test for vapor pressure of nat- ural gasoline (Reid method) with vapor-locking characteristics of motor fuels. It is hoped that it will soon be possible to agree upon a tentative standard

method for determining the antiknock rating of gasoline based upon the investigations of the cooperative

fuel research committee; technical committee B on motor fuels is sponsoring a symposium on motor lubri- cants for the regional meeting of the society to be held

in New York in INIarch, 1933; technical committee C

on fuel oils (including Diesel fuels) is cooperating

with the technical committee on lubricants and liquid

fuels of the Federal Specifications Board on a revision of the Federal specifications for fuel oils.

STANDARDS FOR BUYING AND SELLING

Unnecessary sales-and-purchasing expenses is an economic waste—a tax on industry—states the introduction to the Standards for Buying and Selling as promulgated by the National Association of Purchasing Agents for the guidance of its members in the con- duct of their daily Avork. The introduction further

states that its elimination will assure satisfactory

profits to the producer, economy to the consumer, and

greater efficiency in commercial relations.

The principles of these standards stipulate that purchasing agents will buy and sell on the basis of value,

recognizing that value represents that combination of

quality, service, and price which assures greatest ulti- mate economy to the user, and to strive for simplification and standardization within the bounds of utility

and industrial economy, and to further the development of products and methods AAdiich will improve

industrial efficiency.

COMMERCIAL STANDARD APPROVED FOR

FIBER INSULATING BOARD

General approval of the commercial standard for

fiber insulating board has been indicated by the ac- ceptance of this standard by practically all of the

larger manufacturers of this type of insulation, to- gether Avith the indorsement of many retail lumber

groups, architects, and other interests. Announcement

to this effect Avas made in a circular letter from the

diAusion of trade standards under date of August 15. The commercial standard is a minimum specification that Avill aid the architect, builderj and prospective home oAvner in procuring insulating boards of

satisfactory thermal conductiAuty as Avell as those possessing the necessary strength and other characteristics, including Avater absorption and plaster bond.

Mimeographed copies of this specification are obtainable gratis from the division of trade standards,

Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STAKDAEDS MONTHLY 59

PRECISION MEASUREMENTS IN FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

Problems Encountered in the Art of Identifying Firearms

By WiLMEE SoTJDEE, Bureau of Standards

Opinions on the science of firearm identification

fall into two general groups. The first group would

be represented by those who have no faith in the

work and who condemn experts as absolutely unreliable and a menace to the State. The second group

would be represented by those willing to grant that

there are valuable results coming from such Avork

when properly handled. It is to this second class of

individuals that this jiaper is particularly directed.

However, the first group should not be ignored. Perhaps they have more reasons for their skepticism than

many of us haA’e heretofore been willing to admit.

Obviously when prosecution and defense each in- troduce expert testimony and this testimony is divergent and contradictory the accuracy for the total ex- pert testimony can not be 100 per cent. Furthermore,

many jieople claim that if the prosecution expert and

the defense expert are fully qualified as honest ex- perts there will be no difference in opinions. Facing

this condition the public often concludes that one or both experts have not made perfect nor complete

preparation for expert testimony.

We should not forget that even the decisions of our

courts are not always unanimous, although each member of the court has studied the same evidence. The

duties of an expert is to display and interpret the facts

to the best of his ability, in accordance with the obli- gations of his oath he can do no more and he must

do no less. Lack of agreement need not be used as an argument

to disqualify all experts. To reject all testimony be- cause of disagreement Avould, if applied to all activities, create difficulties and complications beyond

measure, especially in social, political, and religious

relations. The existence of so much conflict among

so-called experts permitted to testify to-day does, however, constitute a most serious handicap to the effec- tiveness of truly expert testimony. A hint as to how

this condition might be minimized in the field of ballistics Avill be given later. To the second group, holding favorable opinions of

the value and acceptability of this type of evidence, it

is a pleasure to give some of the fundamentals of the

methods used. There need be no argument raised

about the possibility of identifying all bullets from

all guns. We must admit that through vicious treat- ment of bullet or gun, ignorance or neglect in caring

for the gun or bullet and many other conditions beyond control of the expert, it is often impossible to say

whether or not a certain bullet passed through a cer- tain gun. Similar uncertainties exist in legal procedure regarding the physical or mental condition of a person at some previous date, regarding the accuracy

of records, and many other items on which positive

proof is not available.

Where sufficient original markings on bullets or

shells are not available for definite conclusions, it is the duty of the expert to admit his inability to solve

the problem. There are now sufficient data to prove

that, with the limitations as listed above, the work in

firearm identification ranks high as a safe and efficient tool for use by all officials of the law.

This brings us at once to the center of strife, namely,

“What constitutes sufficient markings?” The only

satisfactory answer possible at this time comes through

experience in varied types of tests. The individual

must decide for himself that he is sure of the identifi- cation when certain conditions exist. This certainty

of abilit}^ must be established by the correct solution

of secretly prepared tests using more and more difficult combinations, locating the causes and amounts of in- dividual variations of bullets from the same gun, and

from different gmis of the same make. The expert

should work conscientiously in the field until he recognizes what can be done 'and what can not be done. He

should never hesitate to withhold weak or improperly

supported opinions on the marginal or border line

cases. Until satisfactory proof of expertness is required

by the court the untrained and the biased experts will

be able to continue in “ business ” and will continue to cloud rather than clarify cases. Before 12 jurors they

must be only 8^ per cent efficient in clouding the case

to secure a hung jury, and this is usually a 100 per

cent victory for their plan.

We have need for an examining and licensing board

to pass upon the abilities and conduct of those who

wish to advise or testify as experts. An organization

of approved experts could advise intelligently the

bench and bar upon the value and limitations of ex- pert testimony and the general method of collecting

and presenting evidence. Courts now accept various

statements as supporting claims for expert qualifications and admit much evidence which can not be

supported. The fact that one holds a medal for

marksmanship or has had Army or police service is often accepted as proof of ability in identification.

This popular qualification is enhanced, in the minds

of the jury, if the witness has written articles or has

lectured on some phase of ballistics or if his picture

has appeared in the local papers. Experience in sell- ing or using sporting goods is not overlooked as a

quality which might suggest expert abilities. The

public knows so little about this science of identification that it fails to realize that experience in one or

all of the above fields does not guarantee ability of

any value Avhatever in this work.

Such persons wishing to be accepted as experts Avith- out having actually to qualify are usually very anxious

for imblicity in the press and are quite free in their

interviews. Fortunately for such the public does not

alwaj’^s recognize the art of this scheme and misconstrues this shrewdness in advertising and selling

service for ability in the field of identification. Fire- arm identification can not be permitted to depreciate

to a point where shrewd advertising is necessary for

success before a court. Firearm identification and

advertising are tAvo different arts. Favorable attri- butes which contribute to expert ability arc

:
60 COMMERCIAL, STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1032

1. Experience in metrology either in a school or laboratory shop, where accurate measurements of

small dimensions are made by the use of micrometer

microscope and photographic camera. It is indeed

painful to see the awkward, crude, and often impossible attempts made before juries by some unskilled

“ expert ” attempting to j ustify measurements or values which can not possibly be made with the ac- curacy or method shown. Exposure of the charlatanism of such before a jury is seldom worth the effort as, to lie effective, the exposure must be 100 per cent

perfect. The lack of training and familiarity with

precision measurements by one or more members of

the jury makes 100 per cent exposure practically

impossible.

2. Familiarity with the details of manufacture of arms and ammunition, the defects in new arms and

the defects Avhich develoii with use. These are absolutely necessary.

3. Demonstrated ability to identify exhibits, beais

ing secret identifying marks, approximating, in difficulty, those on which he is testifying. These tests if not previousl}^ taken might well be arranged before

the expert takes the stand, but neA^er after. The preparation of such tests to be effective must not be dele- gated to amateurs. Unfortunately courts Avill not

permit the introduction of such proof of ability unless

all pai’ties conducting the test are present in person

to testify.

4. Ability to prepare evidence in photographic form

so that permanent records may be aA'ailable for use in appeal cases and for study by those Avishing to verify

the “ expertness of the expert.”

The positiveness of the identification of the bullet,

shell, and gun depend upon the agreement of peculiarities or indhudualistic markings appearing on the

tAvo articles compared, one from the body, say, and

one from a knoAvn Aveapon. The first objection to this

type of identification usuallj^ comes from the ignorant

or unscrupulous individual, Avho through incomplete

information, insists that all bullets or shells from a certain type of arm are marked alike. To this Ave must agree if Ave are considering only gross markings

;

just as AA'e must agree that all graduates of a certain

militax-y academy look alike, especially if Ave vieAV

them a mile a.Avay. Many so-called experts seldom get

closer than “ a mile ” to the real evidence of arm identification. College professors, medical examiners, and

2Aortrait jihotograjihers soon find means for detecting

differences in college students. By ap^iroaching

closer than a mile and giving close attention to the

individual characteristics these students are soon rated

so that no mistake need be made in identifying any one

of the grou^i. The disguise which any student might

receive through accidental injiuy, sickness, or fatigue

need not iireA^nt his identification at the hosjDital.

The }Dhysician or jxolice officer in making the identification disregards all marks and conditions jiroduced by

knoAvn extraneous combinations.

A very similar condition exists in examining bullets. By reason of their jiassing through hard substances, such as bones, certain parts of clothing, etc., they acquire accidental or sujAerfluous markings Avhich

must be ignored. Further siqDerfluous markings,

Avhich must not be exjxected on test bullets, I'esult from

loose iiarticles left in the barrel, such as slivers of

metal cut from previously fired bullets, chunks of

rust in imcleaned barrels, and similar defects which

develop) betweexi the firing of the tAvo bullets under

study. These must be ignored Avithout argument or prejudice to the identification.

When Ave are confronted Avith the accumulated evidence of an unusual number of fine line structure agreements on the two bullets and find no inexplainable

discrejiancies, there is only one report possible and that

is identity^ of source of bullets. The individual land

markings on bullets Avhen magnified, say twenty-five

times the natural dimension, often reveal as many as 10 or more agreements in a single land and in a very

com|Alicated jxattern. These land jiatterns are usually

different in arrangement, depth, and breadth for each

land as Ave go around the individual bullet ; but shoAV

agreement if we compare corres^Aonding land patterns

of the tAvo bullets. The agreement of these individual

jjatterns at one and only one of the many possible position combinations, the consecutive order of the individual agreements and the continued agreement on additional test bullets give us evidence AAdiich, measured

by mathematical analysis, assures us of a certainty

‘‘ beyond any reasonable doubt.” But feAv types of

eAudence ajiproach this Avork for accuracy. The testi- mony of eye witnesses, for example, often admits of

criticism for reasons Avhich we are, unfortunately, not

ahvays able to exjilain. We do not bar such testimony

desjxite its many known weaknesses. We prefer to use

it for Avhat it may be worth. The same criterion for

ballistic identification is all any expert asks; but he

asks that its Avorth be not injured by false claims or

misrejiresentations, and that those Avho comment

thereon do so in definite terms and only after they

haA^e demonstrated jiositively their ability as experts.

So long as the jmblic remains uninformed of the

details of this Avork we shall have seA'ere criticism of

the results. These criticisms need not disturb officers collecting evidence and jireparing cases. Wlien the

markings on evidence bullet and test bullet agree to a sufficient degree to show identity of source, the

officers Jnay build Avith safety on this fact. This will

usually enable them to concentrate on a single suspect

and thus save the expenses of the broad or unrestricted investigations which are so frequently con- ducted until definite data are jxroduced.

If ballistic tests enable them to discover sufficient additional evidence to make the case (in practically

all cases it Avill do this) there need be no serious

thought taken at that moment of the ignorant jxublic’s

ojxinion of arms identification. If sufficient additional

evidence to make the case is not discovered, then it Avould a|)pear better to Avait, so far as ballistic work

is concerned, as ballistic eAudence does not always

satisfy the second requirement of all properly pre- pared cases, namely, “ ^ilacing the jDerson at the scene.”

Othei’AAUse excellent cases have been lost by overlooking this requirement. A verdict of acquittal is final and closes the case forever regardless of Avhat eAU- dence may deA^eloj) next day or next year. Therefore,

until the case is completed (disregarding ballistic evi- dence) it seems very unAvise to go to trial. Any prose- cutor who does so should realize that the responsibility

for liis actions rests upon his OAvn shoulders.

With such rigid and definite methods, tools, and

information available, we have one of the most powerful means for investigating available evidence in this

field. The findings are safe; they are available to
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL, STANDARDS MONTHLY 61

any one interested; they consistently give the same

testhnony and by virtue of these facts, the expert has

a most remarkable array of permanent records showing the reasons for his opinion.

Firearm identification will undoubtedly be retarded

in its service to the administration of justice so long

as so-called experts, inadequately trained to collect and

to interpret physical data correctly and in harmony

with the refinements peculiar to this science, are per- mitted to testify. Courts should be more correctly

advised regarding the training and equipment neces- sary for such work, regarding the type of testimony

and permanent records which should be required, and

finally regarding limitations which must be observed

in this as in all other sciences. There should be

adopted

:

1.

Minimum standards of equipment to be used.

2. Standards for records of evidence to accompany

and substantiate the expert’s opinion; there to include photographs, metrological data, and interpretations in permanent form.

3. Standards for qualification of experts which will

include actual tests made against secretly designated

materials and reported in compliance with item 2.

4. Methods for constant following up of expeids

testifying in court to guarantee the highest efficiency.

The compliance wifh such standards should be a guarantee of abilify which could not be ignored by

any court or jury. Conversely, those unwilling to comply Avith such regulations should be j)ermitted to explain why they are unwilling to do so. It is felt, howeA^er, that aiiA^ one who has giA^en the time and

effort to properly qualify in this field Avill welcome

an opportunity to cooperate in a plan such as has

been outlined.

A NEW INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED

Manufacture of Sound-Absorbing Materials Has Materially

Developed Within the Past Three Years In the files of the Bureau of Standards is to be

found the story of the development of a new industrju This of itself is noteworthy, but additional interest attaches to this case from the fact that fully

three-quarters of this deA^elopment has occurred during the business depression of the last three years. Reference is made to the manufacture of sound-absorbing materials for use in correcting the acoustic

quality of auditorimns.

Though the underlying principles of architectural

acoustics have been known for nearl}^ 40 years, the

subject attracted but little attention from those who

should haA'e been interested until the introduction of

talking pictures. It was then found that many theaters which had been built for silent pictures were

acoustically almost useless. This discovery stimulated the study of means for correcting the difiiculty

and directed attention to such sound-absorbing materials as Avere then available. These materials were

limited in number, and some of them were serious fire risks. Development of neAV materials to meet the demand brought requests for service of the Bureau

of Standards in the measurement of their sound

absorption.

In 1928 the facilities for this work Avere limited

to two laboratories, both in the State of Illinois. In

the fall of 1928 the Bureau of Standards completed

a reA’erberation room for making such tests and

placed it in serAuce. During the remainder of that

year its facilities Avere used by two manufacturers.

In 1929 seA’en difl'erent firms sent material for measurement. and this number was increased to 18 in 1930

and 23 in 1931, in which year the total number of

samples measured was 97. For the first half of 1932

the demand for service of this character has been

considerably in excess of the 1931 rate. Another measure of the extent to Avhich the bureau

has been connected Avith this neAv manufacturing deA’elopment is found in the increasing correspondence on the subject. So frequent became letters of inquiry

regarding ditferent acoustic materials that early in

1930 it became necessary to issue a letter ciTcular on

13S224—32 2

the subject. The first edition of this circular in

March, 1930, listed 11 materials Avhich the bureau had

measured up to that time. Seven editions of tins

letter circular have been called for, each edition list- ing an increasing number of materials. The latest edition, of April, 1932, fists 37 different materials,

with several varieties of each, totaling 87. In addition to furnishing this service, the Bureau

of Standards has been called upon by architects for

adAuce regarding the iDreliminar}' calculation of the

acoustic quality of a proposed auditorium. It has

become an established rule of the Government architects to submit to the bureau all plans for neAv Federal court rooms throughout the country for suggestion and criticism in this respect.

The bureau has also contributed to the development

of improved methods and instruments for making

sound-absorption measurements. The following publications, obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, GoA'ernment Printing Office, Washington.

D. C., at the prices named. giA^e a description of the

bureau’s Avork along these fines. Architectural Acoustics, by Paul R. Heyl, B. S. Circular No. 396, 1931 (C396), 5 cents. Transmission and Absorption of Sound b}" Some

Building Materials, by E. A. Eckhardt arid V. L.

Chrisler, B. S. Sci. Papers, vol. 21, 1926-27

(S526), 15 cents. The Absorption of Sound at Oblique Angles of Incidence. by Paul R. Heyl, V. L. Chrisler, and

W. F. Snyder, B. S. Jour. Research, a'oI. 4, 1930

(RPI49) , 5 cents. The Measurement of Sound Absorption, by V. L. Chrisler and W. F. Snyder, B. S. Jour. Research,

A’ol. 5, 1930 (RP242), io cents.

FORGED-TOOLS SCHEDULE REAFFIRMED

Simplified-practice recommendation No. R17-31. on

forged tools has lieen reaffirmed, Avithout change, by

the standing committee of the industry.

This recommendation, Avhich Avas proposed and deA-eloped by tlie indu.strv. lias lieen in.strumental in re- ducing tile number of forged tools from 665 to 4.31, or

35 per cent, and their eye sizes from 120 to 10, or

91.6 per cent.
62 COMMEEOIAL STANDAEDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932

STANDARDIZATION IN CONNECTION WITH HOME MAKING

By V. B. Phelan, Bureau of Standards

The desirability of having closer cooperation and

increased standardization in connection with the design, construction, and equipping of homes in order

to assure greater efficiency and to minimize fatigue in

connection with the daily routine of household duties

is clearly emphasized throughout Volume IX of the

final reports of the President’s Conference on Home

Building and Home Ownership, entitled “Household

Management and Kitchens.”

The determination of real values in home making,

the Committee on Household Management points

out, involves setting up of standards based upon family well-being rather than upon tradition and convention. Even the extent to which a certain class of

work in the home shall be done, it is said, can be determined only in terms of its contribution to the

standard agreed upon.

In the establishing of standards for home making

it is probable that they must be based principally on

the type of structure and kind of equipment with

which the home maker has been provided. To improve the structure to better fit the needs of the home

maker and the family it is suggested by the committee that, in the interest of national economy, designers should have at hand the results of thoroughgoing studies of the extent and nature of household

production carried on by families in all parts of the

country.

It is eyddent that the information necessary to as- sure intelligent design must be broad in scope and

specific in character. The Committee on Kitchens

and Other Work Centers points out that even the

dimensions of the cartons used by manufacturers of

foodstuffs should be known to the designer of

kitchens, in order that proper storage shelves may

be provided for the housewife who prefers to use

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC

PAPER APPROVED

Specifications for photographic black-line paper

and photographic negative paper, prepared by the

photographic supplies committee of the Federal Specifications Board, have been approved for use by the

departments and independent establishments of the

Government in the purchase of those commodities.

The service requirements for the papers are rather

severe because they must be strong to withstand fre- quent handling and have sufficient purity to last for

many years without appreciable deterioration. The

specifications are of special interest because the fiber requirements are based on information developed in

the Bureau of Standards’ studies on the permanence

of paper. The results obtained in these studies have

indicated that ability of a paper to resist aging is dependent, as far as the character of the fibers is concerned, on their cellulosic pui-ity. Consistent with

this new criterion of quality, the specifications contain no reference to the kind of fiber stock, except a refood from the original container. Investigation has

indicated that storage shelves are too wide and usually are farther apart than is necessary to accommodate packaged food materials.

Out of the preliminary studies there has come a recognition of the need for the development of cer- tain definite measures or modules to be used in house

construction so that at least kitchen dimensions may

be adjusted to the space needs necessary for such

kitchen equipment as sinks, worktables, and cabinets.

In line with these suggestions the kitchen committee

has prepared plans and specifications for five types of

kitchens that should be of interest to all concerned

with the subject. The types include the wall kitchen

with all utilities arranged along one side of the room

;

the square type, approximately 7 by 7 feet, where a maximum of efficiency is inclosed in a minimum of

space; the 1-family house kitchen (oblong type),

where the routing of steps has been carefully taken

into consideration; the combination kitchen and dining alcove designed for convenience and labor sav- ing ; and the rural kitchen with additional work space

to fit the peculiar needs of the farm home. These

plans have been evolved from the studies and experience of some of the leading authorities on the subject and represent the latest developments in scientific kitchen design.

As a result of their investigations, the two committees are of the opinion that architects, contractors,

and home makers must get together in order to develop

plans which will reduce the cost of housing and in- crease the joy of living in the house. If such a course

is faithfully followed, it is believed that architects

and builders will better be able to meet the demands

of the home makers of the country for more satis- factory, sanitary, and suitable work areas.

quirement in each case that it be free from unbleached

or highly lignified fibers, such as ground wood fibers,

which are known to be harmful.

The detail requirements include values for wet tensile

strength sufficient to withstand handling when wet by

immersion in developing solutions, and such values for

alpha cellulose content and copper number as to insure

sufficient purity of the cellulosic materials composing

the papers. The alpha cellulose test is a measure of

the unmodified cellulose present and the copper number test is a measure of the degraded cellulose or harmful substances. Permanent paper is characterized by

high alpha cellulose content and low copper number.

Cooperative tests for one manufacturer indicated

that the black-line and negative papers regularly furnished by him failed to meet the chemical purity re- quirements of the specifications. A paper stock of

foreign manufacture was used in these papers, and

it is of interest to note that this manufacturer by substituting a domestic paper stock has improved his

products to such an extent that they now conform to the specifications in all respects.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 63

HOME-MODERNIZING ACTIVITIES STIMULATE BUSINESS

Report of Committee Covering 62 Cities Shows $44,600,000 to be Expended on Property Improvement

and Labor

The citizens in 62 cities of the United States have

pledged themselves since January 1 to spend approximately $44,600,000 on property improvement and la- bor, according to a recent check made by the Home

Modernizing Committee of the Department of Commerce. Detailed reports from certain cities indicate

that the amount of remodeling and repair work actuall}^ accomplished closely approximates the amount

pledged. Seventy-two additional cities have been en- gaged in campaigns, but have not yet submitted re- ports on the amounts spent for materials and labor,

and about 50 other cities are contemplating campaigns.

Ten cities have reported campaigns that have run

into millions of dollars subscribed for repair and re- modeling work on residential property, and pledges

for home improvement work in 26 other cities have

equaled $100,000 to $1,000,000.

Portland, Oreg., still leads with a total of approximately $10,548,000, and in addition to this propertyimprovement figure $2,826,000 has been expended in

public works. Cincinnati, Ohio, has had a campaign

in which pledges have been secured for the expenditure of $4,500,000 in rebuilding, remodeling, and re- pairing.

Other cities where campaigns have run into millions are: Spokane, Wash., $4,100,000; Duluth, Minn.,

$3,700,000; Richmond, Va., $2,527,000; Rochester,

N. Y., $3,500,000; Sacramento, Calif., $2,300,000;

Buffalo, N. Y., $2,000,000; Lincoln, Nebr., $1,800,000;

and Galesburg, 111., $1,005,000. Birmingham, Ala.,

pledged an even $1,000,000.

Some of the cities where campaigns have run into

hundreds of thousands of dollars are: Wheeling, W.

Va., $569,000; Evanston and Freeport, Ilk, each

$500,000; Omaha, Nebr., $500,000; Huntington, Long

Island, N. Y., $350,000; Muncie, Ind., $333,333;

Taunton, Mass., $327,000; Sharon, Pa., $320,000;

Kingston, N. Y., $300,000; Superior, Wis., $300,000;

Asheville, N. C., $266,000; Danville, Ilk, $250,000;

Orange, N. J., $208,300; and Trenton, N. J., $200,000.

In Oshkosh, Wis., plans have been made to spend

$175,000; in Salem, Oreg., $165,000 has been subscribed; in Montclair, N. J., $138,000 has been ex- pended; and in each of the cities of Riverside, Calif.,

Carlisle, Pa., Streator and Urbana, Ilk, Keokuk,

Iowa, Jackson, Miss., Carthage, Mo., and Columbus

and Dayton, Ohio, pledges have run to $100,000 and

over. The cost of conducting a campaign in any one city

of a given population can not be accurately esti- mated. It varies with location, condition of industry, and the willingness of its people to donate their

services. The campaign in Portland, Ore^., a city of

approximately 300,000 population, cost about $4,000.

The one in Cincinnati, Ohio, population about 450,-

000, was put on, according to the report, “ without

any expense to the committee whatsoever.” A city

of 25,000 people spent $175 in creating enthusiasm

and secured pledges for property improvement

amounting to $350,000; another city of Approximately the same size spent $125 and obtained subscriptions amounting to $500,000; and a third city of

25,000 inhabitants spent $100 and obtained jiledges

of property improvement amounting to $320,400.

Some cities that have carried on employment campaigns have rei^orted the hours of work, or the number of people who have been given employment,

rather than the actual amount spent in remodeling

or repairing Avork. Ten cities reporting from the

employment angle have recorded 11,000 people who

have been aided in finding temporary work, or, in

many cases, permanent positions. Thousands of jobs

have been created in many other cities, giving em- ployment to thousands of people. Wliere successful

modernizing campaigns have been conducted, calls on

the Community Chest and other charitable organizations have been reduced as much as 50 per cent, ac- cording to the reports from some of these cities. The Avork accomplished in these campaigns has

varied from small household tasks to the complete

remodeling of a building, and subscriptions have

ranged from $0.50 to $5,000. Most of the work has

nvolved the small home. Many homes throughout the

country have been reconditioned and modernized.

The heating, lighting, and plumbing s3^stems have

been brought up to date; rooms have been redecorated; new floors have been laid; roofs haA^e been

repaired; insulation and safety devices have been in- stalled; and the architectural plans of houses haA-e been changed to afford more comfort and conA’^enience

nside and improved appearance outside. Buildings

have been entirely repainted or refinished, and landscaping has beautified the grounds. Altogether, it has resulted in raising the standards of home construction and equipment for many families.

Some cities have preferred to emphasize the home

improA^ement work in their campaigns, and haA^e or- ganized committees to canvass householders and secure pledges toward expenditures on reconditioning and

modernizing homes; some liaA^'e preferred to emphasize the employment angle and have canvassed the

householders and asked them to cooperate bj^ giving

odd jobs and pajdng small amounts weekly toAvard the

wages of men assigned to the tasks. Other cities have

adapted the home-improvement or the man-a-block

plan to their own necessities, using one or the other as a suggested basis of operation, and developing their

OAvn plans of activit}^

One of the encouraging aspects noted in all these

campaigns, Avhatever plan Avas folloAved, Avas that

naturally unrelated groujis of people shoAved a re- markable spirit of cooperation in ])ushing their special

campaign through to success. The local and State

governments, American Legion, chambers of commerce, men’s and Avomen’s clubs, churches, schools, boy

and girl scouts, commercial organizations, trade associations, manufacturers, architects, engineers, building-trades groups, lumber and building supply dealers, and local financing establishments luiA^e all united
64 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932

to help in an effort to promote employment and biing

about a practical revival of business.

The Committee on Home Modernizing, attached to the division of building and housing of the Bureau of

Standards, has acted in an educational and advisory

capacity, maintaining contact with the numerous

cities through correspondence, supplying information.

telling one cit}^ ivliat another of comparable population and in similar circumstances has been able to ac- complish. furnishing information for newspaper and

radio publicity, and promoting interest through articles on improved methods of repairing, remodeling,

and modernizing. It will continue to furnish information on modernizing activities to those interested.

CONFERENCE EXAMINES COTTON FOR

STAPLE TYPES

United States Department of Agriculture Announces New

Standards for “ Extra White ” Cotton Grades Effective August 10, 1933

Representatives of cotton growers’, manufacturers’,

and shippers’ associations and of cotton futures ex- changes recently met at the Department of Agriculture in Washington to examine cotton under consideration at that time by the department for the preparation of staple-length types.

The conference also discussed a proposal to represent in ph5^sical form the standards for the lengths

of staple II, and inch. This proposal has been

approved by the United States Department of Agricidture following the conference.

The staple conference examined a set of boxes pre- pared by specialists of the department as a tentative

revision of the grades foT “ extra white ” cotton. These new boxes, Avhich embrace cotton from all sec- tions of the belt, are for the most part considerably

Avhiter than the present standards for “ extra white ” cotton, and it is thought may better serve the needs

of those Avho buy or sell cotton of this description.

On August 17, following the conclusion of the abovementioned conference, the department announced the new standards for “ extra white ” upland cotton, to replace the present standards, woidd become effective

August 10, 1933. The new standai-ds may be used at

once, if desired, however, the department stated, in

transactions in spot cotton when the parties to the

deal specifically indicate that they are using them.

A substantial part of the cotton crop in some seasons

is “ extra white,” it Avas added.

The new standards include the folloAving: No. 3 extra Avhite, or good middling extra white; No. 4

extra white, or strict middling extra white; No. 5 extra Avhite, or middling extra Avhite; No. 6 extra

white, or strict Ioav middling extra white ; and No. 7 extra white, or Ioav middling extra white.

Official cotton standards of the United States for

grade, which embrace the factors of color, leaf or for- eign matter, and preparation, have been established

for uiiland cotton and for American Egyptian cotton. The upland group includes all cotton grown commercially in the United States except the Sea Island

and American Egyptian varieties. Of upland cotton

there are 9 grades for white cotton, 5 grades for extra white cotton, 5 grades for yellow-tinged cotton, 3 grades for yellow-stained, and 3 grades for bluestained cotton, all of which are represented in “ practical forms ” or boxes.

Standards have also been established for spotted,

light yellow stained, gray, and strict good middlingyellow tinged, all of which are bounded and defined

by practical forms of adjacent grades. Thirty-two of

the grades, not including those for the extra white

cotton, Avere established in agreement Avith foreign cot- ton trade organizations and are knoAvn as uniA'-ersal standards for American cotton. In consultation with

the industry the principle has been adopted that the

leaf or foreign matter and preparation of any grade

and color are goA^erned or determined by the standard

for the corresponding grade of Avhite cotton and that

the standards for extra Avhite as Avell as for spotted,

yellow tinged, light yelloAv stained, yelloAv stained,

and gray and blue stained cottons determine color only.

The extra Avhite standards apply to any cotton of

American growth Avhich corresponds to them in color

and in the promulgation of the revised standards se- lected bales have been taken from each major section

of the cotton belt. Inasmuch as a substantial part

of the cotton crop in some seasons is of extra Avhite color, it is expected that the new standards Avill contribute to convenience and accuracy of classification of cotton of this color description.

EAVES TROUGH, CONDUCTOR PIPE, CONDUCTOR ELBOWS, AND FITTINGS

Simplified-piractice recommendation No. 29 cover- ing eaves trough, conductor pipe, conductor elbows,

and fittings has been reaffirmed, without change, by

the standing committee of the industry, according to information receiA^ed by the Bureau of Standards

from the standing committee.

This recommendation, as proposed and developed

by the industry, provides for the sizes and weights of

these products, and has been in effect since July 1, 1925.

NEW BRITISH STANDARDS FOR COPPER

Two new specifications for copper, just issued by

the British Standards Institution, deal, respectively,

AAuth j^lain dead-soft copper strip, bars, and rods, for

the windings of electrical machines, and copper com- mutator bars for electrical purposes, according to in- formation received from the American Consulate

General at London.

Both specifications include requirements for conductivity and tensile properties, while in the case of

the commutator bars Brinell hardness tests and Shore

scleroscope tests are given for application at the

option of the purchaser. The selection and preparation of samples for the electrical and mechanical tests are dealt with, and clauses relating to testing procedure are included. The specifications do not standardize sizes for the bars, rod, and strip, but tolerances on width and thickness, and in the case of commutator

bars length and angle also, to apply to the nominal

sizes ordered by the purchaser, are specified.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STAHEAEDS MONTHLY 65

HOW STANDARDIZATION EFFECTS SAVING FOR CITY OF MILWAUKEE

City Purchasing Agent Outlines Standardization Plan Under Which City Has Saved Thousands of Dollars

By Joseph W. Nicholson ^

Prior to the year 1923 no less than 40 different

kinds of motor oils ivere being used by the city of

Milwaukee in its equipment, and further it was found

that trucks of the same make and capacitjq used for

the same purpose, were using different makes and

grades of oil. The municipal testing laboratory under the city

engineering chemist made a survey of all equipment

using motor oil and followed this with chemical and

physical tests of the oils being used. While this work

was progressing the city council established a bureau

of municipal equipment and placed it in charge of a competent superintendent. All equipment used for

general purposes was thereafter allocated to this bureau, which in turn rents it to the various city departments. This centralization facilitated the standardization of motor oils. In the course of his tests the

city engineering chemist, together with a city mechanical engineer and the writer, devised a machine

for the physical testing of oils to augment chemical

tests. This machine has been described in various

magazines. The results of the survey were

:

First, a reduction of grades of oil to the following

five: (1) Extra heavy tractor oil, (2) heavy for

trucks, (3) medium for passenger cars, (4) zero motor

oil, and (5) special oil for model T Ford cars; Second, the establishing of uniformly high grades

of oil; and

Third, an average reduction in price of 12 cents per gallon.

A survey was made of greases used in equipment.

Specifications were drawn up and many kinds and

quahties of grease were reduced to the following clas- sifications : (1) Pressure gun lubricant, (2) cup grease

Ino. 2, (3) cup grease No. 3, (4) gear compound for

transmissions and rear axles. This resulted in cutting

prices in half and insured the proq»er quality of

grease, all deliveries being tested to insure compliance

with city specifications.

The purchase of cleaning supplies presented a similar problem. Cleaning powders purchased under

trade names vary in price from 10 to 17 cents per

pound, and as may be surmised the representative of

each firm claimed to have the best article for the

purpose. The city engineering chemist surveyed the

cleaning requirements of the city departments, boards.

' Furchasing agent, central board of purchases, city of Milwaukee,

Wis.

and commissions and analyzed all of the various kinds

of cleaning and soap powders being used. The cleaning powders almost invariably consisted xirimarily of

trisodium phosphate ground fine. Many firms had

added soda ash or inert ingredients. One in particular added a little copper sulphate, commonly known

as “ blue vitriol,” and claimed added value for his

product because of the blue color. Incidentally this was the highest-priced material. Available specifications were examined, after which specifications were drawn up covering the following classifications: (1)

Cleaning powder, (2) soap powder, and (3) abrasive

cleaning powder. The prices of these commodities were thereby reduced to the neighborhood of 4 cents per pound, and the city had since received products

of uniform quality.

Paper towels and toilet paper were similarly standardized with the same beneficial results. Sand, gravel, and crushed stone is commonly used

by city departments, boards, and commissions for re- pair work. It was found that the department superintendents had no common nomenclature to describe

the various grades of sand, gravel, and stone, and

it was evident that unless some definite standards were

set up by the city the iiroper grades of material could

not be obtained. Therefore, the city engineering

chemist was called upon to make a survey of this matter. Standards were set up and prepared samples

wei'e placed in glass jars. These jars properh’ labeled were placed on exhibit in the department of purchases,

to be viewed by prospective bidders, to supplement

the definite specifications on which they were asked

to bid, and to assist city deiiartmental employees in

ordering the sj)ecific grade of repair material desired.

A form letterhead was adopted for interdepartmental correspondence. These forms are used b}^ all city

departments for correspondence which does not leave

the building. The cost in large quantities is $2.13 per

thousand and saves hundreds of reams of regular

letterheads in a year’s time.

Bureau of Standards specifications have been vei\y

helpful in bringing about a standardization of supplies for this city. The same is true of the American

Society for Testing Materials, whose specifications

have also been adapted to city use. When preparing new specifications, all Imown sources are fii’st con- tacted and the best is gleaned from available specifications.

RECOMMENDATION FOR CORRUGATED

BOXES MADE AVAILABLE

Simplified-practice recommendation No. R128-31,

covering corrugated boxes used by department ami

specialty stoi'es for packing merchandise, is now available in printed form. Copies of the jirinted recom- mendation can be obtained from the Superintendent j

of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., at 5 cents per copy.

This simplification program, which was proposed

and developed by the industry, reduces the sizes of

corrugated boxes formerly used by stores from 322 to a selection list of 75. The users and manufacturers

expect to realize substantial savings by adliering to

j these standards.
66 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932 AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION

Current developments of the following standardization projects under the auspices and procedures of

the American Standards Association have been re- ported by that association.

Testing petroleum products.—The revised scope for

the project on methods of testing petroleum products

and lubricants has been approved by the association.

The revision, which was requested in order to bring

the scope of the project into conformity with the

scope of the new committee on nomenclature and

methods of test of petroleum products of the Inter- national Standards Association, broadens the scope

of the project to include nomenclature of petroleum,

petroleum products, and lubricants, except for the

materials excluded in the original scojie of the project. The American Society for Testing Materials,

sponsor for the project, requested the change.

Standards for motion picture industry.—National

standards for all jihases of the technical equipment

and operation of the motion-picture industry, from

the lighting and acoustics of studios to the projectors

and screens of picture houses, have been suggested by

the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. The development of uniform national standards have been

requested in order to avoid the danger of confusion

and waste resulting from the establishment of conflicting standards by different groups within the in- dustry. If the request of the society is approved, a

technical committee representing all branches of the

industry will be organized under the jirocedure of the

American Standards Association. Standardization

projects, such as this proposed project on motion-picture standards, grow logically step by step. Topics

which initially seem of importance turn out to be not

jiarticularly susceptible to constructive and useful

standardization;, other topics considered initially not

to be suitable for standardization afterward develop

into topics of major importance. The following list relates only to the general field of motion-picture activities (so far as they are of technological character) and include some of the topics which might be

suitable for standardization. The list must be re- garded as entirely tentative.

1. Definitions.—The terminology of the motion-picture field is confused at present. Such terms as

“ blimp,” “ zoom,” “ pan,” “ tilt,” “ projection angle,”

“ wow,” or “ flutter,” and the like, are used without

any official recognition. This situation requires cor- rection so far as is feasible.

2. Film.—Measurement of characteristics of the

base of the film, dimensions of the film and of its perforations, study of film shrinkage and permissible

maximum shrinkage, photographic sensitometric tests, measurement and specifications of “ safety film,”

standard width of film of various types, standard containers for film for storage and for transportation,

together with methods of preservation of films (for

archives, etc.) should be given consideration.

3. Studio.—The acoustic treatment and illuminating methods for studios doubtless would permit of a considerable degree of standardization as to nomenclature, measurement, and specifications. Use is made

of great varieties of lamps designated, for example, as

“ spots,” “ baby spots,” “ rifle spots,” and so on. Light-diffusing media used are known by a variety of

colloquial terms not definitely specified, for example.

The acoustic characteristics of studios have not as yet

been specified in any precise form in many instances, nor has measuring equipment for the purpose been

adequately considered.

4. Cameras.—Measurement of the effectiveness of

camera-silencing inclosures is required. The amount

of sigificant noise produced in cameras at certain definite distances and in certain definite directions (in

free space), the tolerances in the dimensions of the

various working pairs, the tensions and pressures in

various parts of the mechanism, the dimensions of the

magazines and of the magazine hubs, the take-up

tension, and numerous other characteristics of cameras

require stud}!" for possible standardization. The mode

of mounting the lenses, the possibility of standardizing focal lengths and apertures of lenses for motionpicture practice, standardization of shutter aperture,

definition of tripod arrangements, and nomenclature

for devices pei’mitting moving shots (traveling trains,

and the like) require consideration.

5. Recording equipment.—Microphones, amplifiers,

acoustic reflectors, recording equipment, and soundtrack measuring equipment fall under this heading.

Numerous characteristics of these devices are measurable and might be specified to advantage.

6. Rerecorders.—These are used for the introduction

of modification of sound effects, and are rapidly becoming an important part of the studio technic.

They are used for rerecording from 35-mm film to 35-mm film, and are now being produced as well for

rerecording from 35-mm film to 16-mm film. The

over-all frequenc}^ and volume characteristics of

these devices, the amount of acoustic distortion that

they produce, and certain other factors are of major

importance.

7. Photographic printing equipment.—Classification of types of equipment of this sort (continuous

and step printers, optical reduction printers, contact

printers), permissible speed variation, definition of

maximum desirable operating speed, and specification of illumination of the printing surface should

be given consideration.

8. Laboratory processes.—The development of film

is now carried out in various ways by automatic machinery. The terminology requires study, and cer- tain of the processes require precision measurement

and definition; for example, methods of measuring

developer concentration or speed, measurements of

the effectiveness of processes for “ hardening,” or otherwise preserving film.

9. Exchange equipment.—Films, after being re- turned from the theater, pass to the exchange, where

they are inspected. Inspection methods have never been definitely specified or defined. Dimensions and

mechanical specifications, as well as strength tests of

reels and containers used by exchanges, require consideration, for both nitrate and “ safety ” stock.

10. Theater equipment.—^Projectors have numerous

dimensions requiring standardization. The tension

and pressure at various points of the mechanism.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 67

magazine dimensions, safety devices, contrivances to protect the projectionists’ eyes from undue glare, takeup tension, and the like, may all be considered for

standardization. Screens (both of the continuous type

and of the perforated “ sound-transmitting ” type)

merit study for standardization of their reflection

characteristics and specifications thereof. The resur- facing of screens as they become warped brings up a similar series of problems. The amplifying and loudspeaking equipment gives rise to the usual series of

electro-acoustic standardization problems ending with

the frequency characteristics, distortion characteristics, and space distribution of the output of the loudspeaker system.

11. Miscellaneous. —Such fields as color photography require study. The various processes have

never been satisfactorily defined, nor have the various

forms of cameras, lenses, processing equipment, and

projectors been put on a suitably precise basis. Threedimensional pictures require definition. Frequency

systems which give perspective impressions are classi- fied as 3-dimensional or “ pseudo-stereoscopic.” A considerable amount of confusion exists here on ter- minology.

HIGHWAY-BUILDING CONGRESS TO MEET

Convention to be Held in Detroit During the Week of January 16 to 23—Standards for the Construction Industry will be Considered

The Highway and Building Congress, the largest

and most significant gathering in the history of such

enterprises, will be held in Detroit during the week

of January 16 to 23, 1933. This was the decision of

officials of 10 national organizations, representing

every phase of the mammoth highway and construction industry, who recently met in Detroit to formulate plans.

The program mapped by executives calls for con- current meetings of the several individual organizations during the first three days of the congress, to be followed by a joint session which will map a coordinated procedure for the entire industry and

allied enterprises.

Standards for the construction industiy will be

considered in the broad phases of uniformity of

methods that will permit of standardization. Specifically, committees of the American Road Builders’

Association will present reports on the following

studies

;

The use of single-track concrete roads, in cooperation with the Portland Cement Association; brick

pavements, in cooperation with the National Paving

Brick Manufacturers’ Association ; asphalt pavements,

in cooperation with the Asphalt Institute; reinforced

concrete pavements and bases, in cooperation with

the Wire Reinforcement Institute; compaction of

earth fills as effected by type and size of haulage

equipment and other equipment, in cooperation with

the Highwa,y Research Board; equipment for construction and maintenance of low-cost roads, in cooperation with the American Association of State

Highway Officials; equipment for spreading and fin- ishing pavement surfaces, in cooperation with the

American Association of State Highway Officials; standardization of attachments for snow plows, in

cooperation with the American Association of State

Highway Officials; standardization of blades for truck

and other scrapers, in cooperation with the American

Association of State Highway Officials; design, construction, and use of corrugated metal pipe culverts,

in cooperation with corrugated-pipe manufacturers;

design, construction, and use of cast-iron pipe culverts, in cooperation with a manufacturer; design,

construction, and use of vitrified-pipe culvertSj in

cooperation with the Clay Products Association

;

- design, construction, and use of concrete-pipe culverts, in cooperation with the Concrete Pipe Association; developments in the design and construction of

low-cost roads (graded aggregate type), in cooperation with a group of manufacturers ; a uniform specification for traffic paint, in cooperation with the

Institute of Paint and Varnish Research and manufacturers of paint; equipment for construction and

maintenance of steel highway bridges, in cooperation

with the American Institute of Steel Construction;

and use of emulsions on low-cost roads, in cooperation

with the emulsion group of manufacturers.

CANADIAN RESEARCH LABORATORIES

DEDICATED

In the presence of distinguished visitors from Great

Britain and the British Dominions who were attending the Imperial Economic Conference the new National Research Laboratories building at Ottawa,

Canada, was formally opened by the Governor General of Canada on the evening of August 10. R. B.

Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada; H. H. Stevens,

chairman of the committee of the privy council on

scientific and industrial research ; and Dr. H. M. Cory,

president of the National Research Council, participated in the ceremonies.

Constructed at a cost in excess of $3,000,000, the new

laboratories represent the nation’s most ambitious

scientific undertaking. The building, containing ap- liroximately 250,000 square feet of floor area, is 418

feet long, 176 feet wide, and 60 feet high. It is of

steel-frame construction faced with Wallace sandstone

bi’ought from quarries in Nova Scotia. As the struc- ture has been erected for purposes of research, it is, generally speaking, a system of laboratory units, with

accommodation on the main floor for the council staff. Almost the entire rear portion of both the basement

and first floor will be occupied by the engineering

physics laboratory. Here the testing machines and

cranes that require a high ceiling will be located. The

crane in the hydraulic and thermod3uiamic laboratories will be of 15 tons’ capacity. In the electrical

laboratories will be apparatus capable of testing up

to 600,000 volts or more. Throughout the other portions of the building are what are called unit laboratoiues, 12 by 12 feet, separated by temporary partitions that may be removed

without breaking into the walls of the building to accommodate the various t^^pes of work that the future

will bring. In the northwest end of the building are

the electrical laboratories and other branches of the

division of physics and engineering.
68 COMMEKCIAL, STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932 FLAX AND HEMP TWINE SIMPLIFIED IN

VARIETY

Inasmuch as flax was the first vegetable fiber to be

spun into yarn, twisted into twine, or woven into

cloth, particular importance attaches to the recently

approved simplified practice recommendation for

twine made of this fiber; twines made of hemp are included in the recommendation.

Flax and hemp tivines are different from cotton because they are both stalk fibers, while cotton is a

boll fiber, and relatively short in comparison. Because of this great length, the twines produced from

flax and hemji fibers have great strength, and are

suitable for a variety of purposes where such strength

is needed. Some of the industries using these twines

because of this characteristic are the meat packing,

furniture manufacturing, broom manufacturing,

mattress manufacturing, and many others.

The need for simplification in this industry was

suggested by the General Electric Co. in June, 1931.

This company in attempting to draft purchase specifications found lack of uniformity in the characteristics of these twines which were offered on the market.

At the request of this company, the division of simplified practice of the Bureau of Standards, called a meeting of manufacturers to consider the problem.

This meeting, held in New York on August 28, 1931,

and attended by important producer’s and by representatives of the National Paper Trade Association,

decided that there existed a condition of diversification which could be corrected by the development and

general adoption of a simplification program, patterned after the simplified-practice recommendation

for soft fiber (jute) twine, which had recently been

adopted by that industry. As a result of the action

taken at that time, manufacturers in cooperation with

the division of simplified practice coirducted a survey

of existing varieties, and drafted a tentative simplified-practice program, which Avas used as the basis for

the general conference at Avhich the recently approved recommendation was adopted. The recom- mendation is concerned Avith tAvo general classes of

tAvine—fine unfinished flax and fine finished and fine unfinished hemp twine.

Eight fine finished hemp twine numbers, ranging

from 18 to 84, inclusive, are retained in the schedule

for regular stock purposes. These numbers apply to twines knoAvn in the trade as AA and AB Italian, and

B and BC American, the latter also knoAvn as BC

tAvine. For each of the 8 numbers there is given for

each kind of tAvine tlie minimum length per pound and

minimum breaking strength. The schedule of putups for fine finished hemp tAvine includes Aveights of

balls, cut lengths, tubes, coils, and reels. , Fine unfinished flax and hemp tAvines are specified

by pljq and these run from thi-ee to six, inclusive. The

flax tAvine is specified in tAvo grades, Avhich differ in

breaking strength only, and have the same minimum

length per pound. Fine unfinished hemp tAvine is to be

made in tAvo general classes—-Italian and American.

Each of these is made in tAvo grades—first and second.

The fine unfinished hemp is specified by ply, and like the unfinished flax, these run from three to six. inchisiA^e. First and second grade Italian and second-grade

American haA^e the same minimum length x^er xAOund

for each x^ly, but vary in breaking strength, the first

grade running about 10 per cent stronger. The first- grade American has greater length per pound in each

ply than the second-grade American, but the breaking

strengths are about the same. Fine unfinished flax and hemjA twine Iiram the same schedule of put-ups.

These are in balls, skeins, tubes, coils, and reels. The schedule became effective June 17, 1932, and its |! oiDeration and revision will be guided by a standing |j committee of manufacturers, distributors, and users. r The Bureau of Standards Avill cooperate with the '

i standing committee in review and revision when these are found necessary by the industry. A printed booklet will be made aA^ailable to the industry by the

Bureau of Standards, as one of its series of pamphlets

on Avaste elimination through simplification.

TESTS OF ELEVATOR BUFFERS

Arrangements have been made with the Bureau of

Standards whereby tests can be carried out on ele- AMtor buffers in order to determine Avhether the

buffers meet the requirements of the American Standard Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators formulated under the joint s^Aonsorship of the

American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Bureau of

Standards, and axAjiroA’ed by the American Standards

Association. This code has been adopted as mandatory regulations by certain administrative authorities,

and the same requirements are incorporated in some

local codes, such as the one in effect in Ncav York,

N. Y.

The following tests will be carried out by the Bureau of Standards in the order stated: (1) Lateral

movement of plunger, (2) churning, (3) retardation,

(4) oil leakage, and (5) plunger return. If a buffer

fails to meet the requirements of the code on any one

of these tests, the remaining tests Avill not be made

unless the submittor so requests. Measurements of

retardation under test 3 Avill be made for free drojAS

of the elevator car from the two heights sjAecified in

the code Avith such of the following loads as the test

officer considers necessary : {a) Manufacturer’s rated

minimum load, (&) manufacturer’s rated maximum

load, and (c) manufacturer’s rated maximum load

jaIus 10 lAer cent. These drojAS will be made for each

XAorting (or calibration) of the buffer. A mailing list of administrative oflicials and main

officers of insurance companies Avho agree to recognize the results of these tests Avill be maintained

by the committee on research at its headquarters, in

the office of the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers.

If a submittor so desires and submits the necessary

blue jArints, the successful jAassing of tests Avill be

bulletined to such mailing list with cojiy of blue

jAi'int identifying the buffer tested. A similar course

will be followed when modifications of construction

are made which do not affect the performance of

the buffer. Applications for test should be addressed to the

committee on eleA’ator research, the American Society

of Mechanical Engineers, 29 West Thirty-ninth

Street, New York, N. Y., and should be accomxAanied

by a definite statement as to tests results to be

reported.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 69

SURGICAL DRESSINGS

Recommendation Promulgated Under Auspices of Bureau of Standards Developed by American College of Surgeons

The simplified-practice recommendation for surgical

dressings is based on a study made by the ho.spital

research and information department of the American

College of Surgeons in cooperation with hospital executives, surgeons, manufacturers, and scientific laboratories. The study was made under the direction of Malcolm T. MacEachern, M. D., C. M., director

of hospital activities of the American College of Surgeons, whose report. Manual of Surgical Dressings,

explains the reasons for undertaking the work and the

results which are expected to follow the adoption of

the recommended sizes of dressings.

For the purpose of making the recommended sizes of dressings available to all concerned and to secure

their wide adoption and use, the simplification and

standardization committee of the American Hospital

Association requested the division of simplified practice of the Bureau of Standards, to call a general conference of all interests to obtain industry’s approval

and consent to incorporate the recommended sizes of

dressings in a simplified-practice recommendation.

This conference was held in Toronto, Canada, September 28, 1931, in conjunction with the annual meeting

of the American Hospital Association, and resulted

in the adoption of a simplified schedule of dressings

which appears in the recommendation. The industry

has since a^iproved the program. The program covers nomenclature, sides, and methods of preparation of the

following surgical dressings made of gauze : 1. Sponges. —Dressings for sponging and wiping.

2. Abdominal pacl's . —Dressings for walling oft'. 3. Sterile gauze dressings. —Dressings to cover

incision after operation.

4. Pads. —Dressings to absoi’b drainage after ojieration.

The methods of preparation of these dressings are

illustrated by sketches showing the sequence of folds,

sewings, etc. Tabulated information for each class and kind of dressing gives details as to amount of

gauze to be used and construction of gauze used.

The standardization of surgical dressings is not an

attempt to eliminate, without exception, all but a few

styles and sizes. It contemplates only the adoption

of a few generally approved dressings which will

meet the vast majority of surgical retpiirements and

leaves a free hand in the matter of special dressings

for particular needs. The present diversity of sur- gical-dressings practice does not seem to indicate that

literally thousands of dressings are necessary, but

rather that present jn-actice is only the natural result of hundreds of hospitals attacking the same problems

independently and developing their own technique

for each case without knoAvledge of what other insti- tutions are doing.

Standardization of surgical dressings Avould be undesirable if it should increase the cost of dre.ssings.

The proposed dressings have been selected only after

very careful study of this factor, and it is believed

that they Avill prove decidedly economical in tlie average hospital. In the first place, each dressing

has been designed to give the required size and bulk

with a minimum amount of material. Each will do

the task for which it is intended, yet none is larger

than is necessary for good results; hence there is a minimum Avaste of material. Furthermore, the sizes are such that they can be cut without Avaste from the

standard-sized packages of gauze, absorbent cotton,

and cellulose Avhich are regularly offered by manufacturers. In the same connection it must also be

borne in mind that additional economies are possible

through the elimination of the need for carrying in stock many special sizes, as outlined in the preceding

liaragraph. ()ne of the iiio.st desirable effects of any

stamlardization movement is economy, and it is belieA'ed that the proposed dressings Avill prove to be

fully acceptable in this respect.

Another advantage of standardization Avhich may

not be quite obvious to man}^ persons, but Avhich is nevertheless a very real one, is that it will permit

manufacturers of surgical dressings to produce readymade dressings much more cheaply. As long as such

a Avide Auiriety of sizes is in use there is little incentive

to the manufacturer to produce dressings Avhich he

knoAvs are used by only a limited number of hospitals. If he does try making dressings bj^ machine,

he sells so feAv of each size that they can not be i^ro- duced at Ioav co.st. There is on foot a very ])ronounced trend tOAvard ready-made dressings in the

hospital field, a trend Avhich is likely to Ijecome more

and more pronounced and which eventually Avill benefit every institution. Standardization is desirable because it helps this trend and hastens the day

Avhen it Avill be of practical interest to eA’ery hospital,

large and small.

The recommendations as to sizes, structure, and

form of dressings are offered in the belief that they

are am^ile as to the requirements, practical, economical, and feasible. Improvements are bound to folloAV,

and therefore no absolute finality is to be given the

selections listed. Standardization does not preclude

progressive changes for betterment, but furnishes a sound basis on Avhich to stand tentatively Avhile building toward the future. While no definite figures are available as to the number of sizes of dressings which

could be replaced by the general adoption of this simplified-practice recommendation, a good idea of the

elimination of variety made possible by this program

may be obtained from the following, from the Manual of Surgical Dressings:

This siu've.y revealecl a wide divergence in surgical dress- ings practice among hospitals of the United States and Canada. Approximately 5.000 different types of dressings were

found, and as many as 1.500 varieties of one type used for practically the same purpose. The recommendation Avill be subject to revision

from time to time by a standing committee of re])- resentatives of manufacturers, distributors, aud users. The Bureau of Standards, through its division of

simplified practice, Avill cooperate Avith this committee.

DENTAL-RUBBERS PROGRAM ACCEPTED

The required degree of acceptance has been accorded

simplified-practice recommendation No. R138-32, on

dental rubl)ers. and it may be considered as in effect as of September 1, 1932.

This sini])lification ju'ogram, Avhich Avas ])ro)iosed

and deA^el()]>ed by tlie industry, establishes names for

colors and uniform packaging of A'eueering and base

rubbers.
70 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932 METRIC WEIGHTS AND MEASURES EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN AUSTRIA

An exhibition in commemoration of the sixtieth an- niversary of the introduction of the metric sj^stem

will be held in Vienna from September 15 to October

31, 1932, under the auspices of the Trades Union of

the Pi'ovince of Lower Austria in cooperation with

the Austrian Federal Department of Weights and

Measures, according to a dispatch from American

Minister G. B. Stockton at Vienna.

The exposition will be under the patronage of the

Austrian President, Herr Wilhelm Miklas. According to an announcement of the Austrian Foreign

Office, it “ will illustrate the present status of production and use of measurement apparatus and procedure and will represent in a historical section the

development of the metric system and the measure- ments based thereon.” The displays are to be grouped

in six main sections.

Section 1 will deal with the history of the development of the metric system, and the exhibits will in- clude premetric and historical metric measures and

measuring instruments. Section 3, “ Metric measures and measuring instruments,” will be one of the largest

in the exhibition. Here will be displayed all kinds

of measuring instruments and devices. The fourth

section will deal with standardization and will include

a history of standardization in Austria; organization

of the Austrian standardization service; appliances

used in the scientific work of standardization ; and exhibits of appliances used by calibrating offices. Other

sections will be devoted to a representation of the

modern metric system and its units; organization of

a standards iiolice force; and a compilation of standards as far as they are connected with measurements.

The use of measuring instruments for educational purposes will be shown in a separate section.

ADHERENCE REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL

TRUCK TIRES

As is well known, the procedure of the division of

simplified practice of the Bureau of Standards provides that each simplified-practice recommendation be

periodically reviewed by its standing committee to keep it current with changing trends in industry. In

1931 the division conducted at the request of the

standing committee a survey on industrial truck tires to secure data on the production of individual sizes of

tires, and obtained comments and suggestions on which the committee could base its action in revising

or reaffirming the current recommendation covering

these commodities.

After reviewing the report for the year 1930 the

committee decided to postpone action on the various

suggested revisions until information coidd be obtained covering commercial activities during the year

1931. This second survey was conducted, and the re- port for the year 1931 is now before the standing

committee for consideration.

The simplified-practice recommendation on industrial truck tires recommends width of tire and nominal

wheel diameter for 30 flat-base tires and 6 channelbase tires. Five manufacturers of industrial truck

tires reported a total production of 79,259 tires in

1930, of which 63,485, or 80 per cent, were of the simplified sizes. In 1931 the same five concerns produced

48,459 tires, of which 37,435, or 77.3 per cent, were

of the recommended sizes. Reports from 14 producers

of industrial trucks showed a total of 19,667 tires used

as original equipment during 1930, of which 15,038, or 76.5 per cent, w'ere of the simplified sizes. In 1931

nine truck manufacturers used 12,957 flat-base tires,

of which 9,462, or 73 per cent, were of the recom- mended sizes. In 1931 only one truck concern reported

use of channel-base tires, and the figures, therefore,

could not be included in the report.

When the recommendation was drafted the manufacturers felt that all the channel-base tires and nine

sizes of flat-base tires could be eliminated at some

future time, and the general conference incorxiorated

in the recommendation the suggestion that this possibility be given careful consideration. That the

makers of trucks are endeavoring to follow this suggestion is seen in the fact that the nine sizes of flat- base tires recommended for elimination rejiresented

only 9.4 per cent of all flat-base tires used by this

grouf) in 1931, whereas in 1930 these sizes made uji 13.5 per cent of the total number of flat-base tires used as original equipment.

While adherence to the recommended sizes was

found to be somewhat less in 1931 than in 1930, it is

still close to 80 jier cent. It is safe to assume that

the majorit}^ of the nonstandard sizes now being made

and used are for rejilacement purposes, with some

oversize tires needed to equip new trucks with higher

tonnage capacities. It is reasonable to expect that

with the gradual obsolescence of trucks requiring

nonstandard sizes of tires the elimination from the

present schedule of certain sizes which are little used,

together with the addition of certain oversize tires which have been suggested, adherence to the recom- mendation will be considerably strengthened in the

next 5^ear or two. ALUMINUM ANALYSIS

The Aluminum Research Institute, 308 West Washington Street, Chicago, 111., has issued a booklet cov- ering standard methods for sampling and analyzing

aluminum and certain aluminum alloj'^s. It represents

two years of research and study by a special committee composed of chemists in res^Donsible charge of the

laboratories of member companies, in collaboration

with Lucius Pitkin (Inc.), consulting analysts.

The object of the committee Avas to surA>'ey, test, and

check methods of sampling and analyzing aluminum

and its alloys, now in vogue, and to recommend new

methods based on the data accumulated. The work

was carried on cooperatively in member laboratories,

Avith frequent meetings for comparison of results,

criticism, discussion, and revision of methods. Final

apjiroval, uxion which the current report is based, was

reached March 12, 1932. The research includes the various grades of pure

aluminum, also aluminum-silicon, aluminum-copper,

and aluminum-silicon-copper alloys in a wide range

of constituents.

It is the intention of the institute to issue, from

time to time, data on methods of sampling and analysis based on requirements of accuracy, siinjilified technic, minimum testing time, and moderate cost.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 71

SAFETY CODES FOR THE PREVENTION OF

DUST EXPLOSIONS

“ Safety Codes for the Prevention of Dust Explosions ” is the title of a publication issued by the

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Depai’tment

of Labor. Under the designation of Bulletin No. 562,

Bureau of Labor Statistics, copies may be had from

the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., at 15 cents per copy.

Dust explosions have been responsible for a series of disasters involving large losses of life and property

extending over a long period of years. It is only

recently, however, that the seriousness of this hazard

has been generally recognized and measures for its control undertaken. It has been found that practically

all types of combustible dusts when mixed with air in

proper proportions can be readily ignited by external

sources of heat or flame.

The codes covered by Safety Codes for the Prevention of Dust Explosions, all of which have been promulgated by the American Standards Association as American standard, are: Safety Code for Starch Factories, Safety Code for Flour and Feed Mills, Safety

Code for Terminal Grain Elevators, Safety Code for

Pulverizing Systems for Sugar and Cocoa, Safety

Code for Spice-Grinding Plants, Safety Code for

Wood-Flour Manufacturing Establishments, Safety

Code for the Installation of Pulverized-Fuel Systems,

Safety Code for Coal Pneumatic-Cleaning Plants, and

Safety Code for the Use of Inert Gas for Fire and

Explosion Prevention.

IMPERIAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE FOSTERS STANDARDIZATION AS A MEANS OF

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Standardization, industrial and agricultural, was

considered by the recently held Imperial Economic

Conference at Ottawa, Canada, as a method of eco- nomic cooperation. The conference approved the fol- lowing standardization program presented by the

several respective committees.

Industrial standardization)

1. To assist coordination of the work of national

standardization the followung principles should as far

as possible be observed: (») Specifications should be

in accordance with the needs of industry, (5) com- munity of interest of producer and consumer should

be maintained, (e) specifications should be arrived at by general consent, (fZ) periodical review and revision,

and (e) circulation of information regarding initia- tion and development of new specifications.

2. Having regard to the disadvantages Avhich occur when a statutory provision embodies a standard specification verbatim, each Government of the Commonwealth, in cooperation with its national standardizing

body, should bring under review tbe position with

regard to such statutory provisions.

3. The Governments should give favorable consideration to providing free entry to specifications and

other documents circulated between the national

-standardizing bodies.

4. Each national standardizing body should consider the issue of a standard schedule of colors.

5. To promote intraempire trade in steel, timber,

industrial chemical products, and replaceable parts of

agricultural implements and machinery, the parts of

the Commonwealth afi'ected should endeavor to take

immediate steps to secure adoption of commercial

standard siiecifications.

6. Cooperation with regard to standard specifications for aircraft materials and component parts and

particularly tlie method of testing is urged.

7. There should be machineiy for liaison between

Commonwealth standardizing bodies in order to facil- itate cooperation and consultation.

Grading and standards of agricultiiral products:

1. In accord with the resolution Avhich was passed

by the research committee of the Imperial Conference, 1930, Commonwealth countries should work

toward the adoption of uniform standards for those

agricultural products which most readily lend themselves to standardization.

2. It has been suggested that, in view of the great

importance from the producers’ standpoint of maintaining public confidence in a product, it Avould be

helpful if the United Kingdom Government would

legislate to require all Avholesale trade in suitable

commodities (such as eggs) to be conducted on the

basis of Commonwealth standards. As important

questions of policy and administration are involved,

this proposal should be further explored.

3. In order to facilitate the unification of Commonwealth grade standards, arrangements should be made

for the exchange of memoranda describing in detail

the grade standards of the British Commonwealth.

4. Standard containers.—The standardization of containers is desirable and should be made the subject

of further study in conjunction with the program of

unification of grade standards.

BRITISH STANDARD FOR RAILWAY

ROLLING-STOCK SPRINGS

The revision of the series of British standard specifications for raihvay rolling-stock materials which

has been in hand for some years, has now been completed by the British Standards Institution Avith the

publication of the revised edition of part 3 of Report

No. 24. This deals Avith laminated, volute, and helical

springs, and Avith the steels for these springs. The

changes in tlie chemical composition of the steel are among the principal modifications that have been

made in the revised issue. In the case of laminated

springs, the Avide range of carbon limits, originally

given, has noAV been divided into tAvo separate ranges. The one is suitable for springs Avhich are to be subsequently Avater hardened and the other for springs

Avhich are to be oil hardened. In the case of Amlute

and helical springs, the chemical composition of the

material has noAV been amplified by the addition of

limits for silicon and manganese.

A clause coA-ering the rolling margins of the spring

bars has also been included. A further s])ecification

has been added, coA^ering spring-steel bars to be used

for the manufacture of A’olute and helical springs, and

for the standardization of the dimensions of the rib in

the leaves of laminated springs.
72 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1032 STANDARD TEST ON GALVANIZED WIRE

The method of testing galvanized wire by dipping

samples in a solution of copper sulphate is so well

known that, at first sight, it would appear hardly

necessary to issue a specification on the subject. It is found in practice, however, that although the general

princijiles of the test are almost universally accepted,

individual manufacturers and inspectors often introduce slight variations in the testing routine which,

though apparently unimportant, have a substantial

effect on the results of the test. The British Standards Institution has accordingly

coordinated all the descriptions of the test, given in

various specifications, and has published a new specification entitled “ The Testing of the Zinc Coating on

Galvanized Wires.” The new publication states concisely but in adequate detail the exact procedure to be

followed in the preparation of the samples, the preparation of the copper-sulphate solution, and of the

number and duration of dips in the solution for wires

of various gages. A feature of particular interest is the introduction of a combined mechanical and chemical test, in which the sample of wire is first wrapped

round a mandrel of a specified size, is then unwound,

and subjected to the dipping test. Research work with a view to finding a test which

has a definite relation to practical service conditions, or provides an absolute comparison between various

processes of galvanizing, is at present in hand. It is recognized, however, that it will still be a long time

before the copper-sulphate test will be superseded,

and the new specification should, therefore, prove of

considerable service to both manufacturers and users of galvanized ivire. In addition to the work being done in England, as

just stated, there is now in progress at the Bureau of

Standards in this country a study of certain factors

which affect the copper-sulphate dip, or Preece, test with the object of determining the cause for the er- ratic residts that have been reported for this test especially when used for different types of zinc

coatings.

PROMOTION OF SIMPLIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Simplified-Practice Recommendations Covering Open Web

Steel Joists Identified in Trade Literature by Manufacturers Every manufacturer who has accepted simplifiedpractice recommendation No. R94-30, covering web

steel joists, has expressed his intention to identify the

simplified lines in handbooks, new catalogues and

trade lists, according to information received by the

division of simplified practice of the Bureau of

Standards.

The general acceptance of the identification plan

will assist this industry in maintaining close adherence to the waste-elimination program. Cooperation

by architects, engineers, contractors, purchasing

agents, fabricators, and others will greatly increase

the benefits and economies possible through simplified

practice.

Simplified-2U’actice recommendation No. R94-30,

which was iirojiosed and develojied by the industry,

jiertains to joists that measure between 8 and 16 inches

in depth and which are not longer than 24 times their

de^ith. The recommendation also s^iecifies jDrojDerties

and allowable loads in jiounds per linear foot. In

formulating this simj^lified list of joist sizes, it was

necessary to include designations, stresses, resisting

moments in inch-2)Ounds, and maximum reaction in

2iounds. This program has been in effect since

October 1, 1930.

This is the fourth simjilified-iiractice recommendation in connection with which all manufacturer accejitors have decided to identify their commodity as being in accordance with the industry’s recommendation. In accejiting others of the more than 130 active

lirograms, an increasing number of manufacturers are identifying their commodities as conforming to sjie- cific simplified-jiractice recommendations.

The National Association of Purchasing Agents,

the American Institute of Architects, the Associated

General Contractors of America, the National Electric

Light Association, the American Gas Association, the

American Electric Railway Association, and other

re|)resentative users of siinjilified commodities have

for some time strongly urged that this iiolicy be

adojited by manufacturers. When the simplified items

are so identified in trade literature, their selection can

be made without difficulty, and often much waste now

incurred in checking files and auxiliary records for

this data is eliminated.

DENTAL MOUTH-MIRROR PROGRAM

APPROVED

SimiDlified-jiractice recommendation No. R137-32,

covering dental mouth miiTors, has been accorded the

required degree of accejitance by the industry.

This recommendation, which was ju’ojiosed and

formulated by the industry, provides for the diameters

of plane and magnifying mouth mirrors having cone

socket stems. It may be considered as in effect as of

Sejitember 1, 1932. COMMERCIAL STANDARD FOR APPLE WRAPS

SUBMITTED FOR INDUSTRY’S APPROVAL

A commercial standard for pajier apple wraps was

circulated August 12 by the division of trade standards for the general a|i]3roval of those interested in the

jiroduction and use of this commodity. This standard was recommended at a conference of the industiy held

in Seattle, Wash., on May 19, and embraces the re- quirements of satisfactory dry and oiled paper apjile

wrajDS.

While the thin jia^ier which is used to cover many

of the ai^x^les that are held in cold storage appears to be merely a jirotection against dust, it is in reality of

vastly greater imiiortance, since the wraps, particularly of the oiled tyqies, jiractically eliminate a physiological disease Avhich occurs in storage and is known

as a|3q)le scald. The commercial standard siiecification covers sizes,

Aveights, strength requirements, and oil content, to- gether Avith reasonable manufacturing tolerances and

methods of testing.

Collies of the recommended standard are available,

Avithout charge, from the division of trade standards.

Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.
SEPTEMBER, 1932 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 73

BRITISH STANDARD FOR BRAIDED CABLES

The use of braided conductors for overhead trans- mission lines is the exception rather than the rule in

England, and the issue of a British standard specification for such material may, therefore, appear at

fii’st sight to be uncalled for. Such a specification has,

however, been published by the British Standards Institution, and its object is primarily to assist British

manufacturers in their export trade, more particularly with New Zealand.

In this Dominion the use of braided cable

(weatherproof wires) is compulsory in certain cir- cumstances. Users in New Zealand have, in the past,

been unable to rely on the product being uniformly

good, owing to the lack of a British standard specification, and with a vieiv to securing an improvement

in the position, the New Zealand Electric Supply Authority Engineers’ Association requested the institution to prepare a specification, the adoption of which

probably will ultimately be made compulsory in New

Zealand.

Braided cable is also used in other parts of the Empire, and the new specification should, therefore, meet

a considerable demand. The points covered by the

specification include the mechanical and electrical

properties of the copjier conductors, and the quality

and dimensions of the braiding.

The properties of Aveatherproof Avires (now pi’eferably called weather-resistant) have also been under

discussion in the United States for several years. A

specification for such Avires has recently been submitted to letter ballot of the American Standards Association sectional committee on insulated wires and cables. On the other hand, an article by C. F. Harding,

L. L. Carter, and J. W. Olson, of Purdue UniA^ersity, appearing in Electrical Engineering for May,

1932, pointed out troubles Avhich had arisen from

cheapening of the Aveather-resistant covering in re- cent years and proposed a neAv specification for the

covering.

BRITISH STANDARD FOR RADIO TUBES

Prior to the meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission, held in September, 1927, there

existed in Europe two slightly divergent sets of di- mensions for Avireless A^alve bases (radio tubes), those

adopted in Great Britain on the one hand, and those

taken up by the majority of continental countries on the other.

These two sets of dimensions were just sufficiently

divergent to prevent complete interchangeability. At

the meeting of the commission above referred to, a comju-omise was suggested Avhereby complete interchangeability could be secured by making a slight al- teration to both sets of dimensions hitherto in force. This compromise has been adopted by the British

Standards Institution, Avith the agreement of the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, and the Vah'e Manufacturers’ As.sociation, and a specification entitled

“ Tlie Dimensions of Radio Valve and Valve Sockets ” has been published by the institution. It is hoj)ed

that this publication Avill assist in promoting the evolution of a ]uore satisfactory design of resilient socket,

and Avill encourage the general adoption of resilient

sockets for both four and five pin vah'es.

The American design of base for radio tubes is distinctly different from the European type covered

by the British specification. It is likewise recognized

by the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Detailed specifications for this base were approved in

1929 by the American Standards Association as an American tentative standard under the title “ Specifications for Vacuum-Tube Bases.” In 1932 these

specifications haAm been advanced to the status of

American standard as a part of a more complete formulation of standard vacuum-tube base and socket

dimensions.

The 1929 specifications for vacuum-tube bases cov- ered only dimensions of standard 4-pin Amcuum-tube

bases of the large and small type, Avhile the neAV standard covers in addition the folloAving : Dimensions of large 4-pin- base without bayonet pin ; large

5-pin base Avithout bayonet iiin ; large 5-pin base ; ter- minal caps for receiving tubes and transmitting tubes

;

4-pin transmitting-tube base; large transmitting-tube

base ; terminal cap Avith large transmitting tubes

;

4-pin socket for receiving tubes; 5-pin socket for re- ceiving tubes; and standard connections for vacuumtube bases. RECOMMENDATION COVERING CUPOLA

REFRACTORIES BEFORE INDUSTRY FOR

ACCEPTANCE

The simplified-practice recommendation covering

cupola refractories has been mailed by the Bureau

of Standards to all interests in the industry for their

consideratioii and Avritten approval. The recommendation Avill be effective on announcement by the Bureau of Standards that the required degree of ac- ceptance has been i-eceived. The recommendation, which was proposed and developed by the industry, is concerned with the sizes and A^ai’ieties of cupola lining, one and two hole tapout blocks, and slag-hole blocks.

SIMPLIFICATION FOR PAINT AND VARNISH

The paint and varnish industry has drafted a simplified-practice recommendation ito be substituted for

the limitation of Amriety recommendation covering

paint and Auirnish, and in resjAonse to the industry’s

request, the diAusion of simplified practice of the Bureau of Standards has mailed it to all interests in the

industry for their consideration and AA'ritten approval.

The story coA^ering this measure appeared in the April,

1932, Commercial Standards Monthly, under the

heading of “ Paint Industry Promulgates Standardization Program.”

The original limitation of variety recommendation,

proposed and deA-eloped by the industry, has been in effect since September 1, 1924. The ncAV simplification program provides for shades

and tints of paints, varnishes, enamels, and stains,

and for the capacities of primary containers. The

simplification of secondary containers, or shipping

cases, of paint and varnishes which Avas suggested by

a member of the industry Avill be considered by the

industry in the near future to deterinine Avliat elimination of Avaste can be effected in this field.
74 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1932 BUILDERS’ TEMPLATE HARDWARE

Pursuant to recommendations of the Manufacturers’

Advisory Committee on the Standardization of Builders’ Hardware and with the approval of the standing

committee, a revision of Commercial Standard

CS9-29, Builders’ Template Hardware, has been acce2ited by the industry.

The revision includes requirements on template

letter-box jilates, together with modifications and cor- rections in certain details jiertaining to temj)late locks

and hinges resulting from exiierience since it became

effective in Sejitember, 1929. Mimeogra]Dhed cojiies of this revision are available

from the division of trade standards, Bureau of

Standards, Washington, D. C.

HOSE CONNECTIONS FOR WELDING AND

CUTTING TORCHES

The recommended commercial standard for hose

connections for welding and cutting torches was cir- culated to the industry for acceptance on June 25,

1932.

This standard was requested by the National Screw

Thread Commission, and incorporates the specification adopted by this committee and published in its 1928 annual re^iort. The specification covers requirements for the sizes of hose connections, the purpose

being to provide parts designed to be readily interchangeable for replacement. Provision is also made

for identification and certification to buyers.

INTERNATIONAL STEEL GROUP FORMED

An International Institute of Steel Construction

has been organized, to which American jiai’ticipation

has been invited, according to information received

from the American Institute of Steel Construction

(200 Madison Avenue, New York). It is proposed

that executive offices shall be established in The

Hague. This step was taken at a conference held last May in Paris, a report on which has just been received.

During the last 11 years offices have been established

in most steel-producing and steel-consuming countries,

with the purjiose to encourage the use of steel uj)on a more rational and economical basis. This has been

done by pointing out the excellent features of this

material as well as the advantages its use offers. In America the foundation of the American Institute

of Steel Construction in 1921 gave an impetus to this

movement.

Among the countries coojierating in the international institute are France, Belgium, Germany, England, Poland, Italy, and Holland.

POWER-DRIVEN DERRICK CRANES

Revision of Specification

The British Standards Institution has issued a re- vision of its sj)ecification relating to power-driven

deri’ick cranes. In view of the recent requirement of

the British building (amendment) regulations that all cranes used for the purpose of constructiong a building or any addition to the structure of a building shall comply with the specification, the present publication

is of great importance to builders and contractors. In the revised siDecification the general factor of

safety has been lowered to a minimum of 4)^, but no change has been made to the minimum factors of

safety of gearing or wire ropes, or to the maximum

allowable working stresses for certain other component j)arts. As hitherto, all derricks have to be subjected to load and overload tests, and a test certificate has to be furnished with the machine. The specification now permits, where between the buyer and

the maker, the use of fusion-welded joints. A detailed

list of the statutory regulations affecting cranes in

Great Bx'itain has been included as an apjxendix.

Other appendixes deal with the information which

should be furnished by the user with the inquiry

or order, and by the maker.

BRITISH STANDARD FOR SCREWS

The British Standards Institution has added two

specifications to its list dealing with bolts, set screws, and nuts. These additions cover bright countersunk,

round, and cheesehead screws (British Standard

Whitworth), and British standard fine; and bright

square-head set screws with flat chamfered ends (B.

S. W., and British standard fine).

These specifications provide for round, countersunk,

and cheesehead screws from % up to 1 inch in diameter, and square-head set screws from f® 1 inch

in diameter. The general dimensions of the screws

are given in the specifications.

RECOMMENDATION FOR FOLDING BOXES

NOW AVAILABLE

Simplified-practice recommendation No. RI27-31,

covering folding boxes for use by department and

sjxecialty stores is now in jirint and can be obtained

from the Su|ierintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, Washington, D. C., for 5 cents each.

The simplification jxrogram, which was proposed

and developed by the stores with the assistance of the

manufactui’ers, provides 59 selected sizes of this type

of box. These are to take the place of 262 sizes for- merly in use as reported in a survey by the United

States Dejiartment of Commerce.

Q

I

> \ A

Iin
Announcing the 7^ew

STANDARDS YEARBOOK, 1932

Prepared annually by the BUREAU OF STANDARDS, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

400 pages, bound in blue buckram

DO NOT FAIL TO READ “Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the Symposium on Standardization in Communication honest can repair.’’

(Chapter I) —WASHINGTON.

THE STANDARDS YEARBOOOK for 1932 is full of suggestion and data for all engaged

in standardization. The many aspects of the subject call for a concise summary for busy

men who need to keep in touch with the latest advances in the standards field. The

Standards Yearbook is designed to meet this need.

To the interest taken by several departments of the Federal Government in simplification and standardization, a special chapter is devoted.

The Yearbook includes summaries of important national and international standardization activities and accomplishments of the Government standardizing laboratories of

England, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, and of the Bureau of Standards of the

United States.

Another chapter is devoted to the standardization activities of American technical

societies and trade associations.

An abstract of the work in standardization conducted by national standards associations

throughout the world is another feature of the Standards Yearbook.

There is also given a brief account of international cooperation in standardization.

The Standards Yearbook should be in the personal library of all engaged in work on

standards, or concerned with its application.

CONTENTS —

Chapter Chapter —

I. Standardization in Communication—a sym- VI. National Bureau of Standards. —

posium.

VII. Municipal, county, and State purchasing

II. International standardizing agencies. agencies. —

III. National governmental standardizing labo- VIII. General standardizing agencies, U. S. A. —

ratones. IX. Standardizing activities of technical societies IV. National industrial standardizing bodies. and trade associations. —

V. Federal standardizing agencies. X. Index. —

Compiled by Bureau of Standards —

Price $1

Miscellaneous Publication No. 133 —

Cloth bound For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United States —

Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. ——
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

ROY D. CHAPIN, Secretary of Commerce

“ * * * 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. Defyartment of Commerce, June 10, 1929

.ri.jL.F_ S' r r E r r in r F E F r F E r f f i gr- ric'WfiffiitBiBa i;

AERONAUTICS BRANCH, Clarence M. Young, 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 ])ilots; enforcement of air traffic rules; investigation of acci- dents; encouragement of municii)al airports; fostering of air commerce; scientific research in aeronautics; and dissemination of information relating to commercial aeronautics. (Some

of these functions are ijerformed 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

transiiortation, and 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 munici])al governments.

Conijiilation of statistics of marriage, divorce, births, deaths,

and jienal 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.

BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE,

F. M. Feiker, Director. 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

Rejiorts, bulletins, confidential circulars, the news and trade

press, the monthly Survey of Current Business, and district and

cooperative offices in 6.5 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 jirocesses of domestic trade and commerce. BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Lyman .7. Briggs, Acting Director. Custody, develo)mient, and construction of standards of measurement, quality, performance, or practice; com]iarison of standarrls 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 Inilletins reporting results of researches and

fundamental technical data. Collection and dissemination of information concerning

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

coo]ieration with Imsiness organizations in order to reduce the wastes resulting from excessive variety in commodities.

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

utilization of minerals, including the study of mine hazards and

safety methods and of improved methods in the production

and use of minerals.

BUREAU OF MINES—Continued.

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

Research on helium and operation of plants producing it. 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 proiiagation 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,

imiirovements in merchandising, and collection of fishery statistics; administration of Alaska fisheries and fur seals; and the

jirotection 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 LTnited States and publication of charts for the navigation of the adjacent waters, including

Alaska, the Philippine Islands, Hawaii, Puerto 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 AND STEAMBOAT INSPECTION, Arthur ,1. Tyrer and Dickerson N. Hoover,

Assistant Directors. Superintendence of commercial marine and merchant seamen.

Construction and administration of navigation laws covering

documentation, ship mortgage act, entry and clearance, move- ment of vessels, welfare of seamen, admeasurement, load line, adjudication of fines, collection of fees, tonnage tax, etc. Compilation of Federal statistics of tonnage and merchant seamen. The inspection of merchant vessels, including boilers, hulls, and lifesaving equipment, licensing of officers of vessels, certi- fication of able seamen and lifeboatmen, and the investigation

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

Commissioner.

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

prints, and labels after technical examination and judicial

proceedings.

Maintenance of library with public search room, containing

o])ies of foreign and LTnited 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.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1932