COMMERCIAL

STANDARDS

"“MONTHLY

library

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS OF THE

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

Vol. 7, No. 5 NOVEMBER, 1930

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. Sec page 3 of cover for prices
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. Lamont, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

George K. Burgess, Director

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

S. F. Tillman, Editor

DIVISIONS OF THE COMMERCIAL STANDARDIZATION GROUP

DIVISION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE, Edwin W. Ely.

The division of simplified practice was formed in November,

1921, to provide a clearing house or centralizing agency through

which the manufacturer, distributor, and consumer groups

could meet to discuss their common problems and decide upon

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

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

recommendations that industry develops under the auspices

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

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

and who would be unwilling to cooperate, except through some

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

of all interested elements thereof, the project is then presented

to the entire industry by letter referendum for its approval and

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

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

users concerned.

BUILDING AND HOUSING DIVISION, J. S. Taylor.

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

building codes and to encourage improved standards for the

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

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

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

throughout the year, and to secure less fluctuation from year

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

the broad objective of buildings made more useful because

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

street system, and appropriate public works. Good city

planning and zoning likewise encourages stability in land

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

DIVISION OF SPECIFICATIONS, A. S. McAllister.

The duties of the division of specifications are to promote and

facilitate the use and unification of specifications. In doing so

it carries on activities involving cooperation with technical

societies; trade associations; Federal, State, and municipal

Government specifications making and using agencies; producers, distributors, and consumers; and testing and research

laboratories. The cooperation with technical societies and

trade associations includes ascertaining the standardization

and specification promoting activities of these organizations,

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

governmental agencies and other consumers includes the bringing of Federal specifications and commercial standards to the

attention of the maximum number of producers and the maximum number of users of commodities complying with these

specifications and standards, thereby assisting in broadening

the field of supply. The cooperation with producers involves the compilation and distribution of lists of manufacturers who

have expressed their willingness to certify to purchasers, upon

request, that material supplied by them on contracts based on

certain Federal specifications or commercial standards comply

with the requirements thereof. The cooperation with distributors involves bringing to their attention the benefits to be

derived by them as both buyers and sellers from handling

nationally specified, certified, and labeled commodities. The

division prepares the directories of governmental and nongovernmental testing laboratories; the Directory of Specifications;

and is working on an encyclopedia of specifications, the first volume of which. Standards and Specifications in the WoodUsing Industries, has been issued. It also aids in preparing the Standards Yearbook.

DIVISION OF TRADE STANDARDS, I. J. Fairchild.

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

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

the commercial standard in writing before it is published by

the Department of Commerce. A certification plan is applied on request as a means of increasing the effectiveness of such

standards. Provision is made for regular revision of the standard

through the appointment of a standing committee to consider

periodically any necessity for revision of the standard, in order that it may be kept constantly compatible with progress in the

industry.

Except where otherwise indicated, for further information address

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

WASHINGTON, D. C.
COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

Volume 7 WASHINGTON, D. C., NOVEMBER, 1930 Number 5

CONTENTS

FEATURE ARTICLES

Page

Aid in identifying quality in household commodities 131

Benefits from simplifying varieties in softwood lumber. _ 148 Bituminous materials tested 151 Development of Navy specifications 133 Home-ownership drive 149

Industrial progress through research and standardization 130

Simplified practice—a clearing house 134 Standard railway track scales for light industrial service.. 137 Standards in the manufacture of fish meal 144

Tile industry reduces cost of manufacture through

standardization 140 The Government laboratory and industry 153 The “ Reichskuratorium fuer Wirtschaftlichkeit ” (RK W).. 1 55 TRADE STANDARD NEWS

Excellent adherence noted to standard on regain of mercerized cotton yarns 156 Manufacture of wall paper 70 per cent on standard specification 158 Pamphlet on American national standard screw threads

available 159

Standardization of mop sticks 159 Standard for interchangeable ground-glass joints re- leased 133

Success of mirror standard assured 159

Vitreous china plumbing fixture standard 159 FOREIGN NEWS

Architects in Finland studying standardization of plywood doors 158

Italian standardizing society formed 136

Standardization of lubricating oils and greases in Bel- gium 132 I

SPECIFICATION NEWS

Page

Certification plan to be applied to bricks 150

Certifying hardwood and softwood lumber 143 Indorsement of quality labels by American Home Eco- nomics Association 150 SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE NEWS

Ninety-six stock sizes of Turkish towels will be reduced

to six 141 Recent economic effects of simplified practice 141 To reduce waste in distribution of merchandise 158 Current activities of American Marine Standards Committee 139 STANDARDIZATION NEWS

Current activities of the American Standards Association 142

Federal specifications printed in standard form 157 Frogs used to test standard drug potency 147

Increase noted in testing work 136

Interlingual public address system 147

McAllister, new Assistant Director of Bureau of Standards 157 New circular on cleaning materials 157 New design of precision resistance standard 157 New and revised publications issued by the Bureau of Standards 159

Official time-zone map of the United States, issued by Bureau of Standards 150 Standard fire-fighting equipment for metal mines

approved 156 Standardization briefs 144

Standardization of printing and writing pajiers 152

Standardizing lithographic papers 152

Status of Federal specifications 143 Tentative specification developed for stainless lubricant. 158

AN INVITATION TO VISIT THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS

An interesting fact in the growth of the bureau is the steady increase in the number of visitors. From all over the world experts come to see the work in progress in many specialties. Not alone the

experts but in growing numbers many of our people visit the bureau from a public-spirited desire to acquaint themselves with its research w ork. All visitors—from the newspapermen, who have called the

bureau a “ house of wonders,” to the specialists, who use its services—are welcome, for it is their bureau

in a very real sense. They are the owners of the business and its beneficiaries. The annual per capita

cost of 2 cents which the average citizen pays toward the operation of the bureau yields returns sometimes a hundredfold or a thousandfold. How science turns wastes into profits, increases the useful life of materials, adds new efficiencies to industry, advances new arts, such as aviation and radio, by research

and discovery—these are to be seen first-hand in the scientific and technical laboratories of the bureau.

A cordial invitation is extended to all citizens 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. m.

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 Manual may be had for the asking. This lists the work in progress and gives an airplane view of the ensemble and a brief statement of typical discoveries and inventions which have been notable, basic contributions to radio, aviation, and otlier modern

arts and industries.

George K. Burgess, Director.

21293—30 1 129
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS

Through RESEARCH and

ST ATslD ARDI2AT I07\i

the measurements which insure high quality are found by

research, the data become working factors in indu^ry quite as definite as

its tools and machines. Such data translated into measured controls are known as “^andards.”

Standards govern indu^ry. They are fiducial points of human achievement, pointing the way to further progress. A ^andard is a congeries of

measurements—at once an attainment and a challenge.

A success once attained experimentally may thus be put to mass

production with uniformly high quality assured. The be^ magnitudes may

never occur in service. If they did so occur, they might not be recognizied

as the be^.

The optimum magnitudes of dimension or properties are produced and

observed as a matter of course, in experimental research where conditions

varied singly, ^ep by ^ep, give a full survey of the effed; of each variation,

as a basis for the design of apparatus or new specifications for materials or

processes.

Vad volumes of numerical data concerning nature, its materials, forces,

phenomena—data from research—are all potential servants of indud:ry.

They, too, are bases for design.

With measured production runs parallel the dandard ted: Limit gages

insure dimensional accuracy; teds maintain dandard quality. Concurrently

service research correlates the measured description, the dandard, with the

performance it is designed to insure.

Permissible variations, fixed in units of measure, allow for assembling,

fitting, interfundtioning of parts, and for economy of production where

extreme accuracy is codly.

In research to fix production dandards, the technique and equipment

in the laboratory become tools of indudry—the induction furnace, the

photo-electric cell, the quartz; oscillator—once factors in experiment have

become factors in production.

The analysis of a process may be so complete that each item may be

made automatic, both in detail and ensemble. Staffs shift from production

to planning or to new types of service which call for research.

To apply science to industry we learn to use dandards, periodically

stepped up to higher levels, while research touches with creative power

every aspect of production which becomes deadily more automatic. Provision for human needs and desires thus grows easier, cheaper, and more

complete, while life is enriched at an ever accelerating rate.

130
NOVEMBEK, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 131

AID IN IDENTIFYING QUALITY IN HOUSEHOLD COMMODITIES

Outlines of Plans for Aiding Consumers in Obtaining Qualities Called for by Nationally Recognized

Commodity Specifications

By A. S. McAllister. National Bureau of Standards

At an ever-increasing rate the National Bureau of

Standards is receiving requests for information con- cerning the relative merits of various trade-branded

goods tested by the bureau. These requests emanate

from the officers and members of such organizations

as the American Home Economics Association, the

General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and many

dealer and consumer groups.

To the numerous requests for data concerning tradebranded goods, the publication of which would be

welcomed by many and opposed initially by few, seri- ous consideration has been given. The conclusion has

been that the best method for passing along to the

public the benefit of the tests and investigations made

at the National Bureau of Standards is to place the

results of the research at the disposal of committees formulating nationally recognized specifications

(which may or may not be those of the Federal Government), and to bring into cooperative relations the

firms desiring to manufacture goods to comply with

these specifications and the purchasers who wish to buy specification-made goods.

A suitable solution to the present-day marketing

problem Avould seem to be to induce the producers,

distributors, and consumers to think in terms of specifications. So far as concerns the producers and such consumers as buy directly from manufacturers on defi- nite contracts, there are reasons for believing that a

satisfactory solution has been found in the so-called

“ certification plan.” The real problem is to expedite

the application of this plan to the maximum number

of specifications for commodities in which the con- sumers are interested.

The “ certification plan ” involves the compilation

and distribution of lists of manufacturers desirous of

obtaining contracts based upon certain selected nationally recognized specifications, and willing, when re- quested to do so, to certify to the purchaser that the

commodities delivered are guaranteed to comply with

the requirements and tests of the specifications.

There are several reasons for developing the certifi- cation plan, namely: (1) To make thoroughly effective

the benefits to be derived by producers and consumers from the well-known economies incident to mass production, mass distribution, and mass consumption; (2)

to encourage the producers to manufacture staple commodities to comply with nationally recognized commodity specifications; (3) to assist the producers in

expanding their markets for staple commodities complying with nationally recognized specifications; (4)

to facilitate and expand the use of nationally recognized commodity specifications by large-quantity and

medium-quantity buyers; (5) to determine the commercial accei)tability of certain nationally recognized

specifications; (6) to aid in unifying the specifications

used throughout the country; and (7) to broaden the

source of supply of products conforming to nationalhi

recognized specifications.

Quality in household commodities.

Many of the specifications to which the certification

plan has been or will be applied, cover commodities of

much interest to housekeepers. Although it is not ex- pected that the housekeeper will actually buy commodities on individual specifications, some day she may

be induced to confine her purchases of certain kinds of

commodities to those known to be manufactured to comply with certain nationally recognized specifications. Perhaps she may even now be induced to ex- amine critically such of these commodities as she does

purchase to determine whether or not they are as rei>resented and will comply with her own requirements—to purchase on the basis of real quality and

ability to meet service requirements rather than on the

basis of superficial appearance or of the numerous

kinds of sales arguments.

No serious difficulty would be encountered in compiling material for a publication or series of publications devoted to “ specifications for household commodities.” In fact, considerable material of this

nature is noAv available.

Most of the existing household commodity specifications have been written in technical language and

probably could not be directly utilized by the housekeeper. In certain cases the specifications could be

written in easily understandable language, but it is not

self-evident that they would be macle use of, as specifications, even in the simplified form.

A stucly of the present marketing situation has indicated that housekeepers would welcome the preparation for their use of a series of “ hand-bag size ” pamphlets or folders outlining methods of identifying

cpiality in certain kinds of commodities and givingvery simple rough-and-ready tests which could be

applied by them in the homes or stores. Moreover, inquiry has developed the fact that or- ganizations that can properly be assumed to be interested more or less in the informative household com- modity pamphlets are desirous of having such pamphlets prepared for wide distribution and can be

counted upon to cooperate in the selection of the commodities and in the preparation of the material to be

included in the pamphlets.

Probably only fairly rapid progress can be made in the preparation of the pamphlets referred to. In any

event, it appears desirable to expedite the application

of the “certification plan” to specifications for household commodities and to supplement this plan by a labeling plan to bring to the “ over-the-counter ” buyers many of the benefits derived by the large-quantity

contract purchasers from the use of the certification

plan.

Labeling plan.

In accordance Avith the self-identifying, qualityguaranteeing labeling plan, a firm desirous of bringing

effectively commodities guaranteed to comply with the
132 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

requirements of certain nationally recognized specificcations to the attention of the “ over-the-counter ” huyer at the time of making a purchase, places on the

individual commodities or their containers labels which definitely identify both the specification and

manufacturer or the trade association which holds

itself responsible for the guaranty.

The labeling plan, in one form or another, has been

in operation for many years, and identifying laliels (some carrying guaranties) are being advocated by

about 100 national technical societies and trade associations, many of whom maintain inspectors for

making their labels effective. Before discussing with individual manufacturing

firms the u.se of self-identifying, quality-guaranteeing

labels, it was thought desirable to bring the labelingplan to the attention of the officers of every technical

society and trade association on the bureau’s mailing

list. Much interest has been manifested by these

officers. Even those agencies which might be expected

to be op]9osed to such an activity have not been un- mindful of the considerable agitation during the past

year or so in favor of making it possible for the puldic

to buy merchandise on a pure quality basis without

regard to the merits claimed by its producers.

It is believed that a great improvement over the

conditions under which the purchaser is at the mercy

of the seller is represented by the plan in accordance

with which manufacturers definitely identify such

commodities as they are willing to guarantee to be

made in accordance with nationallv recognized specifications—a majority of which are not those of the

Federa 1 CTOvernment

.

There may be some doubt as to Avhether or not the

specification metliod of buying and the marketing of

specification-made goods for purchase by the nonspecification user are now being forced by the con- sumers iqion unwilling manufacturers. However, it seems evident that quality-basis marketing methods are making considerable headway. This fact is to be

attributed quite largely to the increasing recognition

of the advantages in the si)ecification method of buying and to the realization of the existence of excessive

economic waste in the older marketing methods.

From the point of view of the manufacturer, the

dealer is a consumer; as seen by the consumer. th<.> dealer is the equivalent of a producer. It would seem,

therefore, that the dealer is in excellent jiosition to

form worth-while opinions concerning modern trends

in merchandising. Numerous wholesale and retail organizations, several of them national in scope, have

expressed their interest in both the certification and

the labeling plans and see in these plans the foundation for a solution to some of their important merchandising problems.

By labeling, advertising, and guaranteeing certain

commodities to meet the requirements of nationally

recognized specifications, manufacturers will be able to meet the “ newer competition.” The division of busi- ness between competing firms will be determined, not by the price alone but by price combined with reputation for fair dealing—good will, if you please. Good

will is an asset which should continue to bring in

profits under competitive, quality-basis merchandising.

It will be observed that both the certification and

labeling plans are dependent upon the preparation

and promulgation of adequate specifications. The

need at the present time is for specifications—more

specification.s—and better specifications. Some of

these specifications can be written in language readily

understood by the purchasers, whereas others must be

presented in terms which can be understood only by

technical experts. It is desirable but not essential for

specifications to be expressed in language usually

understood by persons of average intelligence and

education.

The essential requirements are that purchasers, dis- tributors, and consumers agree on the specification

requirements; that manufacturers know how to pro- duce materials to comply with these specifications ; and

that testing laboratories know how to determine

whether or not commodities comply with the sjiecification requirements. If, then, the public is made ac- quainted with the existence of these specifications and

the manufacturers properly label their goods which

comply Avith these specifications, the purchasers will

experience no difficulties in obtaining specificationmade goods.

IiiA^estigations haA’e reA’ealed the fact that firms

manufacturing goods on a mass-production basis are

Avilling to make use of quality-guaranteeing labels,

provided only that they can be assured of sufficient de- mand for goods thus labeled. It is in connection Avith not only the preparation of suitable specifications, but

in the broadcasting of information concerning labeled

commodities that consumer organizations can render a

I'eal service to the public.

STANDARDIZATION OF LUBRICATING OILS

AND GREASES IN BELGIUM

The A.ssociation Beige de Standardization is submitting to the public a project for the second part of

report No. o2, regarding the standardization of methods of sampling and of analj^sis of lubricating oils and

greases, according to information received from Leigh

W. Hunt, acting commercial attache at Brussels,

Belgium.

This project, folloAving the project published in

September, 1929, concerns the chemical test of oils. It has been draAvn up by the same commission during

the 11 sessions held betAveen October 15. 1929. and

August 30, 1930. _

FolloAving the practice adopted by the Association

Beige de Standardization, the commission has limited

its activity to standardizing the good methods cur- rently emploj’ed by Belgian laboratories for the chemical testing of oils. The commission, therefore, has

only considered the determination of the content of

saponifiable matter, the index of acidity, the content

of asphalt, and the content of ashes. Without misunderstanding the great interest of the test for aging,

the commission has not belieA-ed itself capable of

standardizing this point, since, though there exist a great numbei’ of studies on this subject, there is at the present time no method generally accepted by

Belgian laboratories.
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS AIONTHLY 133

DEVELOPMENT OF NAVY SPECIFICATIONS

Navy Department Specifications Aid in Identifying Standard Materials and Subordinate Assemblies

By Rear Admiral William D. Leahy, United States Xnvy, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance

Navy specifications are divided into two main

classes : Navy Department specifications and bureau

specifications. Navy Department specifications concej'n themselves with standard material. These specifications are develoiied by consultation with and by the

assistance of commercial manufacturers and are subject to revision as improvements are made or neiv needs

develop. Bureau specifications meet special needs for

Donstandard. technical material, such as engines, projectiles, etc. They are developed by experiment and

test and are revised from time to time as experience in- dicates the necessity for revision. Contained in them,

however, are references to Navy Department specifications to identify standard materials and subordinate

assemblies.

A simple illustration will explain the development

of a dejiartment specification.

The Bureau of Ordnance, in the manufacture of

technical ordnance material, uses certain grades of

felt. There are at the present time no department

specifications for felt, and the Bureau of Ordnance has

been requiring samples for test. In order to let bidders know exactly what is Avanted, to put them on a

fair competitiA’e basis, and to get more bidders interested, the bureau desires to haA'e specifications preparecl that will describe different grades of felt so ac- curately that tests will not be necessary to determine

its suitability for the different purposes for which it is used in the NaA’y. Accordingly an ordnance plant

using felt is instructed to draw up specifications cover- ing its needs. The plant consults with felt manufacturers and prepares specifications to coA’er its rather

x'estricted and special needs.

Using these tentative specifications as a basis, the

Bureau of Ordnance draws up in correct form, a proposed Navy Department specification and forwards it to the department specification board, which board is conqiosed of representatives from all the bureaus in the Navy Department. The secretary of this board

knows that the Bureaus of Engineering, Comstraction

and Repairs, Aeronautics, and Yards and Docks all require felt of A'arying grades and qualities. So he

sends the proposed specifications to all of these bureaus, requesting such comments and additions as Avill make it cover their needs. Each of these bureaus.

before making recommendations, consult the felt manufacturers in order to make sure that impracticable or

useless reqiurements are not put into the specification,

and that the specifications actually specify Avhat is wanted by the bureau.

One specification drafted.

AYhen the board has gathered in proposed specifications covering the needs of all the bureaus, it forwards

them to the office of the origin of the proposal, which

office combines them into one specification covering all the grades and kinds of felt that are required by the

Navy Department. This proposed combined specification is again sent to the bureaus for approA^al before

being printed. The result is a standard NaA'y Department specification.

Thereafter the various bureaus of the Navy Department in ordering felt designate the kind desired

b}^ reference to the standard specification. This describes the felt accurately to prospective bidders, Avho

all get copies of the specifications and who can know

exactly what they have to furnish and Avhat tests will

be required.

After a time one of the bureaus may develop a need

for felt that is not covered by the specifications, and

a revision becomes necessary. It is not unusual for a manufacturer to say that a specification is discriminatory: that it favors some manufacturers at the ex- pense of others; or an inspector may report that some

tests are useless and that others should be substituted

for them. All complaints are inA^estigated and, if necessaiy, corrective revision made, in which new

grades of felt are listed and the specification in general is brought up to date. After such revisions misunderstandings are less frequent.

Although Navy Department specifications are continuall}^ undergoing reAusion, most of them by noAv have been so Avorked over that they cover their subjects thoroughly. Their use throughout the NaA'y is obligatory AAdiere practicable, and, as stated above, they

are constantly used in bureau technical specifications

to specify standard materials and subordinate parts.

It is believed that the NaAW Department specifications are being extensively used as the basis for many of the neAv standard Federal specifications noAv in process of

formulation.

STANDARD FOR INTERCHANGEABLE

GROUND-GLASS JOINTS RELEASED

Commercial Standard CS21-30, Interchangeable

Ground-Glass Joints, was recently released by the

office of the diA'ision of trade standards.

This commercial standard gOA’erns the tajier, diameter. and length of ground-glass joints, so that the

jiroduct of one manufacturer maA’ be completely interchangeable Avith that of another. These joints are

extensiA’ely used for laboratory and industrial glassAvare and the interchangeable nature of these joints

greatly facilitates tlie setting up of complicated pieces

of apparatus, and the read}" replacement of such parts

as may be broken.

A high degree of accuracy iii the manufacture of

these interchangeable ground-glass joints is secured by

each manufacturer, through the use of Avorking tools

that liaA'e been checked Avith standard gages Avhich

have been certified as to accuracy against a set of

master gages that are maintained by the National Bureau of Standards. The joints are made in nine diameter sizes, I’anging from 5 to 50 mm., and all those of

commercial standai'd quality Avill be labeled by the

manufacturer according to size and trade-marked

with a designation $, Avhicli indicates standai'd taper.
134 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930 SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE—A CLEARING HOUSE

Simplification a Means of Clearing Away Nonessentials; Path Then Clear for Standardization and

Improvement of Grades, Quality, and Performance of Types and Varieties

By Edwin W. Ely, National Bureau of Standards

Every year about this time, when many families move from one house or apartment to another, we hear

such remarks as : “I am afraid the curtains I made

last spring will not fit the windows in the new place.”

“Will the big armchair have to be relegated to the

attic?” “How about the ice box? It is too good to abandon, and yet it will not fit in the space that has

been provided in the new kitchen.”

Here is a dilemma. The ice box is an inch too wide.

It might as well be a couple of feet. Remodeling of

the kitchen is out of the question ; rebuilding of the ice box is impractical. The manufacturers of ice boxes

and the architects are just as vexed about the matter

as the consumer is. Over a year ago a conference of representatives of

the refrigerator industry voted to establish a simplified list of not more than five sets of over-all dimensions, particularly widths, for domestic refrigerators.

As a preliminary, however, it was necessary to adopt

dimensions for ice cakes, then for ice compartments

and door sizes. These two jobs have been carried

through to completion by the industry, with the co- operation of the Department of Commerce.

Department of Commerce Cooperates.

Just how does the Department of Commerce come

to participate in this type of ivork ? Not long ago the average citizen thought of the

Federal Government pi’incipally as an agent for enact- ing and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, administering natural resources, and dealing with foreign

powers. The Government’s many commercial service

activities were comparatively little known. Radio

broadcasts have had a major part in informing the

general public on these regular functions of the

Federal establishments.

Early last year Dr. Julius Klein, now Assistant Secretary of Commerce, gave a radio talk on Simplified

Practice, Its Meaning and Message. Since that time

man}^ industries have become actively interested in

the simplification movement and have saved millions

of dollars thereby.

Commercial simplification.

The basic principle of simplified practice is as old

as modern business. When a single manufacturer

analyzes his market and discontinues the production

and distribution of sizes and varieties that are seldom

called for that is commercial simplification.

It frequently happens, however, that a single producer can not carry this process to its logical conclusion. He may think it necessary to continue unprofitable items because his competitors are making

them. His competitors, however, may be large

manufacturing organizations producing many differ- ent commodities, the more profitable absorbing the

losses caused by those sold in smaller quantities.

Other competitors may not have the facilities for

making accurate market analyses. They may desire

to cater to local conditions, or to individual preferences

of customers. There are a number of possible reasons, but exjierience has shown that they are rarely so compelling as to prevent a very large part of an industry

from joining in a program of reducing unnecessary

variety once such a plan is started. Division of simplified practice.

The thing needed is some impartial agency with ex- perience in this sort of work, and with the national

prestige necessary to command attention and confi- dence. Such an agency was established by President

Hoover while Secretary of Commerce. He set up as part of the National Bureau of Standards a division

of simplified practice which operates as follows

:

Its activities are purely cooperative. It orders

nothing. The request for its services must come from

responsible elements of the business dealing with the

commodity to be simplified. When such a I’equest is received the industry is invited to form its own committee to study current demand for all existing sizes and varieties. The committee then drafts a preliminary recommendation and presents it for consideration

to a general conference of producers, distributors, and

consumers. When the conference has approved a final recommendation the division of simplified practice

undertakes to submit it to those concerned and, if possible, secure their acceptance.

When sufficient support has been pledged by an entire industry' the Department of Commerce lends its prestige b}^ promulgating the simplified-practice rec- ommendation as part of its elimination of waste series. The program comes up periodically before a standing

committee of the industry for review, and any desirable revision before it is incorporated in a new edition.

To emphasize the principle of self-government by

industry, there is no semblance of Government control. Acceptances of these recommendations create a moral

obligation and any departures are referred to the

industry’s committee for adjustment. The results have

been astonishing. For instance, a recent survey to determine the degree of adherence to one of the programs shoAved that 82 per cent of the acceptors’ output

conformed with the recommendation. The 18 per cent deviation was caused largely by special orders.

Simplified practice is principally applied to items

produced for regular stock. The “ special ” is on oc- casion a truly legitimate item, in the judgmgent of the

manufacturer and his customer. There are times and

situations requiring special treatment. Therefore in- dustry is not asked to commit itself irreimcably to a given list of sizes of any commodity. It is merely

suggested to industry that whenei^er any choice is offered between a standard size and an odd or special

size the former be selected. Hoav many sizes and i^arieties of abrasii^e paper and

cloth Avere there a little over two years ago? A few

dozen, you say? No; the number Avas 8.000. The

industry Avas just as astonished as you are. The vaI
XOVEMBEK, 1930 COMMERCIAL, STANDARDS MONTHLY 135

I'iety has been reduced to less than 2,000 in con- formance with the purpose just described.

For the same reason 125 sizes of wheelbarrows have

been reduced to 41 ; 70 varieties of shoe goring to 29

;

16 sizes of shipping tags to 8 ; and 100 sizes of folding

boxes for coffee to 2. What other fields offer opportunities for simplification ? ” you may ask. I may giA’e a few examples

of 38 new projects that have been proposed by industry

during the past 12 months. For example, there are

cheese jars, copper range boilers, floor tiles, sewing

trays, bath towels, steel office equipment, and dashboard instruments for automobiles.

All of these concern sizes, dimensions, and immaterial differences only. It is expected that many of these

proposed projects will become published simplifiedpractice recommendations. Some, upon closer ac- quaintance and study by the committees of the respective industries, may be considered impractical or

undesirable for reasons best known to the trade.

Simplified-practice recommendations.

There are in progress at this moment 25 variety sur- veys by as many committees appointed by industry.

The facts disclosed by these surve5"s will form the bases

for future simplified-practice recommendations. In

each case it will be found that there exists a number of

varieties for which the demand, if any, is exceedingly

small and the production and handling of which simply mean a miscalculation of actual demand that is imposing unnecessary costs on every factor in the

situation.

Excess variety complicates the processes of distribution. Six billion five hundred million dollars is the

annual business of 6,000 department stores. This entails an expenditure of $25,000,000 for wrapping and

packing supplies alone. A study of 34 department

stores, situated in various parts of the United States,

has recently been completed by the National Retail

Dry Goods Association, working through its operating

committee on simplification of wrapping and packingsupplies, and the division of simplified practice. The

acquired data, besides disclosing opi^ortunities for the

development of specific simplified-practice recommendations, will bring to the attention of the entire

department-store field the best thought and practice

in the matter of folding and preparing merchandise

for delivery. It is claimed that general izse of this

information will make possible the saving of many

millions of dollars annually.

According to estimates made by industry, the active

recommendations are producing annual savings for all interests to an amount exceeding $250,000,000. A

more general estimate, embracing all activity in simplification throughout the United States, as stated by

independent economists, places the yearly savings

account at $500,000,000.

To cite the experiences of individual manufacturers,

distributors, and users of simplified lines of commodities : A year ago, a manufacturer, speaking of the one

simplified-practice recommendation he knew best, said

quite frankly that 80 per cent of his business came

from 2,000 varieties of a particular product. This was but 3.6 per cent of his full line. The other 96.4

per cent, amounting to 53,000 varieties, brought in

only 20 per cent of the business. Adherence to the

program brought about, among other advantages, a

saving in inventory amounting to $225,223 and a sav- ing of $13,500 a 3’ear in reduced obsolescence costs. A distributor made it known that simplification had

enabled him to affect a 15 jper cent increase in sales with but 60 per cent of the former range of Amrieties. Another dealer claimed that his turnover of stock was more frequent with simplified lines. Previously

a turnoA^er of two was about the best he could achieve.

Aniong the direct benefits to the consumer are prompt

deliveries, quicker replacement service, lower mainte- nance costs, and a greater protection against unscru- pulous traders.

Briefly, the elimination of needless A’ariety in sizes,

dimensions, and types of CA^ery-day commodities means

a more intelligent utilization of our national resources, more efficient production with loAver costs, greater productivity, and hence higher returns to the workmen,

and correspondingly gi’eater purchasing poAver to buy

commodities of other kinds. The Avhole effect is to keep business on a higher level. As a commercial expedient, then, simplification may

be adopted as a means of clearing away nonessentials.

The path is clear for the agencies of standardization

to improA’e the grades, quality, and performance of

the types and varieties that are retained in a simplified

line. The combined purpose is to develop products

that are better—not merely different. It is one thing to set up a standard; it is another to keep it constantly useful and serviceable. Any standard is of doubtful A’alue until its existence and purpose

are generally known and appreciated. By the processes of periodic resurA*ey and rcAUsion it is possible

not only to keep the respective simplified-iiractice rec- ommendations in step Avith changing conditions but

also to determine the degree of adherence that is being

accorded them.

For example, 39 existing recommendations were re- cently resurveyed, 34 of Avhich Avere reaffirmed Avithout

change by the industry and 5 were revised. Examination for adherence in the cases of 25 recommendations

shoAved an aA^erage degree of adherence of 86 per cent of all interests. The work of revision is carried on by standing committees, appointed by the respective industries from

among their own ranks, and representing all elements

in the industry ; a house of representatives, so to speak.

These committees haA-e the responsibility of maintaining the simplified-practice recommendations as valuable and useful tools of industry. More than 110 such

groups, at present functioning under the procedure of

the diAusion of simplified practice, comprise a total personnel of approximately 1,000 representatiA’e busi- ness men, many of whom are leaders in their particular fields of endeaA’or.

Later this fall it is planned to hold a general conA'ention of the chairmen of these committees. This

meeting Avill afford an opportunity for the representatiA’es of the specific industries to confer Avith the planning committee of the division of simplified practice, an advisory body that represents industiy as a whole

in the development of simplified practice through

the Department of Commerce. Tlie occasion will af- ford an excellent op29ortunity for the exchange of ideas on the broader as^Aects of tliis type of Avaste elimin.ation. It is exjiected that there Avill deA'elop suggestions whereby many industries, AA'orking through their

resjiective standing committees, may collaborate in
136 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER. 1930

promoting stability in the production and exchange of

goods.

Broadly speaking, there are three main elements in every industry, the manufacturer, the distributor, and

the consumer. No one of these elements can, alone

and unassisted, secure the major benefits from simplified practice. All three must get together, “ teamfashion,” and, to continue the analogy, “ play ball.” With all three acting in concert, it is possible to de

velop simplified-practice recommendations satisfactory

to all. Such unity of action should clarify the production policy of industry and permit the concentration of output upon an intelligently developed list of stock items. Further, it should obviate the danger

of placing manufacturing emphasis upon those sizes and varieties Avhich enjoy only an uncertain demand.

The intent is to direct attention of all concerneci

to the fact that there is a determinable list of items

wliicli, because they are specified so seldom, represent

“ frozen ” capital that might be released for ]5roductive pui-poses.

That industry has been consistent in its belief m

simplification as a useful tool for management is atINCREASE NOTED IN TESTING WORK

Bureau of Standards Schedule Shows Increase of 27,214 Items

Tested During Fiscal Year An increase of 27,214 in the number of items tested

at the National Bureau of Standards during the fiscal year 1930 as compared Avith 1929, and a corresponding increase in the fee Audue of $139,212, has been

announced by the director of the l)ureau. A comparison of figures for 1928 and 1930 shoAvs increases for

tlie latter year of 68,513 and $218,497. The total number of items tested during 1930 Avas 200,726 and

the fee value $683,614 51. Tliese figures are particularly interesting at this

time, since they shoAv a steady increase in the work

of the Government’s largest testing laboratory during

a period Avhen business in genenil has decreased and

Avhen one Avould naturally have looked for a decided

drop in general testing.

The bureau’s statistics cover 46 different items or

classes of tests. During 1930, as compared Avith 1929.

there Avere increases registered under 26 of these

items Avhile in 20 cases the numl)er of tests decreased

In the matter of the fee value, increases Avere noted

in 28 cases, in 2 cases the fee value did not change,

while in 16 cases the fee A'alue decreased.

The greatest single increase of 1930, as compared

with 1929, Avas in clinical thermometers, Avhere an in- crease of nearly 24,000 occurred during the year (total

number tested, 100,648). Large percentage increases

Avere also recorded in electric batteries, miscellaneous

dimensional determinations, aii'craft engines, engineering materials, cement, and ceramic materials. In

comparing 1928 and 1930, important increases have

taken place in electric batteries, electric lamps, dhnensional determinations, Aveights and balances, vol- umetric apparatus, hydrometers, laboratory and

clinical thermometers, radioactive materials, ceramic

2 )roducts, and in the distribution of standard samples.

Roughly, tAvo-tldrds of the bureau’s test Avork is for the Federal and State Governments, Avhile onetested by the large number of individual companies,

institutes, societies, and associations Avhich haA-e re- cordetl Avith the Dejiartment of Commerce their approval of the moA^ement in general and of specified

simplified-practice recommendations. The lists of ac- ceptors form an indispensable part of every published

recommendation. Business organizations in all parts

of the country appear in those lists. Intelligently applied simplified practice does not in any Avay operate to I’etard progress in industry, but

lather concentrates effoi't upon the best thought and

practice. Closer attention can be giA’en by inA'entors,

scientists, technical experts, and manufacturers to the improA’ement of the remaining varieties. When

Avorth-Avhile deA’elopments occur in connection Avith a commodity covered by a simplified-practice recom- mendation full cognizance of them may be taken Avhen

that recommendation comes up for periodic revision.

It is clear that simplified practice benefits every

factor in our American economic life. It is a moA^ement that each of us Avill do Avell to understand and

to iiromote to the best of our ability.

third is for the general public. Although the latter class of tests decreased about 14 per cent in 1930, as compared Avith 1929, there Avas still an increase of 17

]ier cent as compared Avith 1928. This is a A’ery satis- factory shoAving and proA^es that the A^alue of care- fully conducted tests is becoming more generally

appreciated.

ITALIAN STANDARDIZING SOCIETY FORMED

New Organization Known as “ UNI ”

The National Organization for the Creation and Observation of Recognized Standards in Industry and

Trade in Italy, Avhicli has been in contemplation for more than iavo years, has noAv been definitely established by a royal decree dated July 18, 1930, and published September 4, according to information received

from MoAvatt M. iMitchell, commercial attache at Rome, Italy. The organization is to be known as the

Ente Nazionale per I’Unificazione delie Industrie, and

Avill be commonly knoAvn as the UNI. The objects of

the organization are stated as folloAvs : («) To standardize methods and procedure for industrial production and for the sale of its products; (b) to establish

standard types of tools, instruments, machinery, and

])arts; and {c) to jiromote the understanding and the

adoption of these standards.

In carrying out its purposes the UNI is authorized

to estai)lish connections Avith similar foreign organizations. Membership in the organization is extended to

all the various branches of the National Confederation

of Industry and to other technical, scientific, professional, and economic organizations Avho may be interested in standardization. Membership in the UNI will

cost each such organization a minimum of lire 25,000

($1,309) ]3er year, Avliich Avill entitle the contributing

organization to a seat on the directorate, and additional seats ma}? be had for each additional contribution of lire 50,000 ($2,618) per year up to fiA'e.
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 137

STANDARD RAILWAY-TRACK SCALES FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL SERVICE

Resume of Specifications Presents Possibilities of Single Weighing of Freight

By Hakky M. Boeser, Nufioiial Tliireaii of Standards

In round nunibery, steam transportation sj’stems in the United States accumulate $4,500,000,000 of revenue

per annum for handling freight in carload lots at the

average rate of $1.98 per measured ton. The primary

instrument of measurement is the railroad-track scale,

of which 9,000 are in use for this purpose.

* In the chain of circumstances between raw material

and finished products, most articles of commerce are measured over track scales for the purpose of fixingintrinsic values at unit rates. Thus, not only in the

ti'ansportation industry but in all cliannels of commerce the majority of the wholesale barter of commodities depends primarily upon the track scale for

fixing costs. The intimate relation with the trans- portation industry, however, is principally the concern of this

article. In the abstract measurement

of goods is es.sential to economic

exchange ; but since the operation

increases the cost of goods without improving their adaptability

to human needs, measurement,

necessary though it may be, is nevertheless an economic evil. Efforts are being made either to reduce the amount of measure- ment or the cost of doing it to a miniinum. That axiomatic principle apparently was not given

adequate consideration in the

early growth of our transportation systems, and now in the press

of competition the consequences

are being felt. In particular, a common transaction in a carload of goods nominally requires three weighings—

one by the consignor for use in invoicing, one by tlie carrier to establisli freight charges, and one by the

consignee to check the invoice and for protection

against shoi-tage in deliveries or lo.ss in transit. Elimination of one or more of these weighings is the

modern tendency.

Tlie carriers disclaim responsibility for weight determination between buyer and seller. This stand is perlia])s imiiregnable, judged from ordinary rules of

busine.ss, but at the same time it positively voids the

possibility of the most economical })iocedure of getting

weighing done. The ]iractice of establishing business

transactions in carload lots upon one Aveighing is lield to be sound and is actually followed in some countries.

Tliis is to be done by the carriers, who might perform

(lie sei’vice at tariff rates Avhich would enable them to ^'guarantee the accuracy of the transaction between ^ buyer and seller. Sjieed, the Avatchword in American railroading, is the outstanding inhibition to establishment of the practice here. Weighing does complicate railroad ojieration and does sIoav up deliveries. Then too, American business jiractice requires that goods be weighed

•21208—.S'* 2

as closely as possible to the point of origin in order

that invoices and bills of lading may be effectiA'ely

handled.

Recent changes in Aveighing practice.

Based on the fundamental principles that Aveighing

freight complicates railroad operation, and that it must be done as near to (he point of origin as possible,

a decided change in Aveighing practice has come about

in recent 5^ears. This involves a so-called “ Aveight

agreement betAveen shipper and carrier Avhereby the

carrier accepts the Aveight for freight billing purposes

as determined by the shi})per over his OAvn scale Avith the proviso, that the carrier shall at intervals authenticate the scale performance is cir- cumstances require b}- methods of

test Avhicli the carrier considers

adequate.

Tims the shipper obtains a Aveight for invoicing and the carrier a Aveight for establishing

freight charges in one operation.

Obviously this practice reduces

the amount of Aveighing. Hoav

effective it is, in that respect, may

be judged from the fact that since

1926 roughly 25 per cent of the

railroad-oAvned track scales in use

at that time Iuia'c been abandoned

or taken out of service. The turn of events just mentioned and other lesser complications, Avhose number and variety

forbid descrijition here, brought

al )out an acute economic situation

;

the alleAuation of Avhich is the

purpose of proposed specifications for raihvay track scales for

light industrial service. To Avhat degree they Avill relieve it is uncertain ; but this is certain, if the}' do

not adequately do so, further radical changes in the

determination of consignments of carload freight are due, oi- else carriers must revei't to Aveighing. Tendencies Avhich gain lieadAvay in a ponderous machine,

such as the transportation industry, usually go too far

and may become vicious before they ai-e checked.

That this has occurred Avith respect to the practice just

mentioned is not altogether impossible.

Summary of situation.

Briefly, the situation is as folloAvs: In 1920 specifications for Aveighing machineiy for the transportation industry Avere promulgated and ultimately

became the foi'inal construction standard. A Aveighiiig machine built to conform to tho.se specifications

re(juires a disj)ro])ortionate unproductiA’e capital in- A'estnient for many individual industrial plants Avho.

in the aggi'egate, furidsh a very great ])i'opoi'tion of

freight, indeed, to the transportation industry.

Again, a (pdte remarkable change in public demands

for accuracy of Aveighing has come to pass, as illusFormal specifications for a

tyjie of raihvay track scale Avith

a 46-foot Aveigh rail length and

180,000-pound weigh beam capacit}^ for use in light industrial

service have been promulgated

by interests involved. The purpose is to provide a scale of minimum cost combined Avith sensible lequirements for ruggedne.ss

and accuracy in order to hasten

the replacement of obsolete

Aveighing machinery and to pre- Avnt imminent deterioration in commercial .standards for Aveighing carload freight.
138 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

trated in the per cent intolerance curve which summarizes the track-scale testing work of the National

Bureau of Standards for the past 16 years. The reader Avill note that the curves in the illustra- tions are virtually flat from the date 1927 forward,

indicating that a peak has been reached. This state of affairs, although it has been maintained for three

or four years, can not reasonably be expected to con- tinue indefinitely. As a matter of fact, the peak has

been reached at too loiv a grade of performance.

What, therefore, is desired is further improvement.

The folloAving facts indicate, however, that a hope

for improvement based on past and present conditions

is vain. Comprehensive records of installation dates

shoAV that the average industrially-oivned railroad

track scale ivas installed in July, 1921. Under aver- age conditions of maintenance an average life of nine

years for a railroad track scale is too long. Records

of sales informally obtained shoAV that the annual substitution of new equipment is less than 2 per cent of

the total amount in use. This indicates that the aver- age track scale will have to endure, with more or less periodic rejuvenations—nine or more years apart

for a period of about 50 years. Vague as these indications may appear they do have a foundation in fact,

and their purport is that, without remedial measures,

a decline in the quality of weight measui’ement in

American commerce is inevitable.

Naturally since the burden of weighing is being

shifted to the industries, the matter of furnishing

adequate weighing machinery within their means be- comes pressing. Essential to the orderly production

and distribution of such machinery are construction

standards that bear the formal stamp of approval of

the involved interests. To this end the interests were

coordinated, and by cooperative effort such formal

specifications were evolved. The specifications, sponsored through the various stages of formation by the

National Scale Men’s Association ^ and shortly to ap- pear as a formal publication of the National Bureau

of Standards, seek to establish a track scale of minimum cost that Avill meet public demands for accuracy

and durability. An added necessity, as a regulatory

feature, is limiting the distribution of the new type

of scale to the intended service. This end was sought

by placing limits on the size and capacity which make

^ The National Scale Men’s Association, C. L. Richard, secretary, 5800 West Sixty-ninth Street, Clearing Station, Chicago, lil.

impossible the handling of cars which ordinarily do

not find their way into light industrial service. Unique features of scale. The unique features of the scale are 46 feet weigh

rail length and 180,000-pound weigh beam capacity.

In other respects the specifications differ from others

now in effect chiefly in the dimensional detail essential

to economical design. At first sight it would appear

to the initiate perhaps that a 46-foot weigh rail length

is a handicap to practical use. Such, hoAvever, is hardly true. Of the railroad-OAvned track scales now

in service, over 45 per cent haA^e weigh rail lengths of

46 feet or less. The weigh beam capacity of 180,000

lAOimds seems light until one considers that the aA^erage

loaded freight car in the United States carrying

slightly less than 70,000 pounds has a gross load of

approximately 110,000 pounds and that the 50-ton

open-top car, extensively used for the distribution of

coal and mineral products to industrial plants, has a rated gross load of 169,000 pounds.

True it is that the coal and mineral handling roads

operate cars whose wheel base and gross lading can

not be handled by such a scale. These cars, however,

moA^e in restricted lanes, such as mine to seaboard or

lake front, and are practically limited to such movements by conditions of power, roadbed, or nature of

the commodity handled. In all these cases, hoAvever,

the question of proAuding proper Aveighing facilities liardly appears to reach proportions that require regulatory attention. It so happens that alert management, promptly recognizing the need for being suffi- ciently capitalized, hastens to provide the necessary

facilities.

Index to marketing possibilities.

As an index to the marketing possibilities of the ncAA" scale, the folloAving table prepared from the latest Interstate Commerce Commission report - may be

revieAved

:

Commodity group Tons per

loaded car

Percentage

of total originating

freight ^ . , 24. 56 9.55

11.85 1. 94

51.49 52. 27

28. 38 7. 93

26. 37 25.63

2.68

1

“ Interstate Commerce Commission Statistics of Railways in the United States, 1928. This statement is taken from statement No. 28.
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 139

Of the above commodity groups, “ products of agriculture,” which consists chiefly of grain, is the only one whose possibilities as a market field for the new

scale is positively limited. Track scales for weighing

grain are covered by existing specifications. “ Products of mines ” is limited to the extent that the scale can not be effectively used for those parts that do not move in 50-ton capacity or less, open-top cars. That

50 per cent of all originating freight can be handled

over the new specification scale appears to be a conservative estimate.

In order to avoid the risk that critical attention may

be wasted on something less important, the conclusion

may properly consist of the following blunt statement

of facts : A climax in the development of American

business has been reached; to prevent deterioration of one of its fundamentals, namely, the wholesale meas- urement of goods, relief must be brought to that part

where the burden has been shifted ; means must be provided that willl make possible the rapid substitution

of new weighing machinery for that which is obsolete

and makeshift. Such, simply, is the purpose of the

specifications for railway track scales for light industrial service.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF AMERICAN MARINE STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Committee Reviews Status of Pending Proposals for Standardization

The following current information relating to developments in certain standardization projects under

the auspices and procedure of the American Marine

Standards Committee, has been furnished by that

committee.

The executive board of the committee will meet November 15, in the office of the chairman. Col. E. A.

Simmons, 30 Church Street, New York, N. Y. This

wdll be the last meeting of the present board. Election of the executive board for 1931 will take place

in December.

Proposed standards for cleats for ships, tentatively

approved by the technical committee on hull details,

have been submitted to the membership and others

concerned for critical comments and suggestions. It

is expected that the ballot vote will be sufficiently complete for report of results to the executive board at the meeting on November 15, with proposal to promulgate the standards.

Proposed standards for bollards and cleats for

docks, tentatively approved by the technical committee

on port facilities, have been voted on by the memberships of the American Marine Standards Committee

and the American Association of Port Authorities.

The results are to be reported to the executive board

at the November meeting with proposal for promulgation of standards.

Technical activities.

The following proposed standards are under consideration by the technical committee on hull detail

:

Ladders and gratings. —Comprising metal ladders

of simple construction for service access in machineiy

spaces and other shij) compartments; also on superstructures and deck erections; companion ladders of

wood and metal and their handrails ; machinery grating used as platforms ; landings and walkways in machinery spaces; and grab rungs which are used in

lieu of ladders where permanent steps are required for

occassional access. External fixed and hinged lights. —Comprising four

distinct types of circular glass lights fitted in ship

sides to obtain daylight or ventilation in various

compartments, namely, fixed light, Avhich is of the

nonopening type; lunged light Avith hinged cover, the

latter being a shutter to close the opening—especially

in rough Aveather—against the possibility of the glass

disk being broken; hinged light Avith portable cover,

this type being generally identical with the preceding,

but intended for locations Avhere the application of

the shutter is less frequent; hinged light Avithout

cover, for use only in superstructures or sheltei'ed places. Tire proposed standards include suggested

methods of locking the lights or coA^ers in closed position under authority of the commanding officer of the

ship in compliance with the regulation of the Inter- national Conference for Safety of Life at Sea. The following proposed standards are under consideration by the technical committee on port

facilities

:

Platfonn cargo slings.—Used for lifting cased cargo

from ship to dock or vice A-ersa. Tavo sizes proposed

are, namely, 3.5 by 6.5 feet, and 3 by 6 feet. They

are provided wdth adjustable angle plates on the rope

slings to protect the outer corners of the top roAv of

cargo cases against cutting or crushing by the rope

slings.

Cargo mast for docks.-—70 feet high, 5 feet 4 inches

square at the base, and 2 feet square at the top. These

are latticed steel angle bar structures. They are in- stalled on open docks at various intervals on a line

parallel to and at a sufficient distance from the edge

of the. dock to alloAv one or moi’e railroad tracks. They

are used to attach cargo-handling tackles from the

sliip so as to transfer cargo from the latter to raihvay

cars or to the dock, or A’ice versa, in conjunction Avith the ship’s cargo gear. Publications.

The committee’s publications, knoAvn as the

A. M. S. C. series of the Department of Commerce,

noAv number 75. A list of these publications is available upon application to the secretary of the American

Marine Standards Committee, Room 713, Commerce

Building, Washington, D. C. Copies are obtainable

at nominal iirices from the Superintendent of Documents, GoA'crnment Printing Office, Washington, D. C.
140 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930 TILE INDUSTRY REDUCES COST OF MANUFACTURE THROUGH

STANDARDIZATION

Industry Finds Standardized Models Reduces Overhead by 20 Per Cent

By Milton J. Phillips

With 20 per cent pared fi'oni overhead charges, the

tile industry of the United kStates, under the leadership of the Associated Tile Manufacturers, is en- couraged to strip its product of all excessive patterns

and sizes and indefinite terminology. To date, 735

patterns and sizes have been cut to 115 and a dozen

standards of quality have been reduced to three. Similarly, all iudefinite Avords in tile terminology

have been banned like the nmv-obsolete patterns. The

effect is one of indescribable relief, according to the

enthusiastic testimony of participants in the moA^ement to simplify and standardize this groAving

industry.

Prior to the bold slashing of patterns several years

ago every tile manufacturer in America Avas invoh'ed

in a neck-and-neck dash to reach the Avire first Avith the latest in neAv (lesigns. Then,

if one A^entured to supply the

tile for neAV jobs, it Avas usually

necessary that he get up more

neAv designs, and Avhat Avas true of one manufacturer Avas at times true of all manufacturers.

Literally thousands of dollars of

busy capital Avere buried deep in

financing patterns and sizes that

Avere practical duplicates among

a mass of stock. To make the outlook increasingly gloomy there Avas an un- doubted acceleration in the moA^ement to turn out neAv designs, in some cases amounting

to nothing more than a mere matter of a slight frac- tion of a degree in a specified curve on a small cap

piece.

Formerly, before setting doAvn the final tile specifications, an architect called in a tile contractor in preference to Avading through from 10 to 20 catalogues

Avith A^ague and varying descriptions in an admittedly

faulty nomenclature. It is obvious that the contractor indicated certain patterns Avith Avhich he Ava.'- most familiar. Almost instant production of these same patterns by competitors Avas absolutely necessary. Certain manufacturers preferred to keep their products out of the bidding rather than incur an excessive

burden of expense in making neAV models, a practice

that they demurred against generally because it left the field to one or tAvo competitors Avho Avere free to demoralize the industry and cheapen the quality of

the product. It Avas not uncommon for a contractor

to bid loAv Avith the evident intention of diluting the

shipment Avith a sufficient number of inferior tile to even up, a policy easily possible because of the lack

of uniform specifications and trade terms. To confuse the customer further, printed matter on shipments Avas frequently in code, and the sufferers

Avere not the customers alone. Clear-headed manufacturers, Avho Avere struggling dtrbuild enduring reputations for fair dealing, Avere victims of the practice.

The reputation of the industry, too, aatis at stake. Of

course, the dealers Avho Avere guilty of substitutions

and other subterfuges indicated that they Avere jealous

of the fair name of the industry by laying inferior

tile in shadoAvy places as far as possible from strong

light.

In 1918, 13 manufacturers decided to put up Avith the intolerable conditions no longer. They had cooperated Avith one another in certain studies looking to ncAvs uses for tile, and it Avas not hard to agree on a ju'ogram of drastic cutting. Theji Avere ripe for it. By resolution they appointed a commission Avith authority to call into consultation architects, designers, and factory experts and after exhaustive study to slash and slice fearlessly. The knife appeared to be

the only sure hope, no matter

hoAv mercilessly^ it might be used,

and, like a body of skilled sur- geons, that commission studied

the patient—the tile industry—

for 18 months.

Then came the diagnosis and

the treatment. Each manufacturer stuck the knife deep into

his oAvn catalogue. Six hundred

and tAventy (84 per cent) models

had been adjudged obsolete. Some manufacturers had more

of the banned models than other

manufacturers, but every cata- logue had enough of them to stamp its oAvner a virtual

martyr to the future of the industry. It Avas a be- Avildering amount Avhen the commission announced its findings, for, aside from the possible loss of business,

the 13 Avatchful competitors saAv the handAvriting on

the Avail. Henceforth, they could compete in quality

and price only and never again vie Avith each other in

design. It Avas a tense moment, but the outlook Avas uppermo.st in their resolute thought.

When those men returned to their plants the change

to a simplified and standardized practice Avas accomplished by a gradual elimination. They Avere stocked more or less heaAuly Avith the noAv obsolete models;

their dealers carried them; new constructions Avere under AA^ay Avith obsolete models partly installed, and

there Avere the usual replacements to be taken care of. All of these parties must be protected from hardships.

Their customers (the public) must be adequately provided for. LikeAvise, dealers’ stocks could not be

scrapped instantly unless manufacturers liquidated the

losses. Their oAvn losses, too, would have been heavy

in such a contingency. Therefore, it Avas left to the

judgment of the 13 men in that noAV famous confer- ence to carry out the new policy as rapidly as it Avas humanly possible.

After seA^eral years’ effort 620 obsolete patterns are rapidly disappearing and factories are getting into

This article by Milton J. Phillips Avas submitted to the ShaAV

Simplification Contest. The article. Avliich describes the effect of simplification Avhen applied

by an industry, is published

in the Commercial Standards

Monthly through the courtesy

of the author.
NOVEMBEK, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY U1

full swing' unhaiupered by dead duplicates that in the

old days needlessly clogged production. Although

production has been greatly accelerated, thei-e has been

ample time to check advantages and disadvantages of

the new jn’fictice. There appears to be but one voice,

of course, it is many voices in unison, and they say

the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. In

fact, it is doubtful if there are any disadvantages.

Decreased stocks; decreased production costs, as indicated by the 20 per cent lowered selling overhead ; the

doom of substitutions; and better understanding between the public, the manufacturer, and the contractor; these are the things that one hears in the offices of the parties concerned.

However, another huge task aivaited solution of the

first. The industry found itself on that historic day

facing a new sunri.se and ne-\v difficulties. Thirteen

large manufacturers began preparation of new cata- logues. The patterns and sizes ivould be alike, but

hitherto each man had a technology pecidiarlv his o-wn.

It is true that the physical appearance of the terms

may have seemed similar, but different offices had vari- ous meaning. Henceforth, there must be uniform

trade terms witli uniform trade meanings for the cus- tomer, the contractor, and the manufacturer, whether

in Alaska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, or Florida. Ihvo

•standardizations—one of models the otlier of ti'ade terms—suddenlj^ became imminently necessary. Through the offices of the division of simplified practice of the National Bureau of Standards, there wuis

developed Simplified Practice Recommendation No.

Gl, wdiich covers the following classifications; Standardized models, grades, names, sizes, and packages for

the industry as a -wdiole. It is obvious that this mighty stride in the interest

of character in an industry could not have been accomplished by a single manufacturer for the reason that

Ins efforts would, have suffered sadly from misinterjiretations and impositions. The consumption of this excellent example of effective cooperation among alert competitors 'was not the ivork of a day, a month, or a year. The welding began -with joint investigations of

important question^ of markets and new and better uses of tile, and the like. It might also be said that it began -wdien a recognition of a new^ principle of busi- ness—that of fair play—began to cast its warm glo'w across the thought of great leaders in the tile industiy.

Subsequent development w’as gradual—evolutionai-y—slowly at times, more rapidly uoav and again,

fusing a morale, an esprit de corps, that Howled in this

decision to simplify both models and nomenclature

to standardize—to do aw’ay wdth costly perplexities

that Avere sapping the vitalitA^ of the industry.

NINETY-SIX STOCK SIZES OF TURKISH

TOWELS WILL BE REDUCED TO SIX

A general conference of representatives of manufacturers. distributors, and u.sers of Turkish toAvels,

recently held under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, at the offices of the Cotton Textile

Institute in NeAv York City, unanimously adopted a simplified practice recommendation for that product.

It Avas the opinion of those attending the conference

that the manufacture of fast selvaged Turkish toAvels for stock be reduced to six sizes. The sizes, giA^en in indies, are as folloAvs: IG bj" 30. 18 by 3G, 20 by 40. 22

l;y 44, 24 liy 4G, and 24 by 48. The recommendation

does not apply to special .sizes made in conformance

with particular orders for items other than stock, or to

sizes smaller than IG by 30 inches, and larger than

24 by 48 inches.

ddiis simplification is based on a survey of sizes re- ported as lieing jiroduced during the year 1929, Avhich

indicated that tlie.se six sizes Avoiild fully satisfy the

leiiuirements of all normal ]uirposes for Avhich 9G sizes

A'.ere made in that year. The program, subject to a])- jii'oval bv the industrAL is to be effective from March 1. 1931.

RECENT ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SIMPLIFIED

PRACTICE

Improved Management Depends on Greater Application of Simplified Practice The most recent phase of simplification has been a decided (piickening of interest on the part of con- sumers,” according to George A. Cooper, a member

of the staff of the National Bureau of Standards, in an article prepared by him entitled “ Recent Economic Effects of Simplified Practice.” Mimeographed copies may be obtained upon request to the

bureau.

“IVliere Aam years ago nearly all simplified practice

recommendations Avere initiated by manufacturers and

brought to the purchasers and distributors for

ap])roATil or modification.” he states. “ there are- simplification programs deA^eloped to-day at the suggestion of purchasers.”

Specific examjiles cited to supjiort the assertion

that consumers’ demand for sini[)lification is a recent economic change are to be found in the completed

simplified practice recommendations on classification

of iron and steel scraji; bank checks, notes, drafts, and

similar instruments; commercial forms (invoice, in- quiry and purchase order) ; and the proposed simplification of department store Avrapping and packing

.supplies.

In concluding his article the Avriter states, “ If j’ou Avant to keep pace Avith progress, if you Avant to api)ly

scientific management, if yon Avant to effect a reduction of inventories, reduce oAU'rhead expenses, cut cost of (>i;eration, render better seiwice, obtain (|uicker

deliveries, benefit by ease :ind convenience of installation. and help your company meet competition successfully, then you, as a consumer, must I'ocognize and

interj)ret the relation of simplified p: act ice to the

commodities used by you or by your organization.”

iMeans by Avhich all interests, that is, the manufacturer, disti'ibutor, and consumer, are mutually benefitted through their participation in national simplified ])ractice i)i’ogi'ams Inna* also been deA'eloped i(i this article.
142 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1830 CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF THE AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION

Association Announces Approval of Several Codes and Standards

The following current information relating to developments in certain standardization projects under

the auspices and procedure of the American Standards

Association has been furnished by that association

:

Code for pulverized fuel systems.

The rapid increase in the use of pulverized fuel, ac- companied by the development of new methods and

equipment, has made necessary the revision of the

“ Safety Code for the Installation of Pulverized Fuel

Systems,” originally approved in 1927. This revision,

carried out under the joint sponsoi^hip of the National

Fire Protection Association and the United States Department of Agriculture, has now been approved by

the American Standards Association.

The code covers the construction of buildings housing fuel pulverizing equipment, the ventilation of

these buildings, and specifications for dust collection

systems. Methods of pi'eventing explosions through

static, through the drying of coal, and through its transportation through pipe lines, are included in the

code. The code also contains suggestions for safe operating rules to be printed on instruction cards which

can be used for the guidance of employees in charge

of the operation of such systems. The standard is one

of a group covering various types of explosion

hazards. Other codes in this group which have al- ready been approved include : Pulverizing systems

for sugar and cocoa, prevention of dust explosions in

starch factories, in flour and feed mills, and in ter- minal grain elevators.

Standard for coal-mine tracks.

The standards council of the American Standards

Association has approved the scope of tlie project for

the revision of the American tentative standard

“ Coal Mine Tracks, Signals, and Switches.” The

American Mining Congress is sponsor for the project.

The project will cover standardization of coal-mine

tracks and signals, including switches, wood and metal

ties, and other items of track construction, together

with recommendations of efficient installation and

maintenance practices.

Dry cells and batteries.

Under the sponsorship of the National Bureau of

Standards, specifications for dry cells and batteries

have been revised, and the revision has now been apjiroved by the American Standards Association with

the status of American standard. The principal differences between the revised standard and the preceding edition consist in the increase in the performance

requirements as expressed in the following tests

;

Heavy-load intermittent tests, light-load intermittent

tests, continuous tests, and delayed-service tests of 3, 6, and 9 months’ duration. The revised specifications cover definitions, nomenclature, types, standard sizes,

materials and workmanshij), jackets, marking, sealing

compound, terminals and cell connections, voltage

tests, capacity tests, and performance requirements for

dry cells and batteries for radio, telephone, ignition,

flash light, and other uses. ^

New American standards published.

A list of standards, which have been approved by

the American Standards Association and have recently

been published by the respective sponsor organization,

is given below. These standards are available for loan

or purchase through the American Standards Association, 29 West Thirty-ninth Street, New York, N. Y.

All-1930, Code of Lighting ; Factories, Mills, and Other

Work Places. ZIOd-1930, Symbols for Photometry and Illumination. B29a-I930, Roller Chains, Sprockets and Cutters. B7-1930, Safety Code for the Use, Care, and Protection of Abrasive Wheels.

B3-1930, Ball and Roller Bearings.

Boe-1930, Dimensions of Cut and Ground Taps.

B5C-1930, Nomenclature of Milling Cutters. BISc-1930, Slotted Head Machine Screws and Wood Screw

Heads.

ZlOe-1930, Aeronautical Symbols.

M14—1930, Recommended Practice for the Use of Explosives

in Bituminous Coal Mines. 01-1930, Safety Code for Woodworking Plants. ZIIk-1930, Method of Test for Distillation of Natural Gas

Gasoline. ZIIu-1930, Method of Test for Detection of Free Sulphur and

Corrosive Sulphur Compounds in Gasoline. Testing petroleum products.

Revisions of nine methods of test for petroleum

products and lubricants have been approved by the

American Standards Association. These revisions,

submitted by the American Society for Testing Materials, as proprietary sponsor under ASA procedure

consist, for the most jiart, of minor changes.

The American standard for methods of test for

water in petroleum products, which is recommended

for use with crude mineral oils and fuel oils, has been

revised in order to take advantage of gx’eater accuracy

of scale divisions and markings of the pear-shaped

tube and cone-shaped tube previously adopted. The

method of test for water in petroleum products and

other bituminous materials was revised in wording

only, to make the description of the standard method

entirely clear. The revised American standard Method of Test for

Distillation of Gasoline, Naphtha, Kerosene, and

Similar Petroleum Products, clarifies the procedure

in determining the maximum distillation temperature

or end point and specifies that “ the volumes of the

distillate collected shall be observed and recorded

when the mercury of the thermometer reaches each

point that is a multiple of 10° C. or the Fahrenheit

equivalent.”

The revised American standard. Method of Test for

Distillation of Natural Gas Gasoline, clarifies the procedure for determining the maximum distillation

temperature, accuracy, and making the correction

for barometric pressures not lower than 735 mm of

mercury.

The revised American standard. Method of Test for

Burning Quality of Kerosene Oils, and the American

standard. Method of Test for Burning Quality of Mineral Seal Oil, make it possible to utilize apparatus now

available without affect-ing the results of the tests. The revised standard. Method of Test for Burning
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 143

Quality of Long-Time Burning Oil for Railway Use,

includes a table of the test b^urner dimensions and

chimney.

Tlie revised American tentative standard, Method

of Test for the Determination of Autogeneous Ignition

Temperatures, covers minordetails affecting the solder

bath and asbestos shield and a clarification of the

procedure.

The American tentative standard, Method of Test

for Cloud and Pour Points for Petroleum Products,

has been clarified but not changed in technical content. The American tentative standard. Method of Test

for Melting Point of Petrolatum, was slightly modified to include in the specifications “ a transparent container of not less than 500 mm capacity that will per- mit the immersion of the test tube to a depth of at

least 75 mm and still leave a depth of 15 mm of water

helow the bottom of the test tube.” The rate of in- creasing the temperature of the bath was increased.

Insulator tests and ratings.

A new American standard. Insulator Tests and Ratings, developed under the sponsorship of the American

Institute of Electrical Engineers and the National

Electrical Manufacturers’ Association, has just been

approved by the American Standards Association.

The standards is not to be interpreted as forming

complete insulator specifications, but rather as defining

the methods of making the various tests describecl

when they are required. The standard specifies design

and routine tests for pin and suspension insulators.

These comprise tests for dry flashover voltage, wet

flashover voltage, puncture voltage, and combined

mechanical and electrical strengths. Pin insulators are rated according to dry flashover and wet flashover

voltages exjiressed in kilovolts. Suspension insulators are rated according to dry flashover and wet flashover

voltages expressed in kilovolts and also according to combined mechanical and electrical strength. The

testing equipment and method of measuring voltage

are required to conform to the standards of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. In an appendix

to the standard a method of discussion of the variation of Avet flashover voltage with Avater resistance is giA'en.

STATUS OF FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Fifteen Revisions, Five Proposals, and Four Promulgations

Announced

Fifteen Federal specifications have been submitted

to interested elements for revision, five proposed specifications have been submitted, and at the same time

four approved specifications hav^e been promulgated,

according to the Federal Specifications Board. The

revisions and proposed specifications are noAV before

the GoA^ernment departments and others interested for

comment and criticism.

These specifications also bear the new designation in

accordance with the system used in the Federal Standard Stock Catalogue. Copies of the specifications or further information concerning them can be obtained

from the Federal Specifications Board, National

Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. SPECIFICATIONS UNDER REVISION

F. S. No. Commodity New designation

58a Batteries and cells; dry AA'-B-lOl.

123 Glass; flat (for), glazing purposes DD-G-451.

124 Fire-extinguishers; chemical, hand O-F-351.

247 Plaster; gypsum SS-P-401.

285 Plaster-board; gypsum SS-P-431.

443 Cement; masonry SS-C-181.

444a AA'aterproofing material; integral, water-repellant type (for SS-AA-lOl.

454

464

479

use with Portland cement, mortar or concrete). Coarse aggregate for Portland cement concrete pavement or base (crushed stone, gravel, or slag). Fine aggregate for Portland cement, concrete pavement or base (sand, etc.). Frames, hack-saw GGG-F-671.

495 Pipe; concrete, plain WW-P-371.

622a United States Government motor gasoline AV-G-101.

623 Motor fuel F VV-M-571.

623 Motor fuel A^ Do.

623 Motor fuel T Do.

PROPOSED SPECIFICATIONS

C-G-451.

Salad dressing Catsup, tomato

Pipe-fittings; brass or bronze (threaded), 125-pound AVW-P-448

SPECIFICATIONS PROMULG.A.TED

Electrodes; carbon, amorphous W-E-441. RR-F-221.

SS-B-671. TT-E-521.

Fencing; wire (barbed, netting, and woven), black and gal- vanized.

Brick, paving . Enamel; pigmented (air-drying and baking), black

CERTIFYING HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD

LUMBER

By far the most elaborate, and perhaps the most effectiA'e, application of the certification and labeling

plan is being made to Federal specifications Nos. 24

and 533a, for hardwood and softwood lumber. Requests to be placed on the Avilling-to-certify lists have

been receiA^ed from 794 hardAvood lumber manufacturers, 871 softwood lumber manufacturers, and 143

wholesale dealers in softwood lumber.

The lists of manufacturers and wholesale dealers,

which Avill probably contain the names of more than

2,000 AAnlling-to-certify firms, Avill be sent to all Imown

American retail lumber dealers. Finally, lists of Avill- ing-to-certify manufacturers, wholesale and retail lumber dealers will be arranged as “sources of supply ” of softwood lumber complying with American

Lumber Standards and harclAvood lumber complying

Avith the grading and inspection rules of the National

HardAvood Lumber Association and distributed to public purchasing officers. In this Avork the National

Bureau of Standards is receiving the thorough cooperation of all the nationally recognized associations

representing the lumber manufacturers and dealers. Several of the lumber manufacturers’ associations are organized to supervise the certification and labeling

(grade marking) of member firms.
144 COMMEECIAL STANDARDS AIONTHLY NOVEAIBEK. 1930 STANDARDS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FISH MEAL

Uniform Production Methods Increase the Utilization of Waste Products

By Rogee W. Harrison, As.soew^e Technolotjist. Bureau of Fiftlierics

Tlie lishing' industry, like many other industries, is giving' increased attention to the utilization of its waste

products, including those materials, from which fish meal may be manufactured. Unfortunately, too little attention has been given to uniform production methods, and there now exists in the industry a need for

information which ivill lead to simplified yet improved

standards for the manufactured products.

As a result of new methods for marketing fish, both

fresh and preserved, new sources of fishery wastes are being created. Use of these materials in the manufacture of fish meal has caused a great expansion in

this phase of fishery by-products utilization, and raw

material is now obtained from four general sources:

(1) Fish waste accumulated in the preparation of fresh

])ackaged fish, salted fish, and smoked fish for market;

(2) waste accumulated from fish-canning operations;

(3) the portion of the catch of certain edible fish legally permitted for reduction; and (4) nonedible

fish of inferior market value.

The above sources of raw material I'epresent two general types of fish which may be classified according to their fatness. These are (1) fish Avhicli store their oil in the liver and have A'eiw little body oil, and (2) fish which store sufficient oil in the body to Avarrant re- covery. Each type of raw material offers different

problems of reduction, and the resultant products

re])resent tAvo types of fish meal according to oil content. The meal from the type of fish Avhich store their

oil in the liA'er is knoAvn as Avhite fish meal, and it is manufactured by at least three different proces.ses. Thus Ave have vacuum-dried Avhite fish meal Avhich

has been cooked and dried in one operation, also vacmmi-dried and flame-dried Avhite fish meals Avhich

have been jAiecooked and pressed before being dried.

The meals from the fish Avhich store their oil in the

body ai'e knoAvn according to the species of fish from

Avhich they are manufactured. These are menhaden,

sardine, herring, pilchard, tuna, and salmon. The

general procedure for reducing this type of fish or

the Avaste from them consists of (1) precooking to break doAvn the oil cells; (2) pressing to extract the

freed oil and moisture; and (3) drying to remove the

remaining moisture to a point Avhere the meal Avill not spoil in storage. The cooking and pressing operations are more or less standard, but numerous

methods of drying are used.

Recent studies by the Bureau of Fisheries indicate

that the feeding Auilue of fish meals is determined more by the method of drying than by the species of

fish. For example, there is more difference betAveen

the feeding value of flame-dried and steam-dried meal

of the same species than betAveen the flame-dried or steam-dried meal from tAvo different species. These

studies also shoAv that the meals dried at Ioav temperatures have greater nutritional A^alue than those

dried at high temperatures.

Further studies by the bureau also disclose that

drying at Ioav temperatures is actuallj'’ more economical than drying at high temperatures, since there is a saving of material, Avhich more than compensates for

any additional cost entailed in loAv-temperature drying. Acceptance and ajAplication of this information

should lead to the adoption of standard methods for

the production and classification of fish meals, and for

determining their quality.

STANDARDIZATION BRIEFS

A revision of the 1928 report on “ Proposed Standard

'bests of Broadcast Radio ReceiA'ers,” recently published in the Proceedings of the Institute of Radio

Engineers, is noAv available from the Committee on

Standardization, Institute of Radio Engineers. 33

West Thirty-ninth Street, XeAv York.

A number of ucav standards on genei'ators, motors,

and SAvitch gear Avere approved by the standards committee of the National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association, at its recent meeting held in NeAv York. These

rules and revisions Avill be published in the near future.

Some of the standards approved are : Engine-driven

alternators, planer-type motors, elevator motors, motor

generators, drip proof and fully protected motors, crane motors, oil circuit-breakers, SAvitching equipment,

transformers impedance, and attachment plugs.

The National Bureau of Standards has completed a determination of the Avave lengths of the stronger lines in the first sjiectra of krypterr'and xenon to serve as additional standards of AvaA’e length for use in spectroscopy and metrology. The Avave lengths Avere compared Avith neon standards previously measured relatiA'e to the primary standard, the aA^erage probable

error in relative A'alue of the neAV standards does not exceed 1 part in 20,000.000

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers aii: nounces that a proposed American standard for pipe

plugs of cast iron, malleable iron, cast steel of forged

steel is being distributed in tentative form to industry

for criticism and comment. Tavo other proposals, one

for machine pins of both taper and cylindrical designs,

and the other for .steel base fittings, haA’e likeAvise been

distributed.

The sum of $100,000,000 is spent annually on re-

.seai'ch laboratories of American industry, according

to a survey made by the Standard American Corporai tion. Industrial research Avork done by more than

600 concerns takes $75,000,000, the rest being spent by

associations and bureaus. The corporation expresses

the belief that the appropriation for the Avork Avill be still greater in 1931.
XOVEMBEK, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 145

A standard laboratory method for testing the fast- ness of dyed wool to foiling is being worked out by

the National Bureau of Standards in cooperation ivith the American Association of Textile Chemists and

Colorists.

A new revision of a former report on standards for

graphical symbols used for electric power and wiring,

No. I7g2, is now available through the secretary of

the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 33

AVest Thirty-ninth Street, New York.

State weights and measures conferences were held

recently in New York and New Jersey. A representative of the National Bureau of Standards presented

the results of a bureau study on the drainage characteristics of various types of lubricating-oil bottles,

such as are used at filling stations for servicing automobiles. The results of the study are of importance

in connection with a code of specification for such

bottles, amended liy the National Conference on

AATights and Measures held last June in AAhishington.

The American Brush Manufacturers Association,

in cooperation with the National Bureau of Standards,

has completed a survey to determine the variatioirs

in size of Dutch, semi-Dutch, and baby Dutch kalsomine brushes. A summary of the data has been re- ferred to the industry for the purpose of determining

a basis for a simplified-practice recommendation

covering this commodity.

As an outgroAvth of the recently completed project on the simplification of abrasive grain sizes, the abrasive producing industry has appointed a research as- sociate at the National Bureau of Standards to study

sieves and sieving practices as apjilied to abrasives,

and to prepare master grain samples. The research

associate began his work October 1, 1930.

The printed booklet on Elastic Shoe Goring, known

as simplified-practice recommendation No. 112-29,

is now available for purchase thi'ough the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,

AAhishington, D. C., at a cost of 5 cents each. This

recommendation has been instrumental in reducing

the number of stock varieties of unmercerized corded

cotton elastic shoe goring from 70 to 29.

The revised simplified-practice recommendation No.

()1, Clay Tiles for Eloors and AA^alls (formerly AA'hite Glazed Tile and ITnglazed Ceramic Mosaic) has re- ceived sufficient signed acceptances from manufacturers, distributors, and u.sers to insure the general

ado])tion of the program by the industry, and is to be

considered as in eil’ect from October 15, 1930.

How the Radio Has Made Aerial Navigation Safer

is the subject of a paper by Edmund T. Allen, test pilot and research engineer of tlie Boeing Airplane

Co., in the September issue of Mechanical Engineering. In his paper the author tells about dii'ective radiobeacons l\v means of which the pilot may keeji

accnrately on his course regardless of visibility, about

the radio compass, and about radio triangulation for

determining geometrically the exact location of an

airplane on a map. He also reviews the broadcasting

of weather information and how it helps pilots to know what to expect in the wa}^ of weather conditions on their flights, and how 2-way voice communications

make it possible for pilot and dispatcher to keep in touch with each other at all times.

The electrical-instrument section of the National

Bureau of Standards is in process of erecting a new

laboratory for testing current transformers of high

range. Although installation of the equipment is not yet complete, tests have been made at currents uq) to 6,000 amperes. These transformers are used as standards by electric power companies in testing the

meters used in billing large power consumers.

Standard methods for the determination of levulose

in sugar mixtures is the .subject of an investigation

approaching completion in the National Bureau of

Standards. Levulose obtainable in limited (piantitie.s in a pure state occurs in wide distribution in honey,

sirups, and many plant products. For analysis of

such products polarimetric, densimetric. refractometric, and chemical methods are used. For analysis

of complex products, it is sometimes necessaiqv to use combinations of these methods. In order that these

physical and chemical methods may be used reliably,

the properties of the highly purilied sugar have been

determined with the necessary precision.

For the development of nondestructive methods of

testing materials by magnetic analysis, it G nece.ssary

to obfain a large amount of fundamental data on the

relationships between the structure and mechanical

properties of materials and the magnetic laboratory,

in seeking to add to the knowledge of these fundamental I'elationships, by investigations of the effect on magnetic ])roperties of various factors known to in- fluence structure and mechanical pro|)crties.

The National Bureau of Standards is cooi)erating

with the American Society for Testing Materials in the development of standard methods for testing magnetic matei'ials at very low values of magnetization.

^Materials which are magnetically superior at moderately high values of magnetization are not nece.ssarily

better at the low values commonly used in radio appaI'atus. It is necessai'v, therefore, foi' pur])oses of

specification and testing to have testing methods

capable of yielding a satisfactory degree of accuracy

at very low magnetizations.

An investigation of the wind pressure on chimneys

and other cylindrical struclui'cs has heen in i)rogress

at the National Bui'cau of Standards. The investigation showed that the wind pre.ssure is a function of the

latio of the height of the chimney to its diameter and
146 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

that a Avincl pressure corresponding to 20 pounds per

square foot of projected area at a wind speed of 100

miles per hour is a safe value to use in designing chimneys of Avhich the exposed height does not exceed 10

times the diameter.

The magnetic laboratory of the National Bureau of

Standards is studying methods for the standardization of apparatus designed for the measurement of the

magnetic properties of materials under the influence

of intense fields. This work has been made necessary

by the development and increasing use of magnet

steels containing relatively large percentages of cobalt

and which are much superior to the older types of

magnetic steel. On account of their low magnetic

permeability, relatively intense fields must be emjDloyed for their magnetization.

The popularity of sound pictures as entertainment

has created a new interest in auditorium acoustics.

Even the layman has become conscious of the disturbing factors Avhich natural or reproduced sounds may

cause in a large room. The sound section of the National Bureau of Standards has made, in the past sev- eral years, a study of various methods of measuring

sound absorption. It has also initiated a cooperative

program with the various manufacturers of acoustical

materials for the purpose of measuring the sound absorption. It has also initiated a cooperatwe program

with the A^arious manufacturers of acoustical materials

for the purpose of measuring the sound absorption

coefficients of these materials. In many cases a National Bureau of Standards report is required on

acoustical materials to be used in public buildings.

Use of short-AvaA^e radio in maintaining communication betAveen the ends of freight trains, AA’hich sometimes are more than a mile in length, has been found

practicable, the Federal Radio Commission has been

notified by the American RailAvay Association.

Experiments are being conducted at the National

Bui'eau of Standards on the maintenance of constant

vibrations of a free pendulum and the procuring of

seconds signals therefrom. A photo-electric method

of procuring the signals from the vibrations of the

pendulum itself is used. These signals also cause an

electric impulse to be given to the pendulum at defi- nite intervals, thus maintaining its motion.

A general conference of all interests was held October 23, 1930, in Cle\"eland, Ohio, for the purpose of

considering a proposed simplified recommendation

covering glass containers for cottage cheese and sour cream.

At the plenary session of the Danish Committee on

Standardization, held in May of this year, seven proposals for adoption as “ Danish standards ” Avere submitted. Among these which Avere thus adopted are

:

52 mm fire hose coupling; thread for 52 mm lire hose

coupling; WhitAvorth pipe thread % inch to 6 inches;

WhitAA’orth fine thread inch to 3 inches, outside run off of thread and clearance of thread Avith rounding under the screw head, inside run off of thread and

clearance of thread, and finally, casement mountings

(angle hinges and iron corner braces). When the

iieAV DS-sheets are printed, 36 Danish standard sheets

will be published.

Salesmen preparing to go out on their fall trips are much encouraged by the reports they are receiving of

depleted stocks of merchandise, states W. G. Adams,

managing director of the National Council of Traveling Salesmen’s Association. It should be remembered

that when placing new orders it is well for the merchants to stock the “ simplified lines.”

The elaboration of exact methods of sugar analysis

has resulted in the discovery at the National Bureau

of Standards of three new sugars occurring in dahlia

tubers. Their discovery contributes to our knoAvledge

of carbohydrate chemistry and to the nature of the

starchlike substances occurring in certain jtlants. The

same sugars occur in goldenrod, dandelions, chicory,

and Jerusalem artichokes.

SloAA' thaAving out of frozen inventories of merchants and manufacturers is noted by Prof. William

L. Nunn, Department of Economics of the New York

I^niversity, as the most favorable sign in the business

skies. The stocking of standard “ lines ” is a most

efficient Avay of preventing “ frozen ” inventories.

TAventy-four dilferent brands of bed sheets have

been in service in Westchester County, N. Y., public

institutions for the past 17 months in tests to establish

standards of durability. Samples of the sheets are noAv being examined in the textile section of the National Bureau of Standards. It is expected these tests

A\ill be continued for tAvo more years. The Cotton

Textile Institution, associates for Government service,

and the organization are cooperating in this Avork.

The commercial attache at the American Embassy,

Tokyo, Japan, has advised the Department of Commerce that a committee appointed by the Japanese

Government to study the rationalization of industry

has translated into the Jaiianese language the first edition of the National Bureau of Standards’ publication.

Simplified Practice, What It Is and What It Offers.

In connection Avith the development of a commercial

standard for Avateiqiroofed cotton duck for tents and

tarpaulins, the textile section of the National Bureau

of Standards is making a study of standard methods

for testing such fabrics. Modifications of the “ box ”

test and the “ hydrostatic pressure ” test are under

consideration.
NOVEMBER. 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 147

INTERLINGUAL PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

Translation Into Several Languages Through Aid of Earphones Creates Greater Interest and Saves

Enormous Time in Presentation of Addresses

An interesting and important telephone multilanguage system has been developed for translating addresses for audiences at an international congress. This system was installed at the United States Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D. C., for use in connection with the International Roads Congress.

The program of the congress called for two parallel

sessions in different assembly rooms. Two complete

telephone systems were therefore necessary.

]\Iicrophones were provided for the presiding officer,

the official recorder, and the speaker ; and, in addition,

a separate microphone was provided for each of the

three translators, one translating from English into

French and vice versa, one from English into German

and vice versa, and the third from English into Spanish and vice versa, employed to take care of the neces- sary translation to and from the four languages offi- cially recognized.

If the speaker employed the English language, his

speech was directly received by each translator, and

each rendered it into French, German, or Spanish,

respectively, by means of his individual microphone.

The rendition into each of the languages was amplified and the amplified telephone currents distributed

to a group of head receivers wired to circuits run to the back of the seats. Single ear receivers were used.

The assembly hall was divided into sections. Each

section was devoted to one of the four languages.

These sections were reserved, respectively, for those

preferring a particular language. The original in

English was received directly by ear. If the language of the speaker was not English, it could be received direct and, in addition, the translator most familiar with the particular foreign language rendered it into English, in which form it was

transmitted to the headphones of the English section

and also to the other two translators, who rendered it into their respective languages.

The wiring and head receivers are so attached to the

backs of the seats in each section as to eliminate the

annoyance arising from interruptions from late comers

passing to seats not on the aisle and thus having to pass

seats already occupied.

Three or lour stages of amplification were employed

in order to make up for the relatively low efficiency of

the microphones and to provide adequate current for

the groups of head receivers.

An electrically recording phonograph was also provided for obtaining a faithful record of the words of

each speaker just as they were given; an attendant

switching the microphone in use on to the recording

apparatus. The recording cylinder were sent, as soon

as completed, to the secretariat for exact transcription

in the original language and exact translation into each

of the languages recognized as official. The transmission at the head receivers in the United

States Chamber of Commerce auditorium Avas of

ample loudness, thus requiring no further modulation,

and of very clear articulation, thus meeting all essential requirements for satisfactor}- reception.

Another multilanguage system has been so designed

that the translation into any language or the original

speech itself could be listened to at any seat in the

auditorium. In this case, it was necessary to run a group of Avires, at least one moi’e than the number of

languages employed, to each seat, and to provide a multicontact SAvitch for each listener by means of

Avhich he might select the language preferred.

Double ear receivers are used. This system was employed in connection with the recent Berlin Inter- national Power Congress.

This system possesses the added advantage of per- mitting the number of head receivers to be kept to a minimum. In the aforementioned system, advance

knoAvledge of the exact number of head receivers is required so that proAusion may be made for each of

the language groups. At Berlin, a plug-in jack for

connecting the head receivers Avas used, and tlie switches were mounted on the backs of the seats in

front of the delegates, thus causing temporary interruptions on the arrival of late comers. In addition, a sAvitch for adjusting the loudness of the received

sj^eech was provided.

It is belieA^ed that all future international congresses, Avhere more than one language Avill be employed, will avail themselves of some form of multilanguage system incorporating the essential features

of those for the Berlin and the Washington congresses on account of the enormous saving of time in the pres- entation of addresses, i^apers, etc., and in the maintenance of greater interest in the proceedings on the

part of the members and delegates.

FROGS USED TO TEST STANDARD DRUG

POTENCY

Into the line between man and death are throAvn

12,000 frogs a year, for the purpose of testing digitalis

(the leaf of the common foxglove and greatest of

heart stimulants). One of the most difficult drugs to standardize, the administration of digitalis used to be

risky guesswork. Noav the effect of each lot is ascer- tained by injecting samples of it into frogs, coldblooded animals being used because of the independent

action of their hearts. To determine the lethal effect of each sample, a frog

must die. Digitalis makes the heart boat strong, but

slowly allowing the heart to recuperate betAveen beats. If a pulse rate of 120 a minute is reduced to 100, the

heart is saA’ed 28,800 beats a day, and the total period

of heart rest betAveen beats is increased by four hours.

AAvaiting their turns, the frogs are sprayed Avith Avater behind a glass door at 20° C. (From September, 1930, Fortune.)
148 COMMERCIAL STAIfDAEDS MONTHLY NOVEMRER. 1930 BENEFITS FROM SIMPLIFYING VARIETIES IN SOFTWOOD LUMBER

Steady Increase Noted in Demand for Standard Items Eliminates Mistakes in Shipping

I>y James F. McNeil. National Bureau of i^taudards

The maiiufactiu'e of lumber was one of the earliest,

if not the tirst inclustry, to be started in this country.

The colonists were obliged to erect cabins for shelter and stockades for protection against onslaughts of native marauders. It was also necessary for them to fell timber before they could cultivate the land. Spars,

masts, and other ship timbers were exjiorted even be- fore many of the early agricultural products.

During the era of colonization and on through the

formative stage of the Union, the manufacture of lumber was comparatively simple. Trees ivei'e felled as needed, sawed and hewn by land into rough logs and

boards. Sawmills began to make their appearance in the year 1625 when one was erected in Virginia. These

mills, however, were an unimportant factor until the

advent of steam, early in the nineteenth centuiy.

As the industry grew, not unlike many other industries, it became hampered by the accumulation of an enormous number of sizes, grades, and classitications

which varied with each producing locality. This di- versification was corrected locally by regional asso- ciations Avhich drafted rules governing manufacture

within s])ecific areas. While the work of these asso- ciations in this respect was commendable and of much

use in its limited s])here, nationally the conflict of the

sizes, grades, and classifications became more and moi'e

vexations, mainly because of the disadvantages en- countered in using lumber Avhich was manufactured in various sections of the country.

The pre.sent national lumber standardization move- ment had its inceiition at the first American Lumber

Congress, held in April. 1919. where a resolution was

passed favoring the unification of sizes of all softwood

lumber. In June of that year, and in September. 1920.

other meetings of repi'esentatives of the industry were

lield and much discussion was had on the subject of

standard .sizes, grades, forms, and nomenclature.

Plans for futiu'e work were also outlined. In May. 1922. 110 representatives of organizations

of all interests met in general conference at Washington. D. C., under the auspices of the division of

simplified practice of the National Bureau of Standards. The principal action of this meeting was the

a])pointment of subcommittees whose dut}^ it was to formulate the necessary standards in sizes and grades

and the m^'thods of interpreting, applying, and enforcing them.

A second general conference was held in Chicago.

111., in July, 1922. Here the Central Committee on Lumber Standards was created, its membership being

composed of representatives of lumber manufacturers',

wholesalers', and retailers’ associations, the railway

associations, the American Institute of Architects, and

the Association of Wood Using Industries. A con- sulting committee to handle the technical phases of

lumber standardization was in turn formed by the

central committee.

The third general conference, in December, 1923,

received the rejiort of the central committee, and the

meeting resulted in the ap^proval «f a simplification

ami standardization program which was instrumental

in reducing the actual finished yard lumber items

aiiproximately 60 per cent. In accordance with the usual procedure of the National Bureau of Standards, simplified-practice recom- mendations are subjected to review periodically, either

by the standing committee of the industry or by subsequent general conferences. This procedure tends to sustain continued interest and adherence to the program and to keep it abreast with current practice.

Four such general conferences have been held since the

original simplification program on lumber was approved and accepted, the last taking place on Mav 3, 1928. The work of the committee at this conference

marked the completion of their original plan concern- ing the simplification and standardization of softwood

lumber. It now remains to keep these recommendations current by means of the aforesaid procedure of

tlie bureau.

Simplified Practice Recommendation No. R16

Lumber (fourth edition) includes recommendations

for recognized classifications, nomenclature, basic

grades, seasoning standards, sizes, uniform workings,

description, measurement, tally, tally cards, shipping

pi'ovisions, grade marking, and inspection.

Eighty per cent adherence.

At the time of the last conference it was estimated

by the industry that 80 per cent of the softwood lumber in the United States was being manufactured in accordance with the American Lumber Standards. In

1925 it was estimated by responsible members of the

industry that the waste eliminated by this simplification and standardization program exceeded $200,000,-

000 per year. To ascertain the practical effect of the application of

these recommendations letters of inquiry recently were

addressed to all acceptors and to several hundred mills

located in all parts of the country. The following are excerpts from the replies

:

“ We have made an appreciable saving through

grade marking our stock.'’ Avrote one mid-Avestern

manufactiu’er, “ and this has saved ns someAvhere bej tAveen $4,000 and $5,000 per year on claims.'’ I Another manufacturer in the same locality said:

j “It increases the productive capacity of employees | and machines and reduces Avarehousing and storage

j space requirements.”

j The sales manager of a mill on the Avest coast re- i jilied : “As American Lumber Standards, as provided j in (Simplified Practice Recommendation) R16-29. j. haA’e effected economies both to the manufacturer and |l to the distributor, Avithout Avorking any hardship on

j the consumer, it is highly logical to assume that they i Avill soon be accepted 100 per cent. This has shoAvn > a saving to us perhaps of $4,000 in our oiierations i last year.”

“ We note a steady increase in the demand for standard items, Avhich enables us to reduce our manufactur-
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 149

ing costs, inventories, etc., considerabhL’’ stated the

general manager of another plant.

“ Our saving has been chiefly in decreasing the

amount of degrade formerly secured on account of

stock being too thin to dress to the former standard

thickness, and also the increased underweights result- ing from the thinner net thickness,’' said another

manufacturer. He further states: “ lYe would esti- mate such savings as being about $5,000 per year. AVe might add that all such saving has been passed on

to the consumer in the way of lower prices.”

As to the benefits which accrue to consumers, the

secretary of a water users’ association replied: '‘AA"e ha\e found that standard grading rules make for more uniform lumber; standard nomenclature aA'oids

mistakes in ordering and shipping; simplified practice gives the buyer knowledge of what he can expect

to find in stock for immediate shipment; it tends to lower prices by requiring a smaller amount of equipment to manufacture and by having to stock fewer

sizes. AA^e are engaged in cataloguing all of the material which we use, and simplified-practice recom- mendations certainly simplify cataloguing.”

xV roof contractor engaged in business in the city of

New York Avrote : “ AA"e derived the folloAving benefits: Better value for the money and a greater protection against unscrupulous traders.”

A member of a firm of engineers and architects said : “ AAY believe that this work has been of definite benefit

through reduction in cost of materials and greater

speed in delAeries.”

The interest shown in the foregoing replies indicates

that much benefit, tangible in its nature, is being derived alike by the manufacturer, distributor, and

consumer.

Briefly, it is claimed by members of the industry

that the application of this simplified practice recom- mendation is resulting in a reduction of manufacturing costs and in inventories, and that less Avarehousing

and storage space is required. Also that it makes for more uniform lumber, which minimizes the number

of errors made in ordering and shipping. Deli\’eries are also expedited. All of which leads to more satisfactor}?^ business relations and to a greater stability

of the industry.

HOME-OWNERSHIP DRIVE

Estimated $50,000,000,000 Will Be Spent on New Residential Construction in Next 20 Years

The President’s Conference on Home Building and

Home Ownership Avas called, according to the President, “ to undertake the organization of an adequate

iuA’estigation and study on a nation-Avide scale of the

problems presented in home 0Avner.ship and home

building, with a A’iew to the cleA’elopment of a better

understanding of the questions involved and the hope

of inspiring better organization and the removal of

influences Avhich seriously limit the spread of home

OAvnership, both toAvn and country.”

Secretary of Commerce R. P. Lamont. Avho is also

chairman of the conference, in discussing a recent meeting of the planning committee .stated

:

Altlioiijrli mouths of committee Avork will precede the main

conference, and although it AAuil deal, in large measure, Avith the long vieAV of things, Ave belieA'e tliat as the work develops

it wili help in solving the immediate problems of the home

building industr.v, and of families that are trying to improve

their homes. Through the press, and through such organizations as Better Homes in America, with its 7,000 local committees, important findings can be relar'ed rjuickly to the general public.

Estimates presented to the very recent meeting of the I'lan- ning Committee in the Commerce Department indicated that at

least .$50,000,000,000 Avill be spent on ucav residential construction in this country during the next 20 years, and that in addition upwards of .$500,000,000 a year is being .spent currently on

household repairs and maintenance.

A comparison of the most recent vacancy surveys made

throughout the country indicates that in many centers the number of desirable vacant houses and apartments is not exce.ssive, and that, with the i>resent low rate of residential building activity, a resumption of more active building will soon l)e required by the needs of our steadily groAving population and the razing of old structures. Conditions favorable for building.

Also it was brought out at the meeting that Avith recent drops in prices of important building materials, an ample number of highly skilled building-trades Avorkers available, contractors anxious to obtain Avork, and first-mortgage money

generally available at reasonable terms, conditions are noAv favorable for home builders Avho haA'e the resources and intend

to build to go aliead. In general, conditions are also good for going ahead with repairs, alterations, and improvements to existing houses. The intense interest shown by all present at the meeting of the planning committee gives the best possible assurance of

practical results from the work. Representatives of organizations embracing millions of families in their membership soon found grounds of common understanding with leading business,

professional, and civic groups. The scope of work of the con- ference Avas interpreted broadly to extend over a Avide range of problems connected Avith home making, family financing, and

housekeeping, as Avell as the provision and financing of ucav homes. Home financing came up again and again as an out- standing problem that had a bearing on numerous other

questions.

Home building AA’as interpreted to include not only the con- struction of houses, but the layout of subdivisions and the

relationships betAveen home neighborhoods, the location of business and industrial centers and the Avhole problem of industrial decentralization. Ample opportunities Avere developed for cooperation of a

Avide variety of groups Avhose interests touch upon the home

and AA-hich Avill be invited, as the Avork goes on, to take part in the Avork of the conference. It ai)peared that many existing constructive movements should be greatly strengthened by

gaining support from other groups during the course of the

Avcrk. It Avas clearly brought out. for example, that assured

quality of neAv construction, so important to home buyers and

home builders, is a goal that interests financing agencies aa’Iio Avant the best possible securities l>ehind their loans. Reputable builders Avant assured quality because Ihey suffer

AA’hen an unscrupulous or ignorant competitor puts improperly

built houses on the markets, or bases a Ioav bid on the expectation of doing inferior Avoik. It api)oars that there is a fruil- ful field for joint efforts on the part of lenders, builders, architects, real estate men, material manufacturers and dealers, and several other groups in solving this problem.

Urges use of best practice.

Another point emphasized at the meeting, Avas the progress

that Avovrld be achieved if the best practi<;es in every branch of the home-building industry could be u^ed generally. In the case of subdividing ucav residential neighborhoods, for example.
150 COMMEKCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

it appears that obsolete customs are often followecl, whether

because of failure of the home-buying public to realize the ad- vantages of the best modern practice, lack of interest on the part of the subdivider, or the deterrent effect of obsolete laws

or regulations that were not framed in the light of present-day

conditions or knowledge.

The work of mapping out subjects for the different committees is going forward actively under the direction and

advice of the planning committee of the conference, of wdiich Dr. .John M. Gries is executive secretary. Although the work

of the conference has had an auspicious start, we can not

expect to accomplish miracles, but we do hope that every American family may be better off because of it. Department of Commerce aids better-homes movement.

Dr. Julius Klein, in a recent radio talk, discussed

the activities of the planning committee and described some of the advantages accruing to the individual

home owner through the Department of Commerce.

He spoke particularly of the services available through

the National Bureau of Standards and its division of

building and housing, and named some of the publications issued by the bureau, such as How to Own

Your Home and Present Home Financing Methods.

Care and Repair of the House, another publication

mentioned by Doctor Klein, will be issued within a few months. It deals with the maintenance of the

structure and its equipment. He also mentioned a

“ List of published material relating to home building

and maintenance,” recently compiled in the National

Bureau of Standards, which designates many publications that are available to home owners.

“ In the whole problem of home ownership,” Doctor

Klein declared, “ the question of municipal zoning is one that indisputably looms large. A home buyer

often faces the possibility that the vacant lot next to

his home may be taken over for some purpose that

may spoil the house as a place in which to live, and

force the family to sell out, with a loss that represents

the slowly garnered fruits of frugality and self- denial. Sensible zoning is the remedy for that and

it is spreading space.” The Advisory Committee on

City Planning and Zoning is actively engaged in

assisting municipalities in solving their zoning problems. Other committees are working to better building and plumbing codes.

CERTIFICATION PLAN TO BE APPLIED TO

BRICKS

Effective cooperation in the application of the certification plan to Federal specification No. 504 for

common clay brick has been received from the Common Brick Manufacturers Association, which has supplied the National Bureau of Standards with complete

lists of clay brick manufacturers, both members and

nonmembers, and is using “ follow-up methods ” to obtain 100 per cent representation of its own members

on the bureau’s list. The list of willing-to-certify manufacturers of com- mon clay brick now contains the names of 325 firms.

This number is 75 per cent larger than that of any

other list of willing-to-certify manufacturers thus far

distributed. Similar cooperation in the application

of the certification plan to Federal specification No.

505 for common sand-lime brick is being given by the

Sand-Lime Brick Association.

INDORSEMENT OF QUALITY LABELS BY

AMERICAN HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION

As the result of a request from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the American Standards Association is planning to make a study of the certification and labeling plans advocated by the National

Bureau of Standards and other plans for making

specifications effective. The American Home Economics Association has given official recognition to the

proposed study by passing a resolution containing the

following clause

:

Resolved, That the members of the American Home Eco- nomics Association cooperate with the United States Bureaus

of Home Economics and Standards and with the American

Standards Association in an attempt to secure more labels for consumer’s goods which will give accurate information to tlie over-the-counter buyer.

OFFICIAL TIME ZONE MAP OF THE UNITED

STATES ISSUED BY BUREAU OF STANDARDS

A majD showing the standard time zone boundaries

for the United States, with adjacent parts of Canada

and Mexico, has just been issued by the National Bureau of Standards. This is the first official map of its kind issued by the Federal Government. The base

map was supplied by the United States Geological

Survey and the time zone boundary lines placed upon

it from information furnished by the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Hydrographic Office of the

Navy Department, and the Dominion Observatory of

Canada.

It will be useful in determining true and local time

for radiobroadcasts, those making long-distance tele- phone calls Avill find it of service in keeping appointments, and it will be helpful to those planning trips

by auto or rail. The aviator is particularly concerned

in connection with transcontinental and other flights. It Avill be an asset to business, since the closing hours

of offices are governed by local zone time and a complete knoAvledge of the zone boundaries and the terri- tory included betAveen them is desirable. Hotels, service stations, ticket offices, and places accommodating

transients may find it a convenience to their patrons to

haA^e such a chart on display for consultation.

The map is printed in light blue on a white background, the locations of the cities being indicated in black lettering, and the time zone boundary lines appear in red. Its dimensions are 20 by 30 inches.

Copies of this chart, designated as Bureau of Standards Miscellaneous Publication No. Ill, may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., at 10 cents

each.

150 COMMEECIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

it appears that obsolete customs are often' followed, whether

because of failure of the home-buyin^^Wic t^ealize the ad- qgQg -nr. fho. hoaf- Tnn<^r.Ti practi^aiii^k. oSjuter^t' .OP.

NOVEMBER, 1930 ^

iC- Care and Repair of the House,

mentioned by Doctor Klein, will be issuedBB^b^ a

^

-m •>=r.
STANDARD TIME ZONES OF THE UNITED STATES

And adjacent parts of Canada and Mexico

8. CJPARTUBM OF COilMBftCB

R. p, LAUODT, S«ieury STANOARM

As Of April I, I&30

31208—SO— (Focop. 160.)

NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 151

BITUMINOUS MATERIALS TESTED

Acc€ ed Weathering Tests Determine Durability of Bituminous Materials and Control of Manufacture

By O. G. Steietek, National Bureau of Standards

Exposure to actual weathering conditions has long

been the common practice in testing the durability of

structural materials. However, such tests are usually

slow, frequently requiring a number of years, and in many cases are valueless because new sources of material and advanced methods of production have

rendered the original material obsolete before the test deted.

jrs. .st that would duplicate the results of long

periods of actual weathering in a comparatively short

time is therefore extremely desirable. In developing

such a test at the National Bureau of Standards the

most obvious course has been followed ; that is, the

important factors of outdoor weathering are reproduced in intensified form in the laboratory.

Tlie laboratory test, as developed at the National

Bureau of Standards, consists in subjecting the material to a cycle of alternate exposures to liglit from

an inclosed carbon arc lamp (artificial sunlight) ; to water spray from a rotating lawn spriid<ler (rain) ; and to refrigeration (temperature clianges).

The accelerated Aveathering machine consists of three

lamps and three cylinders; each lamp and cylinder

forming an individual unit. The bituminous materials for which the cycle was particularly deA^eloped, are surfaced to 0.025 inch thickness on aluminum

panels. These prepared panels are then placed inside

the cylinders and there exposed alternately to light

and water. For refrigeration a separate unit is used.

Results of tests. The relative rapidity with which results are obtained

with the aid of the accelerated cycle is an important

feature. Indications as to tlie probable durability of

a bituminous material are obtained after from 10 to 20

cycles of exposure in the accelerated weathering machine. The time required for the bituminous material

to crack through to the aluminum panel indicates the

durability of the material.

In the accompanying photograph are shown panels

of various bituminous materials specially prepared to show differences in behavior. The panels in the iqiper row of the photograph were exposed outdoors for one
152 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

and one-lialf year.-. Tlie duplicate samples in the

lower n)\v ivere exposed to the accelerated cycle for TO

days. By comparing a panel of the upper row- with

the one immediately below, the remarkahle similarity

between outdoor exposure and accelerated weathering

becomes evident.

VpiKr row shows outdoor exposiires ; lower, the accelerated

<!icle Owing to the similarity of the two kinds of exposure, the accelerated test gives correct results in testing

bituminous materials for durability. The test is valuable for controlling manufacturing processes and for

detei'inining the durability of such materials.

Further details regarding the method may be found

in the August, 1930, issue of the Bureah of Standards

Journal of Research, or in the reprint. Research

Paper No. 197.

STANDARDIZING LITHOGRAPHIC PAPERS

Joint Research Started by Lithographical Technical Foundation and National Bureau of Standards

Joint research Ijy the Lithographic Technical Foundation and the National Bureau of Standards has been

started for the purpo,se of standardizing lithographic

papers. IVhile the Lithographic Technical Foundation has made considerable progress in technical

studies relating to lithographic printing, the bureau’s

assistance was requested in this branch of research as they lacked the facilities for the fundamental studies

of ])aper qualities required.

Mechanical development in the lithographic printing industry has been very rapid in recent years. One

of the outstanding developments is the offset process

which pernuts production of high-grade printing at greatly increased speeds. Lack of knowledge, however, of tlie characteristics required in papers to suit

them to lugh-speed printing processes of this kind, has

prevented full realization of the economies made possible by them. Some of the difficulties, which cause

losses in both production and materials, are misregister

of jn'inting due to distortion of paper, nonuniformitj^

of ink reception by the paper, and deterioration of

printing plates caused by chemically or physically

active substances in the paper. While such difficul- ties are not always the fault of the paper, a thorough study of the relation of paper characteristics to the various iprinting operations should lead to a better

understanding of the particular characteristics re- quired in the papers to obtain optimum printing

re.sults. A committee rejiresentative of the lithographic

printers and manufacturers of lithographic printing

supplies lias been formed to assist in the Avork in an

advisory cajiacity.

STANDARDIZATION OF PRINTING AND

WRITING PAPERS

Processing of the Fibers Important in Determining Rate of Deterioration of Paper

Through a revieAV of the information available, in- cluding both laboratory studies and the history of the

natural aging of papers, it has been found that the

processing of the fibers and the care taken in the

various paper-making operations are important factors in determining hoAV Avell papers Avill withstand

deterioration. The strength of paper and its purity

are dependent on these factors. Papers must have sufficient strength to withstand

the mechanical stresses incidental to their use and

must haA’e sufficient purity, both cellulosic and noncellulosic, to guard against chemical reactions that

induce decomposition. The basic constituent of paper

fibers is cellulose, which is one of the most permanent

forms of knoAvn matter. Cellulose is A^ery susceptible.

howeA^er, to deterioration induced by imjmrities that

may be associated Avith it and bA" some of the chemicals

that are used in pajAer manufacture.

From these considerations a classification based primarily on strength and purity is suggested, Avhich

places printing and Avriting papers into four groups

:

(1) permanent papers, (2) papers haAung a minimum

life of 100 years, (3) papers having a minimum life of 50 years, and (4) papers for temporary use. It is suggested that the A^arious grades for all. excejit the papers intended for temporary use, be defineil by limits for aljAha cellulose, copper number,

rosin, and acidity, as all of these properties appear to have an important bearing on aging qualit}^ A high

content of alpha cellulose and a low copper number

are considered the best knoAvn indications that the

})aper fibers haA’e the basic purity required for long

life. Minimum amounts of rosin and acid are desirable as these components are harmful to any fiber, no

matter hoAv pure it may be, if they are present in excessiA’e amounts.
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 153

THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AND INDUSTRY^

Growth of Research Laboratories a Noteworthy Achievement of Present Century; Physical Sciences

Dependent on Science of Measurement and Art of Observation

liy George K. Burgess, Director, National Bureau of standards

“ The world of to-day is ruled by pli3^sical science

and by business, ivliich, in the vast proportions indnstrv and commerce have now attained, is itself the child

of physical science.”

This recognized dependence of our modern civiliza- tion on the advances in plwsical science has been a gradual development, extending over a long term of

vears, but ivith ever-accelerated growth during the

present century.

As business is the child of phj'sical science, the latter, in turn, has as its parents, the science of measure- ment and the art of observation without which the

physical sciences could not exist. It ivas just 50 years

ago that 16 governments, including three Latin American countries, recognizing the need of unifying exact measurements and of establishing international standards, joined together and organized the International

Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris. Thus

came into being the first scientific laboratory organized to help commerce and industry by providing the

basic units and standards of mass, length, and temperature. At the present time this laboratory, whose

functions are being rapidly expanded to include electrical, photometric, and other standards, is supported

b}^ 32 nations, including seven from Latin America.

Weights and measures departments have been in

existence for many years in several countries.

However, it was not until 1887 that the first national jihysical laboratory was established by the German Government in order to provide facilities to helii industiy by testing and experimental research in the

field of the pli3^sical sciences. This action was fol- lowed in 1899 by Great Britain, and in 1901 by the

United States and several other countries Avhich have

established similar national laboratories, although in some of these countries, as France and Japan, the

functions are distributed among tAvo or more physical

laboratories.

GroAvth of laboratories.

It is an interesting fact, that the more highl3^ developed industrial nations, as distinguished from the

agricultural, did not realize the need for such national

physical laboratories until about the beginuing of this

centuiw, but Avhere once established these laboratories

have proven themselves of so great benefit to their

respective countries that generous su]iport on an ever- enlarging scale has in all cases been foilhcoming.

Even greater progress has been made in certain in- dustrial countries, especially in German37 and the

Luiited States, b3

^ the action of the industries themselves iu establishing research laboratories, notably

in chemical, metallurgical, and electrical fielcls. IMaurice Holland, of the National Research Council,

g This arlide by Dh-ootor Burgess is based ou the speech delivered by him hei'ore the Eirst Inter-American Conference on Agriculture, Eorestry, and Animal Industry, hold September 0, 1930. in AA'asIilngton, p. C. second article will appear in the December issue of the Commercial Stand.vuds AIontiily.

is authority for the .statement that nearly threequarters of a million dollars is spent eA^ery Avorking

day in the United States to improve the manufacturing processes, reduce production costs, and develop

neAv fields of application and by-products in the Nation’s industries. An increase of from 500 industrial

research laboratories in 1921 to more than 1,500 in 1930. a 200 per cent increase in nine 3'ears, tells the

story of this neAv economic trend.”

The groAAdh and multiplicity of these laboratories

is one of the most noteworthy achieA’enients of the

present century - advancing as they do the economic

position of the country, and contributing to the development of natural resources, cutting cost of jiroduction, improAung the commodities produced, eliminating manufacturing Avastes, and building up ncAv

industries.

Let us consider some of these Government laboratories in their relation to industry. In Great Britain

there has been on trial, since 1918, Avith varied success, a cooperative arrangement betAveen Government and

industry Avhereby an industry sets up a research as- sociation Avhich establishes a laboratory, and the cost of the experimental Avork is shared by the state and

by the indirstry, originally half by each, but iioav the

Government iia3

^s not over one-quarter of the expenses

of an association. At present there are 24 of these

research associations, toAvard the sujiport of Avhich

the British Government provides slightly more than

$300,000 a year. The British Government maintains a single department of States in Avhich are grouped all governmental

research actiAuties, other than those relating to national defense. This is knoAAui as the “ Department

of Scientific and Industrial Research,” Avhich, in

addition to the National Pli3'sical Laboratoig' and re- search associations, maintains laboratories for research

in chemistry, foods, forest products, fuel, radio, Avater pollution, and geology, Avith a total expenditure of

about $3,300,000 in 1929.

It is the practice in seA^eral countries, e\’en of some

of those haAung national institutions to use as a nucleus existing educational institutions and make governmental provision for ph3^sical, technical, or industrial research at those institutions. The Australian

GoA^ernment, for example, uses this method

extensiA'chu

Practice in Japan.

Still another type of goA’ernmental industidal cooperation is ])racticed iu the li’^nited States and Japan

Avherely industrial gi'oups maintain researcli associ- ates AVorking at the Government laboratoiy, as at the

National Bureau of Standards, Avhere there aie about

100 persons so engaged. At the Japanese Industrial

Research Institute, a part of the Department of Com-

- See Science ct IiKlnstiic, by II. I,c Cbiitolicr. published by

E. l'liunM^^u•ioM. Paris. ]92.-).
154 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVBMBEE, 1930

merce and Industry, there is a separate building

known as the General Public Laboratory, where firms or individuals may rent laboratories for their work

and also be aided by the official staff. A very important function of some of the Government laboratories is the testing of supplies and equipment purchased by the Government to insure that the

quality of the materials or the performance of the

equipment submitted meet the requirements that have

been defined in specifications, which again usually re- quire for their formulation a great deal of preliminary

experimental research work in laboratories. A large

part of the resources of the National Bureau of Standards is devoted to such testing. Of particular interest

is the Electrochemical Laboratory of the Ministry of

Communications in Tokyo, to see how thoroughly the

Ja^ianese Government is carrying out this laboratory

inspection of all purchases of electrical equipment.

More than 1,000 men are engaged in testing electrical

equipment and carrying on research in electrical phenomena, especially as related to power transmission,

illumination, communications, standards, materials,

and instruments.

Anotlier field of activity engaged in by the Government laboratory relates to the improvement or development of products or processes of national interest

from the economic point of view. As an illustration,

investigations under way at the Industrial Research

Institute of the Japanese Government relate to a new

chlorine process for sugar refining, utilization of fish

oils in soaji manufacture, improvement of Japanese

clays for pottery, a study of water-resisting lacquered

wares, synthesized dyestuffs, textile printings, new

papers from mulberry bark, and ncAV chemical products from marine animal oils. A very remarkable institution knoAvn as the Insti- tute of Physical and Chemical Research is conducted

in Japan. A corporation was formed in 1917 Avith an endoAvment of about $3,250,000, one-half of Avhich Avas furnished by the Government. The expenses are met

by income from investment and sale of patents, appropriations from the Government, and gifts from industry. The budget for 1930 is more than $700,000.

Quoting from official description : “ The institute con- ducts investigations in the pure sciences of physics and

chemistry, aiming at their industrial development,

and at the same time engaging in applied research.

No undertaking, whether it be in industry or in agriculture, would be able to attain sound development

unless it were based upon physics and chemistry.”

Here, indeed, is an emphatic indorsement from the

Far East of James Bryce’s statement of the Avorld of

to-day being ruled by physical science. At this Japanese institute there are 30 laboratories carrying on work on nearly 200 problems, Avith a staff of more than

500 persons.

It is well to remember that Avithin the span of life of men still vigorous Jajian has emerged from a

feudal, mainly agricultural state, supporting for the

jirevious century a stable population of 25,000,000,

to a nation more and more intensely industrial, supporting in the same area a population of more than

63,000,000, accompanied by a tremendous increase in

national wealth. In terms of this wealth and population the Jajianese Government is probably spending

more than any other on the development and application of the physical sciences through its governmental

laboratories. Interest in European countries.

Several of the Eureopean countries Avhich have

achieA^ed their complete independence since 1918, such

as Finland, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, have recog- nized the advantages of governmental support of re- search in the physical sciences and have established or are actively organizing such laboratories, either

as independent establishments or attached to an educational institution, or in direct association Avith national industries. In the East Indies the Netherlands

maintains a testing and research laboratory on the

Island of Java and the Philippine GoA’ernment a Bureau of Science.

The United States Government’s interest in agricul- ture has grown at an ever-increasing rate since Benjamin Franklin sent silkAvorm eggs and mulberry cut- tings from England. Washington, our first President, faAmred a central agricultural department Avhich

might draAV “to a common center the results everyAvhere of individual skill and observation,” and spread

them “ hence over the Avhole Nation.” Also, President Taylor, in 1849, favored a Federal unit of agriculture Avith the Avords “to elevate the social condition of agriculturists, to increase his prosperity, and

to extend his means of usefulness to his country by

multiplying his sources of information, should be

the study of every statesman and a primary object

Avith every legislator.” These Avords of 80 years ago

are as pertinent to-day as Avhen first uttered.

Department of Agriculture established.

The United States Department of Agriculture Avas finally established in 1862 and has had a phenomenal

groAvth; its great laboratories and field stations haA^o been a Avonderful asset to the Nation.

The interpedence of agriculture and industry is in many cases very marked and there are also many

examples of a manufactured commodity displacing an agricultural product. The classic example of the

latter is the reiffacement of indigo from plants by a coal-tar product. This study of the possibility of

developing staple products from neAv sources of

supply or finding substitutes for existing products

has become more and more an important function of

Government laboratories. As an illustration of this

type of activity may be mentioned the work of the

National Bureau of Standards on sugars. Results achieved at National Bureau of Standards.

Several 3^ears ago the National Bureau of Standards

shoAved hoAv to produce granulated dextrose econoically ; a sugar noAv readily recovered from corn, and

the resulting corn-sugar industry has already attained

a firm position in the United States. We are noAV trying to solve the question, Avith prospects of ulti- mate success, of the economic production of the SAveet- est of the ordinary sugars, knoAvn as levulose, readily

recoverable from a tuber, the Jerusalem artichoke,

Avhich can be grOAvn anywhere in the United States. Tlie bureau has also been investigating, in cooperation

Avith industry, the production and utilization of an-
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 155

other sugar, xylose, ivhich may be recovered from

several agricultural products, including corn, peanut

shells, and cotton hulls. Another recent example of substitution is that of

rayon displacing cotton to a serious extent, affecting not only agriculture but also the textile industry

profoundly.

A natural product which has long fascinated the

chemist is rubber. We have seen the gradual substitution of the cultivated for the wild plant and the

studi^ of the behavior and yield of new plants, such as guayule, and the chemist has even succeeded in producing synthetic rubber. At the bureau we have ex- amined rubber said to have been extracted from crude

petroleum, and within the past few months we have

ju'oduced in the laboratory rubber in crj'stalline form.

Where these discoveries will lead no one can say, but

in the past history shows that with a glimmer of hope

to light his way the physical scientist will not be

turned aside from his goal.

THE “REICHSKURATORIUM FUER WIRTSCHAFTLICHKEIT ” (RKW)

German Organization Receives Its Financial Support from the Government, But Is Rather Independent

in Its Function

P.}’ H. Hinnenth.vl, Ooverning Board of the RKW, Berlin, Germany

It is often inferred from the name of “ Reichskuratorium ” that it is a Federal office. This is not the

case. The designation “ Reichs ” has a twofold significance in Germany. In some cases it means an

official organization or Federal office, such, for in- stance, as “ Reichsministerium ” or “ Reichspost ”

;

frequently, however, the prefix “ Reich ” signifies

merely that an organization is meant whose sphere of

activity extends over the whole empire, not only over

one of the German States, like Prussia, Bavaria,

Saxony, etc., such, for instance, as “ Reichsverband

Deutscher Industrie ” as opposed to “ Verband

Saechsischer Industrieller,” etc. This means that the “ Reichskuratorium fuer Wirtschaftlichkeit ” (RKW) is a national office for promoting rationalization in the whole of Germany. It

is entirely independent in its activities and decisions

i and operates under its own administration. As it is not an official organization, it is not subordinate to

j any Government office, although it receives its finan-

! cial means exclusively from the Government.

I The RKW consists of three parts: (1) The govern1 ing board (for the time being 20 members with a

president, vice president, ancl secretary) ; (2) the

, finance committee (for the time being 15 members

I with a president and vice president) ; and (3) the

general meeting (at present consisting of about 350

1 members).

The governing board is authorized to lay down the

' operating plan of the RKW and the decisions regard-

' ing the promotion of rationalization work to be per- formed outside the RKW (committees, working

i] groups, individuals). It is composed of business rep-

|, resentatives. The supervision of financial matters and

ill tlie emplo}Tnent of financial means lies with the

jj finance committee which is chiefly formed by members

I of parliament and ministries. The general meeting

® elects the governing board and finance committee.

b Just as the RKW carries the entire responsibility

for its work and was purposely not made a dependent

I

I Government bureau, so the relations between the RKW

and the organizations whose work it has to promote

! have been kept as free and independent as possible.

I These organizations are chiefly corporations and coml ! mittees which have been formed either by the RKW or

other bodies. Their relations to the RKAV are not of

a subordinate but of a cooperative nature. The^^ are independent corporations with their own administration. Only three committees which were appointed

by the RKW, and the expenses of which are borne

almost exclusively by the RKW, form an exception

in a certain sense, namely the “Ausschuss fuer Wirtschaftliche Fertigung ” (Committee for Rational

Manufacture) ; the “Ausschuss fuer Wirtschaftliche

Verwaltung ” (Committee for Rational Administration) ; and the “ Reichsausschuss fuer Lieferbedingungen ” (Federal Committee for Trade Practices).

Outline of Procedure.

Each of the above committees is entitled to apply

to the RKTW for funds for the performance of rationalization work. The RKW examines the applications

with a view to the economic necessity and urgency of

the operations suggested as well as to the possibility of

their being carried through efficiently and promptly.

It is entitled to grant financial support on condition

that the operations be limited or extended. It has

the right to give directions and orders for publication, as well as to determine the composition of the

committees ; it is in a position to prevent duplications,

etc. The operation orders are, therefore, based on

contracts and agreements made for the purpose of

performing definite rationalization work from which

the general public and German business would benefit. The RKW is entitled to supervise permanently the

expenses which are only incurred in the executive

offices of the committees (salaries, rent, heating, light), as Avell as for publication and printing, for travels,

meetings, exhibitions, tests, etc., as the committees

themselves only consist of honorary members.

The operations may be suggested either by the committees to the RKW or by this latter body, which may

transfer them to the committees. In its decisions the

RKW is chiefly guided by the consideration whether

the operations suggested are of practical use or

Avhether the rationalization work in question or pre- paratory work in this connection is desired by the

German industry. Mere research work, the practical

value of which is uncertain, is excluded from its activities. The following examples will explain the operation of the three committees already referred to.
156 COMMERCIAL STAKDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

Committee for Rational iSIanufacture receives financial snjiport for laying clown rules for making time

studies in various industries, for publishing machine

cards containing full particulars on all machine tools on hand in the factory, for rules for loading stations

of electric trucks, for rules for packing material of

Avood, board, sheet metal, for packing for ocean

transportation, etc. Committee for Rational Administration concerns

itself with draiving up uniform bookkeeping systems

for certain trades, with laying docvn guiding standard

figures for the retail trade, with budget control, with

examinations as to the working capacity of office machines, with standard rules for filing systems, etc. Federal Committee for Trade Practices issues

agreements on cleliA^ery conditions and tests. Delivei’3

^ conditions ” are limited to a certain group or in- terested parties stated by name, Avhereas “ standards ” presuppose universal validity. Delivery conditions

have, for instance, been issued for leather, rubber,

textiles, woodemvare, paper, and colors. German Bureau of Standards, formed about four

years preAuous (1917) to the institution of the RKW

( 1 921 ) , is an organization independent from the

RKW. It receives, howeA^er, substantial subsidies

from the RKW for working out standards not serving

indiAddual but general requirements of the German in- dustry and offering special aclAmntages to consumers. The sums are subject to special agreements for each

individual case. Special attention is paid to standards

for household deAuces. hospital equipment, laboratory

supplies, paper forms, etc. Other committees concern themseh’es Avith rationalization work in agriculture, in connection Avith tests of raw materials, technical education, small industries,

household, etc. All principal committees have formed

subcommittees for their operations, so that about 200

sub or trade committees Avith apjiroximately 1,000

honorary members are affiliated Avith the RKW.

Working for the general economic interests.

As the RKW receiA"es its financial means exclusiA'ely

from the Government and, therefore, so to speak, from

the Avhole Nation, it has the obligation to employ them

only for purposes serAung general economic interests. This is the essential condition for such operations promoted by the RKW as are jointly carried out by ]n'o- ducers, merchants, and consumers. If these three

EXCELLENT ADHERENCE NOTED TO STANDARD ON REGAIN OF MERCERIZED COTTON

YARNS

As a I'esult of a recent survey among the manufacturers to determine adherence to the Commercial

Standard on Regain of Mercerized Cotton Yarns, a summarized report Avas issued on October 3. indicating

that 100 per cent of present adjustments for regain

of mercerized cotton yarns are on the commercial

standard basis. SeA’eral manufacturers indicated that

in general adjustments are not necessary, but that

Avhei'e adjustments are required they Avill use the commercial standard as a basis. In accordance Avith recommendation of the standing committee, the existing standard Avas reaffirmed

Avithout change for another- year beginning Jidv 1, 1930.

^ ^

groups come to an agreement, it may be assumed that

general wishes have been complied Avith. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the aforementioned

three groups be represented in the committees in equal

proportions.

Although the RKW is not in a position to extend its actiAuties to some lines, owing to the limitations imposed upon it by the source from Avhich it clraAvs its funds, yet the Government subsidies are a guarantee

for the neutral and objectiA^e character of its Avork. If

the RKW Avould only be maintained by the industry

or only by the trade, it Avould be under obligations to them and Avould not be in a position to fulfill its task

Avhich lies in the promotion of cooperatii’e Avork, in the

removing of differences,, and in the furtherance of

business as a Avhole. Through the medium of its financial and publication

services, the RKW is, so to speak, a clearing house

betAveen the committees and corporations engaged in rationalization on the one hand and trade and industry on the other. The subsidies granted to the RKW by

the GoA'ernment are converted into practical rationalization Avork, the results of which are a collection of

rationalization deAuces Avhich are at eA^ei’Affiody’s dis- posal. That does not necessarily mean that the RKW

recommends these dcAuces ahvays and to everybody.

As it only has a limited staff' of officials at its disposal,

it is not in a position to acquaint itself Avith the full particulars of each indiAudual case. The interested

parties have to as:ume the responsibility of choosing

from the material offered such methods and devices as look promising. Decisions are made only after thorough inA'estigation of all the possibilities.

The RKW issues a monthly paper (“ RKAY Nachrichten ”) in which are reported all rationalization

questions and the activities of the RKW. Furthermore, a series of pamphlets is published (in all, 60

pamphlets to date), giving particulars on each indiAddual operation. A survey of the operations is given

in the “ Handbook of Rationalization.” This handbook consists of three parts: Part 1, “Trend ToAvard i Rationalization” (Germany and other countries; ; part 2. “ The Means of Rationalization ” (standardization, manufacture, administration and distribution,

siiecial training, trade, and household) ; part 3, “ Methods, Application, and Results ” (tests made in fac- ' lories, examples from actual experience).

STANDARD FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR i METAL MINES APPROVED

Fire-fighting equipment in metal mines has been !i ajiproved as an American standard by the American i Standards A.ssociation, according to an announcement i of the American Mining Congress. The standard, I coA’ering fire-fighting equipment, preventive measures,

fire signals, and fire-fighting personnel in metal mines,

Avas developed by a committee of the American ]\Iin- |i ing Congress.

This standard, cleA'eloped bj^ a large and representa- f tiA'e committee and noAv approA^ed as an American 1 1 standard, should be adopted and jiut into use in metal M mines throughout the country as the best possible fire i il insurance obtainable, states the American Mining

Congress announcement.
NOVIOMBEK, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 157

FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS PRINTED IN STANDARD FORM

To Broaden Field of Supply Many Firms Are Listed Under Certification Plan

Since December 3, 1929, following the adoption of a new form and a revised procedure, the Federal

Specifications Board has been formulating new specifications and revising old Federal specifications to in- clude purchase details in addition to technical details. Also under this new procedure, all Federal specifications will be printed in a standard form for the use

of the entire Federal Government, and will bear standard symbols and nomenclature conforming to the

Federal Standard Stock Catalogue.

In the past many of the departments have incorporated only the technical details of the Federal specifications in their own departmental specifications.

Under the new procedure, with few exceptions, the

departments will not reprint Federal specifications.

The Federal Specifications Board is also revising

all provisions specifications to include classes and

grades of food for the mandatory use of all departments and establishments of the Federal Government.

Heretofore, the use of such specifications have been

mandatory upon the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps

only, and optional with tlie other branches of the

Government.

To assist in broadening the field of supply under

Federal specifications, the National Bureau of Standards has compiled 271 lists of firms who have ex- pressed a desire to have their name placed on the

willing-to-certify lists of manufacturers. Upon re-

(juest, these producers are willing to certify that their

products are in accordance with the designated Federal specifications. Information regarding the certification plan may be obtained froiu the National

Bureau of Standards.

Copies of Federal specifications may be purchased

from the Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Prices range from

5 to about 20 cents. If these copies are desired by

Government departments and establishments, they

may be obtained through the representative member

of the Federal Standard Stock Catalogue Board, or

if there is no member rejiresenting an establishment,

copies may be obtained through the chairman of the

Federal Standard Stock Catalogue Board, Room 1149,

Navy Building, Washington, D. C. Federal specifications, officially adopted liy the Federal Specifications Board, will not be available in mimeographed or printed form for gratuitous disti’i- bution.

McAllister, new assistant director of

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The appointment of Di'. Addams S. McAllister,

chief of the division of specifications, to be Assistant

Director for Commercial Standardization of the National Bureau of Standards, was announced Septenilier

27, 1930. Doctor McAllister will continue to act as

( hief of the division of s})ecifications. In 1921 he accepted the position of electi'ical engineer at the bureau, and soon thereafter was placed in charge of the specification work. Upon the organization of this work into a separate division in 1927, he I

was chosen as its chief. In the latter capacity he lias come in contact with practically every technical and

trade association in this country; with all State purchasing agents, and with many other National and

State officials. Before becoming associated with the National Bureau of Standards, Doctor McAllister was associate

editor and later editor of the Electrical World. He

has served as manager and vice pre.sident of the

American Institute of Electrical Engineers and

as director and president of the Illuminating

Engineering Society.

NEW CIRCULAR ON CLEANING MATERIALS

List of Government Specifications Included To answer many mail inquiries from the public, the

National Bureau of Standards has prepared a cir- cular on Whishing, Cleaning, and Polishing Materials.

This publication is an expansion of the bureau’s Circular No. C2 on “ Soap,” issued January 24, 1923, and

is designed to give information in a concise and

po]5ular style.

The paper discusses the use of water in laundering,

pointing out the effects of impurities in water and means for their removal. A description of the general

composition of soap, soap manufacturing processes, and the common varieties of soap products, is fol- lowed by brief discussions of alkaline cleansers (including drain or waste pipe cleaners), bleaches, laundry scours, bluing, and starch. Discussions are also included on dry cleaning, dry-cleaning solvents and

soaps, stain removal, finishing of cleaned garments,

reclamation of dry-cleaning solvent, and elimination

of static electricity in dry-cleaning plants.

Sections of the circular are devoted to automobile

and furniture jiolishes, metal polish, shoe polish, polishing cloths, dust cloths, sweeping compounds, and

wall-paper cleaner. A list of the Government specifications for the products covered, numerous references,

and suggested formulas for some items are included.

Recommended specifications for two grades of

laundry soap are given in the appendixes.

Copies of this circular ( Bureau of Standards C383)

may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documeiits, Govei-nment Printing Office, Washington, I). C., at 10 cents each.

NEW DESIGN OF PRECISION RESISTANCE

STANDARD

Precision electrical resistance .standards of the types

now in general use slowly drift in resistance. For

standards of good quality this change does not exceed a few parts in a million per year, but even tliis is objectionable in standards used to maintain the unit

of resistance.

A decided improvement has been obtained at the

National Bui-eau of Standards by winding the resist- ance coils of bai'e wii’e on a mandrel and annealing
158 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

them at a red heat. The coils are removed and

mounted on silk-covered brass tubes which form the

inner walls of sealed containers of a new desigii.

These containers are made of coaxial brass tubes closed

at both ends with brass rings soldered to the tubes. The leads are introduced through small holes in the

walls of the inner tubes; the holes being covered with

plates of sheet copioer and sealed with melted gum

shellac. Presumably these containers will remain

sealed indefinitely, while those which are closed with

hard rubber caps are apt to leak after a few years. No oil or other cooling liquid is put into these new

containers.

TENTATIVE SPECIFICATION DEVELOPED

FOR STAINLESS LUBRICANT

Oil stains have for years been a source of considerable difficulty to hosiery and underwear manufacturers.

The yarn comes in contact with certain movable parts

of the knitting machines and it is not practicable to provide for satisfactory lubrication of the machine,

and at the same time protect the fabric from occasional

spots of oil. Because of the conditions of manufacture, the knitted fabric is stored, sometimes for

months, before it is cl3^ed and finished. During this

time impurities in the oils oxidize and produce stains

which are difficult, if not impossible, to remove in the

subsequent processes. The studies which were undertaken by the National

Association of Hosiery and Underwear Manufacturers

and the National Bureau of Standards, with the co- operation of a number of oil refiners, have resulted in a tentative specification for a stainless lubricant.

Practical trials of oil complying with this specification

have been in progress in three large hosiery mills for

a period of six months. Reports from the mills both

as to the stainless character of this oil and as to its good lubricating qualities have been satisfactory. It

is expected that this study will be completed during

the coming winter.

TO REDUCE WASTE IN DISTRIBUTION OF

MERCHANDISE

Surveys Show Need of Applying Principles of Simplified Practice

It has been reported that there are more than 6,000

department stores in the United States, exclusive of

specialty stores, doing a total annual business of approximately $6,500,000,000. Each year these stores buy wrapping and packing supplies valued at more

than $25,000,000 to which must be added the labor

and other costs of distributing about 3,000,000,000

packages.

There are two methods of improving this distribution function to give better service at less cost. First,

to develop simplified practice in order to eliminate

unnecessary sizes and varieties of packing supplies.

Second, through a study of present practice, to develop

recommendations describing efficient and economical

methods of folding and preparing merchandise for

delivery.

In the fall of 1929 the committee on simplification

and standardization of the National Retail Dry Goods

Association requested the National Bureau of Standards, through its division of simplified practice, to

collect data on the methods and materials used by

department stores in the wrapping and packing of

merchandise.

On September 17, 1930, the bureau furnished the

committee with data collected during a four months*

survey covering the actual current practice in 34 department stores. These stores, representing an aggregate sale volume of nearly $600,000,000 a year, were

selected to give a wide range of local conditions. In

addition to specialty dry goods stores, large and small

department stores, there was included one large organization doing an extensive mail-order business. The

survey covered methods and supplies used for both

ordinary and gift wrapping. These were further

classified according to the type of transaction as follows

:

Takes. —Merchandise taken by customer. Sends. —Merchandise delivered to customer by

wagon, truck, or other type of store delivery system.

Common Conner. —Merchandise delivered to cus- tomer by parcel post, freight, or exiiress. The actual field work Avas conducted throughout

the entire }^ear, so that it Avas possible to observe the

effect on packing practice caused by seasonal variation in merchandise. Geographical distribution Avas also a factor in so far as it disclosed buying habits

and customer requirements.

The committee plans to use the material contained

in the report {a) to deA^elop simplified practice recom- mendations covering sizes and varieties for packingsupplies and (5) to deA^elop recommendations to the

department stores as to the most efficient and economical methods of folding and preparing merchandise

for delivery. The committee expects to complete a large part of this Avork in time to present it to the

annual meeting of the National Retail Dry Goods

Association scheduled to be held in February, 1931. The National Bureau of Standards will be glad to send a summary of its complete report to anyone

requesting a copy.

ARCHITECTS IN FINLAND STUDYING STANDARDIZATION OF PLYWOOD DOORS

The board of directors of the Architects Association in Finland is noAv considering a plan for the

standardization of smooth surface plywood doors,

according to information received from C. Roderick

Matheson, acting commercial attache at Helsingfors,

Finland. Under the plan proposed these doors

Avould be standardized at Avidths of 500, 600, 700,

800, 900, and 1,000 millimeters and at a height of

either 2,050 or 2,100 millimeters.

It is said that in addition to facilitating the Avork

of local architects in Finland, the production costs

at the plywood factories could be lowered to such an

extent as to enable them to produce quantities at competitive prices for export.

MANUFACTURE OF WALL PAPER 70 PER

CENT ON STANDARD SPECIFICATION

A survey among the manufacturers, recently completed to determine adherence, indicated that approxi-
NOVEMBER, 1930 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY 159

mately 70 per cent of the wall paper manufactured

during the first six months of 1930 was made according to the commercial standard specifications.

The survey indicated that numerous concerns who

previously made only very cheap ungrounded wall

paper are now including in their line some papers

that meet the standard of quality established in the

commercial standard specifications.

An effective campaign on the part of the Wallpaper

Association of the United States in promoting the use

of these standards has been exceedingly successful and

the general quality level of wall paper manufactured

has thereby been increased.

The ability of manufacturers to guarantee the quality of their wall paper as conforming to the standard

and, on the other hand, the ability of the householder

to purchase wall paper of knoAvn quality as a result of

the establishment of this standard has been of mutual

benefit which should go a long way toward building

good will for the industry.

The standard was reaffirmed by the standing committee in its present form for another year.

PAMPHLET ON AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD SCREW THREADS AVAILABLE

The pamphlet entitled “ American National Standard Screw Threads, Commercial Standard CS24-30 ” has been released by the Government Printing Office,

and was distributed to acceptors of record on October

13. This commercial standard makes available for

convenient shop use the most important screw-thread

dimensions and tolerances for classes 1, 2, 3, and 4

fits as described in the American National Screw

Tliread Series and Fine-Screw Thread Series, as well

as sizes and tolerances for taj) drills for both of

these series. The pamphlet includes a brief history

of the project as developed by the National Screw

Thread Commission, which is to serve as the standing

committee. It also includes a list of acceptors of the

standard.

SUCCESS OF MIRROR STANDARD ASSURED

On October 15 a circular letter was sent to the in- terested manufacturers, distributors, and consumers announcing the success of the project for the establishment of a commercial standard for plate-glass

mirrors.

The success of this undertaking was made possible

by the cooperation of over 215 acceptors, which in- cludes approximately 80 per cent of the mirror manufacturing industry by production volume and many

of the more important distributors, and consumer

organizations.

Tlie standard provides for five distinct grades of

quality which follow closely after the exi.sting grades

of mirror plate. The defects allowable in the several

grades are plainly indicated, and a common understanding of the several qualities will provide a more

intelligent basis of comparison which should work to

tlie mutual advantage of manufacturer, di.stributor,

and purchaser. Various colored labels have been

designatecl to represent each of the five grades and

the use of these labels on the face side of the mirror was left optional Avith the manufacturer.

The standard Avill become effecti\^e for new production on December 15, 1930, and copies in mimeographed form are noAv available from the division of

trade standards. National Bureau of Standards,

Washington, D. C.

STANDARDIZATION OF MOP STICKS

The success of the project on the standardization of

mop sticks Avas announced in a circular letter issued

by the diAUsion of trade standards on September 15. This standard covers the size and quality of the

various parts entering into the construction of mop

sticks used in domestic and janitor service. TiVo

types, which constitute by far the majority of mo])

sticks in general use, are covered in the commercial

standard specifications. These types are knoAvn as the spring-leA'er type and the janitor screw type.

Those interested in the production, sale, or use of

mop sticks may secure copies of the standard in mimeographed form from the division of trade standards, National Bureau of Standards, Washington,

D. C.

VITREOUS CHINA PLUMBING-FIXTURE

STANDARD

Industry to Distribute 40,000 Copies

The Manufacturers Adydsory Committee on Vitre- ous China Plumbing Fixtures, at a recent meeting held

at the National Bureau of Standards, decided to dis- tribute 40,000 copies of the pamphlet entitlecl “ Staple

Vitreous China Plumbing Fixtures, Commercial

Standard CS20-30 ” to all plumbers, plumbing jobbers, and architects in the LTnited States. The committee has ordered the necessary copies from the

Superintendent of Documents, and distribution Avill be made Avith the cooperation of the American Insti- tute of Architects and the Plumbing and HeatingIndustries Bureau.

NEW AND REVISED PUBLICATIONS ISSUED

BY THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS^

Accelerated Tests of Asphalts. RP 197. Price, 10 cents. American National Standard Screw Threads. (Coarse and tine thread series.) CS24-30. Price, 10 cents. American National Standard Screw Threads. CS25-30. Price, 15 cents. Bearing Bronzes with Additions of Zinc, Phosphorus Nickel,

and Antimony. RP 205. Price, 15 cents. Calorimetric Determination of Thermal Properties of Satu- rated Water and Steam from 0° to 270° C. RP 209. Price, 20 cents. Coefficient of Friction of Fabrics. RP 19G. Price, 5 cents. Color for School Furniture. Rlll-.'IO. Price, 5 cents. Conductivity and Density of Chromic Acid Solutions. RP 198. Price, 5 cents.

' Send orders for these publications direct to the Sui^erintendent of

Dociinicnts, Govornnient I’rintinpr Office, Washington. D. C.
160 COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY NOVEMBER, 1930

Copper Electrotypilig. C387. Price, 10 cents. Cutting Tests with Cemented Tungsten Carbide Lathe Tools. KP 206. Price, 10 cents.

Eft'ects of Gases on Photo-louization of Caesium by Line Absorption. RP 208. Price. 5 cents. Elastic Shoe Goring. R112^29. Price, 5 cents. Fire Clays ; Some Fundamental Properties at Several Temperatures. KP 194. Price, 10 cents. Heat Transfer Through Metal-Inclosed Insulation. RP 207. Price, 5 cents. Method of Measuring Frictional Coefficients of Walkway Materials. RP 204. Price 10 cents. New Design of Precision Resistance Standard. RP 201. Price

5 cents.

Phase Equilibria in the System Cr.^O^-SiO.,- RP 203. Price,

cents. Precipitation and Ignition of Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate, RP 200. Price, 5 cents. Precise and Rapid Method of Measuring Frequencies from

5 to 200 Cycles per Second. RP 195. Price, 5 cents. Preliminary Studies of the Effect" of Dioxidatioii and Mold

Conditions on the Tensile Properties of Carbon Steel Castings. RP 199. Price, 5 cents. Simplification of Sizes and Terminology of High Volatile Bituminous Coal. M 113. Price, 5 cents. Structure of the Specti'a of Doubly and Trebly Ionized Zir- conium. RP 202. Price. 10 cents. Washing. Cleaning, and Polishing Materials. C 383. Price, 10

cents. o
SCIET^TIFIC, TECHNICAL, AA[D COMMERCIAL

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIOT^S ISSUED BY THE

J^ATIOAiAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH

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

union of science and its applications in one

journal shortens the lag between discovery

and application.

All engaged in industry and commerce should

have available for current use and permanent

reference, the Bureau of Standards Journal of

Research.

Early in its fir^t year the Journal developed a li^ of paid subscribers double the anticipated

maximum.

This Journal is full of interest to executives

and technicians controlling industries and

commercial enterprises. It enables them bet- ter to promote efficiency by determining the

scientific measured controls ofprocess through

experimental and theoretical research.

Issued monthly

Subscription price, $2.75 per year

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS

MONTHLY

TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN

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

days of 1917 to keep the Army and Navy and

other branches of the Government informed

of progress in scientific war research at the

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

Government, science, and industry.

The TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN will

keep you informed of current progress in the

scientific and technical work of the bureau’s

laboratories, and gives each month a liil of

the publications of the bureau. A complete

cross index is published with the December

issue.

You can not afford to be without the TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN. Every article is short and to the point. The busiest executive can afford the time to read it. Issued monthly

Subscription price, 25 cents per year

STANDARDS YEARBOOK

FOR 1930

This new governmental periodical is a review

of progress in commercial simplification and

ff:andardi2,ation. It is the only journal of its kind. It covers the national movement initiated by President Hoover for the reducftion

of needless sizes and varieties of products and

the promotion of voluntary commercial

ff:andardization by industry.

The Secretary of Commerce in the firff; issue

of this new journal said: “Certain standards,

such as those used for weights and measures,

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

volume of ffandards developed by induffry

and commerce and voluntarily maintained.

* * * The activities of the Commercial

Standardization Group of the Bureau of

Standards are concerned with standards

adopted by voluntary agreement.’’

Subscription price, $1 per year

The new Standards Yearbook for 1930 is the

fourth annual issue ofa publication devoted to the great and growing field of ^andardization

in its broad aspects. It gives a summary of

progress.

Standardization is a world-wide movement.

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

example of methods and results of suggeStive

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

interest.

NOW READY Price, 75c. ORDER AT ONCE

“Standardization is becoming an aspect of all well' ordered adlivity rather than an incidental

adlivity supplemental to others.”

To obtain regularly the above-described monthly periodicals send your order, with remittance, addressed: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Foreign prices (countries other

than the United States and its possessions, Canada, Mexico, Newfoundland, Cuba, and Republic of Panama) are: Journal, $3.75; Bulletin, $0.40; Monthly, $1.25; Yearbook, $0.90
“ * * * this department * * * is devoted solely to aiding and fostering the development of higher standards of living and comfort of our people * * * jts ideals are clear; That by cooperation and not by compulsion it should seek to assist in maintaining and giving the impulse of progress to commerce and industry in a nation whose successful economic life underlies advancement in every other field." —President Hoover, at the laying of the corner stone of the new building

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

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. LAMONT, Secretary of Commerce

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

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

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

transportation, 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 municipal governments

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

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

cities and automobile accidents weekly.

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

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

William L. Cooper, 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

Reports, bulletins, confidential circulars, the news and trade

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

maintenance of commodity, technical, and regional divisions to afford special service to American exporters and manufacturers. The compilation and distribution of lists of possible buyers

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

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

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

fundamental technical data. Collection and dissemination of information concerning

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

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

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

utilization of minerals, including the study of mine hazards and

safety methods and of improved methods in the production

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

Research on helium and operation of plants producing it.

BUREAU OF MINES—Continued.

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

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

BUREAU OF FISHERIES, Henry O’Malley, Commissioner.

The propagation and distribution of food fish and shellfish,

in order to prevent the depletion of the fisheries ; investigations

to promote conservation of fishery resources; the development

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

statistics; administration of Alaska fisheries and fur seals; and

the protection of sponges ofif the coast of Florida. BUREAU OF LIGHTHOUSES, George R. Putnam, Commissioner,

Maintenance of lighthouses and other aids to water navigation. Establishment and maintenance of aids to navigation

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

Notices to Mariners.

COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, R. S. Patton, Director

Survey of the coasts of the United States and publication of charts for the navigation of the adjacent waters, including

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

Islands, and the (5anal Zone; interior control surveys; magnetic surveys; tide and current observations; and seismological

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

BUREAU OF NAVIGATION, Arthur J. Tyrer, Commissioner.

Superintendence of commercial marine and merchant seamen.

Supervision of registering, enrolling, licensing, numbering,

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

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

including imposition of fees, fines, tonnage taxes, etc. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE, Dickerson N. Hoover, Supervising Inspector General. The inspection of merchant vessels, including boilers, hulls, and life-saving equipment, licensing of officers of vessels, certi- fication of able seamen and lifeboat men, and the investigation

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

Commissioner.

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

prints, and labels after technical examination and judicial

proceedings.

Maintenance of library with public search room, containing

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

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

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

examining and settling international radio accounts.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 19 30