Report of the

Thirty-Sixth National Conference

Weights and Measures

U. S. Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards

Miscellaneous Publication 202
Related Publications

NBS Handbook 26 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ADMINISTRATION

Discussing the broad subject of weights and measures supervision,

tliis Handbook gives particular attention to the general aspects of

weights and measures controls, mechanical and supervisory activities

of ollioials, and systems of records. Appendixes include material on

Federal weights and measures laws and regulations and recommendations for standards and equipment to be procured by State regulatory

agencies. 292 pages. Price $1.50 bound in cloth. NBS Handbook 37 TESTING OF WEIGHING EQUIPMENT

As a manual for State and local weights and measures officials, this

Handbook describes various types of commercial weighing equipment, principles of their operation, and methods for their inspection

and testing. It includes tables of customary and metric weights and

measures, of interrelation of units, and of equivalents. 184 pages.

Price $1.25 bound in cloth. NBS Handbook 44 SPECIFICATIONS, TOLERANCES, AND

REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL

WEIGHING AND MEASURING DEVICES

This Handbook deals with specifications, tolerances, and regulations

for commercial weighing and measuring devices, as adopted in 1949

by the Thirty-Fourth National Conference on Weights and Measures

and recommended by the National Bureau of Standards for State

promulgation. To keep the material up to date, the NBS regularly

issues correction sheets, which are available without cost upon application to the NBS. 144 pages. Price $1.25 bound in cloth. NBS Handbook 45 TESTING OF MEASURING EQUIPMENT

A companion volume to Handbook 37, Testing of Weighing Equipment^ this Handbook presents information concerning commercial

measures and measuring devices and their inspection and testing and

contains outlines supplementing the discussions on testing procedures.

It recommends, in general, the minimum requirements of testing procedures for exercising routine regulatory controls. 205 pages. Price

$1.25 bound in cloth. Order Handbooks from the Sui)erintendent of Documents, U. S. Government

Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. [The Roports of the National Conference on Weights and Measures are

publisher] as NliS Miscfllanwus Publications. A list of the Reports still available is given on cover page 3,]


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Charles Sawyer, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS • A. V. Astin, Acting Director

Report of the

Thirty-Sixth National Conference on

Weights and Measures

Attended by Representatives from Various States Sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C, May 22, 23, 24, and 25, 1951

National Bureau of Standards Miscellaneous Publication 202

Issued December 10, 1951

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 50 cents


fI
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

OFFICERS

(Present and serving during the Thirty-sixth National Conference)

President : E. U. Condon, Director, National Bureau of Standards, Washington,

D. C. Vice Presidents

:

C. A. Baker, Director, State Bureau of Weights and Measures, Department

of Agriculture and Markets, Albany, N. Y.

J. E. Brenton, Chief, State Bureau of Weights and Measures, Department

of Agriculture, Sacramento, Calif. V. D. Campbell, Deputy State Sealer, Department of Agriculture, Columbus,

Ohio.

,J. T. Kennedy, Director, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets,

District of Columbia, Washington, D. C. H. E. Howard, City Supervisor of Weights and Measures, Miami, Fla.

F. C. Yarbrough, City Inspector of Weights and Measures, Charlotte, N. C. Acting Secretary : W. S. Bussey, Chief, Office of Weights and Measures, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Treasurer : G. F. Austin, Jr., Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures, Detroit, Mich. (As elected by the Thirty-sixth National Conference for the ensuing year)

President : E. U. Condon, Director, National Bureau of Standards, Washington,

D. C. Vice Presidents

:

E. R. Fisher, State Sealer of Weights and Measures, Department of Labor,

Providence, R. I. Erling Hansen, Superviser, State Department of Weights and Measures,

Minneapolis, Minn.

R. D. Thompson, State Supervisor of Weights and Measures, Division of Markets, Department of Agriculture and Immigration, Richmond, Va.

J. F, True, State Sealer of Weights and Measures, Board of Agriculture,

Topeka, Kans.

J. A. Bernard, Commissioner of Weights and Measures, City of St. Louis, Mo.

G. H. Leithauser, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures,

City of Baltimore, Md.

Secretary: W. S. Bussey, Chief, Office of Weights and Measures, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Treasurer : G. F. Austin, Jr., Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures, Detroit, Mich. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(As elected by the Thirty-sixth National Conference)

E. U. Condon

E. R. Fisher

Erling Hansen

R. D. Thompson

J. F. True )Ex officio.

J. A. Bernard

G. H. Leithauser W. S. Bussey

G. F. Austin, Jr. A. H. Dittrich, Chief Inspector, Bureau of Weights and Measures, Concord,

N. H.

J. R. Jones, Commissioner, State Department of Agriculture, Columbia, S. C.

Ill
OFFICERS AND COMIMITTEES

W . A. KiuiiN. Coiiiiiv St'MhM- (»f WtMiihts and Measures, Oakland, Calif. Wii.i.iAM KiKK. .Ik., .\ssisiaiu County Sealer of Weights and Measures, Mineola,

X Y.

.V .1 Maykk. Diit'tior. Si ate Divisieu of Weights and ^h\isnr(>s. Baton Rouge, La.

,1. I*. .MrllKiMi:. State PirtM'tor of Standards and Necessaries of Life. Boston, Mass.

.1. 1. .MooKK. SuiuMvisiug Inspertor, State Weights and Measures Division, RahMirli. N. C.

C. c. .M(»K(, v\. City Si>aliM- ol" Weights and ^h'asures. Gary. Ind.

C. 11. Oakm v. State Li.«<i)e<-tor of Weights and Measures, Cheyenne, Wyo.

.1. W . Kn SI . Sui>ervisoi-. State Division of Weights and Measures, Des Moines,

l..\va. s. 11. Si.i(;iiMAN. Assistant Director, State Bureau of Standard Weights and

M. a-uios. llarrisbnrg. Fa. K K. Si oi 1,11. < 'ity Sealer of W eights and Measures, Akron, Ohio. C S. Smii m. Count V SuiuM-intendent of Weights and Measures, Avalon, N. J.

]). .M. Ti KMM i.i.. Supervisor, Division of Licenses and Standards, City of

Seattle, Wash.

KoHKtiT ZiKKTON. City Sealer of Weights and Measures, Racine, Wis.

STANDING COMMITTEES

(As constituted at the conclusion of the Thirty-sixth National Conference,

the iMM-sonnel and organization of each of the standing coniniittees of the Conference are as repoi-ted below. As reported, the membership of each committee

reflects the app<Mntments made by the President of the Conference, changes which

liave oi'curred from expiration of term or other cause, and the elections by the

several committees of chairmen, and in some cases secretaries, for the ensuing

year. Tiie term of office for each committee member, in years, is shown by the

figure in parenthesis following each entry.)

COMMITTEE ON SPECIFICATIONS AND TOLERANCES

J. V. Mclhani:, State Director of Standards and Necessaries of Life, Boston,

Mass.. Chairman. (2) W. S. Brssi:Y. Chief. Office of Weights and Measures, National Bureau of Standards. Washington, D. C., Secretary. (4)

Nai.i.s Bkrrymax, Supervisor. State Division of Weights and Measures, Tallahas.>^ee. Fla. (1) RouERT WiLi.TAMS, County Sealer of Weights and Measures, Mineola, N. Y. (5)

L. K. Witt. City Sealer of Weights and Measures, Milwaukee, Wis. (3) COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF SALE OF COMMODITIES

J. G. Ko(;i:rs. State Superintendent of Weights and Measures, Trenton, N. J., Chairman. (4) R. S. AcKKioTAN. Su]ierintendent, City Department of Licenses, Weights, and

Measures, Minneaiiolis, Minn. (1)

C. D. Bat'com. State Superintendent, Weights and Measures Division. Raleigh,

N. c. C^,

)

.7. i;. I',i:kxtox. Chief. State Bureau of Weights and Measures, Sacramento, Calif.

(

I

L. R. Koi'KH. City Supei'visor of Licen.ses and Standards, Seattle, Wash. (2) COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

R. E. .Mkkk. Diref-tor, State Division of Weights and Measures, Indianapolis, Ind., Chairman. (4)

C. A. Baker, Director, State Bureau of Weights and Measures, Albanv, N. Y., (2} R. M. BoDE.xwEisER. Couuty Superintendent of Weights and Measures, Trenton, N.J. (5)

V. D. Campbell. Deputy State Sealer, Columbus. Ohio. (3)

C. H. r)AKLEY. State Inspector of Weights and Measures, Cheyenne, Wyo. (1)
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES V

COMMITTEE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES EDUCATION

C. M. Fuller. County Sealer of Weights and Measures, Los Angeles, Calif., Chairman. (4)

J. T. Kexxedt. Director, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, District of Columbia, Washington, D. C, Secretary. (2)

G. E. Carpextek, State Supervisor of Weights and Measures, Montpelier, Vt. (3) H. E. Crawford, City Inspector of Weights and Measures, Jacksonville, Fla. (5) R. K. Slough, City Sealer of Weights and Measures, Akron, Ohio. (1) COMMITTEE ON TRADING BY WEIGHT

J. F. Trlte, State Sealer, \yeights and Measures Division, Topeka, Kans., Chair- man. (3) Erlixg Haxsex, Supervisor, State Department of Weights and Measures, Minneapolis, Minn. (1)

J. J. Levitt, State Superintendent of Standards, Springfield, 111. (4)

J. H. Meek, Director, State Division of Markets, Richmond, Va. (2)

J. W. Reese. Supervisor, State Division of Weights and Measures, Des Moines,

Iowa. (5) COMMITTEES ACTING ONLY DURING THE THIRTY- SIXTH NATIONAL

CONFERENCE

Committee 07i Xomiuations: J. A. Boyle of Maine, Chairman; C. D. Baucom

of North Carolina, J. E. Brenton of California, H. E. Howard of Miami, Fla., R. E. Meek of Indiana, C. C. Muxdy of Richmond, Va., L. E. Witt of Mil- waukee. Wis.

Co-inmittee on Re.^olutious : R. W. Searles of Medina County, Ohio, Chairman;

E. R. Fisher of Rhode Island, J. J. Levitt of Illinois, M. A. Nelson of Michigan, A. (\ Samexfixk of Rochester, N. Y., J. F. True of Kansas, E. C. Westwood of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ladies' Committee : Mrs. R. E. Meek, Chairman; Mrs. J, F. Blickley, Mrs. W. S. BUSSEY.

In Charge of Registrations: Mrs. R. E, Taylor; Mrs. F. C. Bell; Mrs. K. M. SCH tVARZ.
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

DELEGA I ES—S l A l E, CITY, AND COUNTY OFFICIALS

CALIFORNIA

State__ .Iamks K. Brenton, Chief, l^ureaii of Weights

.111(1 Measures, Department of Agriculture, Mull

r.uildiiig, Sacramento.

( \>uiiiy : AI;iiiumI;i WiLLiAM A, Kkrlin, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 3^8 Fifth Street, Oakhind 7. l.cs AimcU's CiiAKi.Ks Ah)i!i;is Kiu.leh, Sealer of Weights and

:^h':lsll^('s. .".LiOO North i\hun Street, Los Angeles

31. CONNECTICUT

State Frank M. Greene, Deputy Commissioner, Food

and Drug Commission, State Office Building, Hartford.

City : r.i idireport Lottis Snow, Sealer of Weights and Measures,

925 Main Street.

llarlf(trd Nathan Kalechman, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, Municipal Building.

Norwich Joseph K. Benac, Sealer of Weights and jNIeas- ures, 24 Pratte Avenue, Taftville. County

:

Fairheld W^illiam E. Sheehy, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, County Court House, Bridgeport.

Ernest R. Wilson, Deputy Sealer of Weights

and Measures, P. O. Box 269, Norwalk.

Hartford Fred E. McKinney, Sealer of Weights and Measures, 95 Washington Street, Hartford. New L(mdon Donald A. Eraser, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Salem.

Tolhiiid William F. Masinda, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, West Willington.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

r)istrici- J. Thomas Kennedy, Director, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Washington.

John M. Boucher, Supervisor, Department of Weights. Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avciinc NW., Washington.

G. S. Ki.KDKi;, Supervisor, Department of Weights,

Mcnsiiics. ;nid Markets, 300 Indiana Avenue

NW.. Washington.

Walter W. Brandt, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Washington. Leo F. Brooks, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana Avenue NW., Washington.

W. T. Brunson, Inspector, Department of Weiglits. Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana Avenue NW., Washington.

\ r
ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE vn

_. W. R. Cornelius, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW,, Washington.

Fenton C. Harbour, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Marl^ets, 300 Indiana Avenue NW., Washington.

William H. Jennings, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana Avenue NW., Washington.

W. F. Loughrey, Inspector, Department of W^eights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Washington.

Theodore B. Middleton, Inspector, Department

of Weights. Measures, and Markets, 300 In- diana Avenue NW., Washington.

Ralph A. Montgomery, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Wasliington.

B. A. Pettit, Inspector, Department of Weights,

Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana Avenue

NW., Washington.

Herbert R. Strong, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Marl^ets, 300 Indiana Avenue NW., Washington.

Francis M. Warner, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Washington.

WooDROW W. Wells, Inspector, Department of Weights, Measures, and Markets, 300 Indiana

Avenue NW., Washington.

FLORIDA

Nalls Berryman, Supervisor, Weights and Measures Division, Department of Agriculture,

Nathan Mayo Building, Tallahassee. Nat Mayo, Field Supervisor, Department of Agriculture, 1306 East Fifth Street, Ocala. Howard E. Crawford, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, 431 AVest Eighth Street. Harvey E. Howard, Supervisor of Weights and

Measures, Department of Public Welfare. ILLINOIS John J. Levitt, Superintendent of Standards,

Department of Agriculture, 615 Armory Building, Springfield.

Irvine M. Levy, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Room 608, City Hall. Frank J. Fitzgerald, Chief Deputy Inspector of Weights and Measures, Room 60S, City Hall. INDIANA

Rollin E. Meek, Director, Division of Weights

and Measures, Board of Health, 1330 West

Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

James A. Hilgemann, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, City Hall. Cleo C. Morgan, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Room 204, City Hall. William H. Roberts, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Room 5, Court House, Terre Haute.
VIII PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

IOWA

State Jamks W. Ukese. SnixM-visor. Division of Wei.uiits

jiiul Measures, Department of Agriculture, Des

]\[oines. KANSAS

Siatt^ .T. Fkki) True, State Sealer, Weights and Measures Division, Board of Agriculture, 915 Harri- son Street, Topeka.

I'AUL A. Wempe, Chairman, Weights and :Meas- ures Committee, Board of Agriculture, Seneca. KENTUCKY

Ciiy: Louisville Vekxox Hekkkkt. Investigator, Division of Weights and Measure's. City Hall. Thomas Hkshi;. Investigator, Division of Weights and Measures, City Hall. LOUISIANA

State Alois J. Mayer, Director. Division of Weights

and Measures, Department of Agriculture and

Innnigration, State Capitol Building, Baton

Rouge.

MAINE

Jat^ies a. Boyle, Deputy State Sealer, Bureau of Weights and Measures. Department of Agriculture, State House, Augusta.

Chakles Ja:mes Wills, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 389 Congress Street. MARYLAND

Dr. Howard L. Stier, Chief. State Department

of Markets, Board of Agriculture, College Park. JoHX E. Mahoxey, Marketing Specialist, State Department of Markets, Board of Agriculture,

College Park. George H. LEni vt seh. Senior Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures, 1106 Municipal Building.

Fraxk J. ViTTEK, Chief Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Offutt Building, Towson 4. George A. Klkix. Assistant Inspector of Weiphts

and Measures. Offutt Building, Towson 4. A. ]\IoRTOx Thomas. Direci^or. Department of Inspection and Licenses. Court House. Rockville. WiLFORD Ellis Dayiioff. Inspector of Weights

and Measures, D'^partment of Inspection and

Licenses, Court House, Rockville. Mrs. Lillian R. Chrtstensex, Secretary-Treasurer, Maryland Weiuhts and Measures Association, Court House, Rockville. MASSACHUSETTS

JoHX P. McBride, Director of Standards and

Necessaries of Life, 194 State House, Boston. Joseph M. O'Neil. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Municipal Building.

James A. Benso.v. Sealer of Weights and Measures, 615 Middle Street.

State

City: Portland

State

City: Baltimore

County

:

Baltimore

Mftntgomery

State

Citv : Cambridge.

Fall River.
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE IX

MICHIGAN

State Miles A. Nelson, Chief, Bureau of Marketing

and Enforcement, Department of Agriculture, 725 State Office Building, Lansing 13. City:

Dearborn Mitchell O. Nickox, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 4731 Korte Avenue. James J. Lawloe, Inspector of Licenses, Weights,

and Measures. Court Building. Detroit George F. Austin, Jr.. Deputy Sealer of Weights

and Measures, 740 Elmwood Avenue. James H. Hitchings. Inspector of Weights and

Measures, 740 Elmwood Avenue. Charles D. Marsden, Inspector of Weights and

Measures. 740 Elmwood Avenue. Hamtramck Frank R. Szablewski, Sealer of Weights and

Measures. 2716 Trowbridge.

Lansing Walter M. Saxton, Sealer of Weights and Measures and Market Master. 333 North Cedar

Street. Pontiac Yv'alter A. Baerwolf, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 8 North Perry Street. MINNESOTA

George A. Fazendin. Inspector of Weights and

Measures, 216 Corn Exchange, Minneapolis.

Russell S. Ackerman, Superintendent, Department of Licenses, Weights, and Measures,

Room 3, City Hall. Stephen G. Palmer, Chairman, Licenses,

Weights, and Measures Committee, City Council, 307 City Hall. MISSOURI

City: St. Louis Joseph A. Bernard, Commissioner of Weights

and Measures, Room 12, City Hall. NEBRASKA

City: Omaha W. W. Gray, Chief Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Room 100, City Hall. NEW HAMPSHIRE

C. A. Lyon, Director, Bureau of Weights and

Measures, Department of Agriculture, Concord. Alfred H. Dittrich, Chief Inspector, Bureau ol' Weights and Measures, Department of Agriculture, Concord.

C. Edward Bol'rassa, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 180 Franklin Street. NEW JERSEY

State Joseph G. Rogers, Superintendent, Division of Weights and Measures, Department of Law

and Public Safety, 187 West Hanover Street, Trenton 7. Archie T. Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Division of Weights and Measures, Department

of Law and Public Safety, 187 West Hanover

Street, Trenton 7. Sami^el H. Christie. Jr.. Senior Inspector, Division of Weights and Measures, Department

of Law and Public Safety, 187 West Hanover

Street, Trenton 7.

State

City: Minneapolis.

State.

City : Manchester.
X PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

rUy :l]ii,::U'\v«t()(l . lloboktMi.

l';lss;iic raUMsdii

luioii ("iiy

County

:

n.T-.'ii

Cain(ltMi__ Cape May

CiiuibtM-land

Mercer

Morris

Passaic

Union

State

City:

Lackawanna

Rochester County

:

Monroe

Nassau

Niagara

Oswego

Lkonauu DeRienzo, Superintendent of Weights

anil Measures, City Hall. CuAKiKs Romano. Superintendent of Weights

and Measures. City Hall.

.JosKi'ii Shaw. Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures, 367 Brook Avenue.

.losKiMi P. Leonaud. Superintendent of Weights

and Measures, 115 Van Houten Street.

Wii.i.iA.M J. Keiioe. Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures, 115 Van Houten Street.

Ai-EKEi) (). OsLUND, Superint(Mulent. Department

of Weights and Measures. ;'.T15 I'alisade Avenue. Michael J. Santimauro, Superintendent of Weights and Measures, CO Zabriskie Street, Hackensack.

EuxEST E. Dawson, Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures, 66 Zabriskie Street, Hackensack.

Albert C. Becker, Superintendent of Weights

and Measures, City Hall, Camden.

Gilbert S. Smith. Superintendent of Weights

and Measures, 183 Twelfth Street, Avalon. Alered Lirio, Superintendent of Weights and

Measures, Court House, Bridgeton.

WiNFiELD K. Thompson, Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures, Court House,

Bridgeton.

Ralph M. Bodenw^eiser, Superintendent of Weights and Measures, Court House, Trenton. Del G. Nelson, Superintendent of Weights and

Measures, Court House, Morristown.

Vv'iLLiAM Miller, Superintendent of Weights and

Measures, Administration Building, Paterson.

.Ta:mes M. Dietz, Superintendent of Weights and

Measures, Court House, Elizabeth 4. NEW YORK

Dr. Erwin V. Moore, Assistant Commissioner,

Department of Agriculture and Markets, State

Office Building, Albany.

Clement A. Baker, Director. Bureau of Weights

and Measures, Department of Agriculture and

^Markets. State Otfice Building, Albany.

Matthew G. Rice, Inspector, Bureau of Weights

and Measures, Department of Agriculture and

Markets, 8 Marlette Place, White Plains. John .T. Seres, Sealer of Weights and Measures,

84 Rosary Avenue. Anthony C. Samenfink, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, Public Market.

Eakl D. Hubble. Sealer of Weights and Measures, 1400 South Avenue, Rochester. Robert Wiixtams, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Old County Court House Annex, Mineola.

William Kirk, Jr., Assistant Sealer of Weights

and Measures, Old County Court House Annex,

Mineola. Henry C. Hulshoff, Sealer of Weights and

Measures. 17 High Street, Lockport.

Leland M. Flower, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Lycoming.

1
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE XI

NORTH CAROLINA

State C. D. Baucom, Superintendent, Weights and

Measures Division, Department of Agriculture, 415 Agriculture Building, Raleigh.

John I. Moore, Supervising Inspector, Weights

and Measures Division, Department of Agriculture, 415 Agriculture Building, Raleigh.

Roy p. Woodall, Inspector, Weights and Measures Division, Department of Agriculture,

Smithfield. Joseph T. Shaw. Chemist, Weights and Measures Division, Department of Agriculture, Raleigh.

City : Charlotte Fred C. Yarbrough, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, 2100 Brandon Circle. OHIO

State V. D. Campbell, Deputy State Sealer, Department of Agriculture, 710 State Office Building,

Columbus.

City : Akron Robert K. Slough, Sealer of Weights and Measures, 102 Municipal Building.

County : Medina Robert W. Searles, Deputy Sealer of Weights

and Measures, Court House, Medina.

OKLAHOMA

State T. C. Beck, Assistant Director, Marketing Division, Board of Agriculture, 122 Capitol

Building, Oklahoma City. R. L. Flanagan, Supervisor of Weights and

Pleasures, Marketing Division, Board of Agriculture, 122 Capitol Building, Oklahoma City.

OREGON

State Walter B. Steele, Deputy Sealer of Weights and

Measures. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Building, Salem. PENNSYLVANIA

I State Joseph F. Blickley, Director, Bureau of Standl! ard Weights and Measures, Department of Internal Affairs, Capitol Building, Harrisburg.

Spencer H. Seighman, Assistant Director, Bureau of Standard Weights and Measures, De- partment of Internal Affairs, Capitol Building,

Harrisburg.

PTA.RRY E. Shomper, Seuior Inspector, Bureau of Standard Weights and Measures, Department

of Internal Affairs, Capitol Building, Harrisburg.

RHODE ISLAND

Edward R. Fisher, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Department of Labor, State House, Providence. James F. 'Corrigan, Deputy Sealer of Weights

and Measures, Department of Labor, State House, Providence. Albert J. Mikula, Sealer of Weights and Measures, 39 Henry Street. Armand E. Renzi, Sealer of Weights and Measures, 70 Harris Avenue.

StateCity:Central Falls. Cranston
XII PKRSOXS ATTKXDIXG THE CONFERENCE

Kdwaui) F. Mokan. Se;il(>r of Weights and Measures, 141 Fonutniii Street.

\\ ai.ti;k J. Vwu:. Scaler of Weights and Measures. 141 rouutniu Street. SOl'TH CAROLINA

State •'• liov .loxKs, Coniniissiouer. Department of Agriculture, P. O. Box loso. Columbia.

Caki. II. Stk.ndkk. Assistant Connnissioner, De- partment of Agriculture. 1*. O. I^ox 1080, Columbia. Alex H. (Libert, Director, Division of Weights

and INIeasnres. Department of Agriculture,

P. O. Pox l(»s(). Columbia. Mrs. Sara P>. Siikai.y. Division of Weights and

Measures, Department of Agriculture, P. O. Box 1080, Columbia.

UTAH

Cit.v : Salt Lake Cit,T Edwix C. Westwood. Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 118 East Fii-st South. VERMONT

State George B. Carpenter, Supervisor, Division of AVeights and Measures, Department of Agriculture, Montpelier. VIRGINIA

J. H. Meek, Director, Division of Markets, De- partment of Agriculture and Immigration, 1200 East ^lain Street, Richmond 19.

11. D. Th(),mpsox, Supervisor, Weights and Measures Section, Division of Markets, Department

of Agriculture and Immigration, 1200 East Main Street, Richmond 19. O. T. Almarode, Inspector of Weights and Measures, Division of Markets, Department of Agriculture and Immigration, P. O. Box 807, Staunton.

R. D. Marks, Inspector of Weights and Measures,

Division of :Markels, Department of Agricul- ture and Immigration, 2302 Price Street, Charlottesville. W. K. Tripple, Chief, Bureau of Weights and

Measures, City Market T'.uildiiig. C. R. Thompson, Sealer of A\>ights and Measures, Cit.v Hall. BuFORi) S. Johnston, Jr., License Inspector and

Chief. Bureau of Weights and Measures, City

Market Building.

Conway C. Mundy, Chief, Bureau of Weights and

Measures, Room 121, Mosque Building, Laurel

and Main Streets. John J. xVxderson, Inspector, Bureau of W^eights

and Measures, Room 121, Mosque Building, Laurel and Main Streets. Andrew B. Moody, Jr., Inspector, Bureau of Weights and ^Nleasuivs, Room 121, Mosque

Building. Laurel and Main Streets. John N. Whitlow, Insjx'ctor, Bureau of W^eights

and Measures, Room 121, Mosque Building, Laurel and Main Streets.

City —Cont inucd

Prt>vi(itMice

State.

City

:

Norfolk

Peter.sburg- PortsnuMitb.

Ricbmojid
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE XIII WASHINGTON

Walter L. Daniels, Director, Division of Li- censes and Standards, Office of tlie Comptroller, 100 County-City Building.

Donald M. Tltrnbull, Supervisor, Division of Licenses and Standards, Office of the Comptroller, 100 County-City Building.

WEST VIRGINIA

State Charles Sattler, Commissioner of Weights and

Measures and Labor, Department of Labor,

1416 Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. Willie Gibbs, Inspector of Weights and Measures. Department of Labor, 1416 Kanawha

Boulevard, Charleston. Hansel J. Harper, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Department of Labor, Moorefield. Roy Mason Newkirk, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Department of Labor, Hedgesville.

WISCONSIN

Felix C. Mayer. Sealer of Weights and Measures,

City Hall. ^Malcolm W. Jensen, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, 101 North Blount Street. Louis E. Witt, Sealer of Weights and Measures,

1331 North Fifth Street. Robert J. Zierton, Sealer of Weights and

Measures, City Hall.

J. A. Peikert, Sealer of Weights and Measures,

City Hall. WYOMING

State Charles H. Oakley, Inspector of Weights and

Measures, Department of Agriculture, 310

Capitol Building, Cheyenne.

DELEGATES—NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Director's Office : E. U. Condon, Director.

L. J. Briggs, Director Emeritus.

William S. Bussey. Chief, Office of Weights and Measures.

H. Haig Russell, Chief, Scale Section, Office of Weights and Measures. Herbert L. Badger, Physicist, Office of Weights and Measures. Mrs. K. M. Schwarz, Attorney-Editor, Office of Weights and Measures, Mrs. R. E. Taylor, Office of Weights and Measures. Mrs. F. C. Bell, Office of Weights and Measures,

i Mechanics Division :

j H. S. Bean, Chief, Capacity, Density and Fluid Meters Section.

L. B. Macurdy, Chief, Mass Section.

1 Theodore W. Lashof, Assistant Chief, Mass Section. Miss Eleanor M. Clinton, Physicist, Mass Section,

j Optics and Metrology Division : L. V. JuDSON, Chief, Length Section.

' Ralph W. Crouch, Jr., Photometry and Colorimetry Section. Consultants

:

Arthur T. Pienkowsky.

Wilmer Souder.

j GUESTS REPRESENTING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

, U. S. Department of Agriculture :

I P. J. Brandly, Poultry Pathologist, PMA, Washington 25, D. C.

j Robert J. Neale, Weights and Measures Inspector, Livestock Branch,

I Packers and Stockyards Division, Washington 25, D. C.

I City : Seattle.

City

:

Kenosha

Madison

MilwaukeeRacine

Sheboygan-
XIV PKHSOXS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

r. S. I »t>i):n-liiuMit t)f Auriciiltiiro—C'ontiinuHl Chaki.ks L. Ku'HAKi). Siiporvisor of Scales and Weighing-. Livestock Branch,

Tackers and Stockyards Division, Kot>m 3530 South Building, Washington

L'.'. !>.('.

.1, U. Sioii. Cliii'f. Trade Lalu^l Section, Federal Meat Inspection Service,

luuiMi l.';?L*H. North liuilding, Washington 25, 1). C.

r. s. Dt'itart meni of Couunerce : W. K. lliJAn iiwAiTi:, Chief, I'ackaging Section, Connnodity Standards Division. Washington l!5. 1). C. K. W. Ml uiMiY. Assistant Adnunist rator for Industry Operations, Washington 'J5. D. ('. Oi.ivKK 11. Watson. (Mnef, Scale Section, NPA, Washington 25, D. C. U. S. Food and Drug Administration : SrM.NKu (\ UowK, CluMuist. Food Division. Washington 25, D. C.

r. S. ()i-(lnance Anununition Center:

K. <». Uask. 2()i> Hunter Street, Joliet, III. r. S. Treasury Department:

Frkd W. Gast. Chief, Division of Engineering and Weighing, Bureau of Customs. Washington 25, D. C. GUESTS REPRESENTING MANUFACTURERS OF WEIGHING AND

MEASURING DEVICES

American Can Co. : Alfred Steiner, Technical Assistant. 100 Park Avenue. New

York 17. N. Y. Baldwin-Lima-IIaniilton : Malcolm L. Hall, Manager, Test Equipment Department. Philadelphia. Pa. Black A: Decker Manufacturing Co.: E. E. Powell, Manager, Loadometer Department, Towson 4, Md.

Bloomer Brothers Co. : Raynor M. Holmes, Research Engineer, Newark, N. Y. Borg-Erickson Corporation : L. H. Erickson, 469 East Ohio Street, Chicago, 111. Bowser, Inc.

:

Irving W. Baldwin, Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region, 830 Washington Building. Washington 5, D. C. W. M. Harks, Vice President, Oil Equipment Division, Fort Wayne, Ind. Brodie, Ralph N., Co., Inc.

:

Don Kingsley, 550 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

C. J. McCaffrey, Vice President, 550 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Chatillon, John, & Sons : William T. Haydock, West Coast Representative, 124 Sinclair, Glendale,

Calif. George Hugel, Jr., Sales Representative, 85 Cliff Street, New York 38, N. Y,

(JEoiiGE C. Reiley, Vice President, Sales, 85 Cliff Street, New York 38, N. Y. Container Corporation of America : W. W. Deissler. Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. W. D. Kellog, 38 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, 111. Continental Can Co., Inc.: R. H. Lathrop, Product Sales Manager, 349 Oraton

Street, Newark 4, N. J. Detecto Scales. Inc.

:

David S. HAMMER>rAN, Executive Vice President, 540 Park Avenue, Brooklyn 5, N. Y. Mack Rapp, Vice President, 540 Park Avenue, Brooklyn 5, N. Y. Mrs. Carrie G. Woodland, Representative, Woodland's Temple Grove, Fells- mere, Fla.

?]rie Meter Systems. Inc. : Paul R. Fishburn, Erie, Pa. Exaft Weight Scale Co.

:

K. i;. Xeff. President. 944 West Fifth Avenue. Columbus 8, Ohio. Ja.mes F. Sullivan, Chief Enginetn-, 944 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus 8, Ohio. Ex-Cell-0 Corporation : Eugene R. .\ndre. Service Manager, Pure-Pak Division, 1200 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit 32, Mich. George D. Scott. Vice President, Pure-Pak Division, 1200 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit 32, Mich.
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE XV

Fairbanks, Morse & Co.

:

Christiax a. Hennie, Field Engineer, 657 East Twenty-fifth Street, Balti- more 18, Md. Jerome C. Kenney, Field Engineer, 657 East Twenty-fifth Street, Baltimore

18, Md.

Charles W. King, Manager, Scale Department, 760 Lee Street SW.,

Atlanta, Ga. Leonard Maguire, General Manager, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Joseph C. Rhea, Branch Manager, 657 East Twenty-fifth Street, Baltimore

18, Md.

G. C. Worthley, Manager, Scale Division, 600 South Michigan Avenue, Chi- cago 5, 111. Forschner, R. H., Co. : Richard A. Forschner, General Manager, 205 Third

Avenue, New York 3, N. Y.

Fuller, H. J.. Co. : H. J. E^tller. President, 1371 West Third Avenue, Columbus

12, Ohio,

Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Co.

:

Joseph A. Logan, Manager, Patents, Weights, and Measures, West Springfield, Mass.

C. A. P. Thomas, Sales Engineer, West Springfield, Mass.

Gomolla, Henry, & Son : Henry William Gomolla, 36 Montgomery Street, Bloomfield, N. J. Gould Equipment Co. : Earlon W. Barrett, Representative, Portland, Maine.

Granberg Corporation : Fred H. Fielding, 1507 M Street NW., Washington, D. C. Hanson Scale Co. : Stan L. Hanssen, President, 523 North Ada Street, Chicago

22. 111. Hardy Scales Co. : O. A. Robin, 5701 South Atlantic Boulevard, Maywood, Calif. Hobart Manufacturing Co.

:

Murray W. Craig, Sales Department, Troy, Ohio. Ernest A. Reussenzehn, Chief Scale Engineer, Scale Division, 448 Huff- man Avenue, Dayton 3, Ohio. Howe Scale Co.

:

Edwin W. Counts, Sales Engineer, Box 611, Radford, Va. Robert A. Parham, Branch Manager, 309 East Saratoga Street, Balti- more, Md.

Richard F. Straw, Vice President, 29-41 Scale Avenue, Rutland, Vt. Huffman Manufacturing Co. : Robert E. Doraian, Sales Manager, Automotive

Division, Dayton 1, Ohio. Mantes, T. R., Co. : T. R. Mantes, 236 Fremont Street, San Francisco, Calif. Marathon Corporation

:

William S. Nordburg, Menasha, Wis.

Ben a. Rafoth, Menasha, Wis.

L. E. Sumerl, Menasha, Wis.

Martin & Schwartz, Inc.

:

C. F. Bateman, Chief Engineer, Salisbury, Md.

Thomas F. Breen, General Sales Manager, Salisbury, Md.

Marvel Rack Manufacturing Co., Inc.

:

George Clark, 24 North First Street, Minneapolis 1, Minn.

C. McCarthy, 24 North First Street, Minneapolis 1, Minn.

Measuregraph Co. : E. A. Powell, Regional Manager, 2306 Poplar Grove Street, Baltimore 16, Md.

National Store Specialty Co. : Wallace E. Sheaffer, President, Bareville, Pa. Neptune Meter Co.

:

Charles S. Hazard, Director of Research, 192 Jackson Avenue, Long Island

City, N. Y. Walter H. Sieger, Staff Assistant Manager of Engineering, 50 West Fiftieth

Street, New York 20, N. Y. Owens-Illinois Glass Co. : J. D. Laird, Chief Supervisor, Quality and Specifications, Toledo 1, Ohio. Partee Equipment Co.: Paul B. Partee, President, Spencerville, Ind. Peerless Weighing & Vending Machine Corporation

:

Paul W. Barras, District Manager, 218 Huntley Road, Upper Darby, Pa. James J. Crosby, Vice President, 29-28 Forty-first Avenue, Long Island

City, N. Y. Pelouze Manufacturing Co.: Bruce P. Adams, President, 1218 Chicago Avenue,

Evanston, 111.
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

INmiu Scalt' M;iiuif;iil uriiiii- Co.. Inc.: Sydnky Hi.Ac K. IM-i>si(UMU, ir>0 West Berks Street, riulndelpliia 22, Pa. Mks. Sadik V. lU.WK. I.IO West lierks Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Koi-kwell Mamifaeturinfj Co.:

l\i)\v.\Ki) U. Kyi kk. Sah's Enijiiieer. (500 Grant Slr(H4. Pittshurgh 19. Pa.

Koui u r II. I Ikkiu.nc;. Project Engineer, Pittshnrgh K(iniral)le Meter Division, 400 Norih Lexington Avenue. Pittshurgh 8, l*a. Cii.Mn.Ks H. .hiuNsoN. Chief Kngin(Hn'. Pittshurgh Kiiuitahk^ Meter Division, 400 Xorlh Lexington Avenue. Pittshurgh S. Pa. KouKKT A. .ToHNsox. Assistant Sales Manag«>r. Pittshurgh Equitahie Meter

Division. 400 Xortl) Lexington Avenu(\ Pittshurgh S. Pa.

.l.vMKs H. ,Ii nciK. Sales .Managt>r. Gasoline. Oil, and Industrial Meter Divisiim. 400 X(Uih Lexington Avenue, Pittshurgh S, Pa.

Cir.xHi.Ks IL OiuuHK, Sales l^ngineer, Envpiro Stal(> P>uilding, New York,

N. y. Sanitaiv Scale Co.: W. H. Tough. ^Manager. Chain Store Division, Belvidere,

111. S.iutn-. Aimnst. N. Y.. Inc.: ILvuoi.n II. Mouuis, oOO Fifth Avenue, New York 18, N Y

Sei-aphin Test M(\-isnre Co.: T. A. Serapiiix, General ^Manager, 1314 North

Seventh Street. Philadelphia, l*a. Sniitli, A. ()., Corporation: AYii.sox M. Milligan, Area Sales Manager, Meter

Division. P. (>. P)OX ."iOO. Succasunna, N. J. Stinipson Computing Scale Co.: Frank M. Doyne, Eastern General Distrihutor, 468 Weaver Street, Larch- mont. N. Y^

.Toirx- J. Waage, President, S29 Logan Street, Louisville, Ky.

Streeter-Amet Co.

:

RoREirr T. Isitam, Superintendent of Production, 4101 Ravenswood Avenue,

Chicago. 111. Verne C. Kexxedy, President, 4101 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago,

111. Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Co. Inc. : James Arrandaee, Director, Quality

Control & Service' Department. Elniira, N. Y'. Tokheini Oil Tank & I'unip Co. : A\'illiam E. Louthan, Service Manager, Fort Wayne. Ind. Toledo Scale Co.

:

Stanley Q. Bennett, Manager of Service and Weights and Measures Division, Toledo 1, Ohio.

AY. A. Fink. Executive Vice President, Toledo 1, Ohio. Warren H. HE>r, Chief Development Engineer, Toledo, 1, Ohio.

^Ierret.l E. Holmes, Assistant General Sales Manager. Toledo 1, Ohio.

F.. D. Jackson, Vice President in ('liarge of Salos. Toledo 1, Ohio. Thi-rlo Johnson. Assistant National Service ^lanager. Toledo I. Ohio. Grant D. McAllister, District Manager, 79.") Somerset Street W., Ottawa,

Canada.

^L E. Rose, Government Representative, 3713 New Hampshire Avenue NW^.,

Washington. D. C. Wai ter G. Williams, District Manager. 3713 New Hampshire Avenue NW.,

Wa.shington. D. C. Trin^r Scale ,S: Manufacturing Co. : J{)nN E. EnoERToN. Representative, 1395 National Press Building, Washington 4. D. C. Frank A. Laxg. Representative. 2714 West Twenty-first Street, Chicago, 111. Troenmer, Henry : ?]nwARi) J. FrREY, General INTanager, 911 Arch Street. Philadelphia, Pa.

CiiARi^ES F. RosiCA, Sales ^Manager, 911 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

I'. S. Slicing Machine Co., Inc. : Byron I). Mn.r.ER. Sales Promotion ^Manager, Standard Computing Scale

Di\ ision. La I*orte, Ind. MAirirKw 1). RinisLE, Special Representative, Standard Computing Scale

Division. La I'orte, Ind. Veeder-Root. Inc. : ArsTix E. M(Keever, Sales Manager, Master Meter Duplicator Division,

Hartford 2, Conn. Davh) J. Po.sT, Jr., Vice President, Hartford 2, Conn.
PERSONS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE XVII

Washington Scale & Equipment Co.: Aaron Yochelson, Vice President, 1107 New Jersey Avenue NW., Washington, D. C. Wayne Pump Co.

:

E. J. Lexxart. Service Manager, Fort Wayne 4, Ind.

T. J. UiLKEMA. Chief Engineer, Liquid Dispensing Equipment, Fort Wayne,

Ind. Winslow Government Standard Scale Works, Inc. : Carl E. Ehrenhardt, Secretary, Terre Haute, Ind. Wood, John. Co.

:

Louis G. Close, Manager, Mid-Atlantic District, Bennett Pump Division, 2127 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md.

William M. Hoxie, Service Manager, Bennett Pump Division, Muskegon,

Mich.

Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co. : James D. Yoltng, Manager, Scale Section,

Philadelphia Division, Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia 15, Pa. GUESTS REPRESENTING ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY,

AND RAILROADS

American Paper Goods Co. : Llotd W. Vibbeets, Production Superintendent,

Kensington, Conn. American Petroleum Institute

:

JoHX W. Frey, Director, Marketing Division, 1625 K Street NW., Washington 6, D. C. W. T. Guxx, Director, Division of Refining, 50 West Fiftieth Street, i\ew

York 20, N. Y. American Seed Trade Association : Joseph C. Gregory, Assistant to Executive

Secretary, 30 North La Salle Street, Chicago, 111. Association of American Railroads : Millard A. Pinney, Engineer of Tests, Test Department, Pennsylvania Railroad, Altoona, Pa. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co. : E. Kext Lawrexce, General Scale Inspector,

Maintenance of Way Department, Baltimore 1, Md.

Cannon Mills : Herbert A. Greexe. Scale Superintendent, Kannapolis, N. C. Chicago & Northwestern Railway System : Harry Mayer, Engineer of Scales and

Work Equipment, 400 West Madison Street, Chicago 6, 111. Dixie Cup Co. : Arthur J. Nolax, Vice President, Easton, Pa. Food Fair Super Markets : Rerxard N. Siegel, Vice President and General

Manai^er. 1420 Seventh Street NW.. Washington, D. C.

Lilly, Eli, & Co. : Edward V. Meith, 740 South Alabama Street, Indianapolis, Ind. Esso Standard Oil Co.

:

Nelsox Friz, Construction and Maintenance Assistant, 15 West Fifty-first Street, New York, N. Y.

L. L. Kexxedy, Superintendent, Construction and Maintenance, 500 North

Broad Street, Elizabeth, N. J. Gasoline Pump Manufacturers Assn. : G. Denxy Moore, Managing Director, Graybar Building, 420 Lexington Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. Glass Container Manufacturers Institute, Inc. : C. E. Wagner, Development Engineer, 8 West Fortieth Street, New York 18, N. Y. Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.

:

R. G. Carpenter, National Meat Department, 211 West Wacker Drive,

Chicago 6, 111. W. P. Reed, Manager. Weights and Measures Department, 1004 Hemphill Avenue NW'., Atlanta, Ga. Gulf Oil Corporation

:

John O. Habicht, Superintendent, Marketing Equipment, 1515 Locust Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa. W. K. McCoy, General Superintendent, Marketing Equipment, 1515 Locust

Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa.

Industrial Research Syndicate : C. A. Lindsay, Director, 1305 Euclid Street NW.,

Washington 9, D. C. International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers: A. H. Bayer, Chairman,

Simplified Practice Committee, P. O. Box 1048, Schenectady 1, N. Y.

Lily-Tulip Cup Corporation : Richard S. W^echsler, Counsel, 122 East Forty- second Street, New^ York 17, N. Y. Liquid Tight Paper Container Association : Arthur W. Howe, Jr., Assistant Executive Secretary, 1532 Lincoln-Liberty Building, Philadelphia, Pa. 965584—51-^2
XVI II PERSOXS ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

L(>(ki)(«rt Coiion naiiiiiu- Co.: Uuiiahd M. Akciiihald, Executive Vice President,

Loikiioit. N. V. Nntioiijil Assoiiat ion o{' roiuorn Ma mi ijuliirtM's : TiioNfAS J. Sullivax. Executive

\'ii'e I'rcsiileni. 110 Xortli Franklin Street, Cliica.iio 111. National Assoi-iation of ScaU* Manufacturers: Aurm u SAxnERS, Secretary, 1129

\ t>rniont Avenue XW.. Washinuton. D. C. Ohio In.iei'ior ('oinpany : IlAiajv G. Smith, Vice Prcv^ident. Wadsworth, Ohio. Paper Cnp and (\)niainer Institute, Inc. : Dale H. Ecker.max, Executive Director,

ITlUt Broadway. New York li>, N. Y.

Phillips Potroletun Company : D. D. Buttolph, Technical Representative, BartlesviUe. Okla.

."^.Mfowa.N Si(irt>s. Inc. : John A. Anderson, Price Maker, 1845 Fourth Street NE., Wasliintiton, D. C. EncAK Baesiiaw. Division Manager, 1845 Fourth Street NE., AVashington,

D. C.

I.i Tin i; S. P.EAEE. Employee Relations Manager, 1845 Fourth Street NE.,

Washington, D. C. Franic J. SiiEEiiAN. Manager Public Relations, 726 Jackson Place NW.,

Washington. D. C. Joseph W. Upton. Office Manager, 1845 Fourth Street N. E., Washington,

D. C. BuRTOX R. Warner. Advertising Manager, 261 Constitution Avenue NW.,

Room 522. Washington. D. C. Di'DLEY J. Wey]sier, Retail Operations Manager, 1845 Fourth Street NE.,

Washington, D. C. GiRSOx I. Wright, Supply Manager, 1845 Fourth Street NE., Washington,

D. C. Sayroi.t. J. W., Business Counsellor, 9209 Carlyle Avenue, Surfside, Miami

Beach. Fin. Scale .lournal Publishing Co.: Mrs. Edith J. Saybolt, Secretary, 1703 East

Eighty-fourth Street, Chicago 17, 111. Shell Oil Co. : J. V. Hazen. Division Engineer, 3706 Eighty-second Street, Jackson

Heights. Long Island. N. Y.

Sinclair Refining Co.: Kexneth W. Birkix, Manager, Automotive Department,

aSO Fifth Avenue, New York 20. N. Y. Southern Railway System : J. X^. Todd, Superintendent of Scales and Work

Efpiipment. Office of Chief Engineer, Washington 13, D. C. Southern Weighing & Inspection Bureau : Alfred J. Reyxolds, General Supervisor in Charge of Weighing and Weights, 511-101 Marietta Street, Atlanta, Ga. Sutherland Paper Co. : L. J. Moore, Assistant Manager of Sales, Division A, 243 East Paterson Street, Kalamazoo 13-D, Mich.

Thread Institute, Inc.

:

JoHx Bell. Chairman, Legislation Committee, 11 West Forty-second Street, New York IS, N. Y. David Snyder, Executive Director, 11 West Forty-second Street, New York

18, N. Y. Union Pacific Railroad Co. : 0^rAR L. Heggem, General Scale Inspector, Denver,

Colo. U. S. Steel: Charles Bal'er. Scale Shop Foreman, Gary Sheet and Tin Mill, 328 West Ridge Road. Gary, Ind. risking Corporation : AVilliam M. Sawers. 6733 West Sixty-fifth Street, Chicago

38, 111. Western Weighing and Inspection Bureau : E. M. Curl, Supervisor of Weights,

Room 460, Union Station, 517 West Adams Street, Chicago 6, 111. MISCELLANEOUS GUESTS

K. (

". ( iiittexdex, 1715 Lanier Place NW., Washington, D. C. K. W. MacLeax, Director, Standards Division, Department of Trade and Commerce. Ottawa, '''ariada. Alex Pisciotta, 419 Stockholm Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Haoxau SriiLYTER, Director and Cliief of Statens Ilantvei'ksinstitut, The Royal

College. Stockholm 4, Sweden.

Wael Tawam, Director. P.ureau of Standards, Ministry of National Economy,

Damascus, Syria. Hox. JoHx RussEtj. YouxG, President, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, Washington 4, D. C.
CONTENTS

OiEcers and Committees

Persons attending the Conference FIRST SESSION—MORNING OF TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1951 Invocation by R. W, Searles, Deput}' County Sealer, Medina, Ohio

Welcome to 'Washington by Hon. John Russell Young, President, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia 1 Memorial Service for Departed ]Members by R. W. Searles, Deputy County

Sealer, Medina, Ohio 1 Address by Dr. E. U. Condon, Director, National Bureau of Standards, and

President, National Conference on Weights and Measures 1 Roll Can of States 5

Roll Call of State and Regional Associations 5 A Report from the National Scale Men's Association, by E. M. Curl, Past

President, National Scale Men's Association 5

Scroll for National Bureau of Standards 6 SECOND SESSION—AFTERNOON OF TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1951 Report of the National Conference Committee on Trading by Weight,

Presented by J. F. True, Chairman 7 Weights and Pleasures Service in Canada, by R. W. MacLeau, Director,

Standards Division, Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa,

Canada 7 Weights and Measures Education in England, by W. H. Tough, Manager,

Chain Store Division, Sanitary Scale Company 15 Report of the Special Conference Committee on Uniform Regulations, Presented by R. D. Thompson, Chairman 20 LPG Dispensing Eciuipment—Retail, by W. M. Harks, Vice President,

Bowser, Inc 22

Test Procedures and Equipment for Liquid- Measuring Devices: Wholesale—By W. H. Sieger, Staff Assistant Manager of Engineering,

Neptune Meter Company 25

Retail—By Nelson Friz, Esso Standard Oil Company 27 The New Maryland Weights and Measures Law, by Dr. H. L. Stier, Chief,

Department of Markets, State of Maryland 31

Ice Cream—Sale by W^eight, by W. A. Kerlin, County Sealer of Weights

and ^Measures, Oakland, California 35 THIRD SESSION—MORNING OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1951 Report of Special Conference Committee on the Testing of Railway Track

Scales, Presented by J. P. McBride, Chairman 38

Scroll for National Bureau of Standards Presented 41 Standards of Mass, by L. B. Macurdy, Chief, Mass Section, National Bureau

of Standards "1 42 Report of the National Conference Committee on Weights and Measures

Education, Presented by C. M. Fuller, Chairman 47

Belt Conveyor Scales, by Leonard Alaguire, Works Manager, Fairbanks- Morse Company 53 NPA Regulations and Weighing and Measuring Devices, by R. W. Murphy,

Assistant Administrator for Industry Operations, U. S. Department of Commerce 56 FOURTH SESSION—MORNING OF THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1951 Report of the National Conference Committee on Legislation, Presented bv

Rollin E. Meek, Chairman 1 58

Retail Sale of Bar Soap, by G. H. Leithauser, Senior Assistant Superintendent,

Division of Weights and Measures, City of Baltimore, Md 62 XIX

Page

III VI
XX CONTENTS

Page

Mai'hino MoasuriMiuMit of Market Milk, bj- G. D. Scott, Vice President, Piire- Pak nivisioM, llx-C 't>ll-() Corporation 67 Pro-Pack Meat Counters, by J. T. Kennedy, Director, Department of W ciiihts, Measures, and Markets, District of Columbia 71

Interstate Packages, by Chas. Sattler, Commissioner of Weights and Measures and Labor. State of West Virginia 74

l inn SKSSION—AFTERNOON OF THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1951 The Retail l\)ultry Market, by M. W. Jensen, Sealer of Weights and Measures, City of Madison, \\ is 78

U. S. Regulations—Weights and Measures:

Poultry —By Dr. P. J. Brandly, Poultry Pathologist, U. S. Department

of Agriculture 85 Packing House Products—By Dr. J. R. Scott, Chief, Trade Label Section, BAL I'- S. Department of Agriculture 88 Foods and Drugs—By S. C. Rowe, Chemist, Food Division, U. S. Food

and Drug Administration 89

Report of the National Conference Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities, Presented by J. G. Rogers, Chairman, and Discussion Thereon__ 92 SIXTH SESSION—MORNING OF FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1951 Dr. Lyman J. Briggs presented 100 Testing Cordage-Measuring Devices, by H. H. Russell, Chief, Scale Section,

Office of Weiuhls and Measures, National Bureau of Standards 100 Report of the National Conference Committee on Specifications and Tolerances, Presented Ijy J. P. McBride, Chairman, and Discussion Thereon__ 103 Open Forum

Report of the National Conference Committee on Resolutions, Presented by

R. W. Scailc-, Chairman 1 111 Report of tiie National Conference Treasurer, George F. Austin, Jr 114 Report of the National Conference Committee on Nominations, Presented by

J. A. Boyle, Chairman, and Election of Officers 114
REPORT OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH NATIONAL

CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, AND HELD

AT THE W ARDMAN PARK HOTEL, WASHINGTON, D. C, MAY 22, 23,

24, AND 25, 1951 FIRST SESSION—MORNING OF TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1951

(J. T. Kennedy, Vice President, and C. A. Baker, Vice President, presiding)

INVOCATION

The invocation was delivered by R. W. Searles, Deputy County

Sealer of "Weights and Measures, Medina, Ohio.

ADDRESS OF WELCOME

Hon. John Russell Young, President, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, extended to the delegates and guests a very cordial

welcome to the City of Washington.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DECEASED MEMBERS

In accordance with a resolution adopted by the Thirty-fourth National Conference, R. ~\V. Searles conducted a very appropriate

memorial service. ADDRESS BY DR. E. U. CONDON, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL BUREAU OF

STANDARDS, AND PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

[Dr. E. U. Condon addressed tlae Conference in some detail concerning the part

the National Bureau of Standards is playing in the national defense program. He described some of the more extensive Bureau activities in this field and told

of how these newer responsibilities had increased tremendously during the past

few years. He concluded his remarks with the following summary of the develop- ments taking place in weights and measures circles throughout the Nation during

the past year.]

As you all know, on October 31, 1950, R. ^Y. Smith, formerly Chief

of the Office of AVeights and Measures and Secretary of this Conference, elected to retire from Government service after more than 30

years of duty with the Xational Bureau of Standards. Mr. Smith was

a gentleman of outstanding ability who exhibited untiring devotion

to duty : his retirement has been felt in more ways than one and has

added greatly to the responsibilities of W. S. Bussey, who succeeded

him. We know that this loss in weights and measures circles has been

felt throughout the nation, as well as at the Bureau of Standards. We

understand that Mr. Smith has been enjoying his well-earned retire1
2 MISC. PUHLTCATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

iiieiit, but Avo are sorry tliat lie is not in Washington at this particular

t hue in order that he might be in attendance at this Conference.

The Oflice of AVeiglits and Ah^nsiires has continued its program of

participai ion in Stale and r(\i:i()nal weights and measures conferences

and st'hools of instruction. Stall' members have taken advantage of

every o])port unity to make pei'soual visitations to State and local weights and measures ollices. li:ive also endeavored to meet every

re(iuest for counsel and advice upon technical and administrative

problems presented by State and local weights and measures officials. AVe regret to announce that John L. Dahlrot, formerly in charge

of one of our railway track scale testing units, resigned from the

Bureau staff on April 25, 1951. Mr. Dahlrot accepted a position

in the Scale Department of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad,

with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. We wish him well in his new

work. D. Y. Smith, Avho has been identified with the railway track

scale testing program of this Bureau for many years and who has

recently been on limited duty as a result of a service-connected in- jury, lias been reexamined and found to be sufficiently recovered to assume full-time duty. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Smith

is taking over the operation of the testing equipment previously in

charge of Mr. Dahlrot.

We are glad to announce at this time the appointment of Malcolm

W. Jensen, City Sealer of Weights and Measures for the City of

Madison, Wis., to the staff of the Office of Weights and Measures.

Mr. Jensen will serve as assistant to Mr. Bussey, filling the vacancy

that has existed since Mr. Bussey succeeded R. W. Smith. We are

confident that Mr. Jensen's background of education and experience,

and his personality, enthusiasm, and sincere interest in weights and

measures administration, thoroughly qualify him for the duties he

is about to assume. As most of you already know, Mr. Jensen is present at this meeting, and we hope that those of you who are not

already personally acquainted with him will make it a point to get

acquainted during this Conference.

The Avork of revising the Bureau publication on Federal and

State Laws on Weights and Measures has proved to be quite a task

and has consumed considerably more time than was originally anticipated. We are glad to announce, however, that the publication has

progressed to the very last stages. The type-setting job is completed

and the page })roof has been approved. The matter of indexing this

large book has proved to be a big job. However, the indexing is nearing completion at this time.

Work on the Weights and Measures Case Book has been again

delayed during the time Mrs. Kathryn Schwarz has been necessarily

engaged in the indexing of the law book. She expects to resume work on the case book in the near future.

We had hoped to announce that the newest and last National

Bureau of Standards Handbook in the weights and measures series had been (•oin])leted and that it would be available for distribution

at this Conference. I refer to Bureau Handbook 45, Testing of

Measuring Equipment. This Handbook was written by R. W. Smith

with the cooperation and assistance of numerous persons in various

phases of weights and measures work. We think that it is a very

^ ;^lllal)le ] )nbl icat ion and, if studied and used by w^eights and meas-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 3

ures officials and others, it slioulcl prove of untold value in improving uniformity and efficiency in this field. We hope that this Conference will go on record as adopting this Handbook, as its official recommendation for use in the various jurisdictions, the same as was previouslj^ done in connection with Handbook 37, Testing of

Weighing Equipment. The price of this publication has been set

at 81.25 by the Government Printing Office. It is our purpose in conducting the affairs of the Office of Weights

and Measures to render every possible assistance to State and local weights and measures offices. It is our desire to encourage and assist you in doing an increasingly better job. We solicit your comments and suggestions as to how we might render a more constructive service in this field. There have been several changes in the heads of State weights

and measures departments during the year. In Idaho, Carlyle Smith

has replaced L. A. Thompson as Chief Inspector, Division of Weights

and Measures, Department of Agriculture, at Boise. In New

Jersey, after serving for many years as Deputy Superintendent and

Acting Superintendent, Joseph G. Rogers was promoted to Superintendent. Division of Weights and Measures, Department of Law

and Public Safety, at Trenton. In North Dakota, A. J. Jensen, who

has been a regular participant in this Conference for many years, was elected to the office of State Insurance Commissioner and has been

ref)laced as Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, Public Service Commission, at Bismarck, by J. C. Goll. In Texas, Phil Ford

was replaced by Francis L. Goode as Chief, Division of AVeights

and Measures, Department of Agriculture, at Austin.

Probably the outstanding single development during the year was

accomplished in the neighboring State of Maryland, where a comprehensive weights and measures law, based upon the proposed revised

version of Form 2 of the Model State Law as contained in the current Report of the Committee on Legislation, was passed by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor on May 7. The bill is to become

effective on June 1, 1951. You will hear more of the details of this

law later in the program. I do want to say, however, that the National

Bureau of Standards is proud of this constructive effort in Maryland,

and we are happy that our Office of Weights and Measures was per- mitted to have a small part in this successful accomplishment. I want to publicly commend A. Morton Thomas, Director, Department

of Inspections and Licenses, Montgomery County, for his efforts and

efficient leadership as Chairman of the Marylancl Weights and Measures Association in bringing about the passage of this law. I also recognize and commend the constructive work that was done by Dr.

H. L. Stier, Chief, State Department of Markets, Board of Agriculture, University of Maryland, at College Park; George H. Leithauser,

Senior Assistant Superintendent, Weights and Measures Division of

the City of Baltimore; and all others who participated in this program. This reduces from six to five the number of States that do not

have reasonably comprehensive weights and measvires laws. We trust

that, as the years go by, this number will continue to be reduced.

A weights and measures bill, based upon Form 2 of the Model State

Law, was also introduced in the Colorado Legislature. We are in- formed, however, that this Legislature adjourned without passing the

bill.
4 IVIISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Numerous Aveigiits and measures jurisdictions throughout the Nation, inchiding both State and local, have continued to improve their

testing e(|uipment and laboratory facilities during the year. The out- standing examples of improveci testing equipment are prevalent in

the tields of large-capacity scales, ^ehicle tanks, and wholesale liquidmeasuring (Un ices. The number of instances where modern equipment has been })urchased are too numerous to mention. However, we

do connnend all jurisdictions involved for the progress which they

have made.

At this time I announce the committee appointments which are

necessary. Appointments are necessary on all of the standing committees of the Conference, since last year completed the leveling oif of connnittee memberships to the standard number of five, which was

adopted by this Conference several years ago. On the Committee of

Specifications and Tolerances, the term of George F. Austin, Jr., of

Detroit expires this year. I am appointing as his successor, for a 5-year term, Robert Williams, County Sealer of Weights and Measures

for Nassau County, New York. Mr. Williams has a long record of

attendance and active participation in this Conference, and has made

an outstanding record in conducting the affairs of his department.

This w^ill also maintain the desired balance on this important Committee of having one city, one county, one National Bureau of Standards, and two State representatives serving together. I am confident

that Mr. Williams' stewardship upon this Committee will be pleasing

to all concerned.

On the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities, the term of

J. F. Blickley of Pennsylvania expires this year. To replace Mr.

Blickley upon this important committee, I am appointing J. E.

Brenton of California.

On the Committee on Legislation, we have two vacancies to fill this year. The term of J. A. Bernard of St. Louis, Mo., expires, and J. R.

Booth, of Haverhill, Mass., has resigned his membership on the Committee because of retirement from the office of City Sealer of Weights

and Measures as a result of ill health. We are extremely sorry that it has been necessary for Mr. Booth to take this course. He has been a devoted weights and measures officer for a number of years, and his

presence and active participation in our Conferences will be missed.

We wish for him speedy and complete recovery. To replace Mr.

Bernard, for the 5-year term on this Committee, I am appointing

R. M. Bodenweiser of Mercer County, New Jersey. To replace Mr.

Booth, for a 3-year term, I am appointing V. D. Campbell of Ohio.

On the Committee on Education, the term of Robert Williams exl^ires, and I am appointing for a 5-year term Howard E. Crawford of

Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. Crawford is now serving as Chairman of the

Committee on Education of the Southern Weights and Measures

Association, and I feel that this should establish a very desirable

liaison between these two Committees.

On the Committee on Trading by Weight, the term of F. G. Cesar

of Oklahoma expires this year, and I am appointing, for a 5-year

term, J. W. Reese of Iowa.

I appoint two Committees to act during the 36th National Conference.

1. On the Committee on Nominations, I appoint J. A. Boyle of

Elaine, Chairman ; J. E. Brenton of California ; C. D. Baucom of North
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 5

Carolina : E. E. Meek of Indiana ; H. E. Howard of Miami, Fla. ; C. C. :MundY of Richmond, Ya. ; and L. E. Witt of Milwankee, Wis.

'2. On the Committee on Resokitions, I appoint R. W. Searles of

Medina Conntv. Ohio, Cliairman; E. R. Fisher of Rhode Island;

J. J. Levitt of Illinois ; Miles A. Xelson of Michigan ; A. C. Samenfink

of Rochester, N. Y. : J. Fred Trne of Kansas ; and E. C. Westwood of

Salt Lake Citv, Utah.

ROLL CALL OF STATES

The Chairman called the roll of States. Delegates from 33 States and the District of Columbia responded. All delegates were introduced individually.

ROLL CALL OF STATE AND REGIONAL WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

ASSOCIATIONS

The Chairman called the roll of State and Regional Associations of

Weights and Measures Officials. Representatives of IT of the 18

Associations on record responded.

(Written reports from several States and Associations were mimeographed

and distributed at the Conference.)

A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL SCALE MEN'S ASSOCIATION

Bt J. H. DowxER, Secretari/, National Scale Men's Association

{Presented 'by E. M. Cukl, Past President, National Scale Hen's Association)

The National Scale Men's Association appreciates the opportunity

to be represented on your program. After all, the craftsmanship of

scales is one of the oldest. Scale craftsmanship has come a long way, down through the centuries. A trade that was once most jealously guarded, and so re- tarded, is more and more improving and being perfected, perhaps

from the lifting of the veil of secrecy and a closer cooperation of all parties involved.

We believe the National Scale Men's Association in Article One of

its Constitution and By Laws gives in just a few words an explanation

of its possible aid to progress and improvement. It says, "The Objects

of the Association are (a) To secure the cooperation of all concerned

' in matters of scale design, scale construction and installation and scale

I maintenance and weighing, and (b) To bring about discussion of

I everything pertaining to scales and weighing, the prime object being

i to bring about by education an improvement in scale construction, in

j methods of maintenance and in weighing practices."

Our Association has a membership of about 400 and consists of the

' parent organization and twelve local divisions. They extend from the

' Great Lakes to Southern California.

The activities of the local divisions vary. For example, one group

is interested in compiling educational information. Strange as it may

I seem, there is less printed information—literature and textbooks

on scales than almost any other subject. Here w^e have an entire in- dustry—world wide and definitely boundless in scope—with no class organization in any recognized trade school. Yet scales play an im-
6 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

l)ortant—even critical—part in every single inclnstry from mining to pharmaceuticals, and from our first to last day on earth. We are

Aveighed at birtlu and the end^alniing fluid injected in our remains is weighed. Still, no school stn^s ihc need for class v^ork in a subject

so important. We hope, tlirough the local division and the parent

National Scale Men's Association, to change this condition.

The three organizations together can do much in their united efforts. These three are The National Scale ]\Ien's Association, 3^our own Conference and the National Bureau of Standards, and the National Association of Scale Manufacturers. Cooperation is necessary in any and

every endeavor. It benefits all concerned, individually and collectivel}'. If you tell George what you know, and George tells you what

he knows, both you and George are better equipped, both theoretically

and practically.

We are three separate and distinct groups—ours to install, service,

and maintain ; yours to act in regulatory capacities; and the National

Association of Scale Manufacturers to build. Legislation is important and determines the work of the other two—but there are very

delinite limitations on man and materials, so cooperation of all three

is necessar}" for a satisfactory, workable, and practical finished picture. If we all will continue to cooperate and publicize our work, we

cannot help but to grow.

Again, thanks for inviting us to be a part of your Conference and

a sincere hope that it will be the same success it has been in these past

man}^ years. SCROLL FOR NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Mr. J. E. Bkenton. You have been told that this year will mark

the fiftieth anniversary of the National Bureau of Standards. Your

Executive Committee, by unanimous vote, has authorized the Secre- tary to purchase a scroll commemorating this fiftieth anniversary in

order that it may be presented tomorrow. I move that the Conference approve the action of the Executive Committee and authorize

presentation of this scroll to the National Bureau of Standards.

(The motion ^Yas seconded, tlie question was taken, and tlie motion ^Yas agreed to.) (The Conference was recessed until 2 p. m.)
SECOND SESSION—AFTERNOON OF TUESDAY,

MAY 22, 1951

(V. D. Campbell, Vice President, presiding)

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON TRADING

BY WEIGHT, PRESENTED BY J. FRED TRUE, CHAIRMAN

Investigation by this Committee has revealed that there are two

strong groups which are concerned with the matter of doing away

with the bushel as a legal measure. One group is composed of the

grain trade, which does not want any change. The other group is the feed and seed trade, Avhich would like to do away with the bushel

and use only the pound, hundredweight, or ton in buying, pricing,

and selling their products.

Before a complete change from the use of the bushel to pound,

hundredweight, or ton can be accomplished, both of these groups

will need to be in complete accord and work together on this matter. There is an ever-increasing use of weights in trade and less use of

the bushel or other dry measures. This Committee would like to have all weights and measures officials encourage this trend where

possible.

We recommend that all Federal and State crop reporting agencies

use, where possible, weight rather than dry measure in their reports.

We reconnnend that, where possible, the various States abolish legal

A, eights per bushel on seeds and feeds, whether mixed or unmixed.

We recommend that manufacturers of farm machinery be encour- aged to mark seed charts which are put on, or are attached to, seeding

machinery to show the pounds of seed per acre rather than the bushels

or pecks of seed per acre. We feel that the Committee should be continued so that it might

offer assistance to industry where possible, and promote through the

States the trading by weight on all seeds, feeds, and grain. It is felt that the Committee might carry more weight if its recommendations are approved by the National Conference so that it will have

the backing of all jurisdictions.

(The report of tlie Committee on Trading by Weight was adopted by the Conference.

)

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SERVICE IN CANADA

By K. W. MacLean, Director^ Standards Division^ Department of

Trade and Commerce^ Ottawa^ Canada

I was somewhat reluctant to accept the kind invitation to address

this Conference on the activities of the Standards Division in Canada.

While I was honored by the invitation, I recalled the diffidence of

Dr. Condon at your meetings in 1946 when he admitted to some knowledge in the field of physics, but stated frankly that in the field of

7
8 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

weights and measures, he was a very ignorant beginner. Not only

am I an ignorant beginner, but unlike Dr. Condon, I can lay no

claim to engineering or technical skill. However, in my defense I can say that there is a difference in our Canadian organization which

permits the Director to be other than an engineer. Thus, the head

of our administration is one of that profession which so seldom sticks to its own last—a lawyer.

Canada has not been officially represented at your discussions since

1931, and, since a review of our activities may be of interest, I shall

confine my remarks to a general rather than a technical outline. If,

however, we are again invited to participate, I would be glad to arrange for some of our technical staff to take part in any discussion

to which your organization committee feels they could make some

contribution.

I may say that we have been well posted on the problems that have

been discussed at the Amrious Conferences in the intervening years, and our own administration has been greatly strengthened by the

excellent material that has come to us. In addition, bulletins issued

from time to time by the National Bureau of Standards and the

various State organizations have been of great value. Then, too, in

dealing with specific problems, we have received willing and useful

advice from States that were or had been concerned with the same

problems. To reciprocate, we would gladly place at your disposal the

experience we have had or the facilities we operate if these can be of

value to any of you.

The organization of the Weights and Measures Service in Canada

has undergone some slight changes since the time any official report

has been published. In 1947, it was incorporated into the Standards

Division of the Department of Trade and Commerce, which had been

created to place under one administration those inspection services

dealing with commercial measurement, whether of weights and measures, electricity or gas. This consolidation has enabled the Canadian

Government to effect a worthwhile saving by way of administrative

overhead, for while inspection techniques are not identical, the same

procedures and administrative routines are common. As a matter of

interest only, I might mention in passing that further duties have been

assigned to the Division in the development of commercial commodity

standards, and we are the regulatory authority for the export of

electricity, gas and oil. These latter two functions are, as you will

appreciate, very broad in concept, and as time goes on will considerably expand the work of the Standards Division. If any delegates

are interested in the aspects of our work other than weights and measures, I shall be glad to cover the ground with them at some more

informal time.

Turning specifically to weights and measures, I do not think it does

us any harm to recall how deeply rooted the service of weighing and

measuring is in the history of mankind. I have read quotations from

the Bible, which take Aveights and measures well back into antiquity.

You will recall that in Deuteronomy it is decreed : "Thou shalt not

have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small''—that is, I pre- sume, a heavy one to buy with and a lighter one to sell by. This points

up the basic spirit and intent of weights and measures throughout the

ages. With such bibhcal guidance and injunction, it is little wonder
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 9

that our forefathers took great pains to ensure that weights and measures were inchidecl in the hiw of the hind. Legishition from the

earliest times has always endeavoured to deal with this essential ac- companiment to fair practice in commercial operations. The basic

charter of mankind's human rights, set out under circumstances with

which YOU are familiar, and included in the Magna Carta of 1215, is an outstanding example. This document, as you will remember, proA'ided in part that "there shall be one measure of wine throughout our kingdom, and one of ale, and one measure of corn, to wit. the London

quarter, and one breadth of dyed cloth * And as Y^th measures so shall it be also with weights.''

Such interest by our forebears Y\as not Y'ithout great justification.

^Teights and measures are fundamental to any organized society, and

there is little doubt that, under a profit system and the stress of intensiYe competition, without weights and measures inspection the temptation to manipulate devices for a price would quickly reduce business

to a state of chaos. Xot only in internal operations, but also in ex- ternal contacts, are sound concepts of weights and measures Yital. By maintaining the accuracy of the units of the pound, the yard, and

the gallon as used by Canadian manufacturers and producers, uniformity is largely maintained in relation to the Y^eights and measures

of the British Commonvrealth and the Vnited States, and in recognized

scientific relation to the metric standards used by other countries. It has been u])on this basis alone that international trade could function,

prosper, and progress. With such a fundamental role in the commercial world, very definite

responsibilities must be shouldered. Over the years, the gradual ac- ceptance of this inspection sei vice. in many instances not without some

lieart-searchings. makes it ncct'>-ary for us to be always looking to the

future in our methods of operation. Xo service should permit itself to become satisfied Avith a static type of operation, for if it does technological advances will inevitably date these methods.

Feeling as strongly as I do about the role of Weights and Measures,

l^erhaps I might be permitted to outline what I consider to be the fundamental policies underlying any Y'eights and measures administration. I shall do this as briefly as I can, and then outline our historical

Ijackground and the ])olicies presently in force in Canada, which will

indicate. I think, that we have made considerable progress toward

achieving a sound, workable service. The foremost need, of course, is that provision should be made for

the establishment of basic standards of length and mass, and to ensure

that derived standards are continually reverified to ascertain the con- tinuing limits of accuracy. Flowing from this is the need to translate

and maintain these standards to commercial operations, accurately and

j uniformly. Only by so doing is it possible to maintain equity in all

( commercial determinations of quantity. In securing such equity, constant vigilance nuist be observed over the preliminary approvals of

equipment and its subsequent check when used in trade. Lastly, Y^ith an efficient, well-trained staff, it is necessary to exercise supervision

, over trade generally for the prevention, detection, and prosecution of

I persons using equipment unjustly or engaging in short weight prac-

» tices. I think it goes Y^ithout saying that any weights and measures

inspection service that contents itself with the inspection of scales
lU MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

T^^ithout reo-ard to s])()t scale inspections and short weight supervision

is spendino- money to no purpose.

Prior to Confederation in Canada, each province had its own system

of Aveio-lits and measures. The British-Xorth America Act of 1867,

| by wliich our Confederation was established, specifically vested juris- 1

1

diction over weights and measures in the central authority. The sys- tem in use was naturally the Eno-lish system transplanted, with an admixture of some oUl French measures in use in the Province of Lower . Canada, now Quebec. What miirht be termed the principal Weights

and ^Measures Act of Canada was passed in 1872-73. Patterned on

the English system, it established the pound, the gallon, and the yard i as the legal standards for Canada. It provided that all commercial ' transactions must be in terms of tliese standards, or the metric equivalent. One major exception, of course, is tliat the practice of weighing

gold or other precious metals in terms of the Troy ounce was per- mitted to continue. Of interest is the fact that two historic measures

were carried into the new system—the old French land measure, the i arpent, and the long ton. All seignorial lands had been surveyed by j the arpent, and it can be assumed that any change presented insur- > mountable difficulties. The long ton in mining operations had a com- [ mon usage which it was felt need not be disturbed. In adopting the

English system, however, one beneficial change was made: in place • of the cumbei'some system of stones, quarters, and hundredweights, a I decimal series was legalized. i Our primary standards are maintained by the National Research i Council. The Departmental, or derived, standards used in the

' Weights and Measures Laboratory to verify the field or working

standards are calibrated by Xational Research Council metrologists

in terms of the primary standards. At least annually, and we are working toward a shorter period, these field or working standards in

the hands of inspectors are recalibrated by our own personnel.

The vesting of complete jurisdiction in the federal authority has

many distinct advantages. The most important, of course, is that

throughout the Dominion of Canada there is one central body which

approves the type of equipment which may be used for trade, purposes, and that inspection techniques in our 22 divisions are, in the

main, identical. It is therefore possible for any manufacturer who

has obtained approval for equipment to know that after factory in- spection it will be accepted from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and' that

it will be subject to the same methods of inspection when in commercial use. While I shall endeavour not to bore you with too many administrative details, I could perhaps sketch quickly the history of any piece

of equipment which a mamifacturer may wish to sell in Canada. In

the first instance, if it is to be used for trade purposes, it must receive

type approval. We maintain in our laboratory several engineers and 1 skilled technicians who are competent to investigate the device from I the point of view of construction, material content, and abilitv to perfoiin within required limits. The device is subjected to rigorous

testing, and if found satisfactory is listed for approval as a trade

device. This advice is sent to the manufacturer, and of course passed

also to our field staff for information. If there is any particular

with respect to the construction or points to be watched in inspection,
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX" WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 11

this information is also included. Once approval has been secured,

the mantifactnrer is free to manttfacture and sell, provided the device

is manufactured to type and passes factory inspection. The same

procedure is in force for manufacturers otitsicle of Canada who wish

to sell devices in Canada. It is possible for the Division to maintain

control over eqttipment manufactured in other countries, since the

Customs Department of the Federal Government extends every cooperation in advising our district officers when shij)ments of weighing

or measuring equipment are being held for clearance. It is standard

practice that such equipment will not be cleared from customs until

approval has been given by the Weights and Measures Service.

From time to time we find it necessary to have greater technical

research done than our own staff may be equipped to handle. In this

event, we consult with the appropriate division of National Research

Coimcil, whose activities and abilities are probably fairly well known

to yott. We therefore feel that in the approval operations we are well

able to handle any problems which come before us. At this point, I might say that we require Aveighing and measuring

equipment to be marked. Every device approved for trade use is given a designated marking, and all others, regardless of type, sha^^e,

capacity or otherwise, which do not meet otir requirements must be

marked "Xot Legal for Trade."' I know that this latter point has

given some concern to manufacturers, but I may say that we insist on such marking without exception.

We have encoinitered one specific difficulty, and that is the initial, or factory, testing and stamping of static measures. These are largely mass produced, and the majority may never see trade use. We are adopting a procedure whereby a manufacturer may submit a prototype. This is examined, and if it meets otir requirements, he may then

proceed to manufacture and stamp it legal for trade, and it may be

so used. Conversely, if it is not stibmitted or does not meet requirements, it will bear no marking and will be illegal for trade. For static measures, we do not attempt complete factory inspection, but rely on

field inspection. Control in trade use is maintained in that those

ji properly marked, which are found to be inaccurate in the field, can be

r traced to the manufacturer, while those unmarked which are found

on trade premises are promptly seized. In either instance, necessary

action is taken against the offender.

At this stage, if I may, I should like to draw to yotir attention

particularly that of any manufacturers present who may export to

j Canada, that sales by volume in Canada must show the Canadian

: measure. You will be aware of the differential in our pints, quarts,

j and gallons, due to the difference in the primary standard gallon.

! While we insist that voltune be shown in Canadian terms, we do

I U. S. or other terms to be shown as well. But in whatever

\ terms the volume is shown, the Canadian equivalent must also show.

As the U. S. ounce is larger than the Canaclian, we have not strictly

enforced this requirement where volume is designated in U. S. ottnces. From the most recent report of our operations, otir field inspection

I staff of 109 traveled a total of 737,000 miles, calling at 141,000 places

I of business, where the}' inspected 450.000 pieces of equipment. This

> included calls on every conceivable kind of business establishment,

and covered the inspection of the known range of trade devices.
12 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Our Weights and ^[ensures Service operates on a fee system which

produces a revenue about e(iual to our expenditures. Our actual

operations are provided for by a vote from Parliament, and we must

keep within this limit. The' revenue from fees forms part of the

o-eneral revenues of Canada, and is not credited to our Service.

While I shall not argue the merits for or against the fee system, I

shall merely say that we have found that the advantages outweigh

the disadvantages, and that no change is under consideration.

Those of you who are familiar with the geographical areas of

Canada will readily ai)pre<'iate that our field inspection problems

are great. Where there are large concentrations of population, the

work can be done easily on a jn'operly scheduled basis. Outside of

these, our dilliculties are numerous. It has always been the policy

that, regardless of location, Canadian citizens are entitled to the

])r()tection which the Weights and Measures Act provides. Therefore, it is necessary foi' our inspectors to travel far afield, at considerable expense and not inconsiderable inconvenience. For ex- ample, in our newest province, Newfoundland, the commercial and

industrial activity is centered largely in St. John's, Cornerbrook,

and Grand Falls. The balance is located in small communities on

the coast which are accessible only by boat. Since the introduction

of the Weights and Measures Service in Newfoundland, we have

operated a sea-going vessel for nine months of the year to reach

these various outports. While in normal circumstances it is mandator}' to inspect trade equipment once a year, we have permissive

authority to do this on a biannual basis where warranted. Therefore, in this province we shall cover the south coast and part of the

northeast coast one year and the remaining coast and the coast of

Labrador the next. Similarly, we have thriving communities in the

Northwest Territories which are accessible only by air, and here

also we face such factors as inconvenience and high cost of travel,

with little or no revenue. You may be interested in the experience of one inspector, traveling to James Bay which, as you know, is at the most southerly

point of Hudson Bay. The inspector covered the greater part of

the trip by railway, and the engineer was good enough to make his

stops at each successive station sufficiently long for our man to in- spect the equipment located along the line. Amazing to me per- sonally was that this same inspector found it possible to cover several

out-of-the-way stores in a canoe. I am hopeful that this latter type

of transportation v^ill not become too extensive, for since canoeing

experience is not a requirement to enter our Service, we may find

ourselves faced with high I'eplacement costs of equipment.

In addition to the annual ins])ection of scales, which is undoubtedly

important, there is tlie coniplementary task of ensuring that such

eqni|)nient is ])i'o])erly used, and we do extensive checking in this

di lection. Short weight, as you are undoubtedly aware, is a statu- tory offense under the AVeights and Measures Act. It provides in

part that " Any ])erson who sells, delivers or causes to be

sold or delivered anything l)y vreight. measure or number short of

the quantity ordered or purchased sliall be guilty of an offense

* ^ —r^j-)j j^^^y f|j,(,,i iiiipi-isoiied or both. The proven

fact of short weight is alone enough to secure conviction. The ques-
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 13

tion of intent, or as we laAA'yers say, "mens rea'', is only considered on the quantum of the penahy. One problem in connection with

short weight has been giving us some concern : that is the growing practice of selling prepackaged articles with no weight indication. While a measure of control is maintained under other federal acts which require an indication of contents, the Weights and

Measures Act goes only to the extent of i^rescribing that if weight

or volume is shown, it must be in terms of Dominion w^eight or measure. However, our Weights and Measures Act is betore parliament for revision, and an appropriate section has been drafted to provide necessary control. The present requirements of our Act,

coupled with others such as the Food and Drugs Act, the Meat and

Canned Foods Act, the Fish Inspection Act, and others, do cover

a good many products where the consuming public may be imposed

upon, but leave gaps which should be closed. For example, the Food

and Drugs Act, which controls the activities of manufacturers or producers, makes it mandatory that they mark the weight or volume

of prepacked articles, whereas a retailer packing the same article on his own premises has no such responsibility under the Weights

and Measures Act. However, despite this and other difficulties, the

control of prepacked articles is good, and there is every cooperation

between the enforcement sections of the various departments concerned. When our own authority is complete, over-all protection

against short weight should be possible.

While, due to the great area of Canada, it is not possible that in- spectors be always present to prevent malpractices, yet, as in the

case of all law, fear of detection and prosecution and the grave in- jury such adverse publicity does to any business provides an excellent protection for the public in the guarantee of honest weight

or measure. As I mentioned, we endeavor to have identical inspection techniques

in the various divisions. To this end, we maintain a handbook of

inspectional techniques which is carried by every inspector. While

inspections may vary from district to district in some respects, we at least ensure that the basic essentials are covered. We consider it also

of great importance that inspectors be properly trained before they

are permitted to deal directly with the public. Like so many other

organizations, our Weights and Measures Service encountered recruitment problems during the w^ar and postwar years. To rebuild the

Service, we are aiming toward an initial training program for new

inspectors to supplement instructions now given by the individual

District Inspectors in the field. While it is important that inspectors

know inspectional techniques, the construction of equipment, and

what exterior factors may affect equipment, I personally consider it most important that they first know w^hat the standards they carry

represent and, second, the care with which equipment should be used.

You will all be familiar with the care taken in the custody and use of

primary standards, and this care should be no less in the hands of an

inspector. I think you will agree that mutilated or dirty test weights

I or measures do not inspire self-confidence in the inspector, nor confiI dence or respect in traders for the inspector, the service he renders, or the service he represents. It appears to me that the best way to convey this to new inspectors is by permitting them to see the primary

965584—51 3
14 MISC. PUBLICATIO^s^S, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

standards and the comparisons which are made from time to tmie. At

the same time, it is possible to give new inspectors some of the basic

principles of pliysics and mechanics which will stand them in good

stead in actual held work.

Any new insi)ect ()r commencing with our Service comes on a probationary basis only. It is possible that there is thus some wastage of

trainino-'in uew men who do not prove satisfactory, but we feel that we are buildino- a strong inspection staff by keeping only those men

who have shown initiative and adaptability to the work. For those

who do show these characteristics, we must, on our part, provide some incentive for them to advance in the Service. From your own

experience, you will be aware that there are inspectors who will never

be more than average. There is a place for these, but there naust be some incentive for the ambitious inspector. Canada is divided into 22

Weights and Measures Divisions. In each of these we have a District

InsjDector, who is the senior man at that point- At the field level,

therefore, we have 22 senior posts which become vacant from time to time. There are also senior technical positions in the laboratory and

senior administrative positions at the head office. We have, in addition, provided for upward reclassification of those inspectors who are willing to apply themselves. The highest class is that of Senior

Inspector, and to attain this category an inspector must have a minimum of five 3-ears' service, must have given complete satisfaction, and

must have passed a fairl}^ stiff written examination covering the more

theoretical side of the work. To broaden the background of inspectors,

we encourage round table discussions at district offices for several

periods a month, at which the staff discuss new techniques or develop answers to field problems which they may be encountering. Thus we

feel that our organization provides broad opportunities of advancement for the inspector who can maintain his zest for the work.

In the maintenance of high inspectional standards, it is, of course, very necessary to keep abreast of new manufacturing techniques and

to improve inspection techniques as circumstances warrant. Our

technical staff are continually investigating present methods with a view to improvement, or testing untried techniques which may prove

satisfactory in our work. Any new developments are immediately

passed to the field staff for adoption. In this connection, we have been

doing considerable testing over the past three years with an experimental heavy duty test truck, with a view to acquiring a fleet to meet

the requirements of the Service. You will appreciate that our problems in this development are not simple when you recall the areas to be covered; roads varying from excellent to poor, particularly those

in remote areas which at times become completely impassable; temperature variations from extreme summer heat to extreme winter cold

;

the dust of farmlands to the snow of our Canadian winter. Our unit,

which is a 12-ton sealed load, has given good service, and in addition

to providing material for a decision on type, has enabled us to give a kind of testing service on heavy duty equipment which is outstandingly good and has been the subject of much favourable comment

from industry.

In this short review of our activities, I trust I have been able to give

you some picture of our operations, the standards we try to maintain,

the goals to which we are pointing. All phases I have mentioned
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 15

approval of equipment, annual inspections, short weight, and unjust

scale inspections—are, in niv opinion, a benefit to the whole community. The manufacturer is protected against unfair competition and

the sale of shoddy, cheap, and inferior devices. The trader is protected

aa-ainst the purchase of inferior equipment, the mechanics and material of which he in most cases does not understand, and is further

protected against unfair competition through the use of false weights

and measures, and the practice of short weight. Closer to home, he is protected in the event that he is giving, by inadvertence, overmeasure

or overAveight. The public is protected against deception and short

weight.

A periodic review of these objectives, and the means of attaining

them, are, I know, the fundamental purposes of this Conference.

While my technical contribution has been negligible, perhaps on the

other score I have been able to justify your kind reception of my

remarks. I am the more appreciative of the honour of the time

allotted to me since, contrary to biblical injunction, I shall receive

much more than I have been able to give.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES EDUCATION IN ENGLAND

By W. H. Tough, Sanitary Scale Company^ Belvidere^ III. In opening this address, I am reminded of a statement made by the

then British Controller of the Standards, E. J. Trump, in an address

he gave at the County Hall, London. 20 June, 1924.

The Acts under which the Inspector ^yorks contain many purely administrative chauses. which, although adequate legal advice may be available,

if wanted, he must himself be able to interpret satisfactorily upon the spot. There are. however, technical sections, not to speak of the Regulations, where

he may have to lely ahnost wholly upon his own interpretation so far at

least as his innnediate action is concerned. He must, therefore, be a man

of fair education, able to appreciate the meaning of a legal phrase and even

to distinguish its finer shades. In the work of testing, he needs to have an

iiitiinare knowledge of the instruments he is Imndling and of the possibilities of nicclianical pi-ocesses. and he must himself possess some fair degree of maniiiulative skill. To adjust his working standards, he must be able to use

lirecise apparatus to iid\';nitage. To sa>' that his integrity must be above

suspicion is to demand no more than is expected of every public official. Although this statement was made more than a quarter of a century

ago, it is just as true today.

Let us ifirst of all consider the statutory requirements of a candidate

to be examined for the Board of Trade Certificate to act as an in- spector of weights and measures : Tlie AYeights and Measures Act. 1904 (4 Edw. 7 ch 28), which came

into operation on the first day of January 1905, contains the following

provision

:

8.—(1) The Board of Trade shall provide for the holding of examinations

for the purpose of ascertaining whether applicants for the post of Inspector

under a local authority nominated by that authority possess sufficient practical knowledge for the proper performance of the duties of Inspectors of Weights and Measures, and for the grant of certificates to persons who satis- factorily pass such examinations.

(2) A person shall not be appointed to act as an Inspector of Weights and

Measures unless he has obtained such a certificate as aforesaid, and the appointment of any person as inspector made after the commencement of the Act of 1889, but before the commencement of this Act shall, unless before
16 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

the commencement of this Act he has obtained a certificate under Section Eleven of the Act of 1889, be null and void.

(3) If any person not being an Inspector duly appointed under the AVeights

and Measures Acts, acts as such Inspector, or if any person having been appointed an Inspector after the commencement of the Act of 1889 acts as an Inspector without having obtained a certificate either under Section Eleven of that Act or under this section, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, or in the case of a second or subsequent offence, twenty pounds.

This examination, which is open to all candidates duly nominated

by a local authority, is usually held twice a year and generally occupies three successive days.

There are three main points of interest here

:

1. That the Board of Trade is the examining body on a national

basis.

2. That no person is permitted to act as an inspector of weights

and measures unless he is duly qualified and in possession of the

Board of Trade Certificate.

3. A candidate has to be nominated by a local authority.

These statutory requirements immediately set a pattern for a training program. The subjects under which a candidate is to be eventually examined are as follows : English composition, arithmetic and

mensuration, mechanics and physics, weighing and measuring practice, acts of Parliament and regulations, together with a practical

and oral examination.

The first two subjects act more or less as a guide to the basic fitness of the candidate, for if failure is found in these two groups, then

it is without doubt an impossibility to find success in the subjects to follow.

We will now examine closer the other subjects by looking at the

syllabus of the examination

MECHANICS AND PHYSICS

A knowledge of the definitions of mass, weight, force, velocity, ac- celeration, momentum, energy, work, power, and equilibrium. The

ability to solve problems in the combination and resolution of forces,

the determination of centres of gravity, moments and stresses in

simple frames.

A knowledge of the laws of friction between solid surfaces and

calculation of the reaction of hinges and supports.

The principles of simple machines including the lever, pulley, in- clined plane, screw, and eccentric cam. A knowledge of the principles of hydrostatics and of the methods

of determining density and specific gravity. The principle of pumps

and syphons. The simple properties of the atmosphere and the construction of barometers and pressure gauges.

A knowledge of heat and temperature including the properties

specific and latent heat and the expansion of solids, liquids and gases. The construction of thermometers and the conversion of different

temperature scales.WEIGHING AND MEASURING PRACTICE

A knowledge of the mechanical properties of the metals and alloys,

and of the common protective treatments applied to these materials.

The common methods of heat treatment and fabrication of metals.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 17

The construction and principles of action of the recognized general

types of weighing and measuring appliances. Beam scales, counter

machines, steelyards, dead-weight machines, compound lever machines, crane machines, automatic weighing and delivering machines.

Accelerating and vibrating machines, sensitiveness and error, self- indicating and semiself-indicating machines, and pendulum indicatingdevices generally.

^Measuring pumps and otlier liquid measuring apparatus. Leather

measuring machines, planinieters, etc. The criticism of special types and patterns : General knowledge of

the notices of patterns examined by the Board under Section 6 of the

"Weights and Measures Act, lOOtt. Ability to interpret simple mechanical drawings, plan, elevation, and section.

Construction and use of the vernier, micrometer, beam compass,

callipers, comparator; methods of weighing, intercomparison of a

set of weights: construction, care and use of fine balances, and in- spectors' standards and equipment generally.

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT AND REGULATIONS

Xothing is gained here by a repetition of the various acts and regulations of which the candidate is su^^posed to have a sound knowledge.

It is enough to say that the candidate will be examined

:

1. In the provisions of the several acts of Parliament relating to the duties of an inspector of weights and measures, and as to proceedings to be taken in case of prosecution under the acts.

2. On his knowledge of the regulations made under the acts. PRACTICAL AND ORAL EXAMINATION

The candidate will be examined as to the mode of testing weights, measures, and Aveighing and measuring instruments, and as to his

practical acquaintance with the Aveights, measures and instruments

generally in use in trade. He will be expected to possess an intelli- gent knowledge of the various tests, particularly those prescribed in

the Weights and Measures Regulations, 1907, and of the notices

issued by the Board of Trade respecting patterns of apparatus submitted for examination under Section B of the Weights and Measures

Act, 1904. He may also be required to adjust and stamp weights and

measures. Tables of the allowances for error and sensitiveness pre- scribed by the Regulations will be available during the practical

examination.

For the theoretical side of all these subjects, there are a number of

commercially sponsored courses available to candidates. One of the

most common is a course run by the National Association of Local

Government Officials. These courses are usually supervised by in- spectors who are specialists in the various subjects under their

supervision.

Mechanical engineering courses are also available and are extremely

helpful insofar that they usually embrace mathematics, engineering

science, machine drawing, etc. Students who take these mechanical

engineering courses usually qualify for their National Certificate in

Engineering. This certificate, of course, is not a statutory obligation.

The pattern usually established is for the 'Svould be" inspector to enter the service and immediately start some studies relative to his

ultimate goal of securing a Board of Trade Certificate. Some author-
18 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

ities insist that his first two years are spent in the Weights and Measures office in a clerical capacity and during that time he has the

opportunity of familiarizing himself with the achninistrative work to be done. He then works as an assistant to a qualified inspector. It will be interesting for you gentlemen to note at this stage that invariably an inspector of weights and measures in England is accompanied

during his course of duties by an assistant. The assistant has many

onerous duties to perform such as weight lifting, carrying and emptying measures of which you are all fully aware, and also he acts as a witness in corroboration to the inspector in any prosecutions which

the inspector is engaged upon.

In dealing with the training for weights and measures practice, it has already been stated that the theory for this subject is well covered

by various correspondence courses. However, on examining the syllabus, Ave see that this subject directly concerns those types of machines and instruments of which a very definite practical knowledge

must be obtained. It has been the experience that many students are capable of assimilating theoretical knowledge, but the difficulty has

alwa^^s been in the student gaining sufficient practical knowledge prior

to the examination. This has been and is today still a major problem,

and it would appear that the course to adopt is for local authorities,

through their weights and measures deiDartment, to set up some local- ized training for this most important angle in the student's training.

The great majority of this training can be done in the local inspector's office where there are invariably available smaller types of weighing and measuring instruments. In addition to this, various scale

manufacturers have always been willing to throw open their doors for

the purpose of giving students training in the siDecialized theor}' and

practice of manufacturing weighing instruments. As a matter of

fact, one compam^ runs a week's course at their factory prior to each

examination. In this course lectures and demonstrations are given

by members of the manufacturer's staff and the local inspectors of

weights and measures give further assistance during this week's

course. You will notice further in this syllabus that a general knowledge

of approved patterns as issued by the Board of Trade under Section

6 of the 1904 Act is necessary. This is something rather different from

the conditions relative to approval that we know in the United States. It is obviously impossible for a student to gain enough knowledge

of all of those approved patterns because now they run into the mau}^,

many hundreds, but it is possible for the student to have a good knowledge of an approved pattern in each group; for example, a certain

type of automatic weighing machine or egg-grading machine.

Most of the necessary knowledge for weights and measures practice is gotten by the day-to-day work of the assistant with his inspector. A great part of his time is spent assisting in the verification and

inspection of weighing and measuring instruments and, of course, weights and measures. Reading, learning, and more reading and more learning is the answer to legal study. Generally, the student will confine himself

to common law, statutory law, and case law pertaining to weights and

measures administration. Here again the student's everyday duties

bring him into close contact with the practical aspect of weights and
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 19

measures law. He should have a working knowledge of the laws of

evidence and conduct and procedure in the lower courts for, in some

cases when he is qualified and appointed as an inspector of weights

and measures, he will be required to prosecute in a court of summary

jurisdiction, on behalf of his local authority. As an inspector's cor- roborative witness in practically all of the inspector's cases, the

student has ample opportunity of becoming more than acquainted

with court procedure.

*" Xow we come to the most diffictilt and, in many person's opinion,

the most imjDortant aspect of the Board of Trade examination, and

that is the practical and oral test. In the practical test we have the

candidate now showing his manipulative skill and his ability to use

precise apparatus to advantage, very necessary qualifications, as has

already been stated in my quotation from Mr. Trump's address. For

the trainee to become proficient at testing weights and measures and

weighing and measuring instruments, he has the facility of a normally

well-ecpiipped weights and measures office. The other requirements

of the oral and practical examination are really just an expression

of the restdts of careful and diligent study regarding the legal

requirements of those machines and instruments, together with weights

and measures that come within the scope of the inspector's every-day

work.

It will be realized now that by far the great majority of the study

period and training is done on the student's own time. It will further

be realized that a candidate who has satisfied the Board of Trade

examiners in all these subjects is certainly a man who comes very

near to satisf34ng the combination of accomplishments which were

referred to in my opening remarks.

In conclusion, I would like to add that the Institute of Weights

and Measures in Great Britain have taken it upon themselves, through

their District Branches, to establish training programs in central areas for the assistants who are sttidying for the Board of Trade

examinations. I Avould like to quote from a letter I have received

recenth^ from J. R. Roberts, D. P. A., Chief Inspector of Weights and

Measures, City of ^Manchester, an ex-colleague of mine.

As a direct result of my paper we have been able to get started in Manchester a recognized course in weights and measures administration under

the auspices of the North-Western Branch and the Manchester Education

Committee. We are fortunate in having a goodly number of weights and , measures authorities in this area, and the class membership this session has been 27. The students meet twice a week, two hours on Monday

evenings for Mechanics and Physics (including laboratory work) and two

hours on "Wednesdays for AVeighing and Measuring Practice and Acts and

Regulations. In addition, lectures and demonstrations by manufacturers

of weighing and measuring devices have been held at this office and elsewhere. The class seems to have fulfilled a long-felt want and has been very well supported by the regular attendance of the students. I am now hoping to see some practical results by local successes in the Board of Trade and

Institute's examinations. I understand that similar courses are being or- ganized in other parts of the country.

The paper Mr. Roberts referred to was one he read at a NorthWestern Branch meeting entitled "Education and Training in the

Weights and Measures Service." The Institute of Weights and Measures Administration has recently set up an examination of their own

and I believe it is the hope of many that this examination will have
20 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

legal acceptance together with the Board of Trade examination at some future date. You will realize, gentlemen, that I am in no position to make any

recommendations to 3^ou nor am I so bold as to make any suggestions

to your annual Conference, but I am sure that at this stage I am in a position to state what I know of the material available now for training inspectors of weights and measures in the United States. There

are the Handbooks -H^ and tt-t, and the new Handbook 45, which

basically contain information as to requirements and methods of test- ing, etc. There is that material which has been made available to you

by the Xational Bureau of Standards. I am sure there is sufficient cooperation between the inspectorate and the manufacturers to allow

educational visits to scale and other factories. With all this material

and all these facilities available, the only other requirement necessary

for sound training is a very definite training program to be accepted

and put in force by State, City, and County authorities with the utmost

control, management, and follow-up of training groups.

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON UNIFORM

REGULATIONS, PRESENTED BY R. D. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN

The activities of this Committee as such have been confined chiefly

to a somewhat summary study of the various regulations in effect in

jurisdictions throughout the country, in an effort to determine just

what regulations might be considered as basic.

The dissimilarity of laws in force in the several States and likewise

the authoritv to promulgate regulations make such a studv extremelv

difficult. Since the resolution passed by the Thirty-fourth Conference in 1949

did not authorize this Committee to offer model regulations, but rather

"to gather and present to the Conference on Weights and Measures a progi'am of ideas and examples of regulations that may be used b}^

weights and measures officials," we find ourselves very much restricted

in recommending any specific regulations.

We therefore wish to restrict this report to reaffirmation of certain

principles pertaining to regulations and to recommendations as to the

future of the Committee.

The regulations to be dealt Avith by this Committee should not be

confused with those contained in Handbook 44 pertaining to commercial weighing and measuring devices, but rather should be confined to the field of sales of commodities and interpretation of other

phases of law.

It should be noted that those States which have enacted the Model

Law, and have kept it up to date by amendment, do not have the need

for many of the regulations which have been adopted in other States

in order to meet a weakness in their basic law.

The Committee again would like to point out some of the advantages

and disadvantages of regulations. Regulations have the distinct advantage of being more flexible than laws; they also may be changed

or repealed after due trial, if they prove to be impractical of enforcement, or if the need no longer exists for such regulation, without re- course to legislative channels. Further, regulations may be expressed

in simpler and clearer language than is necessary in a law, and may be more detailed and specific, if this is desirable.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX' WEIGHTS AX^D MEASURES 21

However, we should point out that, in many instances, the courts clo not look with favor upon enforcement by regulation. An official stands a much better chance of obtaining- a conviction on a warrant

charging viohition of a specific section of the law than he does on a regulation promulgated under the law.

AVe believe that if a regulation has the background of precedent,

such as adoption by the National Conference, or enactment by other

States, it will be looked upon Avith more favor by the courts. We wish again to state some of the principles that we believe to be

basic in drafting regulations : First : The regulation should bear a number, and a clear brief descriptive title at the top of page 1, this to be followed by a statement

of authority for its promulgation as

:

Authority: Vol. 1, Chap. 6, Section 59-73, Code of Michigan 1950

In some States the practice of quoting the section in the law authorizino- the reo-nlation is followed, and this would seem to be a desirable

practice.

Regulations should not be finally adopted without advice from your

Attoi-ney General or some one in a similar capacity. Pains should be

taken to express a regulation in as clear and concise a manner as possible, and in many instances it may be desirable to enumerate the points

to be covered, as 1. :2, 8, etc. Second : An effort should be made to find if other States have issued

regulations on the subject you wish to cover, and use these as a basis

for drafting your regulation. It is important to find out if any other

governmental agency has a regulation covering the subject, in order to avoid conflict. The recommendations of the Committee on Methods of Sales of

Commodities of the Xational Conference also should be given consideration; these, of course, are to be found in the Xational Conference

reports.

As stated in our previous report, apparently most States having an

adequate weights and measures law include a ''Xet Container Act",

which requires that all packaged goods bear a declaration of net contents. This act, in all instances where the model law has been followed,

carries a provision that "reasonable variations or tolerances shall be

permitted and that these variations or tolerances and also exemptions

as to small packages shall be established by rules and regulations".

Most States have promulgated regulations under this act, but there

is very little unifornnty. It would seem highly desirable that the

Xational Conference adopt a model regulation on this subject and that

such a regulation be written into the record. The adoption by the

States of a uniform regulation under their Xet Container Acts, which

would parallel the regulation promulgated by the Federal Food and

Drug Administration, would do much to eliminate the present con- fusion as to labeling requirements, exemptions of small packages, and

commodity tolerances.

The Committee feels, since it was created as a temporary and not

a stanclinir Committee, that it should be discontinued and its field of

activity assigned to the Legislative Committee with the authority to draft and offer for adoption such model regulations as may seem

desirable and consistent with the Model Law.
22 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

As a further recommendation we suggest that the National Bureau

of Standards give the Legishrtive Committee legal assistance, if possible, in making a comprehensive survey and analysis of existing regulations in the several States. (The report of the Special Committee on Uniform Regnlations was adopted by

the Conference.)

LPG DISPENSING EQUIPMENT—RETAIL

By W. M. Harks, Vice President, Bomser, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.

As a manufacturer of liquid-measuring devices for both the retail

and wholesale trade, I am grateful for the privilege of presenting to

this group an outline of one of our major problems in our program of

supplying equipment for accurately measuring Liquid Petroleum Gas,

commonly referred to as L. P. Gas. A brief look at the commercial

phases of this industry, whose product sales reached a total of $635,-

000,000 ^ in the year just closed, is very much in order as a prelude to

this presentation.

The phenomenal growth of this 15-year-old L. P. Gas industry may

be realized by noting that the consumption of L. P. Gas in 1926 totaled

30,000 barrels, and in the year just closed the total purchases were

barely short of 231 million barrels, or 12 billion gallons (see footnote

1) —an increase of astounding proportions! Excluding that portion

of L. P. Gas used commercially in large quantities for industrial ends,

j such as synthetic rubber, utilities, or gasoline treatment, we can focus our attention on that volume which found its way into consumer

channels, and try to visualize its distribution structure, which should

be the concern of this body in its fundamental purpose of fostering

unswerving accuracy of measurement of all liquids sold to the public

and of minimizing the perpetration of fraud through establishment

of specifications and tolerances for dispensing devices.

At the end of 1950 we find 7% million customers ^ for L. P. Gas.

Their purchases were made from 4,000 bulk plants spread throughout

the 48 States, although the greater percentage is concentrated in the

Pacific and Southwestern sections of the country. However, we are now witnessing the beginning of a vast distribution system which

will bring the advantages of L. P. Gas to other areas at low^ transj)ortation cost and will, thus, add many more millions of consumers to the

rapidly accelerating list of users. Pipe lines now^ under construction

for propane will reach new markets within the next year, and successful

experiments in storing L. P. Gas in underground salt beds and salt water sands will assure an adequate year round supply for regions

several thousand miles from the original source of this new fuel. Of great significance to us who labor in the field of dispensingmotor fuels through retail and wholesale dispensing systems is the

evidence of acceptance of L. P. Gas as a desirable fuel for internal

combustion engines on the part of truck and bus manufacturers as well as fleet owners of those types of vehicles. Buses and trucks are now being factory engineered for L. P. Gas and conversion kits are readily available for older models. In the City of Milwaukee, for

^ Tulsa fOkla.) Tribune (Jan. 16, 1951). 2L. P. Gas (Feb. 1951).
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 23

instance, we see the recent conversion of a large fleet of taxicabs to L. P. Gas as a more desirable fuel than gasoline. Within the past few

months one of the country's largest bus systems placed an order for

500 new buses, factory-built for L. P. Gas operation in competition

with diesel and gasoline-propelled types (see footnote 2)

.

As a further indication of the widespread invasion of L. P. Gas

into the internal combustion engine field, the sale of L. P. Gas con- version kits for tractors in 1950 totaled 100,000, which is equal to 22%

of all wheeled tractor shipments in the corresponding period (see

footnote 2) . Claims of increased engine life because of elimination of

carbon deposits and washing clown of lubricants, with a consequent

longer bearing and cylinder life,^ cannot be ignored as a potent factor

in the phenomenal growth of conversions to L. P. Gas in the internal

combustion engine field. One manufacturer of internal combustion

engines makes a claim of as high as 50% in increased engine life * with

the use of this fuel.THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PROBLEM As manufacturers of liquid-dispensing systems, we are mindful of our responsibility to provide a line of L. P. Gas dispensers which can

be purchased and installed by the marketers of L. P. Gas with the same

measure of confidence that is now enjoyed in the purchase and installation of a gasoline pump.

Unfortunately, the development of L. P. Gas dispensing systems has

not kept pace with the expansion of the L. P. Gas industry. Today

there are literally hundreds of crudely assembled systems in use in

various sections of the country Avhicli would fall far short of meeting

minimum re(|iiii ements as letail or wholesale devices if ordinary tests were applied. If time permitted, it would be interesting to examine

the photogi-apliic evidence of a representative number of these homemade devices which are now purporting to measure L. P. Gas in retail and wholesale transactions.

Our survey of the problem to be met by us as manufacturers indicates

that there is an immediate need for two types of L. P. Gas dispenser

which will directly concern weights and measures officials throughout

the country during tlie coming year. These are

1. A dispenser of both the computing and noncomputing type having a capacity of 35 gallons of L. P. Gas per minute. This type will

be used for dispensing to the cross-country truck trade, to fleet users

of buses and other commercial vehicles with large-capacity fuel tanks

where speed of refueling is essential.

2. A dispenser of the computing type having a capacity of 15 gallons

per minute for dispensing L. P. Gas to a less restricted class of trade,

such as the taxicab and small-truck trade, the retail filling of bottles

for the trailer and domestic trade and general all-purpose retail use. The mechanical features of these dispensers follow the general

characteristics of a gasoline pump with such variations as are neces- sary for the differences in the liquids handled. The entire system, for

instance, is designed to operate at a working pressure of 250 psi.

Because of the complete absence of lubricating qualities in L. P. Gas,

3 National Petroleum News (Feb. 28, 1951).

* L. Fageol, Mass transportation (April 1950).
24 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

the meters are equipped with carbon pistons and valves in place of the

leather-packed pistons customarily used in gasoline pumps.

As a matter of interest, both types have now been fully developed

and have recently undergone the tests prescribed by the Department

of Weights and 'Measures for Los Angeles County, Calif. Before

these units are offered for sale to the trade, they will also have undergone the rigid safety tests required by the Underwriters' Laboratories,

Inc.The usual procedure for a manufacturer of liquid-measuring devices

in designing a new piece of equipment is to make a thorough study of

the specifications and tolerances applying to such a device before

attempting to lay it out on the drafting board. By working within

the specifications and tolerances as adopted and amended from time

to time by this Conference group, he is sailing on a charted sea, so to speak, and has a reasonable assurance that, if his device complies with

those specifications and tolerances, he can ship his product into any

weights- and-measures jurisdiction with a feeling of confidence that it will be approved if it conforms with those specifications and tolerances.

In the case of L. P. Gas dispensers, however, we are sorely lacking

such guidance in the special problems that apply to L. P. Gas. The

manufacturer is on a more or less uncharted sea and must get his bearings by such stars as appear in various parts of the firmament. In our

particular case, w^e are grateful to the State of California for having

adopted certain specifications and tolerances with special application

to L. P. Gas.

In the absence of specifications and tolerances promulgated by the

National Conference on Weights and Measures to cover the variations

peculiar to the handling of L. P. Gas, we have used the California code

as our bible in the hope and belief that the tolerances and prescribed

methods of test outlined in that code will fit the pattern to be adopted

in the future by other weights-and-measures jurisdictions. Our problem will have to be faced by other manufacturers who seek to supply

this new industry, and it is my recommendation that the Conference

take the necessary steps to give recognition to the special problems

involved in this phase of liquid measuring as has been done so ably

through the past years in the perfection of gasoline-dispensing

devices. It is my sincere hope that, by the next annual meeting of this

group, as much progress will have been made toward this end as will

have been made by the L. P. Gas industry in the further expansion

of its markets.

Mr. W. H. Sieger. Mr. Chairman, I have been asked on behalf of

the Meter Manufacturers, Weights and Measures Committee, to offer our help and assistance in this matter that Mr. Harks has just dis- cussed so ably. We shall be glad to give our help and assistance to your Specifications and Tolerances Committee on the problem of

formulating these necessary specifications and tolerances.

We realize that this is a subject that will need a lot of careful study

and thought. We offer our experience for your help, and also the

experience and the work that the Combined Committee of the American Petroleum Institute and the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers, known as the P. D.—Positive Displacement Meter Committee—has performed in this connection.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 25

TEST PROCEDURES AND EQUIPMENT FOR LIQUID-MEASURING

DEVICES

WHOLESALE—BY W. H. SIEGER, STAFF ASSISTANT MANAGER OF ENGINEERING

NEPTUNE METER COMPANY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE METER MANUFACTURERS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES COMMITTEE, NEW YORK, N. Y

When requested by your Conference Secretary to prepare a paper

for presentation at this, yonr 36th Xational Conference on Weights

and Measures on the subject ''Equipment and Procedures for Testing

Wholesale Meters." no particular treatment suggested itself. However, after giving it some thought, it became apparent that there is much more to this subject than is at first apparent. As we cannot

hope to cover it in complete detail in a short paper, we can only touch

upon its broader asj^ects. There are, however, excellent references for

a detailed treatment of the subject. They include the Positive Displacement Meter Code prepared by a joint Committee of the API

and the ASME, papers ]:>i'esented at past Conferences, and the new XBS Handbook Id, which is now available. In the new Handbook,

this subject is covered in precise and detailed form especially for the

weights and measures official. Its preparation reflects a considerable

expenditure of time, effort, research, and ability of its author, Ralph

W. Smith. To the newcomer who may not know Mr. Smith, it should

suffice to say that his qualifications are obvious, based upon his devotion of a lifetime to weights and measures work, from which he has

recently decided to retire, his past position as Chief of the Office of

Weights and Measures of the National Bureau of Standards, your

past Conference Secretary, and as a member of the Specifications and

Tolerances Committee.

Although these comments are based upon a preview of just part of

Handbook 45. its value to every weights and measures official is unquestionable. Acquire a copy, give it study, and apply its contents,

and you will do your job and yourself a service which cannot help but

make your work more interesting and productive.

An analysis of the essential items of equipment and the procedure

for performing this work reveals some very interesting facts. The

material equipment, although expensive and available in only limited

amounts, is just part of the story. The "know how-' required for its proper and successful operation is as essential as suitable equipment.

The acquisition of "know how" requires, however, far more than an

occasional expenditure of money for equipment or the periodic check

of a prover tank. It necessitates training each official to be expert in

this highly technical work. His interest in his work and his ability to make the most of that interest requires the official to willingly study

and apply himself to the job at hand. The most important item on

I the list of equipment and procedure is your own personal ability.

Detailed technical knowledge of prover-tank design is not necessarily

a "must" when you acquire prover tanks. You can rely upon a reputable manufacturer of such equipment, especially if your contract

stipulates conformance with the details of construction set forth in

the ASME-API P. D. Meter Code. If at that time you also specify

adequate prover capacity to equal at least a 1 -minute run at full operating rate through the largest meter to be tested, you are pretty well

set for field work. Although it is granted that these are broad as- sumptions, it must be admitted that the careful planning they require
26 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

is a more or less "one shot" affair that requires no continual care other

than proper maintenance and periodic calibration thereafter.

The proper procedure for the utilization of this equipment is, however, quite another matter. A piece of equipment can be used by many

people. It can be passed down the line to new personnel. The basic

essentials that w^ere incorporated in its design pass along with it to the

next fellow. But this is not true of the operating knowledge required

for its proper use in the field. No matter how well the prover may be

designed and constructed, its misuse or careless operation defeats the

basic intent of weights and measures work.

It seems appropriate, therefore, to emphasize the more important

aspects of the meter proving procedure itself. At the time when the

testing of either a tank truck or loading rack meter is to be undertaken,

it is too late to be concerned about adequate proving equipment. To

do the job properly, the preparatory work must have been well done.

Then we have available a prover of adequate capacity, one that drains

completely and uniformly, has a properly designed neck and calibrated

scale, is sufficiently rigid to sustain its careful calibration, and otherwise conforms to the many details of good prover design.

Before testing commences, it is also essential that a careful inpection be made of the installation to determine whether it appears to be in satisfactory working condition and that the installation as a whole is conducive to satisfactory performance. It would, for ex- ample, be a waste of time and may result in improper calibration to

test a fuel-oil meter on a tank truck if the air release vent were plugged

or its vent line was kinked to obstruct free air flow, or if the compartment into which it vents were not itself equipped with suitable vents. Although this may be an illustration of an elementary point, the fact

remains that, without an elementar}^ knowledge of installation requirements, meter testing by itself does not necessarily result in correct meter calibration. It is well worth the time that it takes to observe

the normal operation of the system in actual use before proceeding

with the test work. By becoming familiar with the operation of the

system and observing the manner in which it is normally used, the

Official not only avoids the possibility of time-consuming errors, but

gets, at first hand, a demonstration which may be helpful to him for

conducting tests. For example, a meter may be claimed to be inconsistent. Actually, by a performance demonstration, the Official may

determine that its so-called "inconsistency" is really nonconformance

with questionable compartment calibrations. Don't give in to the

tendency of making meter adjustments before making a careful analysis of the entire situation.

In addition to the required pretest considerations, there are a number

of important points relating to test procedure that must receive proper

attention. Wetting of the prover before running the first test, complete

and uniform drainage of the prover contents, proper leveling of the

prover, etc., are the more obvious ones. But in how many meter provings is adequate attention given to the possibility of error due to evaporation of the test liquid as it splashes into a w^arm test measure ? In how many tests is correction made for the error due to a difference

in temperature between the product as it passed through the meter and

the temperature of the product in the prover tank? Handbook 44

recognizes the effect of temperature change under its "Elapsed-Time
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 27

Test'' where a correction of approximately 0.6% per 10 cleg F is sugoested for motor fuels. But no emphasis is placed on the possible

need for the application of such correction to normal test procedure.

The effect of temperature change on meter proving has been treated

too lightly for today's close meter tolerances. The acceptance tol- erance on a new meter as prescribed in Handbook 44 is % cubic inch

per gallon for the first 50 gallons and % cubic inch per gallon above

50 gallons. This amounts to 37^2 cubic inches or 0.16% for a 100-

gallon draft. A 3 deg F change in temperature will expand or contract gasoline by that amount. Therefore, if the temperature of the

gasoline in the prover tank changes by only 3 deg F from the temperature at which it was in the meter, the change in volume in the

l^rover tank has used the entire tolerance and leaves none for the meter. Are temperature readings taken and are the necessary allowances

commonly made? They are not. Is the magnitude of this test procedure error generally realized ? It is not. Gentlemen, under Handbook 44 we are working to laboratory tolerances which can only be

met by applying laboratory precision to test procedure. Whether this

is difficult to do in the field or whether it is Avithin the realm of practicability is, unfortunately, a question that does not enter into the

application of allowable tolerance. The tolerances have been established and are in force. The proving procedure must, therefore, be

in accord with them. Weights and measures has prescribed close tolerances, and it is its duty to perform its work in a correspondingly

precise manner. Many weights and measures jurisdictions are handicapped by lack

of funds to acquire suitable equipment to properly carry on their

work. This is unfortunate, but it is gradually being corrected. The

weights and measures ofiiciars job is not an easy one. He is too often

faced AA'itli tlie mandates of his office that require exacting work, but

luis insufficient equipment and help to carry it out. Fortunately, he

need not stand alone. There are many weights and measures officials wlio have far more than just a passing knowledge of this work. They

are willing and anxious to cooperate and assist each other, as demonstrated, for example, by these Conferences at which so much is accomplished. The oil industry and the meter manufacturers are

also willing and anxious to cooperate. They, too, are striving for accurate measure. But in our anxiety for perfection we must not

losp siglit of tlic limitations imposed by the need for being practical

and must guide ourselves accordingly.

By continuing our past cooperation, by recognizing the difficulties we face and finding practical answers, by the acquisition of adequate

testing equi lament and learning the required "knoAV how" to perform

this teclmical work, we can continue to make the fine showing of progress of which we can be rightfully proud today. We are in this

together, so let us continue to act as a team and give it all we have.

RETAIL—BY NELSON FRIZ, ESSO STANDARD OIL COMPANY, AND MEMBER JOINT ASME-API PETROLEUM P. D. METER COMMITTEE, NEW YORK, N. Y. Ten billion dollars worth is the estimated amount of gasoline

which our automobile owners will buy in 1951. You are charged

with the duty of making sure that our motoring public receives full value for its money, or, rather, that it obtains the amount which it
28 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

pays for. In carrying out j^our functions, you must necessarily follo^Y certain procedures and use certain equipment, and it is with

these that this paper deals.

It is important that you, among yourselves, overcome the lack of

standardization in requirements and in test practice in various State

Weights and Measures groups. It is likewise important that you

set up an over-all common sense standardization, Avithin the limits

of reasonable practice, this particularly in view of the shortages in manpower and materials which seem certain to prevail for some time

to come. From your own standpoint, you should recognize—and

among others stress the fact—that proper and adequate test equipment is absolutely essential. It is not possible, within our time limits, to even briefly discuss

the testing of all varieties of pumps, such as the piston and visible

types, with their various ramifications. An excellent description of

these devices, with the proper testing procedures and equipment, is to be found in chapter 14 ''Liquid Measuring Devices'', of the new Handbook on ''Testing of Measuring Equipment", which the

iS'ational Bureau of Standards will soon make available. I com- mend this to 5^ou and to all persons interested in measuring petroleum products, for careful study and the application of its recom- mended practices. It also treats fully of the testiiig of modern retail meter-type devices, which Avill undoubtedly be your major

problem, and Avith which this i:)aper is concerned.

Those of you who haA^e visited the factory of a reputable pump

manufacturer Avill know of his production-line tests—and that it will be a rather rare occasion Avhen a pump, leaving the plant, is not

accurate within acceptance limits Avliich you and Handbook -t-t haA^e

set up. You will also know that, with a modern pump, there is not a great deal which an unscrupulous operator can do to cheat the

customer without risking easy detection. Xevertheless, you must

be on your guard, making certain that all elements of the pump are

in place and that they are functioning as the manufacturer intended.

You should also watch for ''home-made" additions, which, Avhile perhaps installed with the best of intentions, may not work out quite

to the customers' benefit. It is obvious that any diversion of the

metered liquid back to the operator's supply tank is intentionally

fraudulent and not in this category.

For testing these modern pumps, you Avill need only a metal

5-gallon "field standard'' with a graduated neck, a sharp eye, and

your good common sense. Your complete equipment for testing at service stations might be metal liquid containers of 1-quart capacity,

conical or cylindrical and graduated neck metal "field standards"

for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 gallons. Also recommended is a cylindrical glass

graduate of seA'eral cubic inches capacity, with 14-cubic-inch subdivisions. It seems hardly necessary to say to you that these standards should be carefully kept in good condition and rechecked at

intervals.

Many of you may have heard the A^ery complete paper given last year by Mr. Heaslip of Detroit on the duties of an inspector in a serAace station. Substantially in agreement with him and wholly

in agreement with the Xational Bureau of Standards' forthcoming

Handbook, the folloAA^ing might be set up as an outline of the procedure to foUoAv in testing modern gasoline pumps.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 29

I. PHYSICAL INSPECTION

Are adjustable elements affecting metering properly sealed?

Does the pump—and its installation—conform to Handbook 44?

In particular, is the pump set level and securely fastened to its foundarion ? Is the pump system properly filled, as evidenced by the visigage

or sight glass ? If not, leakage has occurred or some liquid has been

drawn from the hose or a drop in temperature has caused normal

contraction of the gasoline. An elapsed-time test may be in order.

Is the hose full? Handbook 44 and many States require a check

valve in the nozzle and I believe that, in any case, the majority of

nozzles are so equipped. Before starting the pump motor, open the

nozzle discharge valve and shake the nozzle to determine the pres- ence and proper functioning of the check valve. A "diy'' hose will cause the meter register to ''jump'', as soon as the pump motor is started and before normal delivery begins.

Is the air eliminator air vent line plugged or constricted, so that

air passes through the meter and short changes the customer? If

so, immediate correction should be ordered. We would otherwise

expect little trouble with these air eliminators, at least so far as your work is concerned. Xevertheless, at intervals throughout your

test 3'ou should watch the visigage for air bubbles, which would

indicate that the air eliminator is not functioning properly, or that

excessive air is being induced through a "cracked" connection.

Is the zero-set-back interlock mechanism in place and apparently

in good working order? This should be noted several times during

your tests, clearing the indicating elements to zero to check on the

accuracy of the set-back and for proper interlock. Is the proper unit ])rice per gallon indicated on computing pumps?

Here again, Ave would expect little difficulty with the money value

indications getting out of phase with the gallonage indications. You

should, however, check the accurac}' of the mone}^ value computations

at several different gallonages.

Is the pressure relief valve in place and apparently in good order to maintain normal operating pressure on the discharge side of the meter

and to })i'event excessive pressure and excessive vapor formation, which

Avill cause sliort measure to the next customer?

Finally, does the pump appear to have all its normal parts, without

changes or additions and without diversion of the metered gasoline?

Is its dial and sight glass clean ? Does it appear to be properly maintained, in good condition, and free of air or liquid leaks?

II. TESTING

Always read the bottom of the meniscus on the gage glass in the

graduated neck of the 5-gallon standard. The standard must be set

level, or suspended so that it hangs plumb.

Always work to set and recommend standard procedures. Thoroughly wet the interior of the standard before each test run, empty

the standard, and allow it to drain for 10 seconds. Proceed with the

test run at once. 965584—51 4
30 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Always make readings promptly after a test rmi, to avoid errors due to evaporation or from a change in volume due to liquid temperature change.

Always operate the pump during a test run until an exact meter

indication of an even gallon is given. Read any error in delivery on

the graduated neck of the standard.

For "normal" tests, made at the maximum discharge rate, endeavor

to maintain full flow with the nozzle valve wide open for as much

of the delivery as is possible, tapering off at the end only enough to stop on an exact even gallon and perhaps to avoid overflowing the

standard. "Special" slow flow tests should be fairly accurately timed,

maintaining the delivery of 5 gallons per minute (or at any lower

speed which may be given on the dial as the low limit of accuracy)

.

Duplicate or check test runs should be standard procedure, except on the 10 gallon draw, as noted.

III. TEST EUNS

(With the standard thoroughly wetted and drained for 10 seconds immediately

before each run)

No. 1 : Five nominal gallons at "normal" or maximum rate. Read the error of delivery directly from the graduated neck of

the standard. If the device is a computer, check the accuracy of

the computed price. Clear the indications to zero and check the

accuracy of the zero indications for both gallons and money value.

Xo. 2 : Repeat No. 1 as a check.

No. 3 : Five nominal gallons at "special" slow flow rate of 5 gallons

per minute (1 gallon per 12 seconds).

Read the error of delivery directly from the graduated neck of

the standard. Clear the indications to zero and check the accu- racy of the zero indications for both gallons and money value.

No. 4 : Repeat No. 3 as a check.

In addition, if the device is a computer, interrupt the discharge

at 3 even-registered gallons. Note the computed price and later check the accuracy of the computation.

No. 5 : (Only if the value of error in any of the preceding four test runs closely approaches the value of the prescribed tolerance.)

Draw 10 nominal gallons at either the "normal" or "special"

slow flow rates, according to which showed the error approaching

the allowable tolerance.

Deliver into the standard approximately 5 gallons, but do not

stop the pump motor. Record the reading from the graduated

neck of the standard. Dump and drain the standard for 10 sec- onds. Continue the discharge into the standard until the meter

indicates exactly 10 gallons. Record the second reading from

the graduated neck of the standard and combine this algebraically with the error recorded for the first portion of the delivery.

This will give the error for the total 10-gallon delivery.

Clear the indications to zero, checking the accuracy of the zero indication for both gallons and money value.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 31

Xo. G : Eepeat Xo. 5. if the error in Xo. 5 exceeds the allowable

tolerances.

Tliese 10-gallon tests provide proportionally less allowable

tolerance than the 5-gallon draws. Should the errors in the 10- gallon tests be in excess of the applicable 10-gallon tolerance,

rejection of the ptmip is in order.

ELAPSED-TOIE TEST

You may or may not need to consider this. If the pump is "full,'* witii no indication of leaks, or of air in the visigage, and

if the first test run shows it to be within tolerance, the elapsed

time test should not be required. If, however, there are signs of

trouble by air, leaks in the hose nozzle check valve, needle valve,

presstire relief valve or elsewhere, and if the first test run is short

and the second within tolerance, a time test should be made, as follows

:

Draw 5 gallons as in test run Xo. 1 and note the reading on the

standard. Eec[tTire the pump to be locked and kept out of service

for a number of hours, one. two, or more, when again 5 gallons

should be drawn as in test run Xo. 1, and the reading on the standard noted. The difference in these two readings is the error in

the time test. The allowable tolerance is 2 cubic inches per hour.

Due allowance for a temperattire change should be made, on

the basis of 0.6 percent per 10 deg F change.

If the pump is approved after the required tests, affix lead-and-wire

sectirity seals to protect all adjustable elements affecting measurement.

The preceding is, of course, ''very old stuff" to most of you, and some may not entirely agree with all steps in the tests. ])articularly as to repeating the draws in all cases. Others may wi>h to precede test run

Xo. 1 by perhaps a smaller draw, especially if the pump has been standing idle for some time. I believe, however, that the procedure as out- lined is sensible and sound and that it will tell you without any doubt

or question all that yoti need to know about a pump in order to approve

or condemn it. THE NEW MARYLAND WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LAW

By Dr. H. L. Stier, Chiefs Department of Marhets^ State of Maryland

On May 7, 1951, Maryland obtained a new Weights and Measures

Law. On this date, the Governor signed this new legislation after

many years of inadequate legislation and futile attempts in many

sessions of the Legislature to give Maryland a new and up-to-date

Weights and Measures Law. The special commissions appointed by

the former Governors of the State of Maryland to study the weights

and measures situation in the State invariably recommended the re- drafting and revising of both the law and the weights and measures

organization setup in the State. However, the legislative history

of all the bills introduced shows that none of the bills ever got out of

the committee to which they were referred upon introduction, this

despite the fact that many leaders in industry and agricultttre recognized the need for improving Maryland weights and measures

administration and recommended such action.
32 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

On June 28, 1950, weights and measures personnel in the various

counties and the City of Bakimore and the State Department of

Markets met together in the Office of George H. Leithauser, Senior

Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures in Bahimore City,

and formed the nucleus of the Maryland Weights and Measures Association. In addition to those that were directly concerned with

weights and measures activities, there were also present at this meeting a representative of the Office of Legislative Reference, a member

of the State Senate, representatives of County Commissioners in

counties having no weights and measures personnel and the legal

counsel for one of the County Board of Commissioners. It was at this meeting that A. Morton Thomas, Director, Department of In- spection and Licenses of Montgomery Count3^ was elected Chairman

of the group and instructed to give major attention during the 3^ear to the matters of legislation and education in the weights and measures field. May of 1950 marked the beginning of the many frequent

and long sessions that Avere to be subsequently held in shaping a new Weights and Measures Law for the State of Maryland. Model

Law No. 2 prepared by the National Conference on Weights and

Measures several years ago was used as a starting point for Maryland's new legislation. A Legislative Committee consisting of Mr. Thomas,

Mr. Leithauser, Dr. Howard L. Stier, and William S. Bussey, Chief,

Office of Weights and Measures, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C., ex officio, prepared the first draft of the law. After conferences with the State Board of Agriculture, representatives of vari- ous industries and others, this draft was amended from time to time.

By the end of 1950, it was felt that we had a law which met most of

the requirements of the needed legislation, and, at the same time, had

a good chance of passage. The Legislative Committee worked

closely during its activities with Dr. Carl Everstine in the Office of

the Maryland Department of Legislative Reference. His helpful and

cooperative assistance aided the group greatly in preparing a law

which met the legal requirements of the State and of a form acceptable to the Legislature. Conferences were held with groups in industry and with agricultural organizations soliciting their suggestions

and support for the new legislation. On January 10, 1951, at the

Annual Meeting of the Marjdand Agricultural Society and the Maryland Farm Bureau Federation the following resolution was unanimously adopted

:

Accurate weights and measures are important to fairness in the conduct

of the affairs of the Agriculture of the State, which has an annual value of approximately $2.50 million to the farmers,

The benefits of accurate weights and measures apply to all citizens and

such benefits are self-evident and undisputed, and

Adequate weights and measures service is not available to the citizens of the State of Maryland, except in Baltimore City,

Such services are essential to the conduct of interstate commerce and

most other States now have uniform weights and measures legislation and

enforcement. We urge the Maryland General Assembly in session during 19.51 to enact

a revised weights and measures law for the State of Maryland (Not affect- ing existing operations in weights and measures enforcement in Baltimore

City) which would provide a State Weights and Measures Agency operating

under the State Board of Agriculture with suflicient authority to provide the

citizens of the State with the weights and measures protection they rightfully expect.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 33

This organization represented all segments of Maryland agriculture.

The Secretary of the organization forwarded a cop}^ of the resolution

to the State Legislature and wrote a personal letter to the Chairman

of the Senate Finance Committee, to which the new bill had been

referred.

Mr. Thomas spent much time and effort from Januai^^ through

March in getting the bill introduced and following it through all its legislative history from the time of introduction to the day it was

signed by Governor ^IcKeldin. The first step in the introduction of

the bill was to obtain sponsors. Messrs. Thomas and Stier of the

Legislative Committee visited the Montgomery County Delegation

in their office in the State House and discussed at some detail the

background and history of the previous legislation and the new bill. The delegation, as a vrliole, was very favorable in its reaction to the new bill. Senator Hyde, of Montgomery County, was so favorably

impressed that he immediately requested the opportunity to sponsor

the bill in the Senate. Senator Preston, of Baltimore City, joined with

him in sponsoring the bill. It was introduced to tlie State Senate on February 9, 1951, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

The Legislative Committee of the Maryland Weights and Measures

Association immediately contacted Senator Goldstein, who was Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and made known to him and

his Committee that the Maryland Weights and Measures Association

would help and assist the Committee in any way possible. The Senate Finance Connnittee scheduled a hearing on March T. The Association had present for presentation of testimony at that hearing the

following ])ersons : Mr. Thomas, Mr. Leithauser, Dr. Stier, Mrs.

Margaret Kimball, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Labor and

Industry, Robert Mathias, Legal Counsel, Prince Georges County

Commissioners, and W. F. ^lulligan. President, Prince Georges

County Civic Federation. The hearing had attracted considerable

interest and the hearing room was ])acked. Many of those present

represented some form of opposition to the bill by commercial firms.

Subsequent events revealed that the only real opposition originated

in the bread and soap industries. At this hearing, the representatives

of soap industry exhibited tremendous opposition, but it has been

learned since that time that this was entirely tlie feeling of the legal

representative at that hearing and not the general feeling of the in- dustry. The daily industry was also rej^resented and had only one minor objection, and that was the inclusion of a 1/3-quart measure,

anticipating the use of this size container for concentrated milk.

Since the majority of the dairy industry re])resentatives were against

this unit of measure, this provision was deleted. One minor change

concerned the designation of weight on containers containing cottage

cheese. After a somewhat stormy hearing and cool reception of the

bill by the Committee, we were not certain what the future of the

bill might be. We believe that probably one of the most important

bits of testimony offered was that given by Mr. Mulligan representing

the consumer interests. This witness presented a very impressive

and significant summary of the feelings and actions of the civic groups

in his county. His testimony was all the more valuable, since it came

immediately after a challenge by a member of the Finance Committee

to show one consumer who would speak in favor of the bill.
34 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

After the liearing before the Senate Finance Committee, the bill was referred to a subcommittee, headed by Senator Kimble of Allegany County. The other members of the subcommittee were Senator

Byrd of Worcester County and Senator Shehan of Talbot County.

This subcommittee met on March 13 (approximately a week later)

with the Legislative Committee of the Maryland Weights and Measures Association to revise and redraft the bill. The redraft of the

bill was reported out with a favorable report from the Senate Finance

Committee. It later passed the Senate and was referred to the House

Ways and Means Committee. All this time, Mr. Thomas continually

followed the progress of the bill and appeared before the House Ways

and Means Committee to testify again concerning the bill. Additional modifications and amendments pertaining to bread and twine

or cordage were made by this Committee. With a favorable report

from this Committee, it went to the Floor of the House. It passed

the House and went back to the Senate for reconsideration of the. amendments made in the House. By this time, the end of the session was nearing. If it had not been for Mr. Thomas' continual efforts at the State House, the bill would never have come to a vote again in

the Senate. It finally came to a vote at the very last session of the

Legislature for the year, and was passed at midnight on April 2, 1951.

After further additional delay by the Governor in signing the bill,

it was placed on the Governor's desk during the last week in which

the Governor could sign the bill. The delay in the signing of the

bill was due to additional opposition to the bill being raised by a prominent ice cream manufacturer of Baltimore City. It appeared

that this objection might have the effect of causing the Governor to veto the bill, and resulted in a number of telephone conversations

followed by meetings with the ice cream manufacturer concerned,

the Attorney General of the State, and others in the industry. Finally, on May 4, two days prior to the last possible date when the

Governor could sign the bill, complete agreement had not been reached

between the ice cream manufacturer and weights and measures offi- cials on his basis for opposition. Further telephone conversations

ensued with legislative assistants to the Governor. On May 7, when

the Governor signed the last bills for the year, Mr. Thomas was in

his office, and the Governor indicated he felt the bill was a good one and signed the bill at 11 :30 a. m. on May 7 and the long struggle for

the weights and measures bill was over, and it became law. The

Association has received a letter from the Governor formally notifying it of his action.

You have heard me make several references to Mr. Thomas. You

heard Dr. Condon, this morning, publicly commend him. Some of

you were not present when that was done. I would refer all of you

to Mr. Thomas to answer any questions concerning pitfalls and tips on how to do things in the Legislature. So that you might all see who this man is, I will ask him to stand. He is the President of our new Weights and Measures Association in Maryland.

Mr. A. MoRTOx Thomas. I would like to make one comment. Dr.

Stier presented the paper and, of course, had to be modest. But

certainly without the assistance and cooperation and the drive of Dr.

Stier, this bill would not be a reality. So I think we should give Dr.

Stier a hand. We are not trying to put gravy on everybody's shoul-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 35

ders, but he certainly deserves a commendation for the work that he

has clone. I woukl like to pass this on—it may be a little premature,

but under the new law of the State of Maryland, we are supposed to have a State Superintendent. The Maryland Weights and Measures

Association has already gone on record and made a formal recom- mendation that he be considered. We have recommended him for our new State Superintendent. We hope to hear before the first of

June that his appointment has been made.

(Dr. Howard L. Stier was subsequently appointed State Superintendent of

V\' eights and Measures for Maryland, effective June 1, 1951.

)

ICE CREAM—SALE BY WEIGHT

By W. a. Ej:rlix, County Sealer of Wei(/hf$ and Measures^ Alameda

County^ Calif. I realize that the sale of ice cream by weight is a very controversial

subject.

We. in California, have been accused for many years by people from

other States of peddling hot air. We do not peddle hot air—hot air

is free. We are all guilty, hoAvever. of peddling cold air—cold air

delivered by manufacturers and offered for sale b}^ retailers in the 48

States in pints, quarts, and gallons. The cold air to which I refer

is the air that is whipped into ice cream during the manufacturing

process. It is a well-established fact that 5 gallons of ice cream mix

might become 10 or 11 gallons of finished product merely by the addition of air beaten in during the freezing process. "Over-run", as

this is known to the industry, varies with each manufacturer, some

being satisfied with 85%, while others are more greedy and take as high as 110 to 120%.

Our greatest problem, however, is not in the machine-filled quarts

and pints, but in the so-called "hand-packed" units. If it is poorly

packed, and it usually is, more and more air spaces get in. Holes do

not count when buying doughnuts or pretzels by the pound, but they

certainly do wlien they are sold in pints and quarts when buying ice cream by volume.

For some time now, industry has been aware that there is a definite

movement to sell ice cream by weight. This subject has been under

discussion since 1925, when Joseph G. Rogers, State Superintendent,

Division of Weights and Measures, State of New Jersey, delivered before the Eighteenth Annual Conference a paper entitled "Shall Ice Cream be Sold by Weight?" Mr. Rogers, among others, has been

very active in this field for the past 25 years. Joseph F. Blickley, Director, Bureau of Standard Weights and

Measures of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, informed me that

recently a member of the General Assembly of that State presented a

bill requiring the sale of ice cream on a weight basis because of the

many requests received by the legislator from his constitutents who

consider the sale of ice cream on a liquid measure basis both unethical

and unfair, as there is no way of determining if one has received, full value for price paid. I am sure all officials who have been actively

interested in this subject will agree with that premise.

For the past 3 years, Salt Lake City, through its Sealer, E. C. Westwood, has promoted, whenever possible, the sale of ice cream by weight.
36 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Many of the dealers are advertising the sale of ice cream by weight,

and Mr. Westwood's department, through newspaper articles, has

encouraged the public to request their purchases on this basis. Since this policy has been in force, their complaints have been re- duced by at least 50% and many of the dealers are now encouraging

the Weights and Measures Department in Salt Lake City to submit

to the City Connnission a request to amend the law to the effect that

ice cream shall be sold on a weiglit basis only.

During 1946 the Director of the Bureau of Weights, Measures, and

Markets of the District of Columbia, J. T. Kennedy, conducted an ex- tensive survey on the subject in question. After considerable time

and effort was expended, and the usual adverse conclusions drawn con- cerning the sale of ice cream by liquid measure, public support did not

warrant taking the matter further. This seems to be the case almost

unanimously.

I wish to acknowledge the information given to me by the four

gentlemen previously mentioned and to express my appreciation for

the historical background which it provided.

One of the most recent attempts at this type of legislation was in our own State of California in 1949. The California Association of

Weights and Measures Officials, through its Legislative Committee,

drafted a bill requiring that ice cream be sold on a weight basis. This bill was introduced by Senator Arthur H. Breed, Jr.. of Alameda

County, and was referred to as Senate Bill 9, which read as folloAvs

:

An act to add Section 12024.6 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to the sale of ice cream. The people of the State of California do enact as follows : Section 1. Section 12024.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code

to read : 12024.6. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or advertise for sale any ice cream, sherbet or ice milk other than by weight determined at time

of sale on a scale or beam properly sealed in accordance with the provisions

of this division. The provisions of this section do not apply to the sale of

ice cream, sherliet or ice milk sold in the wrapper or container in which it was received by the purchaser from, and on which appears the net weight

of the commodity therein as marked by, the manufacturer, packer, w^hole- saler or jol)l)er. The provisions of this section do not apply to the sale of ice cream in cones

or individual servings of the product mentioned.

The above was only 13 lines long, but it embodied all of the requirements we felt necessar}^ I was privileged to present the case for our

Association, and Senator Breed, who is an ardent believer on this subject, presented his case, in a 2-hour hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, at which time arguments were heard for and against

the bill. While some of the industry's statements were patently in- correct, they were, nevertheless, confusing enough to defeat the ''do- pass" motion by a seven to six vote. Being connected with legishitive w^ork during the past 3 years, first as President of our Association, and later as Chairman of the Legislative Committee, I have come to the conclusion that, until we can have

the Avholehearted support of consumer groups, we, or any official organization, are wasting our time to oppose seasoned lobbyists and

politicians when presenting our cases before State legislative boclies. Our Association has not abandoned its support of this issue, but is
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX^ WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 37

awaiting developments of the ''edncational program'' which industry

says they are instituting.

It is my opinion that this subject should be kept alive through the

combined efforts of this and other organizations, and that the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities should again open the

subject for hearing, discussion, and recommendation.

The weights and measures officials are not out to penalize any

industry. However, packaging and merchandising has changed

many times for many industries during these past decades. It is not the intent or purpose of weights and measures officials to jeopardize

sales or increase prohibitively the cost of production or retail sales

prices. On the contrary, we are desirous to cooperate with industry

so that the 2:>i'oducers will please the consumers to the ultimate satis- faction of both.

(The Conference adjourned, to meet at 10 a. m. Wednesday, May 23, 1951.)
THIRD SESSION—MORNING OF WEDNESDAY,

MAY 23, 1951

(Dr. E. U. Condon, President, and F. C. Yarbrough, Vice President, presiding)

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE TESTING OF RAILWAY

TRACK SCALES, PRESENTED BY J. P. McBRIDE, CHAIRMAN

The Thirty-fifth ISTational Conference on Weights and Measnres

adopted the following resolution

Resolved, That a committee of tliree members of this Conference be ap- pointed to study and report at the next Conference on the practicability of State supervision over railway track scales and their use, this committee

to consult with accredited representatives of the railway industry, to ascer- tain the practical requirements.

The members of the committee appointed under this resolution are James E. Brenton, California ; Erling Hansen, Minnesota ; and John

P. McBride, Massachusetts.

During the aforementioned Conference, Dr. Condon, Director of

the National Bureau of Standards, in his opening address, among

other things, outlined the Bureau plans in relation to railway track

scales. In his remarks, he stated that the railway track scale testing

program is presenting some difficulty to the Bureau and that their

equipment for that purpose has been two specially built cars, one

of which had so far deteriorated that its further use was doubtful.

The question that confronted the Bureau was to ascertain the proper

course to pursue, with the idea in mind that railway track scales are

legally in the category of devices within State jurisdiction, and, while

the Bureau wanted to be of whatever help possible, it did not want

to be in the position of usurping State prerogatives. Briefly, his

remarks on this subject were as follows

:

We find that a fairly satisfactory service for the whole country has been

operated in the past with only two test cars. I think it would be conceded

it would be foolish then for the 48 States to engage in such matters. But

it is so closely tied up with the responsibilities of the State officers that I would like the matter to get some attention from you in the planning of

it, so as to make sure that we are doing what you want us to do, and not doing what you don't want us to do, and in general so that the whole matter

is handled in a properly coordinated way as between the Federal interest

in the matter and the State and local interests in the matter. In accordance with the Conference resolution, your Committee

undertook its work by corresponding with all State authorities having

weights and measures functions, 44 in number, and with accredited

railroad representatives. Replies were received from 32 States and,

in all instances save one, it was the opinion of these various officials that the work should be performed by the National Bureau of Standards, as has been the long-standing practice. The railroad interests

38
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFERENCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 39

contacted were of the same opinion. In the communication received

by your Committee, there was a general feeling of satisfaction with

the procedure already established with the desire that it be expanded

if possible, albeit, in some instances a feeling of States rights was

expressed.

While it is doubtless true that primarily this is a function of State

government in its proper policing of weights and measures laws, it is also a fact that this activity would not, in each State, be a full-time

operation. In order for the individual States to assume this task, a considerable expenditure of public monies would be necessary for the

equipment, which would mean a test car, a master scale, trained per- sonnel and necessary transportation facilities. This would result in a

multiplicity of similar units in all of the States for infrequent use, and

obviously, from the standpoint of economic operation of a governmental function, would not be good practice. From this standpoint

j: alone, the problem suggests itself as one which is ideal for a centralized

operation in the Federal Government and this without the taint of

Federal intrusion but rather of Federal cooperation.

Another factor in this matter is that railway scales are confined to two types of use, namely, by railroads in determining transportation

I costs, and by lai'2'e indii^ti ie^ in sliipment and receipt of carload lots of material, with the latter use being the predominant one. These

transactions, therefore, would in most cases involve interstate commerce. In examining the entire question, it appears that adequacy and

accuracy of railway track scales became a matter of concern about the

turn of the century and it moved from the industry itself seeking to

I accoiii])]ish more satisfactory results in weighing operations of this

magiiittide. As a part of the then projected program, the National

Bureau of Standards functioned as an investigatory authority and

j was equip])e(l with two test cars designed especially for testing master

' scales used for standardizing niilway track scale test cars. The

Bureau also had a third unit used principally in so-called spot tests. From this beginning, the Bureau has furnished the calibrating

equipment and personnel, and the railroads the transportation. It was

\ the Bureau policy to notify all State authorities, in advance of time

I of operation of the unit within their jurisdiction, so that a State

I official might be present at the time of test and, from such observations,

be in a position to apply the necessary seal, and copies of the test reports were sent to the concerned State authority. Thus, the Bureau

served industry and acted in behalf of the State authorities in the

fact-finding necessary to determine the course of action by such

officials.

I The railroads likewise have furnished equipment and personnel for

] testing commercial-type scales. In fact, the great bulk of this type

of testing has been done by the railroads, who test not only their own

commercial-type scales, but also those owned by industry. It is proper

to state that the carriers have done a remarkable piece of work in
40 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

this field. However, it is the opinion of your Committee that additional master track scales should be installed. We suggest as particular locations for these master scales the Xe^Y England area, probably Boston or Springfield, and the States of Xew York, Alabama, and

Texas, which are areas not now so served.

It is the well-considered opinion of your Committee that this type

of work is a special and concentrated function and that the industry

involved can and does take care of the situation in an admirable manner. It is, however, essential that the government have a position

in this activity by testing a representative number of commercial-type

scales and by furnishing official means of calibrating master track

scales and standardizing track scale test cars not having access to master track scales. Moreover, we believe that the Bureau activity should be further

expanded, in fairness to the importance of the problem involved, by

maintaining at least two track scale testing units in constant service.

This program, your Committee feels, would make possible testing

of master scales with desired frequency, as well as accomplishing

the testing of a more representative number of commercial-type rail- way scales selected so as to serve as a reflective index of the entire

picture.

It is, therefore, the recommendation of your Committee that this

Conference go on record as requesting the National Bureau of Standards to adopt as a permanent policy the procedure of furnishing test- ing equipment and personnel necessary for the proper conduct of the

program; that the Bureau notify the proper State authorities when

the equipment is to operate in their respective jurisdictions and furnish copies of test reports to such State authorities.

We further recommend that the States cooperate fully in this program by representation at such tests and by performing the necessary

chities in relation thereto. It is also urged that the railroads continue

their present practice of furnishing transportation for the Bureau

equipment as industry's part of the program. We feel that this is a proper and sensible method of Federal aid to the States in this field of

public service.

(Following presentation of the Committee report, J. N. Todd, Superintendent

of Scales and Work Equipment, Southern Railway System, and Chairman, Sub- committee on Scales, Yards, and Terminals Committee of the American Railway

Engineering Association, made the following statement.) I am with the Southern Eailway, and as chairman of the scale subcommittee of the engineering division of the AAK, I represent the

railway industry. I feel that there is nothing to criticize. I believe

that we can approve this report in general, but I would like to stress one or two points.

One is, of course, that it is very well Avritten and a very well pre- sented report. Another is the contribution that the railroads make.

All of the work being done that has been done in nearly 40 years

is under an existing agreement with the Association of American

Eailroads, by which the railroads furnish free transportation for

this equipment tliroughout the country, and they are glad to do it. of course, because they benefit by it.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 41

It is an existing activity and Ave feel it shouldn't be disturbed. I

certainly hope that the Conference will give favorable action to this

recommendation of the Committee. With respect to additional master

track scales, it is true they are needed, particttlarly in the Xew England area and in the Southwest. Sixteen of the 19 track scales are owned by railroads. There is no provision in this recommendation

for financing. I assume that will be taken care of in some measure, and I hope it will be. It is of nmtual interest to the shippers as well as the railroads to have accurate weights, and this practice of

calibrating master track scales, and through them sealing test cars, annually is a contribtition to accurate weights that should not be clis- ttirbed, and we would like to see it continued as it is. The Chairmax. I might say that the thing that brotight this matter

forcibly to my attention Avas the fact that one of our two eqtiipments was in such a bad state of repair that Ave Avould have to make a major

investment to replace it. Ahvays Avhen something of that sort comes

tip, it seems as though it is desirable to have a fresh look at the old

situation and see if it does really correspond to present needs and

Avhether there are matters of detail that could be improA^ed.

It Avas that particular thing that led me to raise the question, not

with any doubts or misgivings or anything about it. It is very gratifying to me to get the impression that the feeling at least of the Committee and perhaps of the Conference that the Avork as a whole is satisfactory.

What Ave Avant to do, of course, is to get doAvn to the job of seeing

hoAv to improA'e it in detail, if it is on the Avhole satisfactory, because

I am sure tliat nothing is so satisfactory but that it can't be improved

in detail. That is all that I had in mind,

(There being no further comments, the question was taken, and the Committee

report was adopted.)

PRESENTATION OF SCROLL TO NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Mr. .1. E. Brenton presented to Dr. Condon, Director of the Xational Bureau of Standards, the .scroll which was authorized by the Conference during the Second

Session, and spoke as follows

:

Dr. Condon, in the Government of the United States, consisting

principally of three branches—Executive, Judicial, and LegislatiA^e

there are many agencies and bureaus, but Ave belicA'e there are none

that hold the esteem and admiration of the American people as does

the Xational Bureau of Standards, of Avhich you are the Director.

This scroll is presented on behalf of the delegates and members of

the Tliirtv-sixth Xational Conference on Weights and Measures.

It is offered not only by the people here, but by the Aveights and

measures officials throughout the United States. It is offered Avith

the hope that you Avill remain for many years as Director of the

Bureau, and that the Bureau Avill have many fifty-year anniA^ersaries.

The Chairmax. These A^ery kind and friendly Avords are deeply

appreciated by all the members of the staff, I am stire. We ho])e that Ave do in some measure deserve them and that we

will in increasing measure continue to deserA^e them. I give you my

Avord that Ave Avill do our best. This Avonderful thing is signed by the

six Vice Presidents of the Conference.
42 MISC. PUBLICATIO^s^S, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

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I

I STANDARDS OF MASS

By L. B. Macurdy, CAf^'/, .¥«-^.5 /S'ecz'icr^ National Bureau of Standards

The Xational Bureau of Standards is the custodian of the standard

of mass for the United States. This standard is known as tlie Prototype Kilogram Xo. 20. Kilogram No. 20, like the national prototype

kilograms of other countries, is an accurate copy of the International

Kilogram and is the basis for the value of all weighings made in

science, commerce, and industry in this country. It is necessary to
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 43

promulgate specifications for tiie weights used in these weighings in

order to insure uniformity and reliability. In this talk I will discuss some of the principles involved in establishing- these specifications.

All state weights and measures offices are concerned with the cali- bration of test weights of 500 lb, 1.000 lb, or larger with the values

based on 50-lb standards. For this reason, with a 50-lb weighing as an example, I will discuss precision of -measurement, precision of adjusted values, accuracy, and the effect of errors caused by rounding

off written values, particularly their connection with the requirements on accuracy of measurement.

Precision as referred to a balance or scale means the amount within

which the results of a weighing may be repeated. Precision as applied

to a weight seems to have no meaning. However, the precision of the

value of a weiglu uieans the amount within which we know the diff'er- ence between its value and the values of other weights with which

it has been compared. Usually by making a least-square adjustment

of a half dozen or more comparisons of weights in a set, the precision

of the resulting values is increased to about one decimal place better

tlian the precision of the observations.

In order for the value of a weight to be accurate, the value must

be known to be a definite multiple or fraction of the value of the

International Kilogram. The accuracy is the amount between an upper and lower limit within which the value is known to lie. Accuracy is therefore really the sum of the various uncertainties entering

into the value. These include the precision of the adjusted value, or if there is no adjustment, the precision of measurement of the balance or

scale, and any constant errors or lack of certainty in the value of the

standards. The precision of the value is necessarily known within a smaller amount tlian the accuracy. The accuracy of the value also

cannot be better than one unit in the last significant figure given for

the value. However, in carrying additional figures, one unit in the

last decimal place may be smaller than the precision of measurement

or smaller than the precision of the adjusted value and still be useful.

If the number of significant figures gi^•en does not exceed the number

required to state the accuracy-, then errors of rounding off are trouble- some.

Sijice this is an important poijit, I have chosen as an example the

case in which the value of a 00-lb weight, accurate to 1 grain, is rounded

oft* to 1 grain. In this case, the significant figures do not exceed the

u umber required to express the accuracy. The largest error is in

the final rounding off, and may amount to 0.5 grain. In the computations we ordinarily work to a factor of 10 beyond the rounded value.

If we reserve 0.1 grain to allow a safety factor in the case of small

errors of computation and if we reserve 0.1 grain for possible accumulation of rounding off errors in computation, then the discrepancies in

measurement must be within 0.3 grain. In order to have discrepancies

of only 0.3 grain, the accuracy and precision of measurement must

actually be within 0.15 grain. This is a])proximately one-seventh of

the accuracy of the final value as rounded off to 1 grain.

By comparison, if the value is rounded off to 0.1 grain, the computations are ordinarily made to 0.01 grain, the accuracy ancl precision
44 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

of measurement need be only 0.46 grain as can be seen from the fol- lowing tabulation. This is three times the required accuracy and

precision of measurement when the value is rounded off to 1 grain.

In other words, the requirements for accuracy of measurement may

be reduced by a factor of three, as a result of retaining one uncertain

figure in the value.

Effect of rounding off values on required accuracy in measurement

50 lb+1 grain 50 lb + 1.0 gram

Accuracy 1 grain 1 grain

Value rounded off to 1 grain 0.1 grain Final rounding off 0.5 grain__ 0.05 grain

Safety factor 0.1 grain. _ 0.01 grain Error of rounding off in computations 0.1 grain _ _ 0.01 grain Allowable discrepancies 0.3 grain. _ 0.93 grain Hence required accuracy of measurement 0.15 grain. 0.46 grain

(one-half of allowable discrepancies).

In establishing specincations for weights, provision must be made

for material, surface finish, means of adjustment and sealing, designation of value, storage cases, etc., and tolerances. The basis for establishing tolerances, that is, allowable errors in weights, needs the most

explanation.

First, the tolerance cannot be smaller than the inherent accuracy of

the weight. This accuracy is limited by any variability in the value

of the weight. Variability may arise from such effects as atmospheric

corrosion, wear resulting from use, variation in absorbed or adsorbed

moisture with changes in relative humidity, and variation in the

apparent mass value with change in air density. All of these sources of variability must be considered and made negligible by suitable

specifications.

Bare brass weights are permissible for commercial trade weights,

but inspectors' test weights must be protected from atmospheric corrosion. Such weights may be handled with the bare hands and must,

therefore, have a hard finish, whereas the one-piece reference-type

weights may be gold plated and must be handled with special lifters because gold plating is soft and subject to rapid wear. Adsorbed

moisture is a consideration in some of the laboratory classes of weights.

The most important source of variability in regard to tolerance specifications is the variation in the apparent mass value with changes in

air density.

Commercial weighing, as a result of long established custom, is regularly carried out on the basis of apparent mass as compared with

normal brass standards (density of 8.4 g/cm^ at 0° C and coefficient of cubical expansion of 0.000 054/deg C) in air without applying any

correction for the buoyant effect of the air. Most weights have densities somewhat different from normal brass; therefore, the buoyant

effect of the air upon such weights differs from the buoyant effect for

normal brass. As the air density changes, the buoyant effects change,

and the value with reference to normal brass appears to change.
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 45

Maximum departure from apparent mass versus brass

(In parts per million, milligrams per kilogram, or grams per 143 pounds)

Location and elevation Material Density Sea level

0 ft

.

1,000 ft Denver

5,280 ft Mexico

City

7,480 ft Pikes Peak

14,134 ft

Olcm^

Brass-- - 8.6 -0.26 -0. 38 -0. 85 -1.07 -1.65 Do 8.2 +.25 +. 36 +.82 +1.02 -4-1.58 Stainless steel - 7.8 +.81 +1.18 +2. 67 +3.34 +5.15

Cast iron -_ 7.0 +2.1 +3.10 +6. 99 +8.76 +13. 5 Aluminum 2.7 +23.8 +34.8 +78.4 +98.2 +151.5 Platinum- _- 21.5 -6. 61 -9. 64 -21.8 -27.3 -42.1 The values in this table include effects of local variations in air

density and change in air density with elevation. Habitable temperatures and values for relative humidity as would be found in- doors were used in these computations.

The tolerance structure must provide for the following multiplying factors between the relatively small inherent variability listed

above and the comparatively large commercial tolerances. Class A

accuracy must be several times the tabulated inherent variability,

and class A tolerances must be several times the class A accuracy.

Class C tolerances are 5 times class A tolerances, and commercial

trade tolerances are 10 times class C tolerances. The accuracy falls

off rapidly for weights below one-half pound. A further multiplying factor is that because of the high ratio of the lever systems,

which may be 200 to 1 or greater, the errors of small weights are multiplied when used to counterpoise relatively large platform loads. In order to be able to determine with a fair degree of assurance whether a weight is in tolerance, the tolerance must be several times

larger than the amount represented by the accuracy. If the toler- ances are made as small as the inherent variability of the material,

the weights may be in tolerance one day and out of tolerance the

next. A second consideration in establishing tolerances is that the tol- erances should be of the same order of magnitude as the precision

of the weighing apparatus. Weighing errors are necessarily the sum of two groups of errors ; one, errors of the weighing apparatus,

and two, errors in the weights. For this reason allowable errors or

tolerances for weights must have some reasonable relation to errors of the weighing apparatus, neither several times larger nor many

times smaller.

There are two ways of describing the accuracy of a set of weights.

All weights and all combinations of weights of a set may be said to be accurate within some fixed amount, say 1 grain or 1 mg. As the

size of weights increases, the point will eventually be reached where

accuracy within any fixed amount, for example, 1 grain, is unobtainable. A second way of expressing accuracy of a set of weights

is to say that all weights and all combinations are accurate within

965584—51 5
46 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

some definite ratio, say 1 part in 100,000. This definition breaks

down as the size of the weights becomes smalL The precision of a good balance is nearly constant for all loads. Of course there are

differences for individual balances, but as a general rule, to weigh

to a smaller amount with a smaller load, one must go to a smaller

balance. With any fixed ratio, eventually a point is reached as the

size is decreased when the accuracy is unattainable. Any tabulation of weight tolerances over a useful range of denominations will

require proper consideration of these two conflicting descriptions

of accuracy.

Finally, the tolerances must be related to the use to which the

weights are to be put ; that is, to the requirements of commerce, industiy, or science. There are a number of basic differences in the requirements for Commercial and Scientific weights.

One difference has to do with air buoyancy corrections. In scientific work, presinnably corrections will be applied for air buoyancy

effects whenever applicable. In commercial work, air buoyanc}^ cor- rections are never applied even in testing weights.

A second difference is in the basic accuracy required. Multiplelever scales are used commercially with an accurac}^ of about 0.2%.

The tolerances of various commercial classes of weights are set at suitable ratios with reference to the degree of accuracy required for

weights used with commercial multiple-lever scales. By comparison,

a precision of 1 part in 1,000,000 is readily obtainable with the equal- arm balance. Tolerances for scientific weights should be designed

for convenient use with laboratory balances. There is no simple

numerical ratio between commercial and laboratory tolerances.

In commercial weighing the net weight is usually a large fraction

of the total load. Large capacity weighing equipment is not ordinarily used for small net loads. By contrast in laboratory work there may be great advantages in

weighing a small sample of rare or costly material at comparatively

large total loads. A much higher order of accuracy is required in

small weights to obtain a reasonable percentage accuracy of small

samples.

A third basic difference has to do with the value of material being

weighed. In commercial work the costs involved in a weighing must

have some reasonable relation to the amount of material represented

by the precision and accuracy of the weighing.

For example, if a grocer sells 5 pounds of meat, he cannot afford to pay 25 cents in labor to weigh the meat within a value of one cent. The cost of weighing preferably should not exceed the value of the

amount of material represented by the precision of the weighing.

In scientific work the value of costly material may lead to the use

of the smallest possible samples, but usually in scientific work the ac- curacy is not related to the value of the material.

Tliese comments are intended to illustrate the type of problems

involved in establishing tolei-ances and specifications for weights. It should be noted that the weights and measures official need not make

any special corrections or allowances for these various factors, since

they have been properly considered in establishing the various classes of weights.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 47

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EDUCATION, PRESENTED BY CHARLES MORRIS FULLER,

CHAIRMAN

At the Thirty-fifth Xational Conference on Weights and Measures,

Dr. E. U. Condon. President of the organization, proposed that attention be given to how the legitimate needs for Aveights and measures

enforcement activities for different jurisdictions should be estimated.

He suggested that it might be well to apj)oint a committee on budgetary

procedures.

In accord with this proposal, the members of the Conference unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the President either

designate one of the present standing committees, or appoint a new

committee to carry out these suggestions.

On June G. President Condon appointed the Committee on Weights

and Measures Education, stating that he believed this committee to be the most appropriate for the imdertaking.

Your Committee accepted this assignment with enthusiasm which was not dampened by a realization of the amount of work involved.

It presented an opportunity to work on a project for the benefit of all concerned : the people who need the protection of adequate weights and

measures laws and enforcement, both buyers and sellers; as well as the officials who provide this service. In order to provide adequate enforcement, the official must have a budget that includes enough manpower and equipment to do a thorough job. The particular object of this Committee, then, would be to establish a yardstick, based on indisputable facts and figures, which

could be used to support budget requests. These statistics could be

obtained from the officials in charge of representative departments,

both large and small, located in all parts of the country.

Our first task was the preparation of a questionnaire that would give us the relevant facts. There was no difficulty in setting up a lengthy

list of questions pertaining to the subject, the answers to which would

be of value. The problem was to boil these down so that its purpose

would not be defeated by being so voluminous that the average official, already burdened by much paper work, would feel inclined to chuck

it into that dust-covered file of Avork to be done some clay—perhaps.

We were aided by the valuable advice, based on many years' experience

of W. S. Bussey and R. W. Smith.

Certain items were basic. These included the population of the

jurisdiction, the number of personnel in the department, and the

amount of the annual budget. Closely associated with the population was the number of places of business inspected and the official's esti- mate of how complete a coA^erage was made.

In making a comparison of the Avork accomplished by departments,

care must be used in selecting those statistics which present an accurate index. A person, Avithout giving the matter too much thought,

might consider that the total number of inspections and tests would be

a fair basis for comparison. This could be so if it required about the same length of time for the various kinds of inspections. But it takes

many times as long to test certain Aveigliing and measuring devices as

it does others. For example, one official might test a tremendous num-
48 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

ber of small weights and measures, especially in States where these

must be tested before they can be sold. The time and effort consumed

in testing them is relatively small. It would not be fair to use his

totals in comparison with those of another official who did not have

anywhere near the proportion of this kind of work.

Computing scales constitute the medium by which practically all of the foodstuffs in groceries and meat markets are sold. The careful

inspection of these scales is a leading work in all weights and measures

departments. The other leading item is the testing of retail gasoline

measuring pumps and meters. We believe that these two items, to- gether Avith the number of places of business coA^ered, constitute the

most reliable index for comparative purposes.

In using these items, Ave are not overlooking the value and importance of the other work carried on by the departments. Much of this,

hoAvever, does not follow^ a routine Avhich Avould make it possible to evaluate the Avork accomplished on a basis of figures.

Methods of transportation have changed ; large trucks noAv handle

a great proportion of the freight movement throughout the country.

Adequate equipment for the testing of heaA^y duty scales is important.

Not so many years ago, wagon scales Avith a capacity of a few tons

Avere used and it Avas possible to make a fairly good test with one or

tAvo thousand pounds of test Aveights. But the little Avagon scale of

yesterday has grown up into the auto-truck scale of today with a 60-foot platform and a capacity of 100,000 pounds. Many of the

officials have heavy capacity, motorized testing equipment ; others need

to give this serious attention.

Along Avitli this movement has been the development of largecapacity petroleum meters. We Avere able to inspect the small meters

Avith a 5-gallon test measure. The petroleum industry increased the

size of the meters at the refineries, on the loading docks, and at the

harbor installations. We built test measures of 50-gallon capacity

and felt that we had this problem solved, but the companies continued

to build larger and larger meters so that the 50-gallon measure has

become almost as inadequate at the present time as the 5-gallon measure Avas a short time ago. According to the recommendations advanced

and adopted at our OAvn National Conference, equipment for testinglarge meters should have a capacity at least equal to the quantity

deliA^ered by the meter in 1 minute at its maximum discharge rate. Very few departments at the present time are equipped to comply

Avith this recommendation.

The official's own opinion Avas requested regarding Avhether he Avas able to adequately cover his jurisdiction; AAdiether his offices Avere well

located and satisfactory ; and what he needed in men and equipment.

We asked for a copy of his Annual Report, as this would give us information to be used in our study Avithout adding many more

questions.

The questionnaires sent to State departments Avere slightly different

from the local questionnaire, inasmuch as the Avork in so many of the

State departments is mostly of a supervisory nature. A letter was prepared stating the purpose of this survey and assur- ing the official that the information received from him would be con- sidered confidential insofar as the identity of the department Avas concerned. We emphasized the fact that this Avork was being done for
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX" WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 49

his benefit and that of every weights and measures official. Also,

that the value of the survey would depend entirely on the response

which we received from him and the others contacted.

Altogether, we mailed 127 questionnaires and letters, personally

addressed to the officials in charge. These received a splendid response

which speaks volumes for the interest taken in the subject. Our sin- cere thanks for your cooperation. In the three tables of statistics accompanying this rej)ort, you will find information from 77 departments—City. County, and State. This does not represent the total number of returns, as some arrived too late to be used in this report

and others failed to forward their Annual Report or to fill in enough

of the answers to serve our purpose.

During the coming year, an intensive study will be made of these

statistics. We would like to have you also make use of them and

send us your comments and suggestions. This survey and the facts

which it will set up are needed for the establisliment of adequate

weights and measures throughout the country. At the next National

Conference, we are planning to present, for your consideration,

definite proposals and recommendations on budgetary procedures.

The Chairman. That sounds like splendid progress has been made,

and it is very very gratifying indeed to know that the Committee

has taken hold of this job so thoroughly.

It seems to me that it is one of the important things we might

give some thought to. I would like to hear some comments from the

floor, if you have any.

^Ir. Fuller. Mr. President. I hope that during this coming year

each one of you will consider yourself as an unofficial member of this

Committee. Study over these facts that we have been able to get. Send

your ideas in to us. We will appreciate your assistance.

The Chairman. This is a matter that this Conference ought to give a great deal of attention to, not only this year but in years to come. One of our difficulties is to get the various Government officials, the people responsible for the over-all budget, to appreciate the

importance of the work and to understand the needs of the weights

and measures activity.

One of the things that this Conference might do. and one which

would be most useful, would be to make various studies of this kind,

with a view to finding out what the needs are. This is not only true

of over-all budget needs but special needs in the way of equipment,

questions of uniformity of practice with regard to the standards of

personnel employed in inspection work, or uniformity of practice, or desirable standards with regard to subsequent training of people.

This is such a specialized field that you seldom find a man trained by

some training institution to enter it. Nearly everybody in this business has to learn the job on the job.

There are many questions related to this that I think of as "internal

education" as contrasted with "educating the public''. These are deserving of very careful consideration and study on a Conference

basis. I am delighted that such a good start has been made.

CThe report of the Committee on Education was adopted by the Conference.)

(F. C. Yarbrough, Vice President, assumed the Chair.)
50 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

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THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 53

BELT CONVEYOR SCALES

By Leonard MAoriRE, Worl's Manager^ Fair-banks-Morse Gomfany^

St. Jolinslniry^ Vt. During the past few years we have noticed an increase in interest

by industries in the adYantages of weighing material in motion on

a belt conveyor for which a special weighing machine known as a

belt conveyor scale is being offered. It is not surprising therefore

that this field of weighing should now become important to the members present here today. We as a manufacturer are pleased to ac- cept this invitation so kindly extended to us to contribute our knowledge and experience on this subject.

The thought has been expressed by some that the belt conveyor

scale should be considered a commercial scale and come within the

regulations covering commercial weighing equipment as defined in

Handbook 44. Before attempting to classify belt conveyor scales,

it is both prudent and wise to marshall our facts quite completely

before we attempt to rationalize our conclusions.

There are several types and kinds of belt conveyor scales, and they

are used in almost every conceivable kind of service. All of these

scales may be broadly classified into one group defined as units which

record the amount of material conveyed on an endless belt which

is in continuous motion. For the purpose of this discussion we shall break this broad group down into two more general classes. First,

that group which includes all "feeder type" models which regulate

and register a "constant'' feed, and second, that group which in- cludes the contiiuious totalizing units which integrate the belt speed

and weight increments. This latter group, because of its principal of integration, permits the recording of varying loads. At

the present time the interest in belt conveyor scales concerns that

continuous flow inte<iral ing type.

Before promoting the desirability or possible unclesirability of

classifying this a commercial scale, it is necessary that we more

closely consider its nature. It is a mechanical device and therefore one basic question nuist be answered. "Does the machine do the job

for which it was designed?'' To the average layman not versed in

automotive engineering it is sometimes mystifying how a large trans- port truck Avith a moderate horsepower engine can haul a heavy

load up a hill when a higher horsepower passenger car has trouble

with a lightly loaded trailer. The engineering elements in each

automotive unit are the same, but the difference in performance is due to the fact that each is designed to fulfill a purpose and therefore a different service is to be expected.

We may now liken this example to our belt conveyor scale installations in that we have engineered a scale to perform a certain task

but we cannot necessarily expect this unit to have the same performance characteristics as other weighing machines designed for and

working under other operating conditions.

To point out specific facts that so far we have only been hinting

at, let us break down the classification of continuous flow integrating

scales into two final groups, which we shall call the "self-contained"

ancl the "built-in" types. By the self-contained we mean those units

which contain their own endless conveyor belt, drive motors, etc. and

965584—51 6
54 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS ] are inserted in a productive system only for the purpose of weighing the material being conveyed. The built-in type is that in which

the conveyor scale has been located at some point in a conveyor sys- tem primarily intended to transport materials from one point to an- other and from this system the conveyor scale utilizes the belt to im})art tlu^ weight and speed factors to the integrating mechanism.

A\nien ^^ e consider the wide spread usage of built-in belt conveyor

scales, in everything from iron mines and open pits to interplant

conveying of a self-enclosed system we can readily appreciate that

the usual three basic factors common to nearly all products confront

us. They are:

1. Manufacturing perfection.

2. Perfect maintenance.

3. That factor over Avhich Ave have little or no control, the forces

of nature. The problems in the manufacturing category are not too difficult because in this instance the manufacturer has fairly accurate control over all processes. The major point to be considered in this is in the economics involved to hold the tolerances necessary to meet

operational requi rements

.

That part of the problem wherein the accuracy of the unit depends

upon its maintenance is a responsibility of both the manufacturer

and the operators. It is, of course, necessary that the product be so constructed that maintenance can be carried on with a minimum of

effort but the final responsibility lies with the owner to see that the

product is maintained in the condition necessar^^ to uphold the accuracies which the manufacturer built into the unit.

That final factor, the forces of nature, is the one which can be a

]*eal annoyance. Try as hard as we might to build a precision piece of

equipment and given a reasonable degree of maintenance, we are still confronted with those elements of wind and rain, heat and cold, snow

and dust storms and kindred other forces which tax our ingenuity in

designing control mechanisms. The self-contained type of belt con- veyer scales does give more latitude in providing some measure of

control over many of these natural elements but the built-in type gives us little opportunity to provide corrective measures. The various mechanical conditions such as belt tensions, friction,

resistance of rollers and variations in belt inclines are directly influ- enced by the varying weather conditions of rain and sunshine, dust,

abrasive and corrosive atmosphere. Any change in any of these variables has a pronounced influence on the calibration of the integrating

unit of the belt conveyor scale. In our present practice we have accurate means of calibrating belt conveyor scales by the use of the so-called "test-weight train'' which

is used to simulate various loading conditions of the belt. However,

when we consider that a belt convej^or scale is actually weighing very

small loads in a very short time and totalizing these very small units we can no longer use the current accepted methods of checking the

accuracy of the unit. The factor of "time" becomes all important. In

all other scale applications the weighing mechanism is permitted a

certain amount of time to reach a stage of almost perfect equilibrium

before the weight indication is established but the continuous motion

weighing of a conveyor system is not permitted this latitude. This
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFERENCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURE'S 55

AYOuld be analogous to weighing several linndrecl very small loads on

an accepted commercial scale and totalizing these loads, and then

check weighing the hi\\k on a higher capacity commercial scale. The comparison of weight recordings would obviously not be the same,

vet to all intents and purposes all Aveights were recorded on commercially accurate scales. We feel, therefore, that the belt conveyor scale today of the built-in

type is doing an admirable job in the duty for which it has been designed, that of bulk weighing and check weighing, but we would hesitate to recommend that any commercial tolerances be assigned to these

units until a more rigid analysis has been made of all the factors

influencing the recordings in the many, many fields of application of

these units.

Mr. Christie. ^Ir. ]Maguire mentioned the fact that there has been an attempt to classify these conveyor scales, continuous Aveighing

machines, as commercial devices. In our State of Xcav Jersey I think

I am safe in saying that a great many of these machines have been in use as check Aveighing machines either in the industrial pattern or in

the recei])t of incoming material.

In the past fcAv years, hoAvever, the labor element in cost per hour,

as Avell as the cost of the material itself, has led industry to attempt

to bring these machines into the classification of commercial devices.

That has posed a problem in several instances in our State because

the initial layouts of the machines have not lent themselves to very

highly efficient manners of checking them for approval as commercial

devices. I would appreciate it if Mr. Maguire avouIcI give us some suggestions

as to hoAv held tests of these devices should be made as required for

commercial purposes.

Mr. Maoi'ire. Of course that is the main difficulty today, to arrive

at some sort of a standardized test procedure which you can rely on in

spite of all the A'arying conditions Avhich you haA^e. As I mentioned

before, the built-in type of scale, Avhich is the most popular, is installed

in A'arious systems which were ])rimarily for transporting material

and not ahvays designed for the job, and you have so many variable

factors, yoti can calibrate your scale for certain simidated mode of

conditions.

The type of loading and the tension on the belt changing and that

sort of thing, Avhich goes on, makes it A^ery difficult to set up a standard

procedure or standard test Avhich you Avould haA^e to do if you were

going into the class of commercial scales. There is realh^ not much comparison between a normal scale as w^e know it and the belt conveyor scale of today, because of its totalizing

feature. I say that is particularly true of the built-in type. With

the self-contained type you have quite a lot of latitude. You can get

better operating conditions.

Actually your belt conveyor scale, although it is a scale, is also a measuring device. If you are familiar with Handbook 44, you will

find several paragraphs about the measuring devices, liquid measuring

devices, and you Avill note in those regulations that they set certain

minimum and maximum or standard conditions.

That is the thing that would have to be done if and Avhen, after all the considerations are made, it were later on to be classed as a com-
56 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

niercial scale. We have to have standard procedures which today the

nianiifacturers are tr3'ing to arrive at, but I don't knoAv how soon it will be. For instance, in relation to liquid measuring devices, in Handbook

4-t there are a couple of provisos which I quote here : The wholesale device shall be readily operable to deliver accurately any

quantity from 50 gallons to the capacity of the device. You see they have a low limit there. Then you will find in another

place

:

The normal test of a commercially-installed meter or meter-type device

shall be made at the maximum discharge rate * *

* A belt conveyor scale running at its maximum rate is much more

accurate than at half load or a quarter load, or a third load. So

that if and when it ever became classified as a commercial scale, there

is certainly a lot of work to be done to reduce the whole testing pro- cedure to standard conditions.

Mr. Baucom. Would it be practical if we were to have 1 ton of 50- pound weights and put them on a belt and let them go across and see Avhat the registration would be? Would that be a practical test or would that be unreasonable?

]Mr. ]\Iaguire. It has been done. We have found after several years

that we can do better in calibrating a scale by means of a chain. Now

Ave haA'e a little train of cars about 6 inches long and about 30 or 5() of them, to extend beyond the weigh length. On each of those cars we have a spindle whereby we can set a regular Aveight of 1 pound, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, or Avhatever it may be, and stack them up to simulate the A^arying loading conditions.

The chain, of course, is anchored on one end, and the belt moA^es. That simulates a moA'ing load. Handling the test weights is really

not A'ery couA^enient. We get the same condition, 3^ou see. I would like to leaA'e this one thought with you before I go. Prinjarily, the belt conveyor scale is built as a processing scale. In a

Tvay, you might call it an averaging device. EA^en though its efficiency

will drop off at A^arious loadings, over a period of 8, 10, or 15 hours a day, the results are A-ery consistent. It is a processing scale. Some clay it may deA^elop into a commercial

scale, and in some cases there are conditions that are such that it could

almost be classified as a commercial scale. But generally speaking, it is strictly a processing or industrial

machine.

NPA REGULATIONS AND WEIGHING AND MEASURING DEVICES

By K. W. Murphy, Assjstftut Admhustmtor for Industry Oferations^

U. S. Department of Commerce

(Mr. Murphy described brieflj' the functions of the Otiice of Defense Mobilization and other defense agencies. He explained in some detail the operations

of the National Production Authority, with which he is personally connected. He explained the various orders and regulations that have been issued thus far, and emphasized the fact that the No. 1 task is to always take care of the require- ments of the military.

A question and answer period followed Mr. Murphy's talk. During the dis- cussion it was brought out that the Government intends to do all that is practicable to provide the necessary materials for repair parts and replacements
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 57

in the weights and measures field. It will be expected that present devices be made to serve as long as practicable, with proper maintenance. An order has

been issued which is designed to make necessary repair parts available at this time. The following discussion took place subsequent to Mr. Murphy's talk.) Mr. Eogers. As I recall, during tlie last vrar period the War Production Board indicated to us that we should be very careful about

\\'hat equipment we condemned and how much of it we condemned.

What they urged at that time was a modification of our condemnation

procedures. They said that if joii take certain equipment away from

these people, you will be virtually putting them out of business, because

they won't be able to get it. That applied to scales and pumps in the

petroleum industry.

We modified our operations considerably. Certain equipment,

Avhich under ordinary conditions we would condemn, confiscate, or remove from use. was kept in service. They maintained it after a fashion. After the war ended, we expected more replacements than we got, too. The program rather fell down. I wonder what your

agency is going to do. Are you going to urge that we do not do our work fully ( That we modify and be restricted ? Mr. Murphy. I would say yes, we would be anxious to have you

do that right now. That is one of the reasons this Regulation 4 was

issued, to provide parts for maintenance and repair of existing equipment, and the prime purpose was to save the raw materials necessary

to build new equipment.

]Mr. Saxders. I think Mr. Rogers is speaking of equipment that

has been determined to be beyond repair. It cannot be put back into

proper condition. They never confiscate or condemn a device until

it is beyond repair. If it can be repaired, they just allow it to be

repaired.

Mr. Murphy. Our attitude, even in World War II, was to provide

materials for the replacement of items of that type, where we have

proper certification from the examining official. We have, and did,

and I am sure will continue to issue materials for that purpose. However, we would suggest some caution wherever possible.

(The Conference was adjourned, to reconvene at 10: 00 a. m., Thursday, May

24, 19.51.) (On the evening of Wednesday. May 2.3, an informal party was held at Ward- man Park Hotel, the Conference headquarters, for those attending the Conference. )
FOURTH SESSION—MORNING OF THURSDAY,

MAY 24, 1951

(H. E. Howard, Vice President, presiding)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, PRESENTED BY

R. E. MEEK, CHAIRMAN

(Secretary's Note.—Tliis Committee Report is presented in full with the exception of the revised text of the Model State Law on Weights and Measures,

which is too lengthy to be included in this publication. Upon request, the full text of the Model Law, as revised, is available from the Office of Weights and

Measures, National Bureau of Standards, Washington 25, D. C.) MODEL STATE LAW ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The activities of your Committee on Legislation, since the adjournment of the Thirty-Fifth National Conference on Weights and Measures, had to do largely with the study of the Model Law on Weights

and Measures and the preparation of a suggested revision. Attention was also given to the Model Weighmaster Law tentatively adopted by

the Thirty-Fifth National Conference. While this report will cover both of these matters, your consideration will first be asked of that

part of the report pertaining to the proposed revision of the Model

Law in each of its three forms.

In recognition of the criticisms occasionally offered with regard

to the text of the Model Law, the Committee has prepared a suggested

revision and, following customary procedure, is offering it to this

Conference for whatever action the Conference may deem advisable.

Since the organization of the National Conference on Weights and

Measures, which took place in 1905, the importance of uniform weights

and measures legislation has been recognized. It was inevitable that

the Conference should make some official recommendations on the

question of State legislation, if it w^as to be of maximum assistance in

bringing about the enactment of weights and measures laws which

would be considered strong, progressive, adequate and, at the same

time, uniform.

In recognition of its responsibilities, the Conference, during its second meeting, adopted a resolution instructing the executive committee to draft a model set of laws to be considered at its next meeting.

In accordance with this resolution, the executive committee prepared

a set of suggestions wdiich were adopted by the Conference. The next

step to be taken in this direction was the adoption of a Model Law in

1911. From time to time, the Conference has adopted amendments

to the Model Law with the result that today we have three forms of

this Law known as Form 1, Form 2, and Form 3. The Committee strongly favors the retention of the three forms of

the Model Law in order to best meet local conditions. For the information of the Conference, we quote from Handbook 26 of the National

Bureau of Standards a brief description of the three forms and of the

local conditions in which each will be found to be peculiarly

applicable

58
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 59

Form 1.—This form provides that all weights and measures supervision

in a State shall be exercised by a State department, the weights and measures laws being wholly enforced by officers in the service of the State. This form is^ intended primarily for States having a comparatively small population per unit of area and few or no larger centers of population, and

secondarily, for those States in which it is believed that the law can be most

competently enforced by a single central organization.

Form 2. —This form provides that the State shall take entire charge of the enforcement of the Law in those portions of the State in which the

poptilation per unit of area is so small that enforcement by local authority

will not be ftilly efficient, and that in those cities and counties of the State

in which the populations are large enotigh to justify them, local inspection

services under the supervisory atithority of the State shall assume the en- forcement of the Law.

Tills form is primarily intended for those States having part of their territory thickly settled and other parts only thinly settled. Form 3. —This form provides for the enforcement of the law by local

officers in each city and each county, all under the general supervisory control of a State department of v\-eights and measures.

Tliis form is intended for those States having a large poptilation per unit

of area and but few or no sections which are thinly settled. The proposed revision of the ^lodel Law has been nndertaken as a resuh of recent experiences of State and local officials and legislative

committees in connection with their efforts to brino; about the enact- ment of weiohts and measures legislation. It has been found that

the lenotli of tlie text of the ^Nfodel Law is so great as to discourage

both officials and legislatoi's : tlie demand is for something which is short and I'eadilA' nndei'stood. Another difficulty is that in its present

form the Model Law i> not snsce])tible of ready modification to limit

it to basic rec{uirements. It is believed the law should be so written

as to meet the i^eeds of jurisdictions desiring to enact, in the original

instance, only those ])r()^•i-i()ns wdiich are essential for the establishment of an adequate system of weights and measures control and

leave to later enactments the strengthening of the law to include numerous "refinements''.

A critical study of the Model Law discloses that the language is frequently involved and repetitious, that there are included a number

of provisions which seem no longer to be necessary, and that the

order in which the sections are presented is to some extent illogical.

In undertaking a revision of the Model Law for consideration by the

National Conference, the effort was to (1) shorten and simplify the

language wherever practicable, (2) avoid repetition, (3) delete provisions no longer needed, (4) strengthen the provisions where this

seemed advisable. (5) group related provisions in the same section or in adjacent sections, and, (6) arrange the sections in a logical

order and one which Avoidd lend itself to the convenient elimination

of sections when a short-form law^ is desired.

Mention may be made of a few of the specific differences between

the proposed revision and the original text. The prescribed title of

the administrative officer is limited to "superintendent", the parenthetical reference to "commissioner" is wholly omitted. The expression "weights and measures" has been substituted for the expression

"weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices", "devices" being adequately covered by the terms of the definition of

"weights and measures". Side titles have been supplied for each

section.
60 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

A basic change is the requirement that commercial apparatus be

tested annually, rather than semiannually as provided in the present

form of the Model Law ; this change is believed to be in line with pres- ent-day thinking and practice in most jurisdictions. All the amendments which have been adopted by the National Conference up to the

present time have been incorporated in the proposed revision. In

line with the provisions of paragraph G-A.l. of Handbook 44, the

proposed revision associates "payment" for services with "charges"

for services. The definition of "in package form" has been considerably modified to meet conditions which have recently developed

and objections advanced against the original language. Other differences consisting of deletions, additions, and modifications will be

apparent upon careful comparison of the proposed revision with the

corresponding language of the present form of the Model Law.

Attention is called to the fact the proposed revision groups in sec- tions 24 to 31, inclusive, those provisions dealing with specific commodities. This group of eight sections comprises a portion of the total text which can be eliminated in whole or in part in a jurisdiction desiring to enact only the necessary basic provisions of a weights and

measures statute. Section 32 also is a section which can be omitted

in the circumstances just mentioned. In other words, if it were desired to draft a bill containing the essentials for the creation of a weights and measures organization and for the establishment of an

adequate statutory foundation for the work of such an organization

during the first several years of its existence, sections 1 to 23, inclusive, and sections 33 to 37, inclusive, with the latter group being appropriately renumbered, would provide an adequate short-form bill. Your Committee recommends that the Conference consider Form 2

of the Model Law as the basic form to be presented in full. This

appears to be logical in view of the fact the combination of State and

local organizations which is provided for by Form 2 is the system in

most common use. To effect economy in printing, sections in Form

1 and Form 3, which are substantially the same as those found in

Form 2, are shown by reference. Sections which differ materially

are given in their entirety.

For your convenience in comparing the text of the present Form 2

of the Model Law w^ith the proposed revision, jour Committee offers the following section-by-section explanation.

An enacting clause is added.

Sec. 1. FolloAvs present Section 1, but includes also portions of

present Sections 2 and 5, in order to bring together the provisions

relating to the State standards.

Sec. 2. Follows present Section 2, but the requirement for stamping office and working standards is eliminated as being objectionable

in some cases, and the requirement relative to the use of the office and

working standards is eliminated as being unnecessary.

Sec. 3. Includes all of the provisions of present Section 33, and

also new provisions relative to barrels of lime and barrels for fruits

and vegetables.

Sec. 4. Replaces present Section 3. The form of organization provided for follows the modern trend of consolidation of State activities into major State departments. Provision is added for the

purchase of equipment and supplies.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX^ WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 61

Sec. 5. Follows present Section J:, but the reference to surrender of

the standards by the superintendent to a successor is eliminated as being unnecessary.

Sec. 6. Combines portions of present Sections 5 and 7, but reference

to a receipt for the standards when these are turned over to a successor

is eliminated as being unnecessary.

Sec. T. Follows present Section 6. Sec. 8. Includes the remaining provision of present Section 7, ex- cept the one relative to the appointment of special deputies, which is eliminated as being unnecessary and objectionable.

Sec. 9. Follows present Section 8, but the directive to prosecute is eliminated as being objectionable, and the provisions relative to right

of entry and stoppage are transferred to new Section 11. Sec. 10. Includes all of the provisions of present Sections 9 and 10,

and also new provisions relative to the use of repaired apparatus and. the disposition of apparatus not repaired.

Sec. 11. Follows present Section 19, and incltides the provision

relative to right of entry and stoppage transferred from present

Section 8. Sec. 12. Follows present Section 11. Sec. 13. Combines provisions of present Section 12 and Section 13

and makes certain changes relative to appointment of coimty and

city sealers. Sec. 14. Follows present Section 15 bttt provides premiums on bonds

be paid by city or county as the case may be. Sec. IT). Follows present Section 17, bttt limits jurisdiction of

county sealer and gives authority to the superintendent to require

reports from local sealers. Sec. IG. Follows present Section 16. Sec. 17. Follows present Section 11. Sec. 18. Follows ])resent Section 22. Sec. 19. Foll(jws present Section 21 insofar as declaring net contents on packages of commodities.

Sec. 20. FoHoAvs present Section 25. Sec. 21. Replaces second paragraph of present Section 24 and

whicli had to do with the definition of a commodity in package form.

Sec. 22. Replaces present Section 36. Sec. 23. Follows present Section 35. Sec. 24. Follows present Section 28 but incltides fish among those

foods specifically required to be sold by weight.

Sec. 25. Follows jjresent Section 29 but includes sliced bread in

definition of a loaf of bread.

Sec. 26. Replaces present Section 27, excludes one- and one-half

pound standard, and simplifies language.

Sec. 27. Replaces 2:>resent Section 30 and provides that milk, cream,

etc., be packaged in certain standard units. Sec. 28. Replaces present Section 34 and includes corn meal, special

flour mixes, provides standard weights, and exempts small packages.

Sec. 29. Follows j)resent Section 23 but makes certain exceptions

with respect to coal sold in package form.

Sec. 30. Text adopted by the 35th National Conference and has to do with textile products.
62 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Sec. 81. Shortens the text and simplifies langnage of present Section 32. Sec. 32. Is the same as present Section 31. Sec. 33. Follows present Section 20. Sec. 34. Follows present Section 21. Sec. 35. Follows present Section 37 but more clearly sets out and

enumerates violations of the act. Sec. 36. Follows present Section 38. Sec. 37. Follows present Section 39. Since the proposal being submitted calls only for a revision of the

present Model Law, and the subject matter has been given careful

consideration during previous Conferences, your Committee recom- mends final adoption at this time.

MODEL WEIGHMASTER LAW

In recognition of the fact that the Model Weighmaster Law was

tentatively adopted during the Thirty-Fifth National Conference,

your Committee has given it further study preparatory to recommending its final adoption. As a result of this study, the Committee is now prepared to offer the following amendments for your consideration : 1. That the title of the administrative officer be limited to "Superintendent" and that any parenthetical reference to "commissioner",

wherever it may appear in the law, be wholly omitted.

2. That where "and/or" appears in Section 10, the "and,/" be stricken

from the law.

3. To provide for the following enacting clause "Be it enacted by

the Legislature of the State of "

4. To strike out the caption and leave its preparation to the authorities in the individual States where it might be introduced.

If the foregoing suggested amendments are adopted, the Model

State Law on Weights and Measures will be uniform with respect to these features.

Your Committee recommends the adoption of the foregoing amendments and, when so amended, the final adoption of the Model Weighmaster Law.

(The report of the Committee on Legislation was adopted by the Conference.)

RETAIL SALE OF BAR SOAP

By G. H. Leithauser, Senior Assistmit Superintendent^ Division of

Weights and Measures^ City of Baltimore^ Md.

At the Thirty-Third National Conference on Weights and Measures,

the recommendations of the National Conference Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities in regards to soap and soap products

w^ere as follows

Item 15. Soap (liquid) : Should be sold by liquid measure. Item 16. Soap ( in cakes or bars ) : Should be sold by net weight. Item 17. Soap Powders and Flakes : Should be sold by net weight. Item IS. Cleansing Fluids : Should be sold by liquid measure. Item 19. Detergents (liquid) : Should be sold by liquid measure. Item 20. Detfjigents (solid or powder) : Should be sold by net weight.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 63

The Committee also stated tliat these com*moclities, when sold in

package form, should have the net quantity of contents declared by

plain and conspicuous markings in terms of avoirdupois net weight,

liquid measure, or numerical count according to the classification in

which they properly belong. "Where any package subject to weight

stipulations contains any article other than the represented commodity

j itself, the quantity declaration shall be exclusive of such article. This

latter provision was adopted because in some packages, such as soap

powder for example, a towel or a wash cloth or some other item may

be included. The Committee wanted the package declaration to apply

only to the essential commodity contained in the package. These rec- ommendations were duly adopted by the Thirty-Third National Conference on Weights and Measures.

Mr. Eogers also stated in this report, and I quote—"The soap in- dustry during the war was able to get exemption from weight requirements for bar soap, which concession, it is understood, was granted

because of the moisture content in such soap. This concession appears

to have been inconsistent when considered in relation to other in- dustries packaging other essentials with high moisture content." At the Thirty-Fourth National Conference on Weights and Measures, the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities, in regards to bar soap, reported as follows:

4. Bar Soap (bars and cakes) —This subject was covered in Item 16 of your Committee's report to the Conference in 1947, wherein it was recom- mended that soap in bars and cakes should be sold by net weight. This would,

of course, predicate that when in package form the quantity of contents would be declared, consistent with the principles of net-weight declaration requirements as applied to other commodities.

The soap industry has since reopened the issue by representations to the Committee and requested further study and consideration. They submitted

a brief covering their contentions that bar and cake soap should be exempted

from sale by weight and marking requirements, basing their arguments

mainly on the factor of moisture content, which according to the character and quality of soap as produced for various purposes is variable, and that

as a consequence, cakes of soap, identical in weight and character when cut

at the factory level, vary greatly in weight when sold to the consumer. Other

points of argument presented are

:

(1) That it would be impossible to comply with regulations with respect

to tolerances when applied to soap in bars and cakes.

(2) That the expenditures required for weight markings on packaged bar soap would add millions of dollars to the cost. (3) That the public, though charged with this heavy expense, would in no way benefit from net-weight markings on bars of soap.

(4) That the requirement would create burdens for retailers that might

become intolerable.

(."5) That nowhere in the United States are cakes or bars of soap required

to be sold or marked by weight.

These contentions were exhaustively amplified by supporting data in the

industry's brief. They have been fully reviewed by your Committee and,

in addition, a subcommittee comprised of two of our group visited one of the outstanding soap-manufacturing plants in the country, that of the ColgatePalmolive-Peet Company at Jersey City, N. J., for an on-the-spot study of manufacturing processes and procedures inherent in soap production.

The Committee has since had a hearing attended by a representative group from the soap industry and all phases of this question were reviewed. As

a concluding argument presented to us at this meeting we were shown two

cakes of imported soai)—one small and the other about twice as thick. The

small one was much heavier for its size than the large one ; it seems that

it had been loaded with some inert matter having no detergent value, and
64 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

this sort of thing can be done by anyone wishing to do it. The Committee

is now of the opinion that soap is a product which shonld be treated in a

special manner and has concluded that nothing is to be gained for the con- sumer by requiring sales by weight or by endeavoring to mark the package of bar soap in terms of weight. Therefore, the Committee withdraws its orig- inal recommendation that bar soap be sold by weight and recommends that no action be taken by the Conference at this time with respect to marking

requirements or methods of sale of bar or cake soap. From the foregoing recommendations of the Committee, you can

see that much has been said for and against bar and cake soap being

sold on a net yreight basis. The American Society for Testing Materials in 1939 adopted standard specifications for ordinary bar soap. These specifications cover ordinary bar soap suitable for use with moderately hard yrater for

general cleaning and laundr}- purposes. The ASTM specifications

read as follows

:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2. (a) Ordinary bar soap shall be a well-made, uniformly mixed, bar soap, made from soda and fats, with no excessive proportion of rosin and a moderate amount of matter insoluble in alcohol. (b) Odor.—The odor shall not be objectionable in the soap as received or in a hot solution of the soap in water. The material shall not leave objection- able odor on dishes or other objects after washing with a water solution of the soap and rinsing thoroughly with hot water. If desired, the odor of the material under the above conditions shall conform to the odor of a sample

mutually agreed upon by the purchaser and the seller. The sample mutually

agreed upon shall be kept in an airtight, closed container for comparison

with samples from deliveries. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

3. Ordinary bar soap shall conform to the following requirements as to chemical composition. The percentage of matter volatile at 105° C shall be

calculated on the basis of the soap as received, but all other constituents

shall be calculated on the basis of material containing 36 percent of matter

volatile at 105° C. Moisture and matter volatile at 105° C, max. percent 36. 0* Sum of free alkali or free acid, total matter insoluble in alcohol, and

sodium chloride, percent 2. 0 to 10 Free alkali, calculated as NaOH. max. percent 0. 5 Free acid, calculated as oleic acid, max. percent 0. 5 Matter insoluble in water, max, percent 1. 0 Rosin acids, max. percent 25. 0 Chloride calculated as NaCl. max, percent 1. 0 Anhydrous soap content, min, percent 52. 0 *Deliverles which yield more than 36 percent of volatile matter shall be rejected without

further test. BASIS OF PURCHASE

4. Ordinary bar soap is subject to a possible gain or loss of weight, depending on atmospheric or storage conditions, or both, or on packaging, as a

result of fluctuation in the moisture content. Changes in the moisture con- tent result in a corresponding change in the percentage of total solids or anhydrous soap content, or both.

(a) The material shall be purchased by net weight, provided the matter

volatile at 105° C is neither above nor below 34 percent.

(b) Deliveries containing more than 36 percent of matter volatile at 105° C shall be rejected without further test. (c) On deliveries containing less than 36 percent of matter volatile at 105° C, settlement shall be made on the basis of a product containing 34 percent moisture, that is, 0.66 lb of nonvolatile matter shall be considered

1 lb of soap.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 65

(d) When the material conforms to these specifications on a calculated 36 percent moisture and volatile matter basis, the net weight of the material

to be paid for shall be calculated as follo^Ys

:

RX(IOQ-L)

66 where Tr=net weight of material to be paid for on 34 percent moisture and volatile matter basis R=net weight of material as received I,=percentage of loss at 105° C. METHODS OF SAMPLING AXD ANALYSIS

5. The material shall lie sampled and analyzed in accordance with the Standard Methods of Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Soaps and Soap

Products (ASTM Designation: D 460 i of the American Society for Testing

Materials. The purchaser reserves the right to use any additional available information to ascertain whether the material conforms to these specifi- cations. After 9 years of experience these specifications were reapproved

by the AST]\I in 1948 without change. In 1949 these same specifications were approved as an American standard by the American

Standard Association. The ASTM Committee on soaps and other

detergents, at this time, consists of 106 members; ^'2 of these members

represent producers, 29 represent consumers, and '25 represent general

interests. Among some of the representatives for producers on the

Committee are L. T. Howells, representing the Beach Soap Co. ; E. W.

Blank; M. F. Graham; AV. ^X. Sweet and J. A. Woodhead, representing the Colgate-Pahnolive-Peet Co.; R. E. Hauber and C. P. Long,

representing Procter & Gamble Co.

The American Standards Association was organized in 1918 by

the present four Founder Societies and the ASTM. Its chief function

is to provide a means for industry, technical organizations, and Governmental departments to work together in developing national in- dustrial standards acceptable to all groups. It was formed to provide

a means whereby standardizing organizations might coordinate their

work and thus prevent duplication of effort—a clearing house for

standardization.

If these specifications are good enough for such organizations as the ASTM and the American Standards Association and for the

large users of bar soap, they certainly could be adopted by weights

and measures officials to protect the small purchaser of bar soap. From the foregoing specifications set forth by the ASTM after 9 years of experience with this problem, and reapproved by them in

1948 without change, it appears to me that this Conference should

again reconsider this problem of requiring weight markings on packaged bar soap.

I feel that the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities, after

a further study of this problem, using the ASTM specifications as a guide, would find that the arguments set forth by the soap manufacturers, at the Thirty-Fourth Xational Conference, that bar and cake

soap should be exempted from net weight markings, would become

null and void.

Answering the soap manufacturers' contentions, as previously stated

in this paper, that bar and cake soap should be exempted from sale by

weight markings requirements, I propose that

:
66 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

First, with the ASTM specifications as a guide and with a net weight and anh^^^drous or vohitile marking on the package, it would

be practical for the soap manufacturers to comply with regulations

with respect to tolerances when applied to soap in bars and cakes. Second, the expenditures required for weight and anhydrous markings on package bar soap would be practically nil. Third, the public would benefit from net weight markings on packaged bars of soap in the same manner in which they now benefit

from net weight markings on any other commodity packaged.

Fourth, net weight markings on packaged bar soap would create no more burden for retailers than the net weight markings on other

packaged commodities. The only equipment the weights and measures

officials w^ould need to ascertain if bar soap was marked correctly and

to ascertain if it was packed short in weight, would be an analytical

balance and an oven. The analytical balance, I believe, all weights

and measures departments already have. The cost of an oven is relatively small. Any tests which weights and measures officials would

make to ascertain if the net weight markings on bar soap were accurate, and any discrepancies that would occur would be in the favor

of the manufacturer.

The ASTM and the American Standards Association recommend

that ordinary har soap shall be purchased by net weighty provided

the matter of volatile at 105° C, which is the equivalent of 221° F,

is neither above nor below 34 percent.

To exempt the soap manufacturers from net weight markings on bar

soap has established a bad precedent which should now be corrected.

We, as weights and measures officials, must be fair in our dealings

with the soap manufacturers, but to grant concessions wholly exempting them from weights and measures supervision and control, just

because they have a product with a high moisture content, is entirely

unfounded. Other dealers of various commodities, such as frozen

foods, flour, fish, certain cheese products, smoked meats, dried fruits,

pickled products, roofing, etc., have their shrinkage and marking

problems too, but because they had a problem to solve, the Committee

on Methods of Sale of Commodities did not exempt them from weights

and measures supervision. For example, the Committee recommended

that, for dried fruits, when in package form, the quantity declaration

should be in terms of net weight only and no qualifying term or statement, such as percentage of added moisture, be recognized. Regarding roofing products, it recommended that a standard of measure

for roofing be established on the basis of coverage. Certain other

commodities were recommended to be sold on a drained net weight

basis. Why, then, cannot some such recommendation be adopted, such

as marking soap as to its net anhydrous weiglit ? At a hearing before the City Council of Baltimore, Md., on Ordi- nance 2109 and before the Members of the Finance Committee of the

Maryland State Legislature on Senate Bill 159, the American Soap &

Glycerine Producers Association, using the Committee on Methods of

Sale of Commodities report as recommended to the Thirty-Fourth

National Conference on Weights and Measures, succeeded in having an amendment inserted in both bills, which amendment provided that
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 67

''Xothing in this act shall be construed to apply to or affect in any manner the pacl'aging or the sale of any fovjn of soap^ soap products

or detergents^

Their attorney emphatically stated at Annapolis, Md., that the

American Soap & Glycerine Manufacturers were preparing bills to be

presented to all State legislatures eliminating har soap and soap prodwts from all loeights and measures legislation, and he wasn't interested in any compromise which would eliminate har soap only.

C. D. Baucom, Superintendent of Weights and Measures Division

for the Department of Agriculture, State of North Carolina, wrote me

that a rider to a bill introduced in the Xorth Carolina Legislature a few years ago carried the last proposal of Koy Peet's brief, which Mr.

Peet submitted to the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities,

but Mr. Baucom's friends in the Xorth Carolina Legislature called it to his attention, and he was successful at that time in blocking and

deleting it from the bill. In view of the foregoing statements, I feel that this question of net weight markings on bar soap should be further reviewed, restudied,

and examined by the Xational Conference Committee on Methods of

Sale of Commodities, and that the standard specifications, as adopted

by the ASTM and the American Standards Association for ordinary

bar soap, be used as a guide.

In closing, let me also suggest that the Committee give full consideration to ASTM's standard specifications for all kinds and types of

bar soap, chip soap, powdered soap, soap powders, and detergents,

and that the ASTM specifications for soap and soap products and detergents of every description be used as a guide in determining how

these products should be sold. The method of sale of these products

definitely should not be eliminated from weights and measures supervision and control.

(After statements were made V)y .J. T. Kennedy, .J. G. Rogers, J. F. Blickley,

and G. H. Leithauser, relative t<» the sale of bar soap by weight, the Conference

voted to refer the matter l)ack to the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities for fnrther study.)

MACHINE MEASUREMENT OF MARKET MILK

By G. D. Scott, Sales Manager^ Pure-Pak Division^ Ex-Cell-0

Corporation^ Detroit^ Mich.

A few weeks ago your Secretary, Mr. Bussey, extended an invitation to our Company, the Ex-Cell-0 Corporation, Detroit, Mich., to have some one present a 15- or 20-minute paper on the subject,

"^lachine Measurement of Market Milk". As a matter of company

policy, throughout the 16 years of our history in the dairy equipment business, we have always endeavored to cooperate with Federal, State, and Municipal officials concerned with our equipment,

to the very best of our ability. It is, therefore, both a pleasure and

a privilege to talk to you gentlemen on the announced subject this

morning. However, these remarks will be confined to our own PurePak equipment and containers, because our competitors use entirely

different methods.
68 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

In Mr. Bussey's letter of invitation, he asked us to explain how

Pure-Pak filling machines have been designed and built so as to enable weights and measures officials to satisfactorily seal them. Unfortunately, we find ourselves forced to tell you that, in our opinion,

it is impractical to seal a Pure-Pak filling machine. This is true be- cause of the great variety of products it must fill into so many different sized containers.

Under the circumstances, it seems not only proper, but vitally necessary, to briefly discuss at least the outstanding ramifications of

the American dairy industry and its products. These are the

factors directly responsible for the manner in which Ex-Cell-0

Pure-Pak forming, filling, and closing machines are designed and

manufactured. It will also be helpful, I believe, to briefly describe

the various kinds and types of automatic, mechanical, equipment

required by the dairy industry, as well as the various size packages

currently used in the distribution of fresh market milk and its byproducts.

A working sample of the most simple filling mechanism, in our Pure-Pak line, has been brought here for your personal inspection.

Here, also, are actual samples of the various size Pure-Pak containers currently in daily use in the United States. There is a definite

purpose for the remarks covering the products manufactured by

milk distributors, the size containers in which such products are

sold, and the various model Pure-Pak forming and filling machines.

They will serve as a foundation for the later comments which are

directly connected with your interests as Weights and Measures

officials. In the first place, if we were concerned here only with fresh liquid

milk, as it comes from the dairy cow, our common problems would

be most simple, indeed. However, in addition to the packaging and

sale of raw, unpasteurized milk, the dairy industry also processess, packages, and distributes many additional kinds and types of dairy

by-products. The major ones, of course, are standard pasteurized

milk, which may have a variation in fat content of all the way from

3 to 5 percent or more. Then comes homogenized milk with its varying fat content. From there, we have skim milk with most all of the

fat removed, but with all nonfat milk solids still remaining in the

product. Then, there is buttermilk, both churned and cultured.

We also have the various types of chocolate drinks and chocolate

milk itself. These are manufactured by adding various nonmilk

solids, such as sugar, chocolate syrup, stabilizers, etc., to standard milk.

Next comes light, medium, and heavy cream—on down through sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese. In addition, there are beverages,

such as orange, grape, and other fruit drinks, also packaged by the

dairy industry. Practically all these products have different characteristics. They definitely do not have the same viscosity, and they

vary as to their water, fat, and solids nonfat content. They definitely

vary in volume with the rise or fall in temperature, and most of them

have different specific gravities. Just last week Ave rechecked the data

compiled by our research department on this subject for the specific

purpose of presenting it in this paper. Our technicians made additional in-plant tests in several dairies. They found they could pro-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 69

duce a variation, between some of the above-mentioned products, of

as much as 15 cnr per quart-size container. The average in three

pLants showed that, when the filler was set to fill a full quart of buttermilk, it actually metered out 1 quart plus 6 cm^ of homogenized milk.

This resulted from usino- buttermilk with gravity flow to the PurePak filler. However, when they tested a plant where the buttermilk was forced

through the lines Avith a milk pump, thereby "beating" a certain

amount of air into the products, then they found an actual differential

of more than twice as much, or almost 15 cm^ You will, of course, bear in mind that these results were deliberately produced for test purposes and did not reflect the regular plant operation.

As formerly mentioned, our common problem would be further

simplified if we had only one size container with which to contend.

The facts are. however, that varying segments of the dairy industry,

throughout the country, supply dairy products in i^-gallon containers,

quarts, pints, and i/o i^ints. In addition, cottage cheese is often sold in

both 12- and 16-ounce containers. A great many industrial plants

use 1/3-quart containers in States where such size containers are legal.

Therefore, not only do we have complications by reason of varying

viscosities of the numerous products we must handle, but additional

problems are introduced because of the many carton sizes. Again, our problems would be further reduced if there was only one model and one size of automatic filling and forming machinery in- volved. This goes right back to the dairy industry again. There are extremely large plants, such as Chevy Chase and Lucerne here in

Washington. There are medium sized plants, and literally thousands

of extremely small licensed milk distributors throughout the length

and breadth of this Xation. It is impossible for all of them to use the same model and size filling machine, just as it would be impossible for

them to use the same number of delivery trucks, boilers of the same

horsepower, or the same size dairy buildings.

The result is that, over a ])eriod of years, in order to serve the

industry and meet its demands, we have been forced to design and

build midget size machines, junior machines, senior machines, halfgallon junior, and half-gallon senior machines. As a matter of fact,

the number of machine models now run through the letters A to K,

inclusive.

All these standard machines have been designed and built so as to enable the distributor to package all these products in all the sizes that have been mentioned. This operation begins wdth a fiat piece

of paperboard, at one end of the machine, and finishes with a filled and sealed container, ready for delivery to the consumer at the other

end. All this is accomplished in one continuous automatic operation,

without touch of human hands.

Now, what does all this add up to from a weights and measures

viewpoint ? It simply adds up, as we said before, to the basic fact

that we think it impractical to seal a Pure-Pak filling machine and

accurately measure all the sizes and all the products that we have dis- cussed. Note carefully we have not said that this is impossible. We

say that it is impractical from the viewpoint of everyone concerned,

including, we most sincerely believe, weights and measures officials themselves.

965584—51—7
70 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

I tell YOU it is not impossible, because it is true that individual

sealed stops could be made for certain groups of products whose

viscosities are similar. This places the responsibility on the shoulders

of an ordinary dairy plant employee to select the proper stop for the

correct product viscosity group and to make the physical change. If

this were done, it would further introduce and increase the element

of human error and would, we earnestly believe, make the cure worse

than the disease. We conscientiously feel that we would be placing

tools in the hands of the machine operator that would tend to give

him more opportunity for error than he now has in making the simple

adjustment already provided on the Pure-Pak filler. Under the conditions and circumstances that have been described, we believe that the present Pure-Pak filler and its simplicity of fill control is the most complete and satisfactory answer. AVe think you can say, "Mr. Dairyman, you have a filler that will

accurately measure the various dairy products you sell. We have

inspected this mechanism and we have placed our stamp of approval

upon it. From this point on, it is your responsibility to make certain

that your containers are filled within the tolerances as provided by

law."

Ex-Cell-0 engineers and manufacturing people have the "know

how" when it comes to designing and building precision, automatic,

mechanical equipment. That is our business 1 We have been engaged

in that business for some 30 odd years. The sample filler which you

see here in front of you, we think, is excellently designed, and it is precision manufactured within close tolerances. If it is supplied

with a given dairy product, at a constant temperature, this filler can

be calibrated and set for a quart, and it will hold that measure, within

2 cm^, plus or minus, for an indefinite period of time. However, no

one can design a mechanical filler that can change the physical

characteristics of milk and its by-products ! Perhaps some of you may feel that the following example is too

far-fetched. Nevertheless, it will serve to illustrate some of the same

physical differences with which we, here, are forced to contend within

the dairy industry.

Suppose you very carefully calibrated and sealed a gasoline pump

so as to accurately measure and deliver a full gallon of gasoline, no

more, no less. Xow, suppose you took the intake line and placed it in a tank of

SAE 30 motor oil. What do you think the result would be? We

think you'd wind up with a short gallon of oil. In addition, there are other rules and regulations promulgated by

Federal, State, and Municipal health authorities in connection with

the sanitary aspects of milk fillers. These require the complete dis- mantling and sterilization of such mechanisms at the end of each

and every production run, whereas, when gasoline pimips are set and

sealed, it may not be necessary to disturb them for long periods of

time.

I would like to point out that we have some 1,600 individual PurePak machines operating in dairies located in 48 States. Our first machines began to operate as far back as 1935. Throughout all these

16 years, 15 of which I have been on this job, to my knowledge we have

not had complaints from more than four or five separate weights and
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 71

measures departments. Federal. State, and Municipal included. This

is true even though dairies operating in Pure-Pak produced and sold more than 3.500.000,000 filled containers just last year alone ! A few State jurisdictions have already aj)proached and are now

handling this matter in what apparently is a very satisfactory and

successful manner. In some instances, we are required, by State offi- cials, to furnish them the serial number and model and description of

each machine shipped into their State. They also require the name

and address of the milk distributor that will use the filling equipment.

A copy of the letter, bearing this information, goes to the local in- spector. He, in turn, visits the dairy, checks the accuracy of the filler, after which he applies a tag or decal. which indicates that the measuring device is approved for the metering of milk products packaged

and sold in that State. There is now before the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin a

bill which provides, in part, as follows

:

Cartons and other containers which do not serve or purport to serve as measuring devices—may be used for the sale of milk and cream at retail and wholesale if they are filled by inspected measuring filler machines.

Such measuring filler machines shall be regularly inspected by the Depart- ment. Some States have sent weights and measures officials to our plants

in Detroit. There they have inspected and thoroughly discussed the

Pure-Pak filling unit with our manufacturing and engineering departments. Having satisfied themselves with the proper design and

accuracy with which the filling unit meets required tolerances, they

have issued a code number, which is printed on the Pure-Pak containers used in their jurisdictions. When any local inspector picks

up a container so coded, he is iimnediately informed that the package was produced and filled by a mechanism which had received the

approval of his State Department.

On behalf of our President and General Manager. H. Glenn Bixby,

may I take this opportunity to extend to each and everyone of you

gentlemen an invitation to visit our plants in Detroit, Mich. You

will be more than welcome there, and you will be shown everything

Ave have in the way of milk-filling devices. We have no secrets in

that connection ! And if any of you gentlemen have any ideas or suggestions as to how this situation can be handled in a manner better

and more efficient than now exists, please understand that your ideas

and suggestions will l)e most welcome at any time.

PREPACK MEAT COUNTERS

By J. T. Kexxedy, Director, Weights^ Measures, and Markets, Distinct

of Columbia

The development of new merchandising methods seems to always

throw new problems into the path of the weights and measures offi- cial. The advent of the prepackaged meat counters is certainly no

exception to this rule, for such counters have developed many problems not heretofore found, so frequently, in weights and measures

operations.

The problems to which I will refer, in this paper, are the ones which we have found in the District of Columbia, but it is fair to
72 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, Js^ATIOXAL BUREAU OF STAXDARDS

assume that tlie District of Columbia's problems will likewise be found

in various States, counties, and other municipalities.

The number one problem is the question "AVhat is to be done about

shrinkage?" Are we going to consider shrinkage as an allowable

tolerance—one weights and measures official thinks this should be the answer : or. are we to consider the loose blood and water in packages

as part of "net weight"—another weights and measures official has

expressed the opinion that this is the conclusion which should be

reached ; oi\ are we going to require that the package which is on dis- play for sale shall contain the quantity that is indicated on the

package ? The law governing weights and measures operation within the District of Columbia specifically provides for sale b}' *'net weight''. The

local department has steadfastly held that loose or soaked up blood

and water is not part of the net weight of the commodity offered for

sale. We have heard some comments that this is not fair. for. if purchase is made at a service counter, such blood and water would be in

the commodity purchased. We must achnit that the last part of that

statement is correct—that blood and water is sold over a service counter. However, we must not overlook the fact that, when the com- modity was sold to the customer, it was sold on a net weight basis, and

the further fact that the merchant's responsibility for loss of blood

and water ceases at time of sale. There seems to be little difference

between the merchant's responsibility in connection with the operation

of a service counter and a prepackaged counter. The merchant operating a prepackaged counter is not responsible for loss of blood and water

occurring after sale. However, he definitely must assume responsibility for the loss of such blood and water occurring j)rior to sale. Therefore, if it is the merchant's responsibility to maintain these

packages in accordance with law, then it is our responsibility to determine that he is accepting his responsibility and maintaining these

counters in accordance with good weights and measures policies.

There is some shrinkage in practically all kinds of meats, but

especially is this true in comiection with roasts, round steak, frozen

IDroducts, poultry, hams, and certain other smoked products. I feel that there is an answer to this problem, but the procedure necessary

for the development of this answer cannot, in my opinion, be demanded of the merchants. One large operating company developed a

list of allowances to be made to cover shrinkage on various cuts of

meats; the adoption of this list of allowances has definitely shown

that these counters can be maintained in accordance with law. Conferences with representatives of other large operating companies re- sulted in similar lists being adopted for use in their stores. Since

adoption of these lists, there has been a decided improvement in the

maintenance of these counters. However, even Avith this improvement

apparent, we must consider another problem.

This problem may not be considered as a direct concern of weights

and measures officials, but most certainly the problem materially reflects, indirectly, into our operations. This being a fact, it is felt that the subject is one which we can discuss in this meeting and possibly procure some information along this line from representatives

of food operators who may be present here today.

The problem is the hiring or placement of unproperly trained and

inexperienced personnel both in the super^'ision of prepackage count-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AX^D MEASURES 73

ers and the wrapping, marking-, and Tveighing of commodities offered

for sale on such counters. Locally, this matter has been discussed with

representatives of large operating companies and also with owners

of smaller operations. We have been told that the managers and

weighers have been trained and are experienced in the operations of

the merchandising method and qualified to operate the equipment.

Xo doubt these top bracket men are honest in making that state- ment. However, it is felt that many of the employees operating these counters have had neither a thorough nor a sufficient period of training; many are not familiar with the proper operations of the pre- package scale and have displayed this lack of knowledge in the

presence of weights and measures men. May I cite an illustration of what I am trying to bring to your

attention. On May S. just 2 weeks ago. while looking over a pre- package counter. I observed quite a number of packages of cut-up

chickens—they had been on display over night—I weighed one and

found a 1 -ounce shortage—the owner could not understand this shortage, as the weighers had been instructed to make a 1-ounce allowance

for shrinkage. The weigher was requested to demonstrate how the

package was weighed. She did so, and here is what she did—move

the indicating line back to what appeared to be an indentation in

the chart. I asked her if that covered the tare weight as well as al- lowance for shrinkage, and her reply was in the affirmative, for the

girl who showed her how to weigh had so informed her that this was

a quick way to weigh. It so happened that the indentation mark was

1 oimce back of zero—therefore, no allowance had been made for

shrinkage. Was this the girl's fault ? Should she have been placed

in the position of being embarrassed by our findings? Personally,

I feel that the owner and the manager Avere to blame—they had failed

to properly train this girl and failed to determine that she had suffi- cient experience to accomplish her task. To me, they were careless

and unbusinesslike, and were so told. Frankly, and I don't know how many will agree with me, I feel that this is a big problem, insofar as prepackage counters are concerned.

Problem three—How should Ave determine "net Aveight" of packages on display for sale? Everyone realizes that on clean packages this

is not a problem, for you can determine the tare Aveight through the

use of identical Avrappings. HoAvever. let's consider Avet and bloody

packages, Avhere some blood has soaked into the paper or Avater absorbed into the container. In the District of Columbia, aa^c have been

stripping the jjackages to determine the net Aveight of dirty packages.

Recently. hoAvever. a AA'eights and measures official questioned our

right to so strip packages. If stripping of dirty packages is not the

proper Avay to determine net weight, then I am at a loss as to the

proper method. It is. of course, possible to purchase such packages

and. if found short in AA'eight. institute proceedings against the in- volved company. Frankly, I do not feel that this is the proper way

to procure the confidence of merchants, and I am honestly of the

opinion that, if merchants haA^e confidence in us, we Avill gain more

in the protection of the public.

If there is some other way to determine the net weight of dirty

packages, I certainly, for one, would appreciate advice along this

line.
74 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Problem four—The installation of prepackage counters in small

stores where turnover is not sufficiently large to cover decrease in the

percentage of profit. There is no doubt that increased volume of

business is necessary if prepackage meat counters are to continue in

existence. Too many small operators are attempting to install these

counters, resulting in meat, poultry, and frozen products staying on

display too long, causing excess loss of weight through shrinkage.

The net result of such operations is the cutting of corners on an overall basis. Continuous cutting of corners must necessarily bring about

the type of business which will not produce the desired results neces- sary to protect the consuming public.

GENERAL COMMENT

In the District of Columbia, the Weights and Measures Department

has been very patient and has attempted to understand, even so far

as to try to find an answer for the problems encountered. We have

received good cooperation from the majority of the concerns operating

these counters. Notwithstanding this cooperation, we have found

it absolutely necessary to place two inspectors, practically 100 percent

of their time, on examination and inspection of prepackage counters. There are about 60 such counters in the District of Columbia and, on the first round of inspections, we found the conditions of these counters deplorable.

Immediately after the last Conference, we began to call in representatives of the various concerns, one at a time. The first firm to

visit the office, after reviewing the findings of the department, showed

considerable concern and within about 30 days came up with an an- swer—an answer which has been laid before other concerns for their

consideration and adoption. To date, five companies have adopted

this program, which, while not yet perfect, most certainly has brought

about a definite improvement in these counters. The program is very

simple—a list of allowances to cover shrinkage and a definite course

of training, not only for the weighers, but for butchers, managers, and

supervisors.

It is our hope that, within the next 6 months, the prepackage counters in the District of Columbia will comply 100 percent with the

policies and practices of weights and measures. INTERSTATE PACKAGES

By Chas. Sattler, Commissioner^ Department of Lahor^ Bureau of

'Weights and Measures^ State of West Virginia

The first inkling we had that this Department was employing

methods that are not common practice among the Departments charged

with the enforcement of the laws governing weights and measures was when the representatives of several large packing concerns called at our office in Charleston, relative to some of their packaged products

that had been found short of the weight represented and claimed that

in no other State had their weights been called into question. Of

course, this is a usual alibi, and you should be prepared to discount

these statements. There is, however, no mystery about our methods, there is no secret process, nor is there any question whatsoever concerning the efficiency
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 75

of our procedure. It is, as a matter of fact, quite simple. Our inspectors are under strict instructions to maintain a constant check on all merchandise packed in bags, bottles, boxes, cardboard containers, cartons, and cans, and to spot-check every brand of merchandise to determine whether it contains the quantity represented. If, in making this

spot -check, the inspector discovers a short-weight container, he is then required to check the entire consignment with meticulous care. Each inspector is equipped with a Detectogram (I trust this will not

be construed as a plug for that company) on which the check is made

of the lightweight containers. Each and every bag, bottle, box, cardboard container, carton, or can that is found to be short of the quantity

represented, either in weight, measure, or numerical count, is stamped

•'Underweight" illegal for sale, with a stamp which is part of the

inspector's equipment, and all merchandise thus condemned cannot be

sold by the retailer nor by the wholesaler, but is shipped back to the one

person chiefly responsible, the packer.

Whenever an excessive or unusual quantity of any brand of merchandise is found to be short of the quantity represented, it is, of

course, made known to the office through the inspector's report, and

the information concerning this brand of merchandise and the shortage found is transmitted to all inspectors, either by letter or telegram

if the situation warrants. Thus, Avithin a period of from 24 to 48

hours, we stop the sale of all merchandise short of the quantity repre- sented throughout the entire State. This procedure has been most

effective and has probably done more to discourage the shipment of

short-weight merchandise in the State than any device we have ever employed. Permit me to cite just a few examples without divulging

the brand names. Just a few months ago, a certain brand of butter was found to have a shortage of from I/2 to 1% ounces to the pound.

Following the procedure heretofore outlined, and within a period of

•24: hours, approximately 75,000 pounds of that brand of butter had

been found to be short in various parts of the State, and it was con- dennied and stamped as I have described. The manufacturer of the

merchandise informed me that the cost of reprocessing the 75,000

pounds, plus all charges in connection therewith, w^as approximately

$9,000.00, an amount far greater than any fine we could have imposed

under our statute. This figure is no exaggeration, for, if you will

follow this transaction in detail, you can readily appreciate how rapidly the costs mount up. First, there is the cost of freight or express

from various locations in the State to the city in which the plant of

the packer is located (which, incidentally, was in another State) , which

is no small item; second, the manual labor involved in unw^rapping

each of the four individual sticks which go to make up the pound, or 300,000 sticks in all ; then the actual reprocessing and rewrapping, and

finally the reshipping. These, of course, are the tangible costs. The

intangibles can be better imagined than described. You can, for ex- ample, imagine the reaction of the local grocer wdien he, under the

impression that he has an ample stock on hand, finds that large quantities are short of the quantity represented and cannot be sold ; and,

let me make this clear, his ire is not directed at the Department, for

the sale of short-weight merchandise, bought in good faith by him,

profiteth him nothing. As a matter of fact, the honest merchant has no desire to see his customers victimized. Then, you can imagine the
76 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

reaction of the wholesaler, who had the expense of delivery, of loading and unloading, and of picking up the merchandise that has been

condemned. I have copies of letters in my file that were written to packers by wholesalers, in which they minced no words, but told them

quite frankly that, if they could not or Avould not pack their merchandise to contain accurate weight, they would give their business

to a dealer who would.

In another instance which occurred some fcAV years ago, an inspector

from this Department found 21 cans of pork and beans packed and

labeled to contain 1 pound 8 ounces to the can which, when checked,

indicated a shortage in the weight represented of approximately 3i/^ ounces. This shortage was fairly consistent in each of the cans. We

then checked the distributor's stock and found he had 800 cases of

the merchandise, with 36 cans to the case. The same shortage was

evident in the stock he had on hand, and all inspectors were immediatel}^ notified to check all outlets in the State. Within 48 hours we

impounded 3,500 cases of this brand, which was a nationally known

brand, and the shortage in those 3,500 cases was well over 10 tons, not an insignificant item at approximately 15 cents a pound.

Representatives of that company came to Charleston by every known

method of modern conveyance, and much of the merchandise was

donated to charitable institutions, and the balance was shipped back

and had to be relabeled to indicate the true weight.

In another instance that occurred just recently, we found a carload

of flour in 10- and 25-pound bags, with a shortage of over 1 pound in

the 10-pound bags and over 2 pounds in the 25-pound bags. In this case the local distributor was in dire need of the merchandise, and

we approved an arrangement whereby the local distributor weighed

each bag, filled it to contain the true weight indicated, and we supervised each detail and kept a record of the entire transaction. The

correction of that condition cost the milling company over $800, be- cause they agreed to pa}^ for the time involved in reweighing, plus the

loss of flour needed to fill to the true weight.

In each and every situation of this nature, we seize and retain a number of samples, so there can be no argument and no recriminations. I am not exaggerating this situation, for the concern evidenced by

packers of national repute and the special trips that have been made

to the State by their representatives to discuss the problem offer abundant i)roof that they consider it quite serious.

The saving to the citizens of the State cannot be overemphasized,

and, in a few instances where there were excessive shortages and in

excessive amounts, the savings effected in a single instance was ten times greater than the appropriation to operate the Department.

In quite a number of cases and through the cooperation of weights

and measures departments in other States, we have secured substantial

refunds from the grower or packer when perishable merchandise was

shipped to a wholesaler short of the quantity represented by a check

of our inspectors when the aid of this Department was invoked by

the merchant.

It occurs to me that what we are doing on a State level, and doing

so successfully, could be done nationally by cooperation between States

and by the exchange of information. It occurs to me that the National

Bureau of Standards could well serve as the clearing house for this
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASUREiS 77

type of information, and I am persuaded that, through the cooperation

of the States along the line suggested, it would be but a short time, at

least in the field of merchandising, before honesty would not only

be the best policy, but it would be the only policy under which operation in this field Avould be possible.

(Following the presentation of bis prepared paper, Mr. Sattler gave an inter- esting demonstration of short-weight packages, all of which had been shipped in interstate commerce, and all of which had been discovered by West Virginia

inspectors within a period of eight weeks immediately preceding the Conference. The packages consisted principally of food items. However, some other commodities were included.)

(The Conference was recessed until 2 : 00 p. m.)
FIFTH SESSION—AFTERNOON OF THURSDAY,

MAY 24, 1951

(J. E. Breiitou, Vice President, presiding)

THE RETAIL POULTRY MARKET

By Malcolm W. Jexsex. Sealer of Weights and Measures, City of

Madison, Wis.

The retail poultry market lias progressed during the past few years

from a poorly controlled, weakly operated business, to a highly pre- cisioned industry in need of special regulations.

The advent of the large killing and processing plants, along with

the dry-pick and soft-scald methods of preparation and modern pre- pack merchandising, have brought poultry from the special-event din- ner to the everyday, most any meal, class of food. Our chief interest

in the market naturally centers around weights. The development

of current and needed regulations and the problems of preparations,

shrinkage and various methods of sale sluxild, I believe, be considered

here.

For the purpose of clarity of presentation, this discussion of the

retail poultry market will dwell on chicken products only—although

many of the points discussed will naturally hold true for other types

of poultry.

The national annual per capita consumption of chicken has been

steadily rising from 16.8 pounds in 1938—reached a high of 30.5 pounds in 1913, and has now leveled oil' at around :26 pounds. The

high point of over one-half pound per person per week was reached

during the days of meat rationing when chicken was bought as a meat

substitute. About 37 percent of all chicken meat consumed annually

in the United States is consumed in farm households. The sale of

the other 63 percent is our concern. The great increase in prepackaging in modern grocery merchandising methods has had a great deal to do with the increase in chicken

sales as well as the increase in problems relative to weights and

measures. In Madison we have worked many years to discourage the advertising, weighing and pricing of chickens according to the method nor- mally termed Xew York dressed. This, as you know, is the old

standard method of advertising chickens at a given price per pound,

weighing and computing them at the time of sale with only the blood

and feathers removed and then drawing and wrapping them in a back

room. It has been our contention that this method of sale is deceitful

and offers too mucli opportunity for fraud.

Retailers have utilized a storage and preservative practice Avliich is highly unethical but difficult to prohibit. It has been found that Xew

York dressed chickens which are cooled and held in the water of a cooling vat for abnormally long periods of time will absorb water at

78
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 79

a reasonably even rate for an almost indefinite period. Birds wliicli were kept in ice water for seven days absorbed an average of approximately 17 percent by weight. Some absorption takes place in the

initial cooling process and is necessary to maintain a moist, freshly

killed api^earance. Dr. James Gwin of the University of Maryland

has proved by experiment that the water absorption in this initial cooling varies from 3 to 6 percent and takes fi'om rt to 6 hours.

states that in most commercial operations the freshly killed birds are moved from the cooling vats sometimes within an 8-hotir period. This

prodtices a percentage weight gain which averages aroimd 5.5 percent.

It would seem that those distributors or retailers who hold poultry in

wet refrigeration for long periods are violating the intent if not the

letter of the law.

Another example of advantage taken of the Xew York dressed

method is a small merchant in Wisconsin who was suspected, investigated, and convicted of a practice amazingly simple and effective and just as dishonest. This man sttpjjlied himself Avith a number of

cylindrical pieces of lead. After advertising chickens at a price

somewhat lower than his competitors, he would insert one of these

lead weights into each of the foAvl to be presented immecliatel}^ for sale. The chicken Avould be weighed and computed in the sales room in front

of the purchaser and then removed to tlie back room to be eAuscerated

and Avrapped. The lead Aveight, of course, Avas removed and inserted

into another chicken.

The development of the ready-to-cook method of sale presentation

has been rather rapid. In our city Ave uoav have all large retail grocery

and meat markets offering for sale dressed and draAvn foAvl. This

evolution Avas sanctioned and liiin ied along l)y local and distant poultry processing plants: and, in turn, it brought about some Aveird

experiments in Aveighing and labeling. First came those who wotilcl ach'ertise the chickens at a dressed price, then draAv each bird after

haA'ing noted the Aveight and selling price of each before evisceration.

Their labels aa-ouIcI state that the items had been Aveighed and priced

before draAving and Avotdd indicate such Aveight and dollar value.

Then came those Avho Avould label the completely ])repared chicken

Avith three figures—dressed Aveiglit, draAvn Aveight, and selling price.

These methods Avere discouraged and the next development Avas the

label Avhich noted the net drawn Aveight and the statement of so much

per pound before draAA'ing, along Avith the total price. All of these

methods Avere uncheckable from a Aveights and measures standpoint.

We haA'e uoav adA'ancecl to the jjoint Avhere ready-to-cook poultry is Aveiglied, priced, and computed like any other meat product; that is, exactl}' as it is offered for sale. You might be interested in the results of an actual price differential

surA^ey which we made in one store of a large retail grocery chain ori a given elate during April 1951. Just prior to this date, this concern had ach^ertisecl ready-for-the-pan fryers, and they had on display in

the prepack meat cooler many cut-up and whole chickens of A^arious

classes. We checked Aveights, prices, and computations, and learned

that the total net aA^erage price per draAvn chicken in the advertised

fryer class figured exactly the same as the total aA^erage price of the

dressed-only chickens in this class. We Avere somewhat surprised to

find that this firm Avas adding on an aA^erage from three to nine cents
80 MISC. PUBLICATION'S, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

per pound more than was necessary to make the total average price of

the drawn chicken equal to the total average price of the dressed

chicken in various heavier classes of birds. It would seem that we weights and measures officials have forced an

adverse effect upon the purchasing value of the housewife's poultry

dollar by insisting upon an honest and above-board presentation of

weight and computation of this particular item. Be that as it may,

I am convinced that competition eventually will force upon retailers a price per pound of any given item which is as low as is consistent

with good merchandising operation.

Some retailers, though probably very few, still are advertising

poultry on a live weight basis. This is done to reflect a grossly ex- aggerated low comparative price. No conscientious dealer is interested in this type merchandiaing, and no weights and measures official should condone it. Through a definite consumer demand for eye appeal and choice of

purchase, as well as the increase of consumer acceptance to self-service

meats, the development of wrapping material which is used after the

preparation of poultry products for retail sale has progressed from

brown meat paper to transparent cellulose wrappers. The wrapper

now most generally used is a cold meat cellulose or, pliofilm which

retains transparency and deters shrinkages of the product wrapped.

Wrappers most generally recommended are those which are moistureproof, coated, capable of being sealed by heat, and transparent.

Poultry has one definite peculiarity which seems to work to the

advantage of good labeling practice and to make easier weights and

measures enforcement. Chickens which have been prepared as readyfor-the-pan items quickly lose appearance under conditions of dry

refrigeration. This loss of eye appeal apparently is directly proportional to the weight shrinkage of the product. Most markets in

Madison have found it expedient to rigidly control the amount of

poultry displayed for sale and to rewrap and relabel each day any

poultry products which have been offered for sale in self-service, pre- pack refrigeration display cases. This natural deterioration process

eliminates the possibility of storage of the product for much more

than 4 days after the kill. Some retailers are counteracting the

aforementioned rapid decomposition of their product by refrigeration under special conditions. It has been found that, if either whole

or cut-up eviscerated chickens are stored in the refrigerator and completely covered with crushed ice with provision for good drainage,

they can be attractive and salable for up to 7 or 8 days. The weight

gain of eviscerated chickens during this ice storage will average about

one-half of 1 percent per 24-hour period. Markets where these conditions prevail generally handle the poultry as most meat is handled

that is, weighed and computed at the time of sale. A shrinkage factor of wrapped fresh poultry in a given class is difficult to determine. The natural shrinkage, even under the best

controlled conditions of wrapping and temperature is somewhat

variable. We have completed a rather comprehensive survey and

have arrived at approximate figures of percentage of weight loss. They are offered here for your consideration. It was found that truly
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASUREiS 81

fresh eviscerated and cut -up fryers and stewers, under near-perfect

conditions of drainage, preparation, and dry storage, will shrink

about one-fourth ounce per bird in each 24-hour period of display.

This small shrinkage is obtainable only if the product is well drained

and rewrapped each day. On the other hand, we have found an aver- age total of 12-percent shrinkage on stewers and 5.5-percent shrinkage on fryers when they are not well drained and are wrapped and dis- played in the original wrapper for the salable life of the products.

The weight loss of an individual cut of a fryer averages 9.2 percent

if not rewrappecl.

A thorough search for laws, regulations, orders, or directives which

have been enacted and are being enforced to cover any or all aspects

of the poultry market exclusively was almost entirely unproductive.

The Food and Drug Administration of the Federal Security Agency

in an act of February 7, 1949, entitled "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and General Regulations for its Enforcement", has both

general regulations to cover and provision for specific regulations.

Chapter IV, Section 401, states in part, "Whenever in the judgment

of the Administrator such action will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, he shall promulgate regulations fixing

and establishing for any food, under its common or usual name so far as practicable, a reasonable definition and standard of identity,

a reasonable standard of qualitv, and/ or reasonable standards of fill of container." Section 402 of this Act, reads under subsection

(b), (4), "A food shall be deemed to be adulterated if any substance

has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to increase

its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear

better or of a greater value than it is." Under Section 40:3, titled "Misbranded Food", subsection (d) states, "A food shall be deemed to be misbranded if its container is so made,

formed, or filled as to be misleading." This section also terms a food

misbranded if it does not bear a label containing among other things an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of

weight, measure, or numerical count; provided that reasonable variations shall be permitted by regulations prescribed by the Administrator. This section also states that the statement of the quantity of

the contents of food in the package must be exclusive of wrappers and

other material packed with such food.

^lany letters were addressed to various officers in the Food and

Drug Administration in an effort to determine if any variations from

labeled weights or special regTilations relative to poultry have been

prescribed by the Administrator.

The reply of most value in this discussion was received from W. A.

Queen, Chief of the Division of State Cooperation. Mr. Queen an- swered specific questions, parts of which will be quoted here. I asked what specific regulations cover the information required to be on labels on wrapped poulti^ products. His answer I shall quote,

"No specific regulations have been promulgated under the Federal

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act stipulating the information that must

be placed on the labels of wrapped poultry products. Poultry in package form is, of course, subject to the general labeling provisions of the

Federal Act when shipped in interstate commerce."
82 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

To my question of what are the marking exemptions covering poultry wlien packed in synthetic casings, Mr. Queen stated, "No exemptions have been established for poultry Avhen packed in synthetic

casings. The requirement that such products bear quantity of contents markings is contingent upon whether they are in fact 'food in package

form' as contemplated by section 403 (e) of the Act. The question is one which nmst be determined upon the basis of facts in the individual

case.'' The next question as to what weight allowance is made between the

labeled weight and the actual drained chicken w^eight on canned whole

chickens was answered by Mr. Queen as follows, "No regulations have

been promulgated under the Federal Act stipulating allowances that

will be made in the 'labeled weight and the actual drained chicken

weight on canned Avhole chickens' in which a liquid substance has been

used as a packing medium. We would regard the use of an excessive

amount of such a packing medium in canned whole chickens as an

adulteration and amenable to the general adulteration provision of the

Federal Act. * ^ In the case of whole chicken in gravy, when

labeled as such, we would not object to a declaration of the combined

weight of the chicken and gravy as the net weight of the packaged

product. Such a product would, of course, be subject to the considerations noted above in respect to adulteration. In accordance with Food

Inspection Decision 144, issued May 22, 1912, we hold that the chicken

should, as nearly as is practicable, fill the container, and that the gravy

should occupy only the space that would otherwise be unfilled."

Question number four asked if there is a maximum liquid allowance on frozen poultry; that is, the difference between the frozen weight

and the net thawed and drained weight. Mr. Queen's letter answered,

"In cases of frozen poultry it is our position that the declaration oi net weight should be on the basis of the actual weight of the poultry,

allow^ances being made for shrinkage losses in accordance with the

regulations. While we have conducted no experimental work on

frozen poultry, an allowance would be made between frozen weight

and thawed weight due to normal losses in the thawing operation.

No allowance would be made for added water as such."

NBS Circular 503 lists among other things the names of States and

possessions which require markings on packages of foods—said markings to be accurate and informative as to the net content of said packages. This circular which was issued November 16, 1950, indicated

that 39 States plus the District of Columbia and the territories of

Hawaii and Puerto Rico require that packages of foods be marked

with statements of net content. In addition, eight other States require

that, if packages of food carry a content declaration, this declaration

must be accurate. With all of these regulations in mind, I would like to call your

attention to the results of a great deal of research on packaged poultry

products—still holding primarily to chickens. Leaving out for the

time being, fresh poultry which has been packaged and offered for sale, we found the following: A very careful and accurate check on the contents of every brand of canned chicken available in Madison

brought about some amazing conclusions. These cans which had

labeled contents varying from just under two pounds to four pounds
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AX^D MEASURES 83

were labeled to contain various types of chicken in various stages of

preparation, and were found to contain an average of exactly 54.7 percent chicken by weight and 45.3 percent liquids. The percentage

by weight of the chicken in the tested cans varied from 57.8 percent

down to 48.9 percent. Although price structure does not ordinarily

enter into weights and measures discussions, it might be interesting to note that, at the time of these tryout weighings, the contents of these cans were averaging 50 cents per pound of the labeled weight. The

average price per pound of eviscerated fresh chickens in similar weight

and age classes was (58 cents. A housewife, in making a comparison

for the most economical purchase, would buy the canned chicken as being about 18 cents per pound cheaper. Our tests proved that the

actual price per pound of the canned chicken was close to 1 dollar, or over 30 cents per pound more than comparable fresh chickens.

The results obtained in experimentation Avith frozen chickens w^ere more encouraging. We obtained a number of packages of various

brands of frozen stewing chickens and frozen fryers. We checked

the actual net frozen weight against the labeled frozen weight and

found that, in general, these weights coincided. Occasional shortages were found, as were occasional overages. The frozen birds were

then removed to a thawing temperature and allowed to drain as the

thawing process progressed. The thaw was a natural one and took

place in a room with temperature averaging 70 degrees. The thaw^ed

and drained chickens were carefully weighed and results recorded.

We found that, on an average, the net drained w^eight of stewing

chickens was 93.7 percent of the frozen weight, and that the net drained weight of the fryers was 91.6 percent of the frozen w^eight.

That part of the poultry industry which is furnishing frozen birds

will l)e ex])ected to offer onlv a well-drained product.

Technical Pndletin 768, dated April 1941, and issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, reports on the "Quality of Frozen Poultry

as Affected by Storage and Other Conditions.'' Included in this

report are })ercentage figures computed on the loss of weight in

storage of frozen birds. The ]30ultry used in this research was classified either light or heavy. The separation betAveen light and heavy

birds was made at the live weight of 5l^ pounds—all birds over that

weight being classed as heavy. These chickens were quick-frozen,

and comparisons were draAvn after they had been in storage at 20

degrees l^elow zero on each ainiiversary for 3 yeai^. It was found

that birds in the light class lost 1.2 percent the first year, 1.16 percent the second year, and 1.19 percent the third year in storage. Heavy

birds lost 0.98 percent the first year, 0.96 percent the second year, and

1 .96 percent the third year. The Eviscerated Poultry Committee of the Institute of American

Poultry Industries met with Messrs. Fitzgerald and Callahan of the

Chicago Office of Weights and Measures on May 4, 1948, to consider

weight loss tolerances on retail packages of frozen poultry. Among

the conclusions of this meeting were the following

:

Variations in original freezing methods and temperature, the length of time in storage, storage temperature and humidity, and care at retail levels make it difficult—if not almost impossible—to arrive at any fair average tolerance that might be applicable generally. This is, however,
84 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

industry's problem, and consumers must be protected against unreasonable

differences. Even tbougb it is impossible to prevent occasional, slight variations on individual packages, according to the law of averages, overweight

packages in any given lot should balance out the underweight packages.

The committee did not, therefore, offer any specific recommendation on what figure the inspectors might use as a normal, reasonable tolerance, but

they did point out that birds that are wrapped properly and handled properly in the retail store should show very little loss of weight. I have been informed by Mr. Baker of New York and Mr. Rogers

of New Jersey that an additional problem has arisen in their jurisdictions. Chickens of various sizes are completely prepared for eating

and have been offered for sale at a price per bird. Some are stuffed

with dressing and roasted and some are merely barbecued or roasted.

This problem will undoubtedly work itself westw^ard, so you will

want to know that these men w^ith their usual acumen have ruled that, I shall quote from section 8A of the Poultry Regulations of the State

of New York, "Poultry is meat; and whether cooked or uncooked

shall be sold or offered for sale by weight and not by the piece or head

;

when roasted, in advance of sale, the net w^eight shall include the

stuffing or dressing."

The Division of Weights and Measures of the State of New Jersey

likewise directed on September 12, 1950, that barbecued and roasted

fowl shall be sold on the basis of avoirdupois net weight only and

that sale by the piece be discontinued.

I am adding to this report, in order to make them a part of it, tables of shrinkages in preparation and weights of various cuts of

chickens. These tables, of course, will not be read at this time.

It is not my intention to offer any recommendations as to actions

by this Conference, but merely to report conditions as they now exist. Any actions should, I believe, come from committee or from the floor and only after discussion and consideration.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those members of this group, representatives from the industry, and

officials of the Federal Government who so generously replied to my

many inquiries.

Chickens.—Approximate weights of birds in various stages of dressing and

drawing. Listed according to live weights. The figures are furnished to aid

in estimating processing shrinkages and will vary according to quality, age,

sex, and degree of improvement through breeding. Shrinkage is usually greater

in younger birds and in lighter-weight birds.

Live weight

Weight

of blood and

feathers

Dressed

weight

Head,

shanks,

feet, inedible

viscera, int.

Drawn

weight Bone in dressed

carcass Weight of edible meat

lb 02 lb oz lb oz lb oz lb 02 lb oz

1 1.9 0 14.1 0 3.7 0 10.4 0 2.6 0 7.8

2 3.7 1 12.3 0 7.0 1 5.3 0 5.3 1 0

3 5.3 2 10.7 0 9.4 2 1.3 0 8.2 1 9.1

4 6.7 9.3 0 11.5 2 13.8 0 10.6 2 3.2

5 8.0 4 8.0 0 13.6 3 10.4 0 13.2 2 13.2

6 9. 1 5 6.9 0 15.8 4 7.

1

0 14.9 3 8.2

7 10. 1 6 5.9 1 1.9 5 4.0 1 8.0 4 3.2

Chickens.—Approximate weight of cut-up parts eviscerated carcass (Rhode

Island Reds) listed by the total eviscerated weight, furnished by E. H. McNally,

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry.
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 85

Total evis- cerated weight of carcass

1

xSreast^ i^egs A ings Back and

neck

lb 02 07 02 02 oz 0 12 2.80 4.11 1.81 3.38

0 14 3.36 4. 78 1.97 3. 82

1 0 3. 97 5. 50 2.16 4. 30

1 2 4.51 6. 18 2. 34 4.75

1 4 5.12 6.90 2.51 5. 23

1 6 5. 68 7.57 2. 69 5. 66

1 8 6.29 8. 30 2.86' 6. 14

1 10 6.83 8. 96 3.04 6. 59

1 12 7.44 9. 70 3. 23 7. 07

1 14 8. 00 10. 35 3.41 7. 52 2 0 8. 61 11.09 3.58 8. 00 2 2 9.17 11. 74 3. 76 .8. 45 2 4 9. 76 12. 48 3. 94 8. 93 2 6 10. 32 13. 14 4. 11 9. 38

2 8 10. 93 13. 87 4. 30 9. 86

2 10 11. ^r9 14. 53 4. 48 10. 30

2 12 12.37 15. 26 4. 66 10. 78

Chicken Fryers.—630 killed by one processing- plant—chickens bred and raised by same plant averaged in the preparation process as follows : Live weights ranged from 2 pounds to 4 pounds, 12 ounces. Average live weight 4 pounds, 1 ounce. Average Xew York dressed weight 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Average drawn weight 2 pounds, 12 ounces. U. S. REGULATIONS—WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

POULTRY, BY DR. P. J. BRANDLY, POULTRY PATHOLOGIST, PMA, U. S. DEPART- MENT OF AGRICULTURE

In order to keep the records straight, I think it is proper that you

all know I have had an opportunity to read Mr. Jensen's interesting

and tliought-pi'ovoking paper. My remarks, therefore, will be aimed

at answering some of the questions raised, and toward exphiining the extent of the authority vested in the U. S. Department of Agricuhure

for requiring accurate weight statements.

It might be well to explain that the service of the Department's

Poultry Inspection and Grading Division in the Production and Marketing Administration, under which this work falls, is furnished to members of industry on a voluntary basis and that those plants

which operate under the Division's supervision reimburse the Department for all costs incurred.

The principle which has guided the poultry inspection work since

its inception in has been to provide protection to the consumer and sanitary control to the industry. In order to assure the integrity

of the product, a post mortem examination is performed on each car- cass to determine its wdiolesomeness. All processing operations are supervised to see that the food is handled in a sanitary manner in a clean environment, protected from the many possible sources of con- tamination which attend its preparation, and to safeguard it as much

as possible during distribution. This inspection also prevents, in

so far as possible, fraudulent and misleading economic practices, in- cluding adulteration.

To guard against such misleading practices, a careful check on

the labeling of the products bearing the inspection or grading mark

must be made to see that it includes accurate net weight statements.

965584—51 8
86 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

When considering labels for approval, we have always worked closely

with the Federal Food and Drug Administration in order to be sure that all labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are met. The first question raised by Mr. Jensen that I am in a position

to comment upon refers to the adulteration of the poultry carcass by

soaking in water. Section 70.16 of the regulations provides that "any

dressed poultry carcass weighing less than 8 pounds shall not be

permitted to remain in a chilling vat or tank for longer than six hours,

unless the water is drained. An}^ dressed poultry carcass weighing

8 pounds or more shall not be permitted to remain in a chilling vat

or tank for longer than eight hours unless the water is drained. Any

such poultry carcass, however, shall not be allowed to remain in a chilling vat or tank after the internal temperature of the carcass has

been lowered to 36° F unless the water is drained."

The U. S. Department of Agriculture is heartily in favor of readyto-cook poultry and has gone on record concerning this development

in the industr}^ many times. ^ In official plants, poultry carcasses are prepared for clistribution in various ways. One way is to ice-pack the

eviscerated poultry in cracked ice and ship it to market in bulk containers. This poultry is then retailed across the counter and weighed

at the time of sale. Much poultry is cut up in pieces and packaged

in fiber boxes overwrappecl with cellophane in order to prevent dehydration during storage. Some is quick frozen and sold in the frozen

form. Tliis type of poultry package constitutes a problem for the

processor. The product must be kept moist or it loses its fresh

appearance, and yet it must be drained sufficiently so that bloody water

does not accumulate in the bottom of the package. The inspectors

regularly check the net weight statements of such packages in order

to be sure that they are accurate. A condition occurs in poultry or other meat following freezing

wliich I feel you should be made aware of. This condition or process

is the loss of fluids from the frozen meat when it is defrosted. It is commonly referred to as "tissue drip" or "defrosting shrinkage". We

do not have as accurate data on poultry as we do on other meats con- cerning the amount of this "defrosting shrinkage". However, Sair

and Cook ^ found that "defrosting shrinkage" could be as high as 22

percent of beef cuts, and Eamsbottom and Koonz - found that the

"defrosting shrinkage" varied from 4.5 to 9.9 percent under various

conditions Avhen steaks were cut from the carcass. The factors which

influence "defrosting shrinkage" appear to depend upon the type of

meat, age, amount of fat, and other physical factors, as well as the

conditions under which it is frozen and the pH of the meat at the

time it is frozen. We, assuming that it is necessary for 2 or 3 percent

of water to be on the carcass in order to maintain its fresh appearance

and to protect it from dehydration, conclude from the figures given

by Mr. Jensen showing that he found the stewing chicken, after thawing and draining, weighed 93.7 percent of the frozen weight, that

about 4.5 percent of "defrosting shrinkage" occurred in the birds of

1 L. Sair. and W. H. Cook. ''Relation of pH to Drip Formation in Meat." Canadian

Journal of Research. V. 16. No. 9. September 1938.

- J. M. Ranisbottom. and C. H. Koonz. "Freezer Storajre Temperature as Related to Drip and to Color in Frozen Defrosted Beef." Food Research, V. 6, No. 6. (November- December 1941.)
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 87

this class which he checked. The fryers would shrink approximately

6.5 percent because of ''defrosting shrinkage''. If the stewing chicken were placed in the container in the frozen state, there would be no loss to the consumer because the carcass would contain a normal amount

of solids. Our experience indicates that the "defrosting shrinkage"

has a content of from 3.3 to 3. 97 percent of solids. We cannot, of

course, expect to be able to figure just what the "defrosting shrinkage"

from any frozen poultry would be. Therefore, I should like to ask

Dr. Scott of the Bureau of Animal Industry Avhat action the Meat

Inspection Division has taken with respect to "defrosting shrinkage" on frozen-cut meats. Mr. Jensen discusses the weight allowance which is made between

the label weight and the actual drained chicken weight on canned

whole chicken. As indicated previously, this matter has been dis- cussed at length with the Food and Drug Administration. When the

initial product was produced in cylindrical cans in 1946, that Administration issued the following warning with respect to this product

:

'Tn packing the product care should be taken that the can is not too

large for the bird so as to result in an excessive quantity of broth."

It is my understanding that the net drained weight of a pound can of

peas would be considerably less than a pound and that the interstices

which are filled by the fluid in order to provide for properly sterilizing

the product during processing are regarded in the same light as the

fluid filling the interstices in other products.

Our letter to Irvine M. Levy, City Sealer, Department of Weights

and Measures, Chicago, explains our position on the whole canned

chicken pi'oduct. We wrote Mr. Levy as follows

:

The marketing of whole chickens in cans has been given a great deal of study by this service, during which time we were able to consult and be guided liy the comments of the Federal Food and Drug Administration.

It should be clearly understood that the specified weights which are here

given are not standards established by the Federal Food and Drug Administration but are weights which we believe to be practical. That Administration states that "cans no larger than that necessary to hold the birds should be used." We realize that birds of ditferent conformation will vary in weight even though they are the largest size birds which can be placed in the can. It is impossible, of course, to get a sufficient number of birds which weigh exactly

the same, to establish too arbitrary a net weight of the carcass going into the can. For the 404X700 size can the average raw eviscerated weight of the birds placed in the can should be 2 pounds, with a minimum weight of 1 pound,

12 ounces. For the 411X704 size can the average raw eviscerated weight of the birds placed in the can should be 2 pounds, 6 ounces, with a minimum

weight of 2 pounds, 4 ounces. The 404X700 can has sufficient fluid added

to the can to make it weigh 3 pounds, 4 ounces net. The 411X704 can has

sufficient fluid added to the can to make it weigh 3 pounds, 12 ounces net. We have noticed in our experimental work that the raw eviscerated weight

of the l)ird may not be an accurate indication as to the weight of the bird

after it has been processed. We have been able to devise no better way

to establish reasonable practice for this product than to weight the raw

eviscerated birds just before they are placed in the can. Obviously the amount of fluid in the can will depend upon the weight of the bird placed

in the can and the amount of shrinkage which the bird undergoes during

processing.

There are no restrictions on the inter-state shipment of poultry ex- cept that such poultry shall comply with the provisions of the Federal

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The amount of dressed poultry in-
88 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

spected by the Department last year was approximately 500,000,000

pounds. Besides the post mortem examinations performed on this

poultry, supervision of the processing, packaging, and labeling of all inspected eviscerated poultry and prepared poultry food products was

accomplished.

If there are any further questions that I can ansAver I shall be happy

to do so, or to work out the answer to any questions that you may raise. PACKING HOUSE PRODUCTS, BY DR. J. R. SCOTT, CHIEF, TRADE LABEL SECTION.

BAI, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

At your Thirty-fifth Conference held last year, I discussed the

labeling of meat products. At that time, I attempted to define the

jNIeat Inspection Division's responsibility with respect to the labeling

of meat and meat food product prepared in establislmients operating

under the Federal Meat Inspection Service. Since the group was

primarily interested in weights and measures, particular emphasis was placed on that phase of labeling.

When Mr. Bussey asked me to appear on the program this year, he

suggested that I discuss in more detail some of the points that were

raised following the discussion of the subject last year. Following my talk last year, there was considerable discussion con- cerning the shrinkage that may take place in certain products between

the time they leave the inspected establishment and the time that they

arrive at the retail level. I realize that this presents a vexing problem

for the State and local net weight officials. As you know, our jurisdiction over the preparation and labeling of meat and meat food

product does not extend beyond the limits of the official establishment,

and, since we have no control over the factors influencing the shrinkage occurring while product is being distributed to the trade, we can

offer no help except to be sure that the product bears an accurate statement of quantity of contents when it leaves our jurisdiction. I hope that some day some one will come up with the solution to this

problem. There was also some discussion concerning the weight of

product in casings. The Federal Meat Inspection Service does not

require product in casings to be marked with the net weight. From

time to time, we receive inquiries as to what type of container we

regard as casings. Casings may be of animal origin or they may be

constructed of plastic film. The latter are commonly known as artificial or hydrocellulose casings. To qualify as a casing, the animal or

plastic film container must be in tubular form prior to placing the- product therein. In some of the jurisdictions that require the net weighing of product in casings, the weights and measures officials have raised a question concerning the tare weight. We have weighed

various kinds and sizes of casings, and it is rare to find any weighing

in excess of one ounce, so I believe the tare weight can be considered

as a negligible factor. I brought a few samples of artificial casings

with me. I have a slip of paper attached to each one showing the

tare weight as well as the approximate capacity of the casing. If

anyone is interested in seeing them, they will be found on the display

table following this session.

In closing, I would like to remind you of the invitation I extended

to you last year to call on our inspectors in charge of meat inspection

in your various jurisdictions for the purpose of discussing mutual

problems in connection with the labeling of meat and meat food prod-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 89

net. I feel that the better we understand each other's responsibility,

the better equipped AA'e are to serve the American public.

I wish to thank the oiHcers and members of the Conference for the

privilege of being able to meet with you again.

FOODS AND DRUGS, BY S. C. ROWE, CHEMIST, FOOD DIVISION, U. S. FOOD AND DRUG

ADMINI STRATION

It is a real pleasure for me to participate with representatives of

the Department of Agriculture and members of the Conference in this

panel discussion on the net weight declaration on packaged meats and

poultry. AVe need these discussions in order that all of us will have

a better understanding of problems which are of mutual interest. As

you know, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires that

the label statement of the cpiantity of contents be accurate and provides for reasonable variations. Mr. Bussey has asked me to speak

particularly about these reasonable variations from the declared contents vrhich are permitted under the lav: and also the enforcement of

the net weight provision as related to the Meat Inspection Act. He

also wants me to explain why no specific tolerance figures are set up in

the regulations.

The permitted variations found in the regidations are of two general types : ( 1 ) such deviations from the stated Aveight or measure as

are caused by ordinary and customary exposure after introduction

of the article into interstate commerce: and (2) variations in weight, measure, or count caused by unavoidable deviations in weighing,

measuring, or counting conducted in accordance Avith good commercial

practice. The first type deals Avith packages which are not air tight.

We are concerned here Avith moisture losses which Ave call normal

shrinkage. Under the second type Avhere there is the customary declaration of contents, the average of the packages comprising a specific

shipment must not fall beloAv the declared amount at the time of

shipment and no unreasonable shortage in any package is permitted

even if com])ensated for by overages in other packages. IVliere the

minimum quantity is expressed, there is no alloAvance beloAv the declared mininuun.

XoAv. it is the problem of normal shrinkage which gives all of us more coneern than any other factor in short measure cases. Under

the Federal laAv the product should be full weight at the time of shipment into interstate commerce regardless of Avlien it was packed

or hoAv long it Avas held before shipment. After the shipment enters

interstate commerce, allowances for normal shrinkage are made by

the gOA'ernment. The question immediately arises as to hoAv much

alloAvance sliould be made in any particular case. Some years ago a U. S. District court in the Startup Candy case held that the case "required proof as to AAdiat a reasonable A^ariation Avas in shipments

of like commodities in similar packages under the same and similar

conditions as in the case on trial." For more than three decades the

personnel of the Food and Drug Administration have been conducting

shipping and storage experiments to determine how much loss in

weight different products undergo under A-arying conditions. These

shrinkage data are not aA^ailable for distribution, but any Federal,

State or local food and drug official is Avelcome to look over the file of this material at any of our field offices.
90 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

In the development of short measure cases for court presentation,

the Food and Drug Administration undertakes to establish the shortage so that there will be no question about it in the minds of the

judge or jury. This includes a plan for obtaining information in

regard to the weighing practices of the firm at time of packing and

data on the conditions of transportation and storage. It also calls for a representative number of weighings, a sample for the determination of moisture, and an adequate analysis of the data. Our in- spectors are asked to obtain relative humidity and temperature

figures and other data on transportation and storage. Figures on

relative humidity and temperature during transportation are obtained from U. S. Weather Bureau records. The inspector ordinarily

makes 50 gross weight field weighings selected at random and then

submits a dozen of these 50 units to the laboratory for check weighings, gross, net, and tare. He also submits a sample for moisture

determination. Based on the inspector's gross weighings and on his

own laboratory gross and tare weights, the analyst calculates the

shortage. The reviewing officer evaluates all of the data and recom- mends the action to be taken. If the moisture content found in the

sample is normal for the product at the time of packing, the shortage

cannot be attributed to shrinkage. If it is not normal, consideration

must be given to the conditions to which the product has been subjected by comparing the data with experimental shrinkage studies

of similar facts and circumstances.

When we come to a consideration of allow^ances for errors in weighing and measuring, our problem is much easier than in the case of

shrinkage. Meeting an established label declaration might be appropriately compared to shooting a gun at a target. All of the shots

will not hit the bull's eye. They will be scattered about in regular

fashion ; the better the markmanship and the more accurate the gun,

the less the scatter. As we have said, in enforcing the Food, Drug,

and Cosmetic Act, the Administration regards each shipment as a whole. In each shipment there must be as many units above as below

the declared volume or weight and the variation from unit to unit

must not be excessive. In short, the measuring equipment must be

accurate and factory control must be in accordance with good commercial practice.

You will understand the consequent impossibility of setting up

specific tolerances for this or that commodity. If specific tolerances were established, they would not be fair and equitable in all cases from both a consumer and industry standpoint. This is one reason why the regulations require a determination of the facts in each case. There is another very important reason. Unscrupulous manufacturers, and they are definitely in the minority, take full advantage of a tolerance. They subtract the tolerance from the declared weight and

aim at that figure rather than the full declared weight. Honest manufacturers have to compete with these products and the consumer is cheated to the extent of the tolerance.

In interpreting the federal law we have always regarded the proviso

for reasonable variations as being of a general rather than specific nature. Many years ago in the Shrevesport Grain and Elevator Co.

case (287 U. S. 77) where the constitutionality of the net weight

amendment was attacked, the U. S. Supreme Court held that the
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX^ WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 91

I , meaning of the statutory words was not doubtful and nonenforceable

I as contended by the defendant. The Court pointed out that the regui lations represented a long-continued practical construction of the Act

on the part of those charged with its administration. In the opinion

handed down, the Court stated among other things : "The effect of the

proviso is evident and legitimate, namely, to prevent the embarrassment and hardships which might result from a too literal and minute

enforcement of the Act, without at the same time offending against its purpose." And referring to the regulations, the Court said, "These

regulations which cover variations as well as tolerances and exemptions have been in force for a period of more than 18 years with the

silent acquiescence of Congress."

Before concluding, I should like to say a few words about provisions

of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which are entirely separate but

often confused with the net weight provisions. These are provisions

dealing with the fill of container, and an adulteration provision which

deals with the substitution of one ingredient for another. For example, in the case of whole chicken packed in broth, it would be possible

for the container to be slack-filled and contain an excess of broth, even though the net weight were accurately declared. Since 1912 (F. I. D.

Ill) we have consistently held that the containers should be as full as commercially practicable of the food, in this case chicken, with only

sufficient packing medium to fill the interstices that would otherwise

be unfilled, without imparing the qualit}^ of the product. Under the

present law, a slack-filled product might be misbrandecl either under

the so-called deceptive container provision, as in this case, or under

the provision which sets up a definite fill of container standard. If

excess broth were present, the product would be adulterated in that

there was a substitution of broth for chicken.

In connection with the enforcement of the quantity of contents provision of the Food and Drug Act as related to the Meat Inspection

Act, I should like to quote in part Section 902 (b) of the law. "Meats

and meat food products shall be exempt from the provisions of this

Act to the extent of the application or the extension thereto of the

Meat Inspection Act. ..." It has been suggested that in certain

instances neither law would have jurisdiction. I should like to correct this misunderstanding by saying that the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is applicable to any meat or meat product shipjDecl in inter- state commerce where the Meat Inspection Act does not have jurisdiction. For example, if a product is held in storage after it leaves a B. A. I. inspected plant and shrinkage takes place so that it is short

weight when shipped in interstate commerce, it is in violation of the

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. I have been necessarily brief in my remarks and have barely touched on many problems which have to do with quantity of contents. You

may have questions, and I shall be glad to try to answer them. I hope

you will feel free to contact me at my office here in Washington at any time and to visit any of the Food and Drug offices here or in the

field for a discussion of quantity of contents problems.
92 IMISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF SALE OF

COMMODITIES, PRESENTED BY J. G. ROGERS, CHAIRMAN

Pnrnnhh'.—Your Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities

res])ectfully presents its report to this Conference for consideration

and such action as may be (U^emed advisable in relation to its several

sections.

We lay no claim to infallibility in reaching the conclusions that

iuHuenced the reconnnendations we now offer. Consistent with the

policies of this Conunittec since its inception, we have conscientiously

endeavored, through iu\ est iaat ion and study, to determine the facts

and the backo-round of each issue brought to our attention and to deal

fairly with t1iem. AVe must maintain an open mind on the pros and

cons'of argument wlien issues become controversial, as they often do,

with the purpose' of coming up with the proper analysis that will lead

to the greatest good for the greatest number—and this is the important

factor in our deliberations.

Industrial and commercial interests do not always see eye-to-eye

with us in our views. This mainly happens in instances where what we propose interferes with established customs of trade enterprises.

We believe it has been conclusively proven through studies made by

this Committee in the past that certain commercial customs, though

of long years standing, were highly questionable if not altogether

bad, and some of them more than bordered on the unethical. We

would be failing in the purpose and principles of good weights and

measures administration were we not to take steps to correct these. Where differences are minor, modified changes are sometimes all that

are necessar3% and in such cases a give or take position can be taken

without detriment. We are conscious of the nuisance factor that

reposes in changes affecting our business structure, and when there

is no significant value or appreciable benefit to be had, we endeavor

to avoid this. On the other hand, where an issue is important to honest trading and the preservation of equity in business we must

not hesitate to act regardless of its inconvenience to enterprise.

Differences that may arise because of conflictions in opinions as between weights and measures officers and members of industrial and

commercial groups, certainly should not be exalted, but rather should

be arbitrated and settled by way of friendly cooperation and coordination, with each faction entertaining a conscious and s^^mpathetic

understanding of the problems and responsibilities of the other. This

is the American way and represents America at work.

The following items received the attention of this Committee since

the last Conference. The recommendations incorporated in relation

to them and now offered for the consideration of this Conference,

represent what we deem to be fair and proper solutions of the problems

entailed in these various issues, as to methods of sale.

1. Dacro P-38 Cajyjnng System for Milh Bottles.—In January

of this year, the attention of this Committee Avas drawn to a system

of filling and ca]:)]nng for milk bottles developed by the Crown"^Cork

t^' Seal Co.. Dacro Division, Baltimore, Md.

The company in offering this to the dairy industry did not spare

any means of making their proposition attractive, and as in most

high-pressure sales programs laid particular emphasis on possible
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 93

savings. Their enthusiasm apparently led them into error, and into

confliction with official viewpoints in relation to established requirements for filling methods at the dairy level. Either by accident or intent they placed a misconstruction on code

stipulations adopted by the National Conference on Weights and

Measures and used extensively in the application of laws in the several States governing the sale and distribtition of whole milk and cream.

Specifically we refer to the Milk Bottle Code of NBS Handbook M

wherein they confused testing temperature with filling temperatures

for milk containers, with the result that what they were really in

effect recommending to prospective and potential users of their sys- tem was the underfilling of bottles at refrigerated temperatures (usually 38° to 4:0°) on the presupposition that at the 68° temperature

prescribed in the code as the testing temperature for capacity determinations, the contents would then be accurate. Their approach to this was quite academic in their apparent attempts to justify the proposal.

To the knowledge of this Committee the company did not seek a clarification or interpretation of the Code before latmching the pros- pectus that they distributed among the dairies, but simply acted upon

its own initiative and thereby created a situation that we feel demands

action by the various jtirisdictions wherein the indicated system may

have been introduced.

There is variance in the laws of the several States relating to fill point for milk bottles. Some prescribe fill to the cap seat or stopple,

others to a point Vs ii^- V-i below cap seat based on head diameters.

Xone to our knowledge prescribe filling temperatures.

It is, therefore, the recommendation of this Committee that the

proposal of the company responsible for this new development, to introduce filling temperatures into dairy operations be condemned and

given no legal recognition, by reason of the confusing, questionable

and undesirable sittiation this would create at consumer and enforcement levels.

2. Homogenized Concentrated Milh in Single-Service Containers.—

Shall be considered under the classification of food in package form

subject to net quantity marking requirements, and when sold in con- tainers that are not of standard capacities based on the gallon or its binary subdivisions, the quantity declaration shall be in terms of liquid ounces; provided, however, that the contents of such packages may

be declared in fractional terms of recognized standards but only when

used in combination with or in addition to liquid ounce markings.

XoTE.—The issue to which this recommendation relates has become

highly controversial and by reason of this was referred to your Committee for treatment. The situation this has created was brought

about by a recent development in the dairy industry that proposes the

concentration of whole milk to a 3 to 1 ratio by the extraction of water

and the marketing of this product in paper containers of nonstandard

capacities, such as 1/3 of a quart. The indtistry thus far has confined

its representations to this size, which in effect simply means that when

1/3 quart of the resultant procluct is added to % quart of water it will

be reconstituted to a full quart of milk. While they are in agreement

that the concentrate comes under the category of milk products, they

contend that it does not come under the definition of ''milk"' as nor- mally considered in the application of statutes prescribing containers
94 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

of standard capacities and commonly known as "Milk Bottle Laws".

They take the position that concentrated milk is neither milk nor cream in the accepted and true sense of these terms, and that regulation of the distribution and sale of this product properly falls within

the scope of laws governino- the sale of food in package form, subject

to the marking requirements that such laws prescribe.

There are conflicting opinions on this matter. The weight of argument would, however, appear to favor the contentions of the industry

that provided itself with legal interpretations from certain of the

State jurisdictions before launching their project.

Some States have already dealt with or are now dealing with the

issue. It has been definitely settled in at least one State as the result

of an opinion handed down by its Legal Department. This opinion

sustained the views of the industry.

The point on which this Committee's recommendation is now based

is that in concentrating whole milk by the extraction of moisture its character is changed and it, therefore, becomes a processed product,

bringing it within the category of other concentrated dairy products,

such as condensed and evaporated milks which are distributed and

sold in containers of variable sizes and subject only to marking requirements as to quantity of contents. The Committee in pursuing its study of this matter has been in- formed that the Federal Food and Drug Administration will permit

the expression of contents on containers of concentrated milk in terms

of 10% fluid ounces or % liquid quart, which would indicate recognition of its classification as food in package form without reference to standard container requirements.

We were further informed that in one State where this commodity

was only recently introduced a dispute arose in relation to pricing and

that a dairy group petitioned to have it placed in the whole milk class. This, we understand, resulted in a hearing by the Federal Marketing

Administration, the decision or ruling of which is pending.

3. Meats and Poultiy in Plastic Wrappings and Casings.—Shall be

exempt from net quantity declarations at packing sources and shall be

sold on the basis of actual net weight at time of sale ; provided that each

item of meat or poultry so wrapped or contained shall be plainly and

conspicuously marked with the legend : "To Be Weighed at Time of

Sale'' and, where the weight of the wrapping or casing exceeds i/s ounce, the tare weight shall also be plainly and conspicuously marked

for deduction to determine the net weight.

^s'oTE.—There is presently much confusion in relation to marking

requirements for meats and poultry either packed or processed in such

materials as cellophane, pliofilm, visking, and similar forms and types

of patented wrappings and casings. Even at the Federal level as between two agencies of government there appears to be confliction in

the interpretations of what may or may not be done to conform with

existing laws. One agency apparently attempts to hold the line on

the strict application of net weight marking for commodities so packed,

while the other does not. Present-day methods of processing and

packaging have, of course, brought about this situation. In view of

existing conditions it would appear that a liberal interpretation by

way of marking exemptions is probably the best course to follow for

the commodities comprehended in this situation, because of the under-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFERENCE OX WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 95

lying reasons that have been advanced in justification. The always

existing shrinkage factor is probably the most outstanding and inci- dentally the most troublesome in maintaining equitable declarations

that will consistently represent the contents of items wrapped or en- cased as indicated, for what might be termed a reasonable length of

time. Markings at packing sources, therefore, very frequently fail in

their purpose and mean little when the package comes to ultimate final

sale. This Committee is, therefore, of the opinion that the modification

of marking requirements which this recommendation proposes would

serve the best interests of all concerned from the packer to the con- sumer, that it will solve the problem of eliminating the confusion

and confliction that exists, and it is designed to accomplish that end.

Thought was directed toward this issue in a general statement of a former report of this Committee, but without an}^ definite recommendation at that time. We now feel that, in view of prevailing circumstances, something specific should be done about it. 4. Motor Oil in Sealed Cans.—Shall be sold on the basis of the United

States Standard gallon of 231 cubic inches, its multiples and binary

submultiples ; provided, that this commodity, when distributed in

sealed containers, shall be recognized in the category of packaged

products subject to being marked in a plain and conspicuous manner

with net quantity declarations in terms of liquid measurement, without recognition of the container as a measure ; and provided further,

that the space provided in such containers for expansion of the product

due to temperature variations shall not exceed the maximum requirement as may be determined or established for such additional space

in containers of the various sizes employed in packaging and distri- bution.

XoTE.—This recommendation anticipates the results of a project

now under way in the oil industry where a packaging committee has

been working on a standardization program for oil drums, pails, and

cans for packaged petroleum products. The Committee already proposes to standardize oil-can packages of the one-quart and the five- quart sizes, with the capacity of the one quart being fixed at 63.525 cubic

inches (or 110 percent) and the five quart at 310.406 cubic inches (or

107.5 percent). These sizes would be acceptable under this recom- mendation for packaged oil. Some years ago there was a proposal before the Conference to permit

the use of oil measures of odd sizes, such as those of 5 or 6 quarts. The

purpose was to provide measuring facilities that would accommodate

the crank case capacities of motor vehicles and permit of a single fill- ing operation with the use of one measure. This proposal was made

in the days when motor lubricants were mainly dispensed from bulk.

We would not and did not accept the proposal to standardize the 5- or

the 6-quart measure as such, feeling that this would be a recession from

established standards. Packaged oil is in a different category, where

the contents of the package governs instead of the container itself. In view of established precedent in other packaged products it would

appear that it is consistent to recognize the proposed development.

We are at the same time, however, maintaining our position that the

standard gallon shall be the basis of quantity representations, as there

would be a decided danger inherent in permitting deviations in this
96 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

respect, as motor A^ehicles are designed for oil capacities on the basis

of the standard quart. We should always take a definite stand against

the introduction of odd quantities in elements of fluid ounces not

representative of established values by volume, should this be

attempted.

The recoguition of head-space in containers of packaged oil is a necessity and by reason of this is included in our recommendation, with

the restriction as stipulated. We believe that the Committee of the

industry can be depended upon to come up with the right answers

iu relation to requirements in this respect. Economy would dictate

tills in coutainer construction. The larger the can, the larger the cost, and we believe it can safely be considered that the use of excess material

beyond needs will be avoided.

5. Popcorn.—Shall be sold by avoirdupois net weight and, when in

package form, the contents shall be so marked.

Noi-E.—The National Association of Popcorn Manufacturers, Inc., with headquarters in Chicago, has placed itself on record as favoring

the sale of this commodity by dry measure. They filed a rather exhaustive brief with this Committee in support of their proposal and in

which they laid main stress on qualitative phases, dealing with nutritive values in comparison with other foodstuffs, moisture, and expansion propensities in relation to grades, all of which references are outside the scope of quantity regulation. Their problems in relation

to packaging were also incorporated.

In giving consideration to the arguments advanced by the industry,

the Committee could not find sufficient reason or cause why the principle of sale by weight should not be applied to popcorn as it is to other

commodities in a similar category, such as puffed and popped wheat,

puffed rice or any expanded cereal, for, after all, it must be considered

that popcorn is in the cereal classification. Manufacturers of other expanded cereals have not proposed the dry measure method of sale. They appear to be getting along all right

with net weight determinations and finding no difficulty in conforming

with requirements regarding them.

The general trend for some time past in weights and measures channels has been away from the sale of dry commodities by measurement,

due to the questionable factors inherent in this method of quantity

determination wnth its many pitfalls of fraud and deception. Proof

of these has long since been established, as the archives of most weights

and measures agencies will show. The weight method of sale is decidedly more accurately determinative and in the final analysis is the one in which most dependence can be placed. The popcorn industry has become quite an empire. According to a magazine article

that appeared a short time ago, the annual sales amount to $250,000,000

in the United States. A business of that magnitude certainly deserves our notice and attention. In dealing with it, we should be consistently

fair in not favoring concessions that have not been accorded other

enterprises of the same character in our commercial structure.

6. Plus ( + ) and Minus ( — ) Symbols in Quantity Markings.—

Such symbols shall not be used in connection with quantity declarations on prepackaged commodities.

Note.—Certain commercial enterprises recently launched the practice of using these symbols on prepackaged meats. The obvious pur-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 97

pose ^as to get away from declaring fractional parts of the ounce.

1

1 A reason not so obvious may have been to relieye themselves of effects

' resulting from shrinkages vrhich would make reweighing and re- marking necessary, especially when the supply put up in advance of

sale exceeded anticipated sales demands and clid not quickly move. The practice if condoned could well be a subtle approach from a new

. angle toward the use of qualifying terms in quantity markings and

' would be tantamount to recognizing such words as "approximate",

j "average", "more than-' or any other term that evades true marking,

and which have long since been condemned in official channels. FracJ tional ounce values now have serious significance in our commodity

j structure and especially in such items as meats, by reason of the pre-

; vailing all-time high in prices. Fractional losses can, therefore, be of

much consequence in relation to consumer economy.

i 7. Charges for Bug Cleaning.—The unit of measure for pricing

rug cleaning services shall be the standard square foot of 12 by 12 in.

, XoTE.—While this basis of pricing is in very general use by rug

I cleaners throughout the United States, there-is a minority group still employing the 27 by 36 in. so-called "carpet yard".

The purpose of this recommendation is, therefore, to establish uniformity throughout the trade and at the same time definitely fix a

unit basis of measurement that will be clearly understandable to the

Ij; public and provide a ready means by which quantitative determina-

\f' tions of rug areas can be made by all concerned.

Xo justifiable reason has been advanced why the "carpet yard" as referred to, with its confusing aspects, should not be eliminated in

relation to rug cleaning services.

8. Mops and Mop Heads.—Representations of weight for mops and

mop heads shall be based upon and apply only to the textile or other

material forming the mopping substance, and shall not include the

weight of any wire, fastenings or other appurtenances used in constructing or holding together a mop or mop head or for attaching

the same to a handle.

XoTE.—Herein we find another instance where an industry deems

itself justified in basing its quantity representations on the over-all

weight of a utility. Again the excuse of "established custom" is offered. We cannot agree that the reasoning is equitably sound when, for

instance, a mop marked 16 ounces actually weighs little more than 8

i ounces in mopping material.

From a labeling standpoint, the combining of w^eights of everything that goes into the making of a mopping unit can be conducive

I to possible fraud. The represented weight should, therefore, cover

I the absorbent element of the mop itself and nothing else. The buyer

or user is mainly interested in this factor and is entitled to know

just what he is receiving in the amount of absorbent substance in a mop.

9. Ice Cream and Ices on Sticks.—Novelty items of ice cream and

ices frozen on sticks and sold in package form shall have the quantity

of contents declared in terms of avoirdupois net weight.

Note.—This recommendation comjDrehends such items as "Popsicles", "Creamsicles", etc., that have such wide distribution in the

i ice cream trade.
98 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The practice of some manufacturers has been to declare the contents in terms of fluid ounces. From the standpoints of the consumer and the weights and measures officer, such representations are impracticaL Let us consider this from two angles. First : The fluid ounce

declaration does not readily lend itself to recheck by those most interested. Second: The product is not liquid, but is solid when sold,

and its character more appropriately lends itself to avoirdupois

Aveight determinations.

These novelty items are usually packaged in giazine Avrappers.

The containers, therefore, have no relationship to the quantity in the

article itself, and could not be used in checking operations to which

containers for boxed ice cream and ices lend themselves. Our proposal is entirely practical and reasonable. It would best serve the

interests of all concerned and the ice cream industry would find little difficulty in conforming with it. 10. Coffee in Packages for Hotels and Restaurants.—It shall be

permissible for packers and distributors of ground coffee who put

this up in packages of nonstandard sizes for the exclusive use of

hotels, restaurants and cafes, to eliminate net weight declarations on individual packages, provided, that the main package containing

these individual units is plainly and conspicuously marked with the

net quantity of contents in terms of avoirdupois net weight.

Note.—There is a general trend towards putting up coffee in packages of variable sizes to accommodate eating establishments in order

to facilitate the preparation of beverage coffee to serve their trade.

In the various methods of processing now in vogue, various types of

utensils are used and a specified weight of ground coffee is generally

prescribed for each filling. The individual packages of variable

amounts are furnished to serve this purpose. The main interest of

the user from an economic standpoint is the weight of the over-all

package for which he pays. The use of quantity markings on individual units would, therefore, appear to have little value and can

justifiably be abrogated as a nuisance requirement.

11. General Comments,

Three-Quart Till Baskets.—This Committee proposes that the National Conference on Weights and Measures place itself on record as recommending to the United States Department of Agriculture the

elimination of the 3-quart till basket from the list of legal standard

containers, by reason of the possibilities for fraud and deception in- herent in the use of these baskets through their deviation from the

standard submultiples of the bushel. The dimensions of these containers are the same in all respects as the 4-quart till, with the exception of the height. Due to the deceptive appearance, they, therefore, can and have been represented as 4 quarts when used in selling

commodities.

SuBVERsn^E Activities ix Relation to Weights and Measures

Legislation.—The Committee's attention has been drawn to a situation that, if allowed to develop, may result in very serious conse- quences. This entails what appears to be a strong movement on the

part of manufacturing and commercial enterprises dealing in such

essentials as bakery products, cordage and twine, soap products, and

possibly others, to obtain special concessions in weights and measures

statutes that will relieve them of the necessity of conforming with
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 99

established principles and practices both as to methods of sale and

to marking requirements.

This situation was brought into focus in a State where legislation was in development to establish a State law on weights and measures and where certain interests seem to have already gained their ends.

There are also probably spotted instances where State laws have been

recently amended to accomplish the purposes of the special interests

involved.

* The purpose of this reference is to alert weights and measures

officers everywhere to be on the lookout so that these subversive movements will not gain headway. They should see that their legislators are fully informed of the dangers inherent in deviating from established principles and policies that have stood the test of time in weights

and measures channels for the good of all concerned.

(Considerable floor discussion followed the presentation of this Committee

Report, especially in connection with Item 5, Popcorn. During this discussion,

C. D. Baucom of North Carolina offered an amendment to this item of the report, as follows : '"Provided that this shall not apply to popcorn sold for immediate

consumption on the premises."'

This amendment was voted down by the Conference and the Committee Report was aciopted, with the exception of Item 2, Homo^renized Concentrated Milk in Single-Service Containers, upon which action was deferred to allow further study

by the Committee on Methods of Sale of Commodities.

)

(The Conference was adjourned, to reconvene on Friday, May 25, 1951, at 10:00 a.m.)
SIXTH SESSION—MORNING OF FRIDAY,

MAY 25, 1951

(J, E. Brentoii, Vice President, presiding)

DR. LYMAN. J. BRIGGS PRESENTED

Dr. Ljman J. Briggs, formerly Director of the National Bureau of

Standards and a former President of the National Conference on Weights and Measures, was presented to the Conference. Dr. Briggs

greeted the delegates and guests and made a few extemporaneous re- marks regarding the early activities of the National Bureau of

Standards in the weights and measures field. TESTING CORDAGE-MEASURING DEVICES

By H. H. Russell, Chiefs Scale Section^ National Bureau of Standards

For quite a long while, the Committee on Specifications and Toler- ances of the National Conference on Weights and Measures, has had

under consideration the development of specifications and tolerances,

and the selection of a recommended testing medium for cordage-measuring devices. To assist the Committee, the Office of Weights and

Measures of the National Bureau of Standards, imdertook a study

of these devices to determine a testing medium that is readily obtainable and convenient for use in the field, and that would yield consistent

and sufficiently accurate test results to be suitable for the purpose.

It is the primary purpose of this paper to present a recommendation, based upon tests conducted at the Bureau, for a specific testing

medium. However, it is believed that certain facts disclosed by

these tests are of sufficient interest to be worthy of some detailed

discussion.

The basic operating principle of cordage-measuring devices is the same as that employed in the design of fabric-measuring machines,

both of which require that the material to be measured be passed between a "measuring" wheel and either an idling roller or smooth plate,

the measuring wheel being connected by suitable gearing to the dial or dials which are graduated to register in terms of feet and inches

the amount of the material drawn through the machine. In their

present stage of development, these machines are not equipped with

price-computing charts.

Obviously, for accurate performance, it is required that the measuring wheel remain constantly in contact with the material being

measured, that the ratio of the gear train be correct, that the material

being passed through the machine remain perpendicular at all times

to the axis of the measuring wheel, and that traction between the sur- face of the measuring wheel and the material be sufficient to overcome,

without excessive slippage, friction and inertia of the machine.

Inspection of machines submitted by two different manufacturers

indicate that honest efforts have been made to meet these design re- 100
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 101

qiiirements : tests made indicate that most materials being measured

! by machines of this type are susceptible of measurement by this method

! with sufficient accuracy to meet the practical requirements. But, the

I tests also disclosed that the machines, in their present state of developj ment, haA^e certain limitations which may not properly be overlooked.

! As part of this paper, there is included a tabulation of the results

i obtained during- a typical test of one of these machines wherein five separate tests were made with each of six different commercially

available materials. None of the materials selected for the tests are

in any way unusual or of a nature that would prevent vendors from

attempting their length determinations through Utilization of a cordage-measuring machine. On the contrary, it is customary to measure

these materials by that method even in some cases when the material

is actually sold by weight, if the customer has requested a specific

length of the material.

In the tabulation of results which follows, the sign of the errors was

obtained by subtracting the machine indication from the quantity

known to have been passed through the machine. Thus a minus ( — ) sign preceding an error value signifies an underregistration of the

device and that the delivery was in excess of the amount indicated; a plus ( + ) sign indicates the opposite condition.

Material Actual

length

Errors

Constant rate Intermittent

1 2 3 4 5

No. 16 stranded wire, braided cotton ft. in. in. in. in. in. pair - 25 +1W +li/i +1?16 +1H

Do 50 +2K8 +21/4 +2K +23/8 Do 75 +31/2 +3H +33/i +37/16 +3/2 Do 100 +4 He +4^16 +43/8 +4/2

No. 18 stranded wire, twisted, cotton covered. - 25 -m -12V^ -91/4 -10% -81/2 Do 50 -21% -22% -19% -17% -15% Do 75 -33H -311/2 -263/4 -23% -18/2 Do 100 -4514 -40^-^ -35% -31 -24

H-in. Greenfield- - . 25 -2H -21/i -% -H -1/

Do 50 -3 -2% -1% +1/4 -41/2

1-in. manila rope - 25 -2 -3H -314 -3% -33/4 Molded (round) rubber-covered light cord . . - . 25 -1/4 -H -1/4 -1/4 %-in. manila rope. ..... . 25 -2M -1 -11/2 -3/4 -3/4 Do 50 -31/i -2 -m -114 -3/4 Steel tape, Vi-in. wide, figures slightly below an otherwise smooth surface

.

25 +2 +2/8 a +2 +2 +2 Do 45 +31/2 +3/ a +33/4 +31/4 +334

a The third run was made at a constant and very fast rate. The series of tests reported were made on a machine which had been

modified by the manufacturer after a previously made test disclosed

inaccurate and erratic performance. The modifications included al- teration of the surface material of the measuring wheel to improve

traction, installation of a guide intended to prevent the material from

being fed under the measuring wheel at an improper angle, and a

slight alteration of the circumference of the measuring wheel, a measure intended to compensate for the tendency of the machine to under-register some types of materials. The actual circumference of

the wheel, which was designed and marked specifically for measuring

965584—51 9
102 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

wire, was found to be one-eighth inch less than the nominal size that

would be correct (12 inches) if neither slippage of material nor free

spinning of the wheel occurred.

In all tests, convenient lengths of the material used were measured

prior to the test b}' direct reference to a suitable length standard, and

these length dimensions were confirmed by the same method upon

conclusion of the tests to determine to what extent the materials had

been stretched during the several passes through the machine. In all instances, length changes were found to be of no practical consequence.

The strands of the materials of relatively small cross section, fixture

wire, for example, were marked at the 25-, 50-, T5-. and 100-foot points

;

shorter lengths of the more bulky materials were employed but these,

too, were marked at convenient intermediate intervals in order to determine whether errors of indication were proportional to, or independent of, the length of the strand measured.

In order to simulate normal conditions of operations involving the use of a take-up reel upon which the material is wound after measuring has been accomplished, three tests, wherein the material was drawn

through the machine at a fairly constant and slow rate, were made with

each sample. Following this, each sample was drawn through the

machine twice, a short length at a time, by the operator stationed at the machine, thus simulating conditions of normal operations wherein

a take-up reel is not emploj'ed.

Analysis of the test data does not reveal that results of the "constant-rate test'" and the "intermittent test'" vary significantly, except

in the case of twisted, cotton-covered Xo. 18 stranded fixture wire.

Even in this case, however, it may be improper to ascribe significance to the differences noted, since all tests made with twisted material

indicate clearly that these machines, in their present stage of development, will not satisfactorily measure material of this kind.

All tests made disclose that machines of this type perform best

when materials of uniform cross section are used. Uniformit}^ of

cross section insures that the line of contact between the material and

the measuring wheel and the line of contact of the material with the

idling wheel or plate, as the case may be, remain parallel to each other.

Poorest performance occurred when quite flexible, twisted material was used. The establishment of these facts clearly indicated that the

testing medium selected should present to the measuring wheel a smooth surface, should be of uniform cross section, and of a nature

to resist any tendency to pass under the measuring wheel at an angle

other than 90 degrees.

It was therefore decided to investigate the suitability of steel tapes.

Certainly, a steel tape meets the requirements of convenience and availability. It remained to be determined whether test results obtained

through the use of a steel tape would be consistent.

Consequently, the test procedure outlined above was repeated, using

a Chesterman-type cloth tape with longitudinal copper wires woven

into the material, and two steel tapes of different widths. The Chesterman tape was found to be unsuitable because of its tendency to bunch

and curl : a steel tape, i/4 inch wide, was not satisfactory because of its tendency to slip and pass under the measuring wheel at various angles.

A steel tape measuring % inch in width was found to be satisfactory.

Final tests, with a steel tape of this width, and having graduations
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 103

below the main surface of the tape, were made at the constant and

intermittent rates employed during- previous tests, and, in addition,

Lit a relatively high-speed rate. These tests were highly satisfactory,

as evidenced hj the fact that errors of +2, +21/3, +2, +2, and +2

inches on the 25-foot tests, and of +31/2, +31/2, +33/4, +3%, and +33^4

inches on the 45-foot tests, were recorded. Thus, we find that the

I greatest variations from the mean errors were one-tenth inch and

' three-tenths inch on the 25-foot and -iS-foot tests, respectively, and

that the greatest variations between particular values were one-eighth

and one-half inch, respectively, for the 25-foot and 45-foot tests. Moreover, the sign of the errors developed during the final tests is as

it should be in view of the fact that the circumference of the measuring

wheel of the particular machine was one-eighth inch less than 12

inches, although the gears and graduations were such that 1 foot was

registered on the dial for each complete revolution of the wheel. Incidentally, the last makes it appear that the practice of making the

measuring wheel less than 12 inches in circumference to compensate

for slippage should be abandoned.

The test data obtained through the use of a steel tape as a testing

|l medium will not be indicative of the accuracy with which these

[i machines will measure all types of materials for Avhich they are used,

'i Consequently, the performance characteristics of these machines, when

used for measuring various types of commercial materials, should be

developed by tests made for type approval or other initial approval

in a jurisdiction, using samples of the A'arious commercial materials

as testing media. Upon the basis of these special tests, it should be

required that the limitations of the device be properly indicated on

the machine.

The test data do, however, confirm that by using a properly selected

steel tape as a testing medium, inaccuracies resulting from improper

design, faulty manufacture, poor maintenance, and damage will be

disclosed. It is therefore suggested that the Committee recommend

the use of a steel tape, measuring not less than one-half inch in width, nor less than 50 feet in length, and having graduations below the main

surface of the tape, as a standard testing medium for use in the field. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIFICATIONS AND TOLERANCES, PRESENTED BY J. P. McBRIDE, CHAIRMAN

During the course of the year, your Committee has had the various

codes in Handbook 44 under study and has solicited suggestions as has been its practice in relation thereto.

It has not been necessary to hold an interim Committee meeting

this year, and all matters have been handled by correspondence,

j Therefore, the first Committee meeting was held at the Wardman Park

{ Hotel at 2 : 00 p. m., on Sunday, May 20, immediately preceding the

Conference proper. The Committee will be in session for such length

of time as is necessary to transact scheduled business at the meeting

and will be on call of the Conference from that time on. PROPOSED CODE FOR PREPAGKAGED-ICE-CREAM MEASURE-CONTAINERS

Your Committee has considered one entire new Code on Prepackaged-Ice-Cream Measure-Containers. This code is offered for the

I reason that your Committee feels that this is a necessary supplement
104 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

to our Measure-Container Code. This latter code, as you will recall,

is confined to a container intended to be used once only, to determine

at the time of retail sale, the quantity of commodity comprising a

retail sale made from hulk supply on the basis of liquid measure and

to serve as the container for the delivery of the commodity to the cus- tomer. It will be noted that the proposed code is particularly directed

to the commodity "ice cream" and it applies to the prepacked product, which in practically all cases would mean factory filled. It will

be noted that a major part of the application of the Measure-Container Code is also in relation to ice cream. You are well aware of the fact that ice cream presents to the weights

and measures official a most difficult problem in the duty of rechecking to ascertain accuracy of measure to the consuming public. The

product is highly compressible and permits practically no rehandling

from the standpoint of withdrawing from a container. In this re- spect, it differs from other commodities. This difficulty is one of the

principal reasons for the frequently proposed although unsuccessful

legislation to compel the sale of ice cream by weight. Your committee feels, therefore, that under existing law the best means of meeting

this situation is control over the container and to require that it be

considered as a measure and subject to appropriate specifications and

regulations in relation thereto. Several States already have laws

governing approval of containers and exercise authority thereunder,

including this type of package, and for the purpose of uniformity,

this is an additional reason that a code should be established. Your i committee presents the following code

A. APPLICATION

A.l.—This code applies only to prepackaged-ice-cream measure-containers as

defined. It does not apply to those items covered by the codes for Liquid Measures and Measure-Containers.

D. DEFINITIONS

D.l. Prepackaged-Ice-Cream Measure-Container.—A container intended to be used once only, to determine in advance of sale the quantity of ice cream, sherbert, or other similar frozen dessert, on the basis of liquid measure, comprising a wholesale or retail marketing unit, and to serve as the container for the delivery

of the commodity.

S. SPECIFICATIONS

S.l. Capacities.—The capacity of a prepackaged-ice-cream measure-container

shall be % liquid pint (8 fluid ounces), 1 liquid pint, 1 liquid quart, 14 gallon,

1 gallon, 21/2 gallons, 31/2 gallons, or a multiple of 1 gallon : Provided, That other

capacities less than i/l> liquid pint shall be permitted.

S. 2. Design.

S.2.1. Capacity Point.—The capacity of a prepackaged-ice-cream measurecontainer shall be sharply defined by (a) the top edge, (b) a graduation near the

top edge, or (c) the lowest portion of a shoulder, cap seat, lid seat, or indentation near the top edge of the container; a graduation or indentation shall extend at

least halfway around the circumference or across two opposite sides of the

container. A prepackaged-ice-cream measure-container shall contain its indicated capacity without apparent distortion from its designed regular shape.

S.3. Marking.—A prepackaged-ice-cream measure-container shall be marked

with a statement of its capacity in terms of one of the specified units prescribed

in S.l. or, if the capacity is less than liquid pint, in terms of fluid ounces ; if the capacity is stated in terms of the pint or quart, the word "Liquid" or the abbreviation "liq." shall be included. The capacity statement shall be (a) on

the side, (b) on that portion of the top fold which will be exposed to view when
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX^ WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES 105

the package is closed, or (c) both on the bottom and on the lid or cover of such

rontainers as have removable lids or covers. If the capacity point is defined by

a graduation, the container shall be marked on its side with a conspicuous and

suitable statement clearly identifying this graduation as the capacity point. T. TOLERANCES

T. 1. —-Acceptance tolerances in excess and in deficiency shall be as shown in table 1. Table 1.—Acceptance tolerances for prepackaged-ice-cream measure-containers

Capacity of pre- packaged-ice-cream

measure-container

Tolerance

In excess In deficiency

Fluid drams Cubic inches Fluid drams Cubic inches H pint or less 3 0. 6 1. 5 0. 3

1 pint 4 1. 0 2. 0 . 5

1 quart 6 1. 4 3. 0 . 7

Yi gallon 9 2. 0 4. 5 1. 0

1 gallon 12 2 8 6. 0 1. 4 Over 1 gallon Add 12 fluid Add 2.8 cu- Adde.Ofluid Add 1.4 cu- dramsper bic inches dramsper bic inches

gallon per gallon gallon per gallon LINEAR MEASURE CODE

Amend paragraph S. 1., page 18, of Handbook 44 to read as follows

:

S. 1. Units.—The total length of a linear measure may be subdivided into any

k or all of the following : Inches, feet, yards, and binary submultiples of the inch

ij and the yard and integral multiples thereof. A 1-yard measure may also be

|i: graduated to show and %-yard subdivisions. Other subdivisions are allowable

I only on measures designed for special puiT)oses and when required for such

purposes. This is a corrective amendment to clarify the wording of this parajl graph in line with the formal Committee interpretation, which was

rendered se^'eral months ago and published in the Scale Journal.

TENTATIVE CODE FOR CORDAGE-MEASURING DEVICES

We have made considerable study and experimentation with cordii age-measuring devices in the light of the present Tentative Code and

! feel that it is necessary to amend this Tentative Code in the following

particulars:

Ij Amend the Tentative Code for Cordage-Measuring Devices by addi| ing a new paragraph immediately preceding "P. Performance Re-

( quiremexts Except Tolerances.", page 26, of Handbook 44, to read

I as follows

:

N. NOTES.

N. 1. Testing MEDii::\r.—A cordage-measuring device shall be tested with a

steel tape not less than Vo inch in width nor less than 50 feet in length. The

I tape shall have a smooth surface or intaglio figures and graduations (that is,

I the figures and graduations shall not be raised)

.

I Amend T. 1., page 27, of Handbook 44, by striking out the words

"test material", in line 7 and insert in lieu thereof the following

:

"steel tape".
106 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

With the approval of these two amendments, your Committee rec- ommends the continuation of the tentative status of the Code for

(^ordage-Measurino' Devices.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ASSOCIATION

The Southern Weights and Measures Association at their September 1950 Conference voted to submit to your Committee the following

four recommendations

1. That this Conference recommend to the Specifications and Tolerances Committee of the National Conference on Weights and Measures the adoption of a

regulation permitting the chart on a prepackaging computing scale to be grad- uated Imck of zero not to exceed four ounces by graduations not exceeding the

iiiiiiiiimiii graduations in advance of zero,

•2. Th;it this Conference recommend to the Specifications and Tolerances Committee of the National Conference on Weights and Measures the adoption of a

specification to legalize Liquid Measures in sizes of five quarts, six quarts, and

seven quarts in addition to present measures for the dispensing of motor lubri- cants.

3. That this Conference recommend to the Specifications and Tolerances Committee of the National Conference on Weights and Measures the adoption of an amendment to Scale Regulation R.5. striking out the word "retail". Regulation

R.5. then would read "An uncompensated spring scale shall not be used for the

sale of foodstulfs other than fruits and vegetables."

4. That this Conference recommend to the Specifications and Tolerances Committee of the National Conference on Weights and Measures that the excessive

tolerance permitted by Scale Tolerance T.1.1.2. on a scale with a stabilized load- receiving element be eliminated. This tolerance should be re-examined by the National Committee.

1. In connection with the first of these four recommendations, the

Southern Weights and Measures Association also requested that your

Committee render an official interpretation of the present Code in- sofar as it relates to this recommendation. In order to facilitate this

interpretation, we prepared three questions as follows

I. Are weight graduations back of the zero graduation permitted on prepackaging computing scales ? II. If so, would these graduations be required to be the same as those on the main portion of the reading face or chart?

III. Is there any limit to the number of weight graduations that can be placed back of the zero graduation, if these are permissible?

The direct answers to these questions are as follows : I, yes ; II, yes

;

III, no. The following comments and exjDlanations of these answers were

offered by the Committee

:

I. In the application of the II44 Codes, if a device complies with

all specified requirements and is not in conflict with any provision

thereof, it is assumed to be satisfactory. It is not the purpose of the

Codes to spell out in detail all of the features which a device may

have. It spells out only certain fundamental principles. It likewise

spells out certain basic objectionable features, which a device should

not have.

As to the matter of having weight graduations back of the zero graduation on a computing-type prepackaging scale, not only do we

fail to find any prohibition of this feature, but on the contrary we

find an imphcation in S.1.8.1. of the Scale Code that such arrangement is contemplated. S.1.8.1. reads as follows

:

S,l,8.1. Zeeo Indication.—There shall be a definite and clear zero graduation

on an automatic-indicating scale whether or not the entire reading face is gradu-
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 107

ated, and on a balance indicator, and provision shall be made for giving an

indication on either side of the zero graduation suflBcient to show clearly an

out-of-balance condition. This specification takes into consideration the fact that automaticindicating scales may have reading faces graduated throughout the

360° circumference of the reading face or chart. There are many

such scales in use today. These include cylinder-type computing

scales, industrial dial scales, and spring balances. Over-and-under

scales also have weight graduations on both sides of the zero graduation. There is nothing new in having weight graduations back of the

zero graduation on automatic-indicating scales, including computingscales. This is permissible under the HIJ: Code.

II. General Specification G-S.J:.2.1. requires, among other things,

that ''In any series of graduations, corresponding graduations shall be uniform in size and character". Therefore, the weight graduations, back of the zero graduation on a prepackaging compitting scale,

would be required to be uniform with the other weight graduations on the same scale. III. There is nothing in the Code that would limit the number of

weight graduations back of the zero graduation. The entire 360° of

the circimiferen<?e of the reading face or chart may be graduated.

This Committee interpretation has been previously communicated

to the Southern Association and, in order to accomplish as much dis- semination as possible, request was made of the Scale Journal for

space to publish it. This was readily granted and it appeared in the

December issue of the Scale Journal.

In the matter of this specific reconnnendation. your Committee,

after careful study, feels that no further action should be taken

thereon.

'2. In relation to Recommendation 2, it appears that the reason for

the suggested additional sizes is to meet needs of vendors of lubricating

oil in situations involving refill of crankcases. It is the Committee's

information that in almost 90 percent of the cars the crankcase ca- pacity is 5 quarts. Your committee undertook to make inquiry as to the demands for various size liquid measures from the manufacturers

of such equipment and directed letters to 19 such companies. Eleven

of these companies made no reply, and five of the companies who did

reply indicated that they had abandoned manufacturing these items.

Of the remaining companies, three manufacture a 5-quart measure, two manufacture a 6-quart measure, and but one manufactures a 7- quart measure. The demand for this size was so negligible that the

company was not interested in the question.

It has been the fixed policy of weights and measures officials to en- deavor to confine standards to already established sizes unless there was a very good reason for departure from such standards. It now

appears that the 5- and 6-quart measures do have a definite field in

the motor lubricating oil phase. The 7-quart measure as above indicated does not appear to be of too much moment. Your Committee,

therefore, recommends the following amendment in the Liquid Measures Code

:

Amend S.l. Units by inserting in line 3, page 4:0, of Handbook 41,

following the words "one gallon," the words

:

One and one quarter gallons, one and a half gallons,
108 MISC. PUBLICATIOXS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The tolerances on these two additional sizes will be the same as the

tolerances shown in table 2, page 42, of Handbook 44, for measures of

1-gallon capacit}^ (See G-T.4., page 14, Handbook 44.)

3. Keconnnendation No. 3 proposes the striking out of the word

"retail" from scale regulation R.5., page llT, of Handbook 44. This

would have the effect of making this regulation applicable to both

wholesale and retail devices. The Committee has given this very care- ful consideration.

Regulation 5, as you know, is of rather recent adoption and came

into being as part of the Conference program to further improve the

so-called huckster type of scale. Thus far, industry as a whole has

not made good progress in developing a scale to conform to the regulation in this particular field. Effort has been made and is continuing

to be made to develop a satisfactory scale, and it is the feeling of your

Committee that no change should be made in Scale Regulation 5, at least until such time as industry has accomplished compliance with the

present regulation. This regulation, as you no doubt know, requires more than a compensated type of spring. Its effect is to place these

scales in a different tolerance category, and the primary purpose of

the regulation was consumer protection.

4. On Recommendation 4, which aims to eliminate the special toler- ance on scales with a stabilized load-receiving element, your Committee has made a limited study of this question. This tolerance is a long-standing one and had good reason for its creation because of the

then existing types of scale. On some of the newer types of scales this

tolerance is not required. It is, nevertheless, a fact that many of

the older types of scales still remain in use, which would be affected

by eliminating this tolerance. Unfortunately, we have not had suffi- cient time to make a thorough and complete study of the entire matter

and it is, therefore, the recommendation of your committee that this

matter be further reexamined and action deferred until adequate

study has been made.

LIQUID-MEASURING DEVICE CODE

In our Liquid-Measuring Device Code, it appears that a liberal

interpretation of S.2.5. would preclude the use of the so-called pre- determined or set-stop devices on tank truck meters. This device, as you doubtless know, permits the setting of the meter at a desired

delivery figure and, when such figure is reached, a valve automatically

closes and stops the flow of liquid, these valves being located either on

the inlet or outlet side of the meter. This method of delivery has

particular advantage in delivery of fuel oil to householders where

the fill pipe of the household tank is located at some distance from

the best accessible truck location, and the truck meter is, therefore,

out of view. There is no sound reason why this arrangement should

not be permitted as proper test can determine the accuracy of this

predetermined device, and your Committee, in order to clarify this

situation, recommends the folloAving amendment

:

Amencl S.2.5. of the Liquid-Measuring Device Code, page 61, of

Handbook 44, to make the second sentence thereof read as follows:

If the discharge valve is so positioned, any other shut-off valve in any portion of the discharge line leading to this outlet, shall be of the automatic or semi-automatic set-stop, or predetermining type, or shall be operable only (a)
THIRTY-SIXTH COXFEREXCE OX WEIGHTS AX'D MEASURES 109

by means siicli as a wrench or screw driver (but not a pin) entirely separate

i t from the device, or ( b) by mutihition of a lead-and-wire seal by which the valve

1

' is sealed open. SCALE CODE

In the Scale Code. D.IO. Ratio Test, the language therein may be

considered as unnecessarily restrictive. A question has arisen in rela- tion to this form of test on some scales where no counterpoise weights

are employed. It is necessary that acctiracy of the multiplying power

of the levers be determined in some of these instances, and, to eliminate

doubt on this point, your Committee recommends the following

amendment

:

Amend D.IO. of the Scale Code, page 94, of Handbook 44, by adding

the following sentence at the end thereof : It is appropriate to ntilize this test in the case of some scales not employing

counterpoise weights.

Again in our Scale Code. X.1.5. SR Determinations, it is provided

that an atttomatic-indicating element which is purely auxiliary to a primarily non-atitomatic-indicating scale and which may or may not

be employed at the option of the operator shall not exempt the scale from the SR Requirements Avhen the atttomatic-indicating element

is disconnected or detached. This is construed to mean the conventional over-and-under indicator with gTaduations appearing thereon.

In a number of instances so-called "balance indicator'' attachments

are similarly attached to scales, and it is the feeling of your Committee that such installations should also be subject to SR Determinations and. accordingly, the following amendment is recommended to the Scale Code

:

Amend the second sentence of X.I.5.. page 106, of Handbook 44, by

adding the words ''or balance indicator" at the appropriate places

to make the sentence read as follows

:

An automatic-indicating element or a balance indicator which is purely auxiliary to a primarily iion-automatic-indicating scale, and which may or may not

be employed at the oj.rion of the operator, shall not exempt the scale from the

I SR requirements when the automatic-indicating element or balance indicator is disconnected or detached : SR determinations may be made on such a scale with

the automatic-indicating element or balance indicator disconnected or detached,

and if such scale is one in which the weighbeam travel is in excess of that required

by S.2.:5.2.. the SR determination shall be based upon the weighbeam travel required by S.2.3.2. WEIGHTS CODE

It appears that under given circumstances an inconsistency in tol- erance results can occur Avhen counterpoise weights are employed on a

scale having a high tip ratio of 1,000 : 1 or over as against permissive

' tolerances on the same total load determined on a weighbeam, reading

' face, or unit Aveight. The reason therefor lies in the tolerance on

' counterpoise weights in our Weights Code.

Some years back the Weights Code was simplified and in that process some of the refinements of the Code were sacrificed. Your committee

realizes that this matter needs some consideration, but is aware of the

fact that this is no easy task and contemplates the presentation of a paper on this problem at the coming Conference by the Mass Section

of the Xational Bureau of Standards. As an immediate remedy,

however, Ave recommend the folloAving amendment

:
110 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Amend T.l. of the Weights Code, page 124, of Handbook 44, by

changing the "period" at the end of the paragraph to a "colon" and

adding the following:

Provided, That the maintenance tolerances for counterpoise weights for scales having a ratio of 1,000 : 1 or over shall be one-half the values shov^^n in table 1. PREPACKAGING SCALES

Some confusion appears to exist in relation to the application of the

Scale Code with particular reference to so-called prepackaging scales. The question of whether or not "prepackaging scales" are "commercial

equipment" has been asked.

Prepackaging scales are essentially used to determine quantity of

commodity packed in anticipation of sale. In the self-service store, they serve a very useful purpose in expediting consumer transactions,

and the scale employed is generally of the computing type.

In industrial establishments, a ditferent style of prepackaging scale

is employed. In some instances it is used to weigh every package,

while in others it is used for spot checking and to correctly set operational functions where packaging machinery is employed.

G-A.l., of Handbook 44, defines commercial equipment as follows

G-A.l. Commercial Equipment.—These specifications, tolerances, and regulations apply to commercial weighing and measuring equipment, that is, to weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices commercially used

or employed in establishing the size, quantity, extent, area, or measurement of quantities, things, produce, or articles for distribution or consumption, purchased,

olfered, or submitted for sale, hire, or award, or in computing any charge or payment for services rendered on the basis of weight or measure, or in determining weight or measure when a charge is made for such determination. * * * Sec 8, of Form 2, of the Model State Law on Weights and Measures

reads in part as follows

* * * it shall be his duty * * * to inspect, test, try, and ascertain if they are correct, all weights, measures and weighing or measuring devices * * * used or employed in proving the size, quantity^ extent, area, or measurement of quantities, things, produce, or articles for distribution or consumption. * *

* Sec. 9, of Form 2, of the revised Model Law, as submitted by the

Committee on Legislation on Thursday, reads in part as follows

* * * It shall be the duty of the superintendent, * * * to inspect and

test, to ascertain if they are correct, all weights and measures commercially

used (1) in determining the weight, measurement, or count of commodities or things sold, or offered or exposed for sale, on the basis of weight or of measure, * *

* From these definitions, it is quite clear that prepackaging scales are "commercial equipment". They are used in establishing the quantity

of things offered, or submitted for sale. It is also to be noted that Scale Specification S.23. contains a pro- vision which exempts the com^Duting prepackaging scale from certain

scale specification requirements in relation to the visibility of reading

elements to the customer, and to the method of balancing.

Scale Regulation E-.lT prohibits the use of this scale in direct sales to retail customers. This is further evidence that the code contemplates inclusion of prepackaging scales within its requirements.

To eliminate possible confusion concerning this point in the future,

it is recommended that the Thirty-sixth National Conference go on

record as approving this Committee's interpretation and officially

recognize "prepackaging scales" to be "commercial equipment".
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 111

(During the presentation of tins Committee Report, statements were made

I from the floor by J. G. Rogers. J. F. Blickley. C. M. Fuller, J. T. Kennedy, and

! R. E. Dorman. concerning recommendation number two of the Southern Weights

i and Measures Association with reference to 5- and 6-quart liquid measures.

! Statements were also made by J. T. Kennedy and S. Q. Bennett concerning recomi mendation number four of the Southern Weights and Measures Association

referring to the special tolerance on shift test for small-capacity scales having

stabilized load-receiving elements. Following these discussions, the report of

' the Committee on Specifications and Tolerances was adopted by the Conference.

)

OPEN FORUM

J F. M. Greene of Connecticut lead a discussion on Preheated Oils.

I Mr. Greene pointed out that No. 5 oil is metered and that No. 6 oil

is Tveighed. in Connecticut. He said that the No. 6 oil is kept heated

to a temperature of about 170° F, winter and summer. He stated

that there are nine distributors selling No. 6 oil in Connecticut, that

all are equipped with scales, and that all sell No. 6 oil by weight. Mr.

i: Greene read the Connecticut law which requires that preheated oil must he sold, at retail, by weight.

, J. P. McBride of Massachusetts made a motion that the method of

sale of preheated oils be referred to the Committee on Methods of

Sale of Commodities. After statements by C. D. Baucom and J. G.

Rogers, pointing out the magnitude of the task that was being referred

to the Committee, the motion was seconded and adopted by the

j Conference.

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON

RESOLUTIONS, PRESENTED BY R. W. SEARLES, CHAIRMAN

APPRECIATION TO DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF

STANDARDS

Whereas, Dr. E. U. Condon, W. S. Bussey, and their very able and efficient

I staff have extended valuable assistance and guidance to this Conference, of which the Conference is very grateful ; Therefore, be it Rcsolvol. That this, the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and

Measui es, does appreciate such cooperation and assistance and wishes to make

this resolution a part of the records of this Conference. ON THE RETIREMENT OF R. W. SMITH

Whereas. li. W. Smith, who has been the very respected Secretary of this Nati(mal ( 'oufereiice on Weights and Measures for ten years, lending his able and

valued guidance to this Conference, as well as to many States and Sectional meetings on weights and measures ; and

Whereas, we have been informed of his leaving the National Bureau of Standards and that he will no longer be the Secretary of this National Conference

on Weights and Measures ; Therefore, be it Resolved. That we express to him our regrets that his connections with our Conference have been severed and that we extend our best wishes in his future

undertaliings, and that we wish him "Best of Luck, Ralph !" APPRECIATION TO COOPERATING OFFICIALS

Whereas, the governing officials of the various States, Counties, and Municipalities, through their manifest interest in weights and measures work, have

made it possible for their respective jurisdictions to be represented at this Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and Measures ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That this, the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and

Measures, does appreciate such cooperation and assistance and wishes to make

this resolution a part of the records of this Conference.
112 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

APPRECIATION TO THE HON. JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG

Whereas, the Honorable John Russell Young, President of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia added much to the success and enjoyment

of our meeting by delivering a most cordial welcome to the City of Washington

;

Therefore, be it Resolved, That this, the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and

Measures does hereby acknowledge its appreciation for the courtesy extended by

Commissioner Young.

APPRECIATION TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM

Whereas, various committees, speakers, and individuals have given generously

of their valuable time and efforts to make this, the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and Measures, a success ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and Measures

does hereby record its grateful appreciation to all who have contributed to the success of this Conference. APPRECIATION TO THE PRESS, RADIO, AND THE SCALE JOURNAL

Whereas, the press and radio of the City of Washington have been generous

in reporting the activities of our present meeting

;

Whereas, the Scale Journal has likewise been generous in publishing news and

advance notice of our present meeting ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That this, the Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and

Measures, does hereby record its appreciation to the press and radio of the City

of Washington and to the Scale Journal. APPRECIATION TO WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB

Whereas, the Management of the Washington Baseball Club of the American

League did furnish tickets for the baseball game to the members of this Conference ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That this Thirty-sixth Conference on Weights and Measures go on

record showing our appreciation for this fine gesture, and furthermore, be it Resolved, That our Secretary send the Washington Baseball Club a letter of appreciation from this Conference. APPRECIATION TO MANAGEMENT OF HEADQUARTERS HOTEL

Whereas, the Management of Wardman Park Hotel has done everything within

its power to make our Conference a success; Therefore, be it Resolved, That this, the Thirty-sixth Conference on Weights and Measures,

does express its warmest appreciation and thanks to the Management of the said

hotel for their cordial hospitality and cooperation during our meetings ; and be

it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Conference transmit a copy of this resolu- tion to the Management of the Wardman Park Hotel. ON THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHAPLAIN

Whereas, the National Conference on Weights and Measures opens with an

invocation and whereas, by a Resolution of the 1949 Conference that a Memorial

Service be held on the first day of each Conference ; Therefore be it Resolved, That a chaplain be appointed by the President of the Conference to serve each year during the Conference to act in that capacity.

ON FOOD PRICING CHARTS

Whereas, it has been called to the attention of this, the Thirty-sixth National

Conference on Weights and Measures, that a price chart has been published by the Food Topics Magazine which is not in keeping with the principles of this Conference, in that it is misleading, permitting possible mark-ups in the prices of foods

;

Therefore, be it Resolved, That this Conference go on record condemning the use of this or any

other chart or charts which do not state accurately the price to the nearest one- half cent ; and be it further Resolved, That this Committee recommends that weights and measures officials enforce the principle of this Resolution in their jurisdiction.
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 113

ON SALE OF COMMODITIES BY NET WEIGHT

Whereas, it has been called to the attention of this, the Tliirty-sixth National

I Conference on Weights and Measures, that certain jurisdictions are permitting the

I use of gross weights in the sale of commodities ; Therefore, be it

i Fesolve'l. That this Conference go on record suggesting, in the interest of unij formity. that all jurisdictions adopt laws and regulations specifically stating that

i any commodity sold on the basis of weight shall be sold on the basis of net weight

I only.

ON ALLOCATION OF MATERIALS FOR WEIGHING AND MEASURING DEVICES

Whereas, it has been called to the attention of this, the Thirty-sixth National

Conference on Weights and Measures, that there are prospects of a shortage in

I the allocation of materials to the manufacturers of weights and measures equip- ment : Therefore, be it Resolved, That this Conference go on record as requesting satisfactory supplies

I of commercial weighing and measuring devices to fulfill the requirements for

! expanding business establishments and for replacements of such devices which are

, beyond repair, and

I Furthermore, That this Conference ask that substitutions not be required of the

;! metals and other critical materials normally used in the operation and functional

parts of commercial weighing and measuring devices. ON SPECIAL PROVISIONS TO EXEMPT SPECIFIED PRODUCTS FROM WEIGHTS AND

MEASURES LAWS

Whereas, it has been called to the attention of this, the Thirty-sixth National

, Conference on Weights and Measures, that certain industrial groups have used

pressure to exempt their products from the provisions of weights and measures

laws in certain localities, thereby creating an unjust situation; Therefore, be it Re-solred, That this Conference go on record condemning such practices and

use every possible honorable means to prevent such further practices in the

future. IN MEMORY OF MARK J. J. HARRISON

AVhereas. with the passing of Mark J. J. Harrison in March of this year, those connected with weiglits and measures have suffered a great loss. Mr. Harrison was connected with the National Bureau of Standards for two years, later enter- ing into scale work in railroading. He maintained his interest in weights and

measures work throughout his years, appearing before many State and Regional

meetings, as well as on programs of the National Conference. He was also past President of the National Scale Men's Association. And

Whereas, Mr. Harrison always gave liberally of his time and talents to the

ad^ ancement of weights and measures work ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That this Thirty-sixth National Conference on Weights and Measures

does hereby officially express its sorrowful regret at the passing of Mr. Harrison.

ON THE ADOPTION OF HANDBOOK 45 Whereas, there is now available at nominal cost a comprehensive and authoritative reference on measuring equipment, to wit. National Bureau of Standards

I Handbook 45, entitled "Testing of Measuring Equipment" ; Therefore, be it

I Resolved, That this body adopt Handbook 45 as its official manual for weights

j and measures officials in the inspection and testing of measuring equipment,

' (Signed) R. W. Searles, Chairman.

E. R. Fisher,

J. J. Levitt, M. A. Nelson,

A. C. Samenfink,

J. Fred True,

E. C. Westwood,

Committee on Resolutions.

I (The report of the Resolutions Committee was adopted by the Conference.)
114 MISC. PUBLICATIONS, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE TREASURER,

GEORGE F. AUSTIN, JR. May 1, 1951 Hahnuv on hand May 1, 1950 $309.46

Keckip rs : .Mav L>(5 K(>iiistra(i()u foes—1950 Conference 238 @

$5.00 $1,290.00

Interest accrued 7.08 1,297.08

1, 606. 54

DlSHITRSEMENTS : May 25 Social evening AVardniaii Park Hotel

Buffet lunch 250 (a $2.00 $500. 00

I ) of C tax 10. 00 Punch, 9 gal. @ $14.00 gal 126. 00 D of C tax 2. 52

Waiters' service 62. 50

Public address system 10. 00 Music 120. 00 Entertainment of ladies

( trip to Mount Vernon ) 96. 64

INIimeographing, registration, and projection

service 35.00 Phone service 1. 00 Material handling and miscellaneous expense- 5. 89 Receipt book . 52 970. 07 Balance on hand May 1, 1951 636. 47

Respectfully submitted,

(Signed) George F. Austin, Treasurer. (The Treasurer's report was adopted by the Conference.)

(Upon motion of L. E. Witt, the Conference voted to authorize the Secretary

to draw upon the Treasury to pay the customary and usual expenses of the Conference.

)

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS, PRESENTED BY J. A. BOYLE, CHAIRMAN, AND ELECTION

OF OFFICERS

The Committee met on Thursday afternoon and voted unanimously

to submit the following nominations for office in the National Conference to serve during the ensuing year, or until such time as their successors are elected:

OFFICERS

For President: E. U. Condon, Director, National Bureau of Standards. For Vice Presidents: E. R. Fisher, of Rhode Island; R. D. Thompson, of Vir- ginia ; J. F. True, of Kansas ; Erling Hansen, of Minnesota ; J. A. Bernard, of

St. Louis. Mo. : C H. Leithauser, of Baltimore, Md. For ^<cr< Idi-ii: W. S. Bussey, National Bureau of Standards. For Trcdsurrr: G. F. Austin, Jr., of Detroit, Mich.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

For iiKiiihrrs of the Executive Committee: A. H. Dittrich, of New Hampshire;

Wn.r.i.wr Kirk. .Jr.. of Nassau County, N. Y. ; S. H. Seighman, of Pennsyl-

: C C .Mocj, \ x, of Gary, Ind. ; J. W. Reese, of Iowa; J. P. McBride, of

M;iss;i( lnist'i Is : I>. M. TuRNBULL, of Seattle, Wash. ; G. S. Smith, of Cape May

C<iUMiy, X. .J.; J. R. .Tones, of South Carolina; A. J. Mayer, of Louisiana*^;
THIRTY-SIXTH CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 115

C. H. Oaklet, of Wyoming ; Robert Slough, of Akron, Ohio ; W. A. Kerlin,

Ij of Alameda County, Calif. ; Robert Zierton, of Racine, Wis. ; John I. Moore,

[ of North Carolina. Respectfully submitted. (Signed) J. A. Boyle, Chairman,

J. E. Brenton,

C. D. Baucom,

H. E. Howard,

R. E. Meek,

C. C. MUNDY,

L. E. Witt,

Committee on Nominations.

(The report of the Committee on Nominations was adopted and the officers were

elected unanimously.

)

(Near the conclusion of the Conference, the Conference, upon motion of J. F.

Blickley, extended to W. S. Bussey, Secretary, a rising vote of thanks for the manner in which the meeting had been arranged and conducted.)

(R. W. Searles closed the meeting with prayer, and the Thirty-sixth National

Conference on Weights and Measures adjourned at 12: 27 p. m.)

Secretary's Note.—Immediately following adjournment of the Conference, a meeting of the new Executive Committee of the Conference was held. This

meeting was attended by 14 of the 24 members. The following decisions were made with respect to the Thirty-seventh National Conference on Weights and

Measures

:

The Conference will extend over four days, with two sessions on the first day, one session on the second day, two sessions on the third day, and one

session on the fourth day.

The dates for the Conference will be May 20, 21, 22, and 23, 1952. The headquarters for the Conference will be Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,

D. C. A tour of National Bureau of Standards laboratories will not be scheduled on

the program, but such a tour will be made available to those wishing to participate on the afternoon of the second day of the Conference, provided that

suitable arrangements for this can be made with the National Bureau of Standards. The morning session on the second day of the Conference will be held at the National Bureau of Standards if suitable arrangements for this can be made

with the Bureau, Other sessions of the Conference will be held at the headquarters hotel. The customary informal Conference party will be held on the evening of the second day of the Conference. Some form of special entertainment will be provided for the ladies attending

the Conference.

. In lieu of the oral presentation of State and Association reports, as was the custom prior to the Thirty-sixth Conference, States and Associations will again

I be invited to submit reports, limited to two double-spaced typewrittten pages,

to the Conference Secretary not later than May 1, 1952. Reports so submitted

will then be mimeographed and assembled as a file of State and Association

Reports, copies of which will be made available for distribution at the Conference.

j "Introductions" of officials will be made as a substitute for the program items

[ of State and Association Reports.

I J. Fred True of Kansas was elected to act as Attendance Chairman during

I the ensuing year. The Executive Committee will make a special effort to increase

the Conference attendance at the Thirty-seventh National Conference. O

I
1
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND

MEASURES REPORTS

Misc.

Pub. Year Price Misc.

Pub. Year Price

4 1905 OP 74 1926 OP

5 1906 OP 80 1927 45^

6 1907 OP 87 1928 35fi 7 1908 OP 101 1929 30fi 8 1910 Or lib

9 1911 OP 129 1931 50^

10 1912 OP 156 1935 OP

11 1913 OP 157 1936 20^4 12 1914 OP 159 1937 OP

13 1915 OP 161 1938 30^^ 14 1916 OP 164 1939 250 41 1919 OP 167 1940 550 43 1920 20^ 170 1941 350 48 1921 20|fc 186 1946 400

51 1922 15^ 189 1947 400 55 1923 195 1949 350 59 1924 35^^ 199 1950 500 70 1925 50^

Where prices are given, the publication may be purchased from

the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Remittances should be made by coupons (obtainable

from the Superintendent of Documents in sets of 20 for $1 and good

until used), by money order, or check payable to the Superintendent

of Documents, Government Printing Office, or by cash ; and the remittance should accompany the order. Orders should be sent to the Superintendent of Documents, and not to the National Bureau of Standards. The Publications marked OP are out of print, but may be available for consultation in public libraries in large cities or in the libraries

of leading universities and colleges.
i