COMMERCIAL

STANDARDS

MONTHLY <3

* A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS OF THE

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

Vol. 6, No. 5 NOVEMBER, 1929

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

Assistant Director for Research and Testing

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. Lamont, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

George K. Burgess, Director

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

S. F. Tillman, Editor

Ray M. Hudson

Assistant Director for Commercial Standards

DIVISIONS OF THE COMMERCIAL STANDARDIZATION GROUP

DIVISION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE, Edwin W. Ely.

The division of simplified practice was formed in November,

1921, to provide a clearing house or centralizing agency through

which the manufacturer, distributor, and consumer groups

could meet to discuss their common problems and decide upon

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

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

recommendations that industry develops under the auspices

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

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

and who would be unwilling to cooperate, except through some

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

of all interested elements thereof, the project is then presented

to the entire industry by letter referendum for its approval and

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

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

users concerned. AMERICAN MARINE STANDARDS COM’TEE, A.V. Bouillon.

The American Marine Standards Committee was organized

to promote simplification of practice and elimination of waste

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

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

by and from the membership. For further information, write

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

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

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

of aiding those industrial and commercial groups desiring to

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

the commercial standard in writing before it is published by

the Department of Commerce. A certification plan is applied

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

standards. Provision is made for regular revision of the standard

through the appointment of a standing committee to consider

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

industry.

DIVISION OF SPECIFICATIONS, A. S. McAllister.

The duties of the division of specifications are to promote and

facilitate the use and unification of specifications. In doing so

it carries on activities involving cooperation with technical

societies; trade associations; Federal, State, and municipal

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

laboratories. The cooperation with technical societies and

trade associations includes ascertaining the standardization and specification promoting activities of these organizations,

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

producers involves the compilation of lists of manufacturers

who have expressed their willingness to certify to purchasers,

upon request, that material supplied by them on contracts based on certain Federal specifications or commercial standards comply with the requirements thereof. The division prepares

the directories of governmental and nongovernmental testing

laboratories; the Directory of Specifications; and is working

on an encyclopedia of specifications, the first volume of which,

Standards and Specifications in the Wood-Using Industries, has been issued. It also aids in preparing the Standards Yearbook. BUILDING AND HOUSING DIVISION, J. S. Taylor.

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

building codes and to encourage improved standards for the

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

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

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

throughout the year, and to secure less fluctuation from year

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

the broad objective of buildings made more useful because

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

street system, and appropriate public works. Good city

planning and zoning likewise encourages stability in land

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

Except where otherwise indicated, for further information address

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

WASHINGTON, D. C.
COMMERCIAL STANDARDS MONTHLY

A Review of Progress in

Commercial Standardization and Simplification

Volume 6 WASHINGTON, D. C., NOVEMBER 15, 1929 Number 5

CONTENTS

FEATURE ARTICLES

Advocates standardization of small-dimension wood

stock 128

British, Canadian, and Australian national standards

associations 129 Building and housing services 120 Less variety—more sales 113 Remarkable materials used in research at the Bureau

of Standards 126 Research for the leather industry 123

Results and benefits of simplifying the classification of iron and steel scrap 132

Simplification of printed forms effect savings 136 Standardized Federal purchasing 116 The individual citizen and simplified practice 140 BUILDING AND HOUSING NEWS

Results of small-house survey 138

SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE NEWS

Adherence to simplifications shown by survey 147

Basic book for printers 149 Beverage industry seeks to simplify size of bottles 149

Blue-print paper simplification proposed 149

Full disk huffs simplified 115

Industry to simplify casters 139 Kraft sealing tape 147

Lists of simplified sizes available 147 Manufacturers of track tools propose simplification

program 134 Many acceptances to simplifications and commercial

standards 148 Many economies to industry effected by adoption of

simplified practice 131 Masonry opening sizes 148 New book on sheet-metal work 150 Savings from use of skid platforms and lift trucks 145 Saw industry announces simplification program 143

Simplification of cigar sizes 146

Simplification of screw jacks 146

Simplifying restaurant guest checks 149 Three simplifications reaffirmed by industries 148 Two new proposals in simplifications 147 Uniformity is sought in types of trunks 150 Warehousing of bolts and nuts 127 STANDARDIZATION NEWS

Automobile bumper heights revised 138 Conference on screw threads and gages 119 The division of trade standards 112 Importance of screw-thread standardization 130 Impregnated paper cable 145 New aeronautic standards proposed 118

STANDARDIZATION NEWS—Continued New draft of safety code for mechanical refrigeration

proposed 144 New marine standards summarized 131 Proposed American standard for cut and ground thread

taps 146 Recommended practice for power piping systems 145 Record and printing papers 127 Safety code for textile industries approved 146 Savings are effected by standardization of paper and

printing 1 143 Standardization of clock springs presents difficulties 145 Standard system of airways marking held to lie vital need of fliers 149 Standards for diamond-core drill fittings 114 Standard symbols for hydraulics 111

Staple porcelain (all-clay) plumbing fixtures 130

SPECIFICATION NEWS

Cooperation with road builders and highway officials 130 Railway engineering standards and specifications 144 Rev'sed Federal specifications

Specifications for tapered shaft ends and hubs for air- craft engines 127 FOREIGN NEWS

Industries in Europe promoting uniformity 150 RESEARCH NEWS

Bureau studies behavior of gasoline in ideal engine

manifold 14S Duckpin balls used to study effect of turbulence on

wind-tunnel measurements 143 Methods for storage of photograph c and X-ray films outlined 122 Paper best adapted to retain stamps is object of tests. 139 Research bureau formed by scrap iron and steel in- st'tu te 149 Strength of brick walls measured by bureau 137

ELIMINATION OF WASTE NEWS

Elimination of waste in inventories 135 Memories of the past 149

UTILIZATION OF WASTE NEWS

Finds market for waste materials 137 Motor company finds many uses for scrap 118 Paramount Pictures reclaims 86,000 worth of silver a month from film developer 125

| Salvage large factor in railroad profits 119

On the subject of pleas and things of that sort, permit us to enter one on behalf of your favorite news

dealer. Please don’t call him—well, you know what—just because he doesn’t carry the Commercial

Standards Monthly on his stand. Be fair with him. Send in your subscription, with the necessary $1,

to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C.

The Commercial Standards Monthly can not be purchased other than through the Superintendent

of Documents. For change of address, please communicate direct with the Superintendent of Documents,

giving the new and old address.

78974-29- 1

( 111 )
THE DIVISION OF TRADE STANDARDS

Its Function and Service to Business

Nv^

function of the division of trade standards is fourfold:

First, to provide a neutral agency which will insure adequate

consideration of the needs of all interests; second, to supply such

assistance and advice in the development of a commercial Standard

program as paSt experience with similar programs may suggeSt;

third, to solicit and record the extent of adoption and adherence to

the Standard; and fourth, to add all possible preStige to such Standardisation movement by publication and promulgation of the commercial Standard if and when it is adopted and accepted by all elements

direCtly concerned.

Commercial Standards are restricted to commodities which are bought and sold and do not conflict with the Standards of engineering societies or other organisations, but incorporate their recommendations wherever possible.

The work of the division of trade Standards is designed as a service to business. It is mainly promotional in character, and its

chief mission is to get behind Standards of unusual merit or utility

and foSter their wider use. The service is available to any industry,

without coSt, upon written requeSt to the National Bureau of

Standards. The Standards are developed according to a simple procedure requiring the cooperation of all elements of an industry

producers, distributors, and consumers. Following a satisfactory

majority of written acceptances the commercial Standards are published and distributed to the trade.

One of the main features of the service is the certification and

labeling plan which facilitates for the small as well as the large purchaser, the specification method of buying and makes it effective as far as practicable without constant resort to teSts.

( 112)
113

LESS VARIETY—MORE SALES

How the Production Department of the Manufacturing Plant Helps to Increase Sales Through

Simplification

Ray M. Hudson, Assistant Director National Bureau of Standards

Victory in to-day’s battle for a larger slice of the

consumer’s dollar hinges on the teamwork of two men—the sales manager and the factory manager.

No matter how much these men have diliered in the

past as to the one best way to attain their common

objective of maximum volume, they are to-day more

closely allied or united under the pressure of current

conditions.

Keen competition, price cutting, and rising costs of

doing business are pushing profit margins down.

Consumer resistance to higher prices checks any effort to maintain former profits through price advances.

Reduction of production costs through wage cuts

t rating their manufacturing and selling efforts on a consistent minimum variety of line numbers. Simplification, rather than diversification, is the avenue they

have chosen to increased sales and better profits.

Often a wide variety is utterly useless as a sales stimulus, as in the case of utilitarian articles where differ- entiation is necessary, variations can often be most

successfully introduced in the types left after simplifying the line. A western manufacturer of sweaters and many

other varieties of knit goods offered his products to the trade in a wide assortment of types, styles, models,

and color combinations, and each in the customary

SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE

APPLIED TO A GREAT SHOE BUSINESS

REDUCING

FROM 3 GRADES AND 2,500 STYLES EACH TO 1 GRADE AND 100 STYLES ACTUALLY

DECREASED

PER CENT PRODUCTION COST 31 DIRECT OVERHEAD 28 INVENTORIES 26 COST TO CONSUMER 27

INCREASED

PER CENT TURNOVER 50 SALES: PAIRS OF WOMEN'S SHOES . . 22 PAIRS OF MEN'S SHOES .... 80 PERCENTAGE OF ELIMINATION

98.7

Sometimes a wide variety of styles is a detriment. This shoe

company increased sales through simplification

reduces purchasing power and renders consumers less able to buy. How then can profits be assured?

Sales efforts. The common answer seems to be, “ Sell enough

more units to offset the shrinkage in profits caused

by the smaller margin per unit.” In some instances,

efforts toward this end have resulted in adding more

numbers to the line and more salesmen to the field forces. The effect has been not only to increase the

cost of securing the order but also of filling it. In- creased selling and manufacturing costs have in some

cases wiped out the profits anticipated from the larger

sales. In contrast to these instances are those wherein

Sales managers and factory managers have cooperated

in cutting down their product lines, and in coneenrange of sizes. In 1922, his output averaged 1,503

garments per operator, his share of the swimmingsuit output of the United States was one-fourth of 1 per cent. His market consisted of 11 western States. This manufacturer decided to condense his line to swimming-suits only. He offers these in 17 styles, 11

color combinations, and 13 sizes, all fast-turning numbers. In 1926, his output averaged 2,715 garments per

operator, his share of the total swimimng-suit output

for the United States rose to 12y2 per cent, and his

market included all of the 48 States and 40 foreign

countries. Simplification and a world-wide advertising and selling campaign did the job.

A company specializing in fur goods simplified its line to one type of fur. Results: Concentrated production, improved quality, and enhanced advertising

possibilities. In four years, the output of this com-
314

pany’s dyeing works increased from 100,000 to 1,000,-

000 skins annually, or 900 per cent. Drug industry.

A drug manufacturer back in 1916 had 2,670 items

in his catalogue. In 1924 his catalogue listed 144, an

elimination of 95 per cent. Results: Business in- creased 400 per cent, the trade got lower prices, the

employees better pay and steadier work, the company

handled four times the original volume of business in

less space, tablet stamping machines operated continuously without change of dies, the cost of boxes for

packing the tablets was cut 85 per cent, and the firm

made larger profits.

A well-known manufacturer of men’s hats found

90 per cent of his business came from seven styles in 10

colors, though he was offering more than 3,700 varieties of hats to his trade. A drastic elimination en- abled him to cut his raw material inventory from

$500,000 to $176,000. His business rose from $1,600,000

a year to $4,000,000.

A nationally known cigar company reduced its brands from 152 to 5, or 97 per cent. Sales increased

in five years 42 and 53 per cent, respectively, on its two foremost brands. Sales and advertising costs dropped from 5.44 to 1.80 per cent of gross sales, a reduction of 67 per cent. Simplification and a nationwide advertising and selling campaign did the job.

A manufacturer of rubber goods cut his catalogue

from 1,600 to 6 items and in eight years increased his total sales 800 per cent. Another company started operations in 1897 with

one product, a facial cream. At the end of 20 years

its line ranged from 2,500 to 5,000 items. Analysis of

sales indicated a preference for a certain item. The

company simplified its line to six varieties or styles of

that item. To-day the salesman takes the entire line under his arm and displays it to 10 dealers in the same

time formerly required to show the old line to one

dealer in a hotel sample room. A men’s ready-to-wear clothing manufacturer of- fering 1,000 varieties of suits to his trade simplified

his line to 24. By so doing, his overhead per garment

cut dropped 50 per cent; his production period in- creased from 36 to 52 weeks. His salesmen were on

the road 12 months instead of 4; they increased their

retail agencies from 150 to 1,000. Yearly sales in- creased from 30,000 to 60,000 suits. Selling cost decreased 35 per cent, and manufacturing cost 25 per

cent. Many other examples might be cited of in reused

sales for individual concerns that have applied simplification, but space limits forbid. However, examples

like these have influenced groups of manufacturers,

entire industries in fact, to simplify their lines as a means of increasing sales, decreasing costs, and meeting the “ new ” or interindustry competition.

Nation-wide scope of simplification.

Through the cooperative services afforded American

industry by the division of simplified practice of the

National Bureau of Standards, a total of 114 differ- ent simplifications have been effected. These range

, from the reduction of paving bricks from 66 to 5

varieties, to the reduction of varieties of grindingwheels from 715,200 to 254,400.

Taking as one example the reduction of variety in

files and rasps from 1,351 to 475, letters received by

the division of simplified practice from firms participating in this simplification demonstrate the values

of simplification as a sales builder.

“ Since we have accepted the simplified practice

recommendation of your department we have in- creased the volume of our business 33.3 per cent and

reduced the volume of our inventory 25 per cent. This necessarily means a quicker turnover, less dead

products, and quicker deliveries to our customers. A it h the smaller variety we can anticipate their

wants more accurately and keep better control of out- own production. We feel no hesitation in saying that

the elimination of the slow-selling items which we

were generally correspondingly slow in shipping and

the consequent better service we are rendering our

customers have helped to increase our sales. The re- duction in total inventory in spite of the increase in sales has released capital which we have been able to spend to advantage in improved equipment.

“ Since 1922 our sales on files have increased 100

per cent. Our profits have increased from 14 to 25

per cent, and our inventory ending December 31. 1927,

as compared to our volume of sales, has decreased 10

per cent over our inventory of December 31, 1922. During the year 1926 orders and shipments for files and rasps not included in the regular program

amounted to 1 per cent.” Simplification of die head.

A manufacturer of self-opening die heads says

“We h ave found that simplification has given to us

a sales increase of 23.5 per cent and an inventory

reduction of 35 per cent. It has reduced our investment in dies, etc. It gives us larger runs for each

change of dies. With larger runs of standard items we find that even our detail clerical work is reduced,

because we have less stock records to maintain on

both raw and finished material.”

A manufacturer of concrete blocks says: “By fol- lowing the suggestions in regard to concrete blocks—

reducing patterns—I have been able to reduce the

stock I have to carry more than 60 per cent, and have

actually increased my sales of the standard pattern

and size 15 per cent. By doing this my block busi- ness shows a satisfactory profit, whereas before the

excessive stock ate up all the profit.”

Another says : “ The net result being, that we have

reduced our selling price on our units, still making a fair profit, thereby selling more units, and creating a larger demand for our products. The simplified

practice in our plant has reduced the selling price of our product 25 per cent.” A bed blanket manufacturer says: “At the beginning of this year, we cut down the sizes and styles

carried in our blanket and comfort department about

40 per cent from what we carried during the year

1926. The result : That in spite of a 40 per cent simplification of the blanket and comfort department we increased our sales approximately 7 per cent.” Application to merchandising.

Increasing recognition of simplification as a means

to greater sales is shown in its adoption in merchandising.

A well-known eastern wholesaler of hardware who

carried more than 10,000 items in his stocks cut them

to 7.000. At the same time he cut out 28 per cent of the territory and 56 per cent of the customers he

had been trying to serve, for the reason that these

eliminations represented unprofitable business. A
115

slight decrease in gross sales occurred, but the volume

of net profits increased 35 per cent in three years, and

his percentage of “ net ” to “ sales ” increased 68 per

cent. A chain of drug stores so large it buys entire fac- tory outputs cut its average store stock from 22,000

to 10,000 items, increased its turnover TO per cent, its volume of business 43 per cent, and its wage rates 100 per cent. It decreased the average store investment 14 per cent, the inventory time 67 per cent,

the cost of taking inventory 56 per cent, and the store personnel 58 per cent. Pay-roll cost dropped from 20

to 11 per cent of sales and rent from 14 to 7 per cent

of sales. The president of a great chain of 5-and-10-cent

stores that likewise purchases complete factory output

says: “Any store that maintains a good rate of turn- over can always get a fair merchandising profit, re- gardless of price trend. One of the best ways to at- tain a high turnover is to eliminate unnecessary

duplication."

Application of this theory reduced his brands of

talcum powder from 32 to 6, his varieties of screw

drivers from 26 to 6. Similar eliminations were made

in hundreds of other lines. Results: Annual turnover

increased from 5.5 to 9.25, capital invested in stocks was reduced 50 per cent. Stock in this company has a current market value around $200 a share. Simplification, skillful merchandising, and courageous management spell profits and dividends in this case. Purchasers are also finding simplification valuable

to them. An eastern railroad cut its stores stock from

52,000 to 32,000 and its inventory from $3,320,000 to $805,000. Another reduced its stocks from 140,000

items to 78,000, a 44 per cent elimination, and by so doing released nearly $40,000,000 of idle capital.

This steadily growing appreciation by merchants

and other large purchasers of the usefulness of simplification to them is an effective antidote to some

kinds of high-pressure selling efforts, especially those

which tend to overload the buyer. Studies have shown

that 80 per cent of the business for a firm, corporation,

or an industry is usually done in 20 per cent of the varieties of its products or lines. The other four-fifths

of the variety which brings in only one-fifth of the

year’s business is the breeding ground for all kinds

of problems, from too high a frequency of changes in

machine “set-ups"’ in the factory to increased selling

cost on the road.

Often, sales managers in their eagerness to supply

what the public wants, or at least, what it will buy,

fear that any curtailment of variety in their products

will reduce sales. They fear a condition of “overstandardization ”—a line with no “ sales appeal.”

On the other hand, factory managers fear “ overdiversification.” Too many varieties, too many changes

in color, style, or design interfere with low unit production cost. Purchasing problems are complicated,

stocks multiply, inventories increase. Simplification

offers an excellent basis of compromise between the

“ factory ” and the “ sales ” viewpoints. It affords an opportunity to reduce variety to the point where

it permits fair economy in production and yet retain

sufficient variety to satisfy the bulk of consumer demand.

It must be recognized that profits of a business are not earned by the sales department alone on sales, nor by anv single department. They are saved. The

purchasing department doesn’t earn profits, but it may save them. So with the credit and all other so- called nonproductive departments. The factory plans

many savings in its efforts to get out the product, but

unwarranted insistence by the sales department on

too much variety in the line may absorb all the

savings.

Therefore increased sales as the road to increase

profits begin with greater recognition of the interdependence of the sales and the factory managers, each on the other. Out of this recognition comes that

common bond of mutual interest, teamwork, and co- operation that spells bigger and better results for

both.

FULL DISK BUFFS SIMPLIFIED

Conference Reduces 17 Different Diameters to 11 Standard

Sizes A general conference of representatives of manufacturers, distributors, and users of buffing wheels last month approved a simplified practice recommendation,

in which the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, and 20

inch full disk buffing wheels were selected as standards

for stock items.

The action of this conference resulted in a reduction

from 17 different diameters to 11 standard sizes as indicated above, corresponding to an elimination of 35

per cent of needless varieties. The conference also

voted that 20 ply should be adopted as the standard

ply for stock butt's. The recommendation is to become

effective on January 2, 1930, for production on the new schedule and January 2, 1931, for the elimination

of current stocks of nonstandard sizes. The appointment of a standing committee was au- thorized to consist of the following representatives:

Manufacturers of buffs.—B. H. Divine, president,

Divine Brothers Co., Utica, N. Y. ; Floyd T. Taylor,

vice president, Hanson-Van Winkle-Munning Co.,

Matawan, N. J. ; and E. Winthrop Hall, of the F. L. and J. C. Codman Co., Boston, Mass.

Users of buffs. —One representative each from the

General Motors Corporation, the Western Electric Co.,

and the Scovill Manufacturing Co.

Distributors of buffs. —A representative of F. B. Stevens Co., Detroit, Mich.; and Crown Rheostat &

Supply Co., of Chicago.

Textile manufactiurers. —A representative of the

Cotton Textile Institute.

Machinery builders. —A representative of the United

States Electrical Tool Co., Philadelphia, Pa.

It was the combined opinion of the conferees that

the adoption of the above diameters as standards

would greatly reduce the wasteful cutting of sheeting

out of which buffs are made and at the same time

reduce the cost of production and distribution. The

standing committee is to give further attention to the possibilities for standardization of sewing, arbor

holes, and pieced buffs.

It was the opinion of the conference that the standing committee should also give consideration to the

standardization of polishing wheels.
116

STANDARDIZED FEDERAL PURCHASING

Board Formed in 1921 Under Supervision of Chief Coordinator to Coordinate Federal Purchasing, Says

Writer; Has Four Standing Committees; One Committee, That for Commodities, Has Eight Subcommittees

By J. A. Egleston (Merchant Fleet Corporatoin) , Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary. Federal Purchasing

Board

By direction of the President, the Federal Purchasing Board was organized under authority of Circular Xo. 25, Bureau of the Budget, dated August

25, 1921, to enable the chief coordinator to perform the

duties of coordinating purchases throughout the sev- eral Federal departments and establishments. Each

department and establishment having authority to purchase materials and supplies designates one rep- resentative to membership on this board.

The function of this board is to formulate policies

and plans to unit the purchasing activities of the

several departments and establishments in such manner as to bring about business methods calculated ef- fectively to safeguard the interests of the Government, and at the same time promote the confidence

of private business interests in their contractual rela- tions with the Government as a buyer.

Board meets once a month.

The Federal Purchasing Board meets once each

month for the purpose of taking up new subjects for

consideration and of receiving reports and recom- mendations from its committees on various subjects

having previously been taken under consideration.

All action taken by the board is in the nature of a recommendation to the chief coordinator who is chairman, and it is given effect only with his approval.

In actual operation, however, the board functions

under the immediate supervision of the executive

chairman, N. F. Harriman, assistant to the Chief

Coordinator, assigned from the Department of Commerce, and J. A. Egleston, assistant to the Chief

Coordinator.

There are four standing committees of the Federal

Purchasing Board. They are : The committee on

operations, the committee on relations, the committee

on commodities, and the committee on services. Each

member of the board is a member or chairman of at least one of these committees. To the committee on

operations are generally referred all matters pertaining to plans, purchase principles, purchase laws and

regulations—present and proposed, decisions, defini- tions, organization, procedure, personnel, equipment,

offices, supplies, and blank forms. The committee on relations is generally given subjects involving re- quirements, specifications, deliveries, inspections, stor- age, disbursements, mailing lists, and eligibility of

suppliers—present, proposed, and debarred. The preparation and promulgation of Federal specifications

are, however, handled by the Federal Specifications

Board, another of the activities comprising the Federal coordinating service. The largest committee.

The committee on commodities, the largest in personnel, and about which more will be said further

on. has as its prime function that of conducting procurement studies and formulating recommendations as

to purchase methods for inclusion in an appropriate

section of the Federal Standard Stock Catalogue, being

prepared under the jurisdiction of the Federal Standard Stock Catalogue Board, another agency in the Federal coordinating service. These studies also involve

the collection of data pertaining to the availability

of commodities and to the several phases of market

conditions as of vital importance in the determination

of purchase plans. Kindred subjects relating to specific commodities are also referred to this committee.

To the committee on services are generally referred

subjects relating to the procurement of transportation

and such services as communication, power, light, and

miscellaneous personal services. Committee has eight members and chairman.

In organizing the committee on commodities, be- cause of the huge task which it has undertaken, it consists of eight members and a chairman—each a member of the Federal purchasing board. Each member

is, in turn, a chairman of one of eight subcommittees.

These subcommittees have two other members who

are not members of the Federal Purchasing Board—

they being especially designated by the departments

and establishments in addition to their respective representatives on the board—-and in each instance one member is designated by the Department of Commerce

in recognition of the valuable data on market conditions available in the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic

Commerce of the department.

Each of the subcommittees supervises the work car- ried on by a number of advisory groups, which consists

of about four or five persons experienced in actual

procurement—not members of the board—designated

tty the departments and establishments because of

their intimate knowlege in the purchase of certain

lines of materials and supplies. Each advisory group

elects its own chairman from its personnel.

Subcommittees described.

The eight subcommittees—more or less arbitrarily

so designated—and the respective advisory groups

under their supervision corresponding to groups for

procurement representing groupings of commodities

as found in productive industry and as prescribed in

the Federal Standard Stock Catalogue, are as follows:

Subcommittee No. 7, chemicals.—L, cellulose and

products ; O, chemicals ; P, cleaning and polishing

materials ; U, drugs and medicines ; X, explosives

BB. gases; TT. paints, pigments, varnishes, and

products.

Subcommittee No. 2, farm products.—B, animals; C,

animal products; X, cereals and products; Y, fruits;

Z, fruit products; EE, groceries ; LL, livestock, poultry, and marine products; PP, meats and sea foods;
117

EEE, tobacco and products; HHH, vegetables; JJJ,

vegetable products.

Subcommittee No. 3, machinery —A, aircraft, boats,

and ships; D, arms (small) ; E, artillery; F, boilers,

engines, and tanks ; S, cooking and heating apparatus,

furnaces, and ovens (nonelectric); GG, instruments;

00, machinery ; WW, pipe, pipe fittings, plumbing,

fixtures, tubes, and tubing (metallic); XX, pumps;

AAA, scales ; GGG, tools ; KICK, vehicles.

Subcommittee No. 4, miscellaneous.—G, books and

printed matter; H, brooms and brushes; KIv, leather

and leather goods; UU, paper and products; YY,

recreational articles; ZZ, rubber and rubber goods;

FEE. toilet articles. Subcommittee No. -5, electrical.—J, cable and wire

(insulated); W, electric apparatus; CC, generators

and motors; HH. insulating materials.

Subcommittee No. 6, textiles. —Iv, canvas articles;

T, cordage, twine, and products; V, dry goods and

notions; JJ, knit goods, netting, and webbing; BBB,

suits and uniforms; CCC, textiles (yardage); DD,

textile products.

Subcommittee No. 7, building materials.—M, ce- ramics ; AA, furniture ; DD, glass and glassware

;

FF, hardware; MM, lumber and timber; NX, lumber

products; RR, metal products; DLL, wood products.

Subcommittee No. 8, fuels and minerals.—Q, coal

and products ; R, coal tar and products; QQ,, metals;

SS, minerals and products (nonmetallic) ; VV, petroleum and products.

Generally, these advisory groups meet the first week

in each month, the subcommittees meet during the

second week, the committee on commodities during

the third week, thus affording a progressive submission and approval of recommended purchase methods

and an opportunity for consideration first by experts

in related commodities and secondly by those especially familiar with action taken on commodities in

other lines of industry.

Commodities subdivided into divisions.

The commodities comprising each group for procurement—a term designed to classify together for

advantageous procurement articles originating in a major line of industry—are further subdivided into

divisions representing specialized production within

a given major productive industry. It is the duty of

each advisory group to formulate purchase methods

division by division—designed to coordinate the procurement of the articles in such way as to bring to the Government as a whole the greatest possible benefits, and yet without disruption to the organization

of the various departmental purchasing agencies and

without depriving the interested departments and es- tablishments of their right to administer the expenditure of funds appropriated for the procurement of

material.

In the determination of advantageous procurement

methods—to be promulgated by the Chief Coordinator through the medium of the Federal Standard

Stock Catalogue—each advisory group first ascertains

the purchasing practices already in effect. In this it is necessary to know such facts, as the period and

types of contracts, the location of requirements, loca- tion of purchasing officers, frequency of purchase,

terms of delivery, inspection arrangements, quantities

used, and related factors.

Conducts research regarding availability of commodities.

Coincident with this is conducted a research as to the availability of the commodities, ascertaining such

facts as number and location of sources of supplv,

variations in practice of production and marketing,

nature and extent of competition, price trends, sea- sons of production, and other data pertaining to the

production and commercial distribution of the articles. With a clear picture of the needs of the Government and of the availability of a given commodity

under normal conditions, the advisory group is in position to formulate a general method of purchase con- templated to not only afford the Government every

consistent advantage, but to also attract the widest

possible commercial interest from the standpoint of

production, distribution, and sale. Quantity buying means lower prices.

While, in general, it follows that quantity buying

attracts lower prices and proportionately lower in- spection costs per unit, consideration must be given

not only to the extent to which suitable storage exists

in advantageous locations, but also of prime importance is the necessity of avoiding the consolidation

of quantities into totals too large to attract individual

producers or distributors. For there is a maximum

demand which, if exceeded, can not readily be met by

a single competitor and the buyer is forced to pay a premium either in time of delivery or price, if not

in quality.

Broadly speaking, three basic principles of consolidating requirements are observed—local, sectional,

and national. Local consolidation is feasible when

there is ample local production and competition, as

is often the case in buying gasoline. Sectional consolidation involves such commodities as coal which

is produced in certain well-defined localities and

normally finds its way into long-established markets.

National consolidation will be rarely effected, for it would be influenced first by a limited number of

sources, but frequently ample competition would not

be available.

Elimination of waste.

In this procurement of governmental requirements,

while due consideration must be given to occasional

needs of a nature peculiar to special work in which

certain activities are engaged, nevertheless the Federal Purchasing Board has adopted in principle, the

movement for elimination of waste, as carried on by

the National Bureau of Standards and promulgated

through simplified practice recommendations and

commercial standards. The Federal Purchasing

Board is also committed to the polic}'- of standardization of specifications and its executive chairman is an

ex officio member of the Federal Specifications Board.

Somewhat related to specifications, though not within

the purview of the Federal Specifications Board, is the function of inspection and testing and with the

view to using available facilities to the fullest extent and at the same time reduce the proportion of inspection per unit of purchase, the Federal Purchasing

Board lias adopted the policy of single inspection

under joint procurement.

It is, therefore, evident that the Federal Purchasing

Board is essentially a participant in the general plan
118

of standardization, for in addition to advocating and

practicing standardization in commodities and blank

forms used in procurement, it is actually engaged in

standardizing the methods of procurement which now

vary in many instances.

Navy uses hack-saw blades.

An instance worthy of mention', illustrating the

motive for consolidation and the nature of consolidation actually effected, is found in the procurement of

hack-saw blades, the Navy Department probably be- ing the largest user. The Federal specification provides for the determination and rating of work values

to be considered along with bid prices in determining

that award which will give the greatest amount of

service per dollar expended. The Navy Department was in a position to apply this principle by virtue of

having already developed and used such a method of

considering performance and sale value. To avoid

duplication of mechanical facilities and effort, as also

confusion from several independent series of tests of

like products, the Federal Purchasing Board recom- mended and obtained approval of the plan now fol- lowed, under which semiannual consolidated purchases

of definite quantities are made by the Navy Department from forecasts of requirements submitted by all activities, and stock is maintained from which delivery

is accomplished as early as could be under individual

purchases of small quantities at irregular times or under running contracts for indefinite quantities.

The benefit from quantity buying is available to all, in addition to the saving of effort and confusion that

would follow if each buying activity were to conduct

these performance tests and establish its own numerically expressed work values.

MOTOR COMPANY FINDS MANY USES FOR

SCRAP

Sales of Scrap Amounted to $3,573,877.60 for 1928; One of

the Largest Items Is That of Imitation Leather; Left-Over

Cuttings from Wool Upholstery Cloth Made into Polishers

for Eyeglasses

“ Sales of scrap by a prominent automobile com- pany during 1928 amounted to $3,573,877.60,” says a writer in a recent issue of the magazine, Michigan

Manufacturer and Financial Record, “ except for coke,

the largest single item in the report of the by-products

sales department for last year. The figure repre- sented only such scrap as was sold; large quantites were salvaged and converted back into use by the

company itself. The economies that have been ef- fected through this phase of the company’s activities are unusual.

“ The biggest single item of scrap that is sold is the

steel turnings from the machine shops; about 15 car- loads, or 500 tons, are sold daily to outside mills.

The quantity is too great to be absorbed by any one

mill, so it is distributed among several which use it in the manufacture of new steel. “ Second in quantity are the trimmings from the

sheet metal stampings, of which about 10 carloads of

bundles are produced in the rough plant each day.

These are used entirely in open-hearth furnaces, and

at times can all be consumed in the open-hearth at the rough plant without resort to outside sale. “ Third in volume are the drop-forge flashings

which have been obtained from the manufacture of

such parts as the camshaft. There are 3 carloads of

these per day, or 125 tons; the scrap goes to the open

hearth like that from the sheet-metal parts. Then

there is the nonferrous scrap, such as brass clippings

from the radiator department, copper scrap, and so

on. These are used or sold back to the mills.

“ Not all of the scrap comes from the production

line. Some of the most unusual items come from

other departments. There are bones from the commissaries—2,300 pounds a week—sold to soap companies. There is a carload of blotting paper each

week which has served in the Triplex shatterproof

glass department in the glass plant as a cushion for

the glass, but has lost none of its value as blotting

paper.

“ One of the largest items is that if imitation leather

and rubber scraps which are much sought after by

novelty manufacturers. These are graded to size,

packed separately in cartons, and sold in carload lots. “ The left-over cuttings from the wool upholstery

cloth department are sold to an eastern optical firm

to be made into polishers for eyeglasses.”

NEW AERONAUTIC STANDARDS PROPOSED

S. A. E. Recommends Several New Standards for Airplane

Parts and Fittings

“ Many new standards for airplane parts and fit- tings were recommended at meetings of the aircraft

division and aircraft-engine division of the Society

of Automotive Engineers at the aeronautic meeting

of the society recently held in Detroit,” according to a news item appearing in the magazine Michigan

Manufacture and Financial Record, which said that

“ among the proposed standards are dimensions and

load and inflation pressures of airplane tires, five types of valve for these tires, dimensions of seven tire rims of the drop-center type, dimensions of wheel

bubs and axle ends, sizes of aircraft-engine spark

plugs; dimensions of propeller hubs, shaft ends and

propeller blade ends; tachometer drives, magneto

mountings, and thermometer bulbs.

“ The importance of standardizing upon a relatively

few sizes and mountings for parts and fittings of air- planes before factories get into very large production

is emphasized by the society, which points to savings

calculated at not less than 15 per cent of the enormous

total expenditure of the public for new automobiles

annually that has been effected by standardization of

automobile parts and fittings. “ Such standardization, it is pointed out, does not

interfere with engineering advance and design improvement, as it does not attempt to standardize design. On the contrary, by reducing to a reasonable

minimum the number of sizes of minor parts, econo- mies in manufacture are effected that allow more money and time to be expended on research and development, and at the same time make possible reductions in selling prices. This results in increased

sales and more rapid advance of the industry.
119

CONFERENCE ON SCREW THREADS AND GAGES

Joint Meeting of National Screw Thread Commission and American Gage Design Committee Reviews

Several Proposed Changes in Standardization Programs

A recent meeting of the National Screw Thread

Commission and the American Gage Design Committee, held in Greenfield, Mass., considered several items

pertaining to the work of the two organizations.

Tolerances on bolts and screw stock.

The question of coordinating the tolerances on major diameter of certain sizes and classes of screws and bolts with steel manufacturers tolerances on hotrolled stock was discussed. The evidence presented

seemed to show that there is no necessity for such

increase, since manufacturers are able to buy hotrolled stock within present tolerances without extra

cost, if they so specify in their orders. This applies

to classes 1 and 2 in sizes where hot-rolled stock is commonly used.

Navy specifications for gas cylinder valves were

presented for discussion, and a special committee was

appointed to give the matter further study. Screw

threads for acid drums were also referred to the same

committee.

Following a discussion of proposed revision of cer- tain bolt head and nut dimensions, it was voted to make certain changes in the five-eighths-ineh bolt

head and nut dimensions to bring them into conformity with the recommendations of the Bolt, Nut and

Rivet Manufacturers’ Association as approved by the

sectional committee on bolt, nut, and rivet proportions.

The commission approved the recommendations of

the American Gage Design Committee, covering gage

blanks for reversible plug gages. Specifications for

these blanks had not been completed at the time the

remainder of the work of the American Gage Design

Committee was approved by the commisison.

Washer screws for water faucets.

A sectional committee on standardization of plumbing equipment will take up the matter of standardizing the washer screws used in water faucets. A col- lection of the screws now in use were exhibited to the conference.

The conference discussed the gage classification as contained in the 1928 report. It has been held by

some that only Class X gages are required by industry ; the commission, however, believes that there is a need for class Y and Z gages, and took no action

toward changing from the present classification. The report of the sectional committee’s subcommittee on slotted-head products was discussed, but

the report has not been finally approved by the sec- tional committee.

The commission reaffirmed its attitude that it was

not concerned with material, but only with dimensions of threated products.

The secretary stated that three sections of the 1928

report are being published as separate reports for

shop use. These abridged reports are as follows

:

(a) Regular course and fine thread series; (&) threads

of special diameters, pitches, and lengths of engagement ; ( c ) design of blanks for plain and thread plug

and ring gages from 0.059 inch to 4.510 inches in

diameter.

It was brought out in discussions that while there

is still considerable use of nonstandard threads in

automobile work, most of this is confined to old designs and replacements, and that practically all new

work is strictly in accord with the American National

Screw Thread Standards.

Thread-locking devices.

While the commission has not gone into the questoin of thread-locking devices, it was stated to the

conference that a comprehensive investigation is now

being carried out at the National Bureau of Standards

to determine the relative value of such devices, and

that this investigation is being supported by manufacturers of threaded products.

It was stated that a subcommittee of the sectional

committee on bolt, nut, and rivet proportions is working on the matter of socket-head cap and set screws.

SALVAGE LARGE FACTOR IN RAILROAD

PROFITS

Worn-Out and Discarded Material Formerly Disposed of as Scrap; Modern Reclamation Plant Makes Savings

“ Before the advent of the modern reclamation

plant, worn-out and discarded material was simply

scrap and was disposed of as such,” recently said Samuel A. Hayden, chief clerk to the general storekeeper,

Missouri -Texas Railroad, in an article in the magazine Salvage.

“As one of the largest users of steel and iron products in the Nation,” said the writer, the “ accumulation and disposition of scrap was quickly recognized

as a major problem, and the railroads naturally turned

to reclamation as a profitable field of endeavor.

While this phase of railroad work is in comparative

infancy, intensive study of the possible savings

through reclamation has resulted in the saving of hundreds of dollars to the railroads within the past few

years. No other phase of our work is worthy of more

serious study to-day, and a concerted effort toward

uniform reclamation practices is desirable.

“ Not until an article has reached the stage where

it can not be economically repaired or reclaimed

should it be disposed of as scrap. Then it should be

assorted and classified in such a way as to bring the

greatest possible return to the property. Properly

classified and assorted scrap commands premium

prices, and with reasonable care, this classification can

be accomplished with but little added expense. We

should bend every effort to develop to its fullest extent the field of reclamation, as the dollars left in the treasury through the savings effected in this field will reflect to our credit on the general ledger of

profitable operation of the property.”

78974—29 2
120

BUILDING AND HOUSING SERVICES

Division Formed in 1921 to Improve Housing Standards; Author Discusses Seasonal Operation in the

Construction Industry; Building Practice and Home Builders’ Problems; City Planning and Zoning,

as Well as Their Points of Interest

By James S. Taylor, Acting Chief, Division of Building and Housing, National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce

The division of building and housing was established in the Department of Commerce in 1921. when

the country had not yet recovered from the war-time

housing shortage, and when there were, at the same

time, millions of unemployed men walking the streets. That situation showed graphically how the country

must depend upon an economical, smooth-functioning

construction industry if housing standards are to be

steadily improved, and if reasonable stability in busi- ness is to be achieved. Creation of the division was

the culmination of efforts made during several years

to have the Federal Government set up an agency

which would work toward these ends.

Committee formed in 1918.

A committee of the American Institute of Architects had recommended in 1918 that the National

Bureau of Standards frame standard building code

requirements that would serve as a guide for cities throughout the country. Several other of the present

functions of the division were also contemplated in

a bill introduced in 1919 by Congressman George H.

Tinkham, of Massachusetts, providing for a Federal

bureau of housing and living conditions.

The project was developed more nearly toward its final form by the Select Committee on Reconstruction

and Production of the United States Senate, during

the course of the hearings it held in many cities during the latter part of 1920. This committee in its report of March 2, 1921, definitely recommended the

formation of a bureau or division of construction in

the Department of Commerce. Bills providing for

such a step were introduced in the House by Congressman Tinkham, and in the Senate by William M.

Calder, of New York.

Advocated by Hoover

The idea that the Federal Government should co- operate on a voluntary basis with business and other

groups in policies having the dual aim of relieving

the housing shortage by means of new construction,

and furnishing employment, had been publicly advocated by Herbert Hoover in November, 1920, and

shortly after taking office as Secretary of Commerce

in March, 1921, he announced such cooperation as one

of the department’s policies. He recommended an

appropriation for the work, following the lines suggested by the Senate committee, and in the measures

then pending before the two Houses of the Congress.

This appropriation was granted in a bill passed in June, 1921. An advisory committee on building codes consisting

of nationally known architects and engineers was set up in the same month, and the division itself was

established on July 1, with the general aim of aiding

in the solution of such outstanding problems as stabilizing building activity, more satisfactory development of urban areas through zoning and city planning, eliminating wastes in building, and encouraginghome ownership.

Seasonal operation in the construction industries.

In cooperation with a committee of the President’s

Conference on Unemployment, the division in 1923

and 1924 made an extensive survey of seasonal operation in the construction industries. The committee

represented business and professional men. contractors, building material producers and dealers,

building-trades labor, real estate men, bankers,

engineers, and architects.

The study showed that construction usually reached

a peak in the summer months, from which it receded

as cold weather came on. As a consequence, workers

in leading building trades, such as carpenters and

bricklayers, were fully employed for only a few

months, beginning about June or July, while contractors and material dealers were forced to adjust

their business accordingly.

Winter construction economical.

It was shown that the building season could be

lengthened out into the spring and fall months, and,

further, that construction in winter was both feasible

and economical. Custom rather than, climate appeared to be the reason for prevailing conditions.

Subsequent studies by the division indicate that more and more construction is taking place in the

winter months, with consequently steadier employment for building-trades workers. Customs which

tend to throw the greater part of construction into

certain months, such as the existence of a fixed leasing

date, are being vigorously attacked in many cities. Municipal building and plumbing codes.

More than 850 local building and plumbing codes

prescribe the conditions under which approximately

three billion dollars’ worth of building construction

is carried out each year in the United States. These

regulations are designed to assure structural safety in buildings and to reduce hazards to life and property,

but they often require the use of excessive amounts

of material, or fail to assure safety. Rapid development in design, better knowledge of the properties of

materials as a result of research, and the development of new materials, or the adaptation of old materials to new uses, have made many existing provisions

obsolete. Individual cities are not equipped to do the extensive research necessary to put code requirements upon

a completely scientific basis. The advisory committee on building codes, appointed by the Secretary of

Commerce in 1921, and composed of engineers and
121

architects of national reputation, has completed six

reports dealing with small-dwelling construction,

plumbing, masonry walls, allowances for live loads in

design, working stresses for timber, steel, concrete, and

cast iron, and arrangement of building codes.

Bureau makes tests. In many cases tests were undertaken at the Bureau

of Standards to clear up doubtful points, and investigations of the actual performance of various materials

under different circumstances in actual construction

had to be made. A report on fire-resistive construction has recently been completed. Information relat- ing to the more than 850 local building codes has also

been compiled.

The general acceptance of the reports as authoritative is shown by the fact that more than 200 cities have reported the use of the recommendations pre- pared by the building code committee, and half the same number have reported use of the recommendations on plumbing prepared by the subcommittee on

plumbing. That further use will be found for them

is indicated by a recent survey in which] it was re- ported that 281 cities are engaged in revising their

building codes and 191 in revising their plumbing

codes.

Building practice and home builders’ problems.

More than 300 construction and equipment details

of small houses will be the basis of a report to be

published during the coming year by the division.

These have been obtained from a survey of representative small houses in 31 of the principal cities of the

United States. When the report based on this sur- vey is issued, there will be available accurate knowledge of the design, construction, layout, and equipment of small houses being erected in various sections

of the country. There will be information, for exaniple, on such items as the installation of improvements and conveniences, the location of garages and

porches, typical room sizes, ceiling heights, materials

used, and the amount of equipment usually furnished.

Such a report will serve as a basis for improving

standards of small-house construction, for effecting

economies, and for educating home buyers.

A new pamphlet. Care and Repair of the Home, is being prepared. This is designed as a practical manual for all householders. The national maintenance

and repair bill, amounting probably to several hundred million dollars a year, indicates the importance

of repairs, and the possibilities for savings amounting

to even a small proportion of this sum. A pamphlet

whose purpose is to aid families in solving the problems encountered in planning or choosing the plans

for a home is also being prepared.

City planning and zoning.

City planning and zoning have commanded a much

enlarged interest in recent years because of the greatly

augmented building program, the larger proportion

of apartment houses, and the growing problem of

street traffic congestion.

In 1921 zoning ordinances had been enacted in a few cities, regulating the height of buildings, the area

of the lot which they might cover and the use to which

they might be put. with varying regulations for different districts of the city. These had met the desire

of cities to preserve residential districts free from

wanton intrusion by large public garages of sporadic

stores and apartment houses, and to keep apartment

houses and business districts free from intrusion by

noisy industries.

A zoning primer prepared by committee.

The Advisory Committee on City Planning and

Zoning, appointed by Secretary Hoover to work with

the division of building and housing, accordingly set forth the possibilities of city zoning in popular style

in A Zoning Primer, which has been characterized as the most influential single publication in the field. There was at the time grave danger that so novel and

far-reaching a means of public control over private

property might develop along unsound lines; and the

committee drafted a standard State zoning enabling

act, which, when adopted by a State legislature, per- mits municipalities to enact zoning ordinances under

proper safeguards. The act has been followed in

legislation adopted in at least 35 States. In 1921 when the Advisory Committee on City

Planning and Zoning commenced its work, there were

about 60 zoned municipalities. At present there are more than 780 ranging in size from villages of a few

hundred inhabitants to Chicago and New York, and

comprising a total of more than 37,000,000 inhabitants,

or more than three-fifths the urban population of

the country, according to the 1920 census. Division makes surveys.

The division has made a number of careful surveys

of zoning progress and city planning activity in the

United States, and handles a large number of inquiries from civic bodies and municipal officials interested in these subjects. Recent publications include A

City Planning Primer and A Standard City PlanningEnabling Act which have served already as the basic

for city planning laws adopted in a number of States. Such acts permit municipalities to create city planning commissions, control the layout of new subdivisions, and prevent building in the bed of mapped

streets, and authorize the creation of regional planning commissions for cities, or groups of cities, and

the territory surrounding them.

Economies and statistics

Sustained and healthy construction activity is es- sential for stable employment, rising living standards,

and the general prosperity of the country. The American people have been spending from six to seven

billion dollars a year, or nearly one-twelfth of their

income, for construction during the past four or five years. It is fundamental that this construction be

carried out economically, and at a fairly even rate, not accentuating the ups and downs of general business

and employment, but, if possible, acting as a balance

wheel by speeding up when other business is slack. Construction materials, including lumber, cement,

steel, and many other vegetable and mineral products,

are produced in practically all sections of the country

and furnish about one-eighth of the total railway

freight carried. A decrease in building activity, therefore. is quickly and widely felt, while an insistent

overdemand at any one time may lead to an inflationary boom with inevitable reaction.

Studying public works.

In line with these problems, a study of public works

and the stabilization of employment is being carried
122

on at the present time. The purpose of this work is to determine to what extent, as a practical matter,

public works construction can be timed so as to take

up the slack in employment during periods of depression and contribute to general stability in business.

In further promoting stability, the division collects and makes available basic statistics relating to building activity and production, consumption, and stocks on hand of building materials, for the guidance of

business groups. It publishes periodic reviews of construction activity, collects, in conjunction with the

Census Bureau, retail prices of building materials as paid by contractors in about 50 cities each month, and

makes special reports from time to time.

The division also cooperates with the Survey of

Current Business in the Census Bureau, in presenting

monthly statistics relating to construction and building materials. It answers many inquiries from pri- vate companies interested in construction, cost ac- countants, and trade associations, and puts them in touch with the statistics from nongovernmental as well as governmental sources. Standard State mechanics’ lien act- It has been believed by many persons interested in the construction industries that considerable delay,

annoyance, and expense could be avoided if there were

greater uniformity in the mechanics’ lien laws of the

various States. At the request of a number of organizations of builders, material producers and dealers,

and real estate owners, the Secretary of Commerce

appointed a committee of representatives of these

groups and of subcontractors, building trades labor,

architects, engineers, and financing and surety groups.

They have undertaken to draft a mechanics’ lien act which can be used as a basis for uniform State legislation. The first tentative draft of an act was distributed

to qualified individuals and organizations for criti- cism and a second tentative draft, prepared in the

light of suggestions received, was circulated in like manner. Amendments to this latter draft are now

being considered! with a view to perfecting the act. Cooperation is maintained with a committee of the

National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform

State Laws, appointed to consider the same subject.

Home ownership.

One of the principal aims of tire division is to en- courage home ownership on a sound economic basis. In acquiring a home, a family usually learns habits of

saving for a definite end and develops more of a sense of civic responsibility. Home ownership also stimulates a continued demand for new dwellings and pro- motes interest in sound construction.

Residential building has amounted to more than 40

per cent of all construction in the United States during the past five years, and the division’s work on

building codes and city planning and zoning tends

to make a higher percentage of home ownership

feasible. Home-finaneing methods.

A booklet entitled “ How to Own Your Home,” pre- pared in the division, has had a sale of more than

350.000 copies and has been extensively quoted in the

press. The pamphlet, Present Home ' FinancingMethods, which is designed to aid home buyers and

which suggests improvements that may be made in

existing financing facilities, was recently issued to supplement it. Preliminary library and field work

has been done toward a more thorough field study

which will be required to get at the root of the homefinancing problem.

The division does not prepare house plans, but co- perates with the Architects’ Small House Service Bureau, an organization controlled by the American

Institute of Architects. The division has also given

substantial assistance to Better Homes in America,

an educational organization with headquarters in Washington, which aims, among other things, to make available to several thousand voluntary “better

homes ” committees throughout the country information from Government sources.

METHODS FOR STORAGE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC

AND X-RAY FILMS OUTLINED

Use of Noninflammable Substitute Advised Wherever

Practical As the result of a recent study of the hazards inci- dent to the storage of photographic films, the bureau

has issued certain recommendations on this subject.

The storage of nitrocellulose photographic, motion pic- ture and X-ray film presents special hazards to both

life and property. These films are very flammable

and can be decomposed and ignited at relatively low

temperatures. The gases given off are very poison- ous and also more or less explosive when mixed with

air. For this reason care should be taken in storage

which should be made in proper structures.

Nitrocellulose base for nitrate films.

Nitrocellulose forms the base for nitrate films. This material is similar to celluloid and, on heating

to temperatures somewhat above the boiling point of

water, decomposition will begin, which proceeds very

rapidly and develops heat, so that flaming often results. Large quantities of toxic gases are produced

which include oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. Due to the moderate temperature at which

decomposition can start, sources of heat, such as

electric-light bulbs, high-pressure steam pipes, and

glowing cigarettes, are capable of igniting the film. For safety storage, film in any quantity should be

kept either in cabinets or vaults. These should be fire resistive, protected by automatic sprinklers, and vented

to the outside air. Vaults should preferably be lo- cated on the roof or in a separate building. Special

requirements are to be met in lighting and heating.

Smoking and the carrying of open flames into the film

storage are to be prohibited. The handling of the

film should be done by trained personnel who understand the hazards involved.

The use of cellulose acetate or “ safety ” film is recommended as this film is no more hazardous, in

storage, than ordinary paper. The requirements for

storage of safety film, therefore, do not have to be

nearly as rigid as those for the more inflammable

nitrocellulose film.
123

RESEARCH FOR THE LEATHER INDUSTRY

Shortage of Leather in World War Led Bureau to Conduct Research for Substitute—Industry and Army

Cooperated—A Laboratory Research Regarding Acid in Leather Now in Progress

By Henry D. Hubbard, Assistant to the

The possibility of a shortage of leather during the

World War led to a study by the bureau of suitable

substitutes for leather. Standard methods were worked out for testing composition soles, as to thickness. density, tensile strength, elongation, and resist- ance to abrasion on the original soles. The soles were

then aged in an electric oven for 14 days and the

strength, elongation, and abrasion resistance again

determined. The abrasion tester was developed at the bureau.

The wear of composition soles differed but little, but their serviceability was reduced by the wear at

Director, National Bureau of Standards

Association of Tanners, the military authorities at Camp Meade (now known as Fort George G. Meade),

and the American Leather Research Laboratory

heartily cooperated in this successful research.

To decide whether added glucose and salts favorably affected the wearing quality of leather, four typical tannages were tested. The resulting leathers were placed on shoes worn by soldiers, and the wear

per day was measured. Each pair of shoes was soled

with the two types, one sole of filled and one of unfilled leather. Five hundred pairs of shoes were thus

subjected to actual wear with weekly inspection by

Typical failure of shoes, by cracking across ball of foot

the toes, pulling out of 'stitches, and cracking. Half

soles sewed or nailed to the shoes showed wear equal

to that of leather, but the tendency to work loose

again reduced their serviceability.

Leather in storage has slight deterioration.

It was found that ordinary storage of leather did

not materially affect its quality. Leather stored under

usual conditions of humidity, temperature, ventilation, and light deteriorated in tensile strength only

15 per cent after 10 years. Both extreme dampness

and sunlight should be avoided, but shoes, luggage,

and other leather products will, it is now known, give

very satisfactory service even if one to three years

elapse between factory production and purchase by

the consumer. Army cooperation given in tests. Complete data were gained on the relative water- proofness of the different tannages and the leather

from the different portions of the bend. The National

experts from the bureau. The results were given to the industry. Parallel with service tests, a special

machine was designed to give a mechanical duplicate

in the laboratory.

Materials for waterproofing shoes studied.

The characteristics of stuffing materials for water- proofing shoes were ascertained. They should not be

detrimental to the leather, should be free from such

harmful impurities as acid, should be chemically in- active and not easily decomposed, should remain in the leather, hence, should be nonvolatile, highly vis- cous. and not be easily emulsified.

The material should be insoluble in water, should

not stiffen the leather unduly, but preferably make

it more flexible, and finally, such materials should not dry out hard or separate into their constituents on

standing. Many materials were examined, a number

were approved, and several new materials were suggested for use.
124

Sulphite cellulose used as filler. In making wood pulp, waste water full of organic

material runs off from the pulp mills. A research

at the bureau disclosed that such waste material

(known as sulphite cellulose) may be used as a filler for leathers, producing a leather as durable as that

filled with more expensive chemicals.

The almost complete destruction of chestnut trees by the blight has cut off the chestnut -wood supply

eral specifications forbidding the use of sulphite cellu- lose extracts was eliminated.

The results will be to lower tanning costs, free the

tanning industry from dependence upon foreign materials, tend to offset the loss of domestic chestnutwood supply through blight by the utilization of a product now largely wasted, and finally to reduce

stream pollution and the loss in fish yield incident

thereto.

Pictures showing steps in manufacture of leather from raw product {cow) to finished product ( leather halting)

used in tanning, one of the greatest resources of

tannic acid. Now comes a cheap waste recommended

by the bureau to fill the gap with efficiency and econ- omy. Sulphite cellulose was shown to have positive

tanning properties. Actual tanning experiments

showed that sulphite cellulose may be blended with

the usual vegetable tanning materials. The resulting

leather compares favorably with that made with the

usual vegetable materials both chemically and physically.

Federal specifications clause eliminated.

The leather' containing sulphite cellulose was conclusively shown to be in no way impaired as to quality

and utility. As a result, the clause in certain FedMineral type and cod oil have same effect. One research showed the point at which the stuff- ing of russet harness leathers with oils and greases

affects most favorably the tensile strength of the

leather. Mineral-type oil has the same effect as cod

oil. and short-time tannage makes for greater tensile

strength, but longer-time tannage produces greater

resistance to shear when used with a buckle.

A laboratory research on the effect of acid in

leather is in progress. Standard leathers were filled with varying percentages of acid, and 672 specimens

so treated were tested for initial tensile strength and

stretch, then stored for aging for periods of 2, 4, 6. 9, and 12 months. The results are not yet available.
125

PARAMOUNT PICTURES RECLAIMS $6,000 WORTH OF SILVER A

MONTH FROM FILM DEVELOPER

Each Week’s Solution, Used in Developing Miles of Film, is “Mined” for Silver Left in It; 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 Feet of Film Pass Through Tanks Every Week; Valuable Silver Residue Was Formerly

Thrown Out

“ Six thousand dollars a month in salvage from material that had formerly gone to waste ! That’s the

remarkable record,” according to Frank H. Williams,

in the magazine Salvage, “now being made by the

photographic laboratory of Paramount Pictures in

Hollywood, Calif. Silver is one of the ingredients

used in the developing and printing of motion pictures. Such large quantities of motion pictures now

go through this particular laboratory that the silver

involved in the process amounts to this huge figure.”

Photographic film is surfaced with a solution of

silver. When this silver-coated stock passes through

a motion-picture camera, it is treated to a rapidly

varying and shifting flood of light rays. This light

“ cuts ” into the microscopically thin veneer of precious

metal on the film. Thus, rays from a white dress completely oxidize the sensitive emulsion on the film while

black leaves it entirely unaffected. All varying degrees of black and white have an effect upon the silver

in direct ratio to their light content value.

It is evident, then, that some of the silver on each

bit of film is untouched. Now when the film is developed the hyposulphate and other chemicals search

for the oxidized silver surfaces. Those places on the

him where the silver is “ burned ” are washed off and

the clear surface is left. This freed silver then re- mains in the solution used in developing the film or it may even settle at the bottom of the tank.

Each week the developer used in developing the firm

is “ mined ” for the silver it contains. This mining

consists in treating the developer with a chemical

which precipitates the silver. It is a very simple,

quite common chemical process. In this way the developer used in developing from

5.000.000 to 6,000,000 feet of film stock is “ mined ” each week at the Paramount laboratory, and as the

result enough silver is recovered to bring in a return

to the company of $6,000 every month.

At the present time Paramount is selling this silver

to the United States mint at San Francisco, where it brings a price of 0.7031 cent an ounce. Before adopting this policy some months ago, the silver was sold

to many different buyers. Many of the leading Los

Angeles silversmiths were among the purchasers, but

it was found easier and quicker and more satisfactory

all the way around to dispose of the metal to the

United States Government.

It is interesting to know that a few months ago a new janitor was employed at the Paramount laboratory. During the night when, for once, the laboratory

wasn't working, he was told to clean up. A part of

the cleaning up that he apportioned out for himself

consisted in dumping out large quantities of used developer which had been stored waiting to be “ mined.”

In this way several hundred dollars worth of silver

went splashing through the sewer lines to the sea. Paramount is the leading studio engaged in the

salvaging of silver in this way, as it has the largest

laboratory, and as it does the laboratory work for a considerable number of other Hollywood studios.

The present method of salvaging the silver has been

worked out by Frank Garbutt, who is in charge of the

Paramount laboratory.

In addition to salvaging silver from developer in

this way, Paramount also calls in old film from time to time, burns it in a crucible, and thus recovers silver

from it. The amount of silver salvaged in this way

may run from nothing to $1,000 in a month, depending upon how much old film is called in. For many years photographers have employed a somewhat similar method in salvaging silver from

photographic paper refuse. This waste is incinerated

and the ash treated with dilute nitric acicl. The

liquid is then filtered and the silver precipitated by

copper. The ash may also be digested with strong

hydrochloric acid free from nitric acid, and then the

washed and dried residue fused with its own weight

of soda and about ten-fifteenths per cent saltpeter.

The metal obtained is then dissolved in nitric acid,

when a residue containing gold may remain. This

residue is dissolved in aqua regia, the solution diluted

and precipitated by green vitriol; the gold obtained

is washed, dried, and melted with saltpeter and borax.

In the method just given, in which silver is separated by copper, it will be found that in some gold and

silver separating works the silver obtained in sul- phuric acid solution is separated by iron instead of

copper. The objection to this process is the loss through the evolution of hydrogen, the simultaneous

precipitation of copper, and the contamination of the

silver by phosphorus, silica, etc., from the iron. The

objections, however, are removed by allowing the

silver sulphate solution, with the addition of water,

to crystallize, and then reducing the crystals by scrap

iron. The crystals are stirred witli water and iron

gradually added so that every trace of silver is pre- cipitated while copper remains in the solution. The

impurities contained in the iron go into the slags produced when the silver is fused, so that the silver is obtained in a purer state than when copper is employed. The principal advantages of this method are said to be economy in acid, since the mother liquors

from the crystals again go into the dissolving vessel; avoidance of the purchase of copper, which is not well

utilized as blue vitriol; economy in steam, since the

solution becomes very hot spontaneously.
126

REMARKABLE MATERIALS USED IN RESEARCH AT THE BUREAU

OF STANDARDS

Columbium and Tantalum Are Rare Metals; Bees Make Peculiar Sugar; Bureau Makes Tests on Radium

for Radioactivity Straight; Radium Valued at $32,000,000 a pound

By Henry D. Hubbard, Assistant to the Director, National Bureau of Standards

Among the rare metals of great current interest to come under investigation at the bureau in connection

with the bureau research to produce new materials or add new utilities to old materials are columbium and

tantalum (atoms Nos. 41 and 73), metals which are

related. These have been known for some time but

only recently have been prepared in isolated pure

form as metals and specimens furnished the bureau

for spectroscopic study.

This made possible the study of the unknown wave

lengths of the characteristic radiations of these two

elements—a work which is now in progress. The work

is complicated by unusual difficulties and includes the

measurement of thousands of wave lengths.

To retard the flow of heat through a wall or other

separator is most important in scientific work. For

this purpose, “ siolcel ” (the pure silica remains of

ancient microscopic life forms, diatoms) is most useful. When the bureau cast from a single melt the

large optical glass disk 70 inches in diameter, it was

promptly enveloped in a thick layer of silocel within

which it was allowed to cool for eight and one-half

months at a predetermined rate, so that the disk might

form without internal strain.

In the same class of materials for retaining heat or keeping it out where it is not wanted, the industries are developing light materials with fine air spaces by

special treatment of such materials as rubber, cement,

gypsum, and the like, the lightness of which may be

controlled by the technique of manufacture. In

response to numerous requests the efficiency of these

in retarding the flow of heat has been measured in

the heat laboratories.

Paper laboratory makes many tests In the bureau’s paper laboratory experiments have

been made on a great variety of fibers in quest of

suitable paper-making materials—banana fiber, cornstalks, cotton linters, and many others. In one re- search a small specimen of paper was made experimentally of human muscle fiber for surgical use as

a possible material in operation. Paper is a felted

mat of fibers, and paper makers can make paper of

practically any material of a fibrous nature. Bees make sugar.

Among the many rare sugars made up and studied

is a peculiar sugar made by bees. In time of drought

when bees feed on the gum of trees there is formed

" melezitose,” a quickly crystallizing sugar which has

been separated in the sugar laboratory. Many rare sugars have been produced here, some of them for

the first time anywhere—sugars predicted by theory

and sought and found in experimental research.

These have been studied as to their optical properties.

Some of these rare sugars are xylose from sawdust, mannose from manna, fucose from seaweed, mycose

from fungi, arabinose from gum arabic. Some of

these have sold as high as at the rate of $200 a pound.

The bureau tests radium for radioactivity straight or radium content equivalent. Radioactive materials

are of extraordinary interest. It is valued at $32,-

000,000 a pound.

Radium atom life is 2,440 years.

Radium is the machine-gun element, exploding uncontrollably. Its projectiles are electrons flying with

almost the speed of light, and helium atoms moving

thousands of miles a second. It emits gamma rays

1.000.

000 times the frequency (waves per second) of

ordinary light waves. One gram of radium ejects

34.000.

000.000 helium atoms a second. At this rate the average lifetime of radium atoms is 2,440 years,

in which time half of it would be converted into

another element—radon.

Radium is of great importance in atomic research.

An improved form of device has been devised at the

bureau for counting the individual atoms ejected in

radioactive explosions. The certification of radium

for its radioactive equivalent is important in order

that dosage may be more accurately controlled and

I

also as a basis for the purchase and sale of radium

everywhere.

REVISED FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Seventeen Revised Specifications Promulgated; Several Others

Proposed

The Federal Specifications Board has announced

the promulgation of the following revised Federal

specifications: Oatmeal and rolled oats; barley, pearl:

biscuit: corn meal (white or yellow); cornstarch;

crackers, soda ; flour, wheat ; flour, buckwheat ; flour,

graham (whole-wheat meal); tapioca; hominy grits

and hominy grits, coarse ; hominy, lye, canned ; rice

spaghetti, macaroni, and vermicelli; tea; cocoa, and

chocolate. Copies of these specifications may be obtained upon request, by addressing the Federal Specifications Board, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. The board also announced that several specifications are now being circulated for comment. These

proposed specifications cover such items as couplings,,

garden hose, water hose, and wash-deck hose; couplings, water suction hose: basic carbonate white lead

(dry, paste in oil, and semipaste in oil) ; green paint,

semipaste and ready-mixed; planes; solvent, dry

cleaning; couplings, pneumatic hose and spray hose;

couplings, steam hose; chickens, dressed, broilers,,

fryers, and roasters ; fowl fricassee, dressed.
127

RECORD AND PRINTING PAPERS

Conference Held at Bureau as First Step; Industry Considering Establishing Commercial Standard

A most important step toward the adoption of

standards for producer, consumer, and distributor

requirements for record and printing papers was

taken on October 2, at the bureau. In a preliminary

national conference arranged by the bureau, upon the

suggestion of the National Association of Purchasing

Agents and the American Pulp and Paper Association, the requirements of distributors and users of

fine papers were thoroughly discussed, and arrangements made for the appointment of a committee to prepare a preliminary draft of specifications for such

papers.

Upon the subsequent consideration and approval

of these specifications at a later meeting, it is planned

to establish the requirements as a commercial standard

for record and printing papers which will be published by the bureau.

The conference may be said to have been an out- growth of the bureau’s work on the simplification of

paper sizes, which originated through the appointment of a committee by the Secretary of Commerce in

August, 1921, to investigate the number of sheet sizes of paper with a view to possible reduction. As a re- sult Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 22,

Paper, was issued in 1924, and became effective on July 1, of that year. Proposed standards to cover 13 kinds of paper.

The present conference confined itself to a consideration of requirements in terms of service and

utility without reference to production processes or

fiber content. The standards are to cover 13 different

kinds of paper, including blotter, bond, book, bristols,

coated board, cover paper, envelopes, ledgers, manifold, mimeograph, offset, post-card stock, and safetybody stock. The distributor and user requirements were set forth by representatives of bankers, public utilities,

insurance companies, investment houses, industrial

groups, printers, paper dealers, the Educational

Buyers’ Association, and the National Association of

Purchasing Agents.

The assistance which the Department of Commerce

is prepared to render was briefly touched upon by the

Director of the Bureau, Dr. George K. Burgess, in

his opening remarks, while the Assistant Director for

Commercial Standards, Ray M. Hudson, described

briefly the steps which led to the adoption of the

simplified practice recommendation covering paper

sizes, and explained what could be done to increase

still further the value of the bureau’s work in the

manufacture, distribution, and sale of paper. I. J. Fairchild, chief, division of trade standards, presided

over the conference.

Tentative date for general conference is April 8, 1930.

The conference set Tuesday, April 8, 1930, as the

tentative date for the general conference, at which

time the proposed standards of the committee will be

considered by all interests for adoption as a commercial standard for every-day trade in the industry.

SPECIFICATION FOR TAPERED SHAFT ENDS

AND HUBS FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINES

S. A. E. Specification Provides Series of Splined Shafts and

Two Sizes of Tapered Type; May Add Additional Shaft to Be Known as S. A. E. No. 50 The present S. A. E. specification on shaft ends and

hubs for aircraft engines provides a series of splined

shafts and two sizes of the tapered type, reports the

S. A. E. Journal, official publication of the Society of

Automotive Engineers. At the standards session of

the aeronautic meeting recently held in Cleveland,

Ohio, F. W. Caldwell, of the Standard Steel Propeller

Co., called attention to the fact that there are now in

existence approximately 30 different tapered shaft

ends smaller than the S. A. E. No. 1. “ These shaft ends are substantially the same except

for the slight variations in the taper and the size of

the shaft, and it was suggested at this meeting that

the aircraft engine division of the standards committee give consideration to the adoption of a standard tapered shaft end, to be known as S. A. E. No. 0, to remedy this situation. It was also stated at this

meeting that the present S. A. E. No. 1 was not identical with the shaft used on the OX-5 engine. As the

understanding at the time of the adoption of this

shaft end was, that they were identical, this matter is

also being investigated by the division,'’ reports the

S. A. E. Journal.

The series of splined shaft ends most probably will

be augmented by the addition of a shaft, to be known

as S. A. E. No. 50, similar in size to that now in use on the Hornet geared engines, as it was brought out in

the meeting that a definite need exists for shaft ends

of this largef size. WAREHOUSING OF BOLTS AND NUTS

Excessive Variety of Bolts and Nuts Make Warehousing a

Difficult Problem

Because of the multiplicity of sizes and types which

must be carried in stock, the warehousing of bolts

and nuts is one of the most difficult problems for

the manufacturer of these products, according to a recent article in the Iron Age. At the Lebanon, Pa.,

plant of the Bethlehem Steel Co., for example, about

12,000 tons of these products and 3,000 different items

are nearly always carried in stock. These bolts and nuts are stored in bins of varying

sizes, some holding as much as 80,000 pounds each.

Kegs of bolts and nuts are packed through openings

in the bottoms of these bins. Skilled workers as- semble as many as 1,100 kegs a day, based on standard

size No. 12!/2 keg, which means the handling of more

than 15,000 pieces a day.

7897A -29 3
128

ADVOCATES STANDARDIZATION OF SMALL-DIMENSION WOOD

STOCK

Lack of Supply of Stock Has Heretofore Handicapped Program Committee Issues Pamphlet on Subject

Without exception, standardization has proved it- self to be practical in all industries to which it has

been applied. The lumber industry was among the

first to recognize the advantages of standardizing the

sizes and grades of its products and has benefited as the result of its decision to fall in line with other progressive industries. It is difficult to understand, says

the National Committee on Wood Utilization, the reason for an almost complete lack of standardization of small-dimension stock. The production of small-dimension stock, that is, hardwood or softwood, cut to size at or near the source

of supply and 100 per cent usable to those industries

Standardized, American small dimension stocTc in shed, of French

agricultural implement factory

which fabricate and assemble wood products, is one of

the most recent developments in the lumber industry.

Small-dimension stock is also called dimension, smalldimension, ready-cut stock, and fabricated stock. Committee compiles report.

The principal difficulty attendant upon the popularizing of the use of small-dimension stock has been

that a satisfactory supply of it has not heretofore

been available. With a view to encouraging the es- tablishment of reliable sources of supply of this material, and of promulgating information as to the most

authentic practices employed in the industry, the National Committee on Wood Utilization, of the Department of Commerce, has compiled a report, SmallDimension Stock, Its Seasoning, Handling, and

Manufacture. This report will be soon be available

in printed form.

Investigations of the committee show that smalldimension stock has been found especially convenient

and effective for use in a number of wood-using in- dustries. The automobile and truck body, furniture

and chair manufacturers, and wood-turning plants

are at present the largest consumers of small-dimension stock. Large quantities of this material are used,

however, in the manufacture of such products as agricultural implements, battery boxes, caskets and

coffins, electrical machinery and apparatus, laundry

appliances, musical instruments, railway cars, sporting goods and toys, window and map rollers, and

many other such articles. Need for standardization found.

One of the principal facts developed by the committee is a need for the standardization of sizes and

grades of small-dimension stock. The entire quantity

of stock manufactured under recognized grading rules

at the present time is very small compared with the

total dimension production. Probably 95 to 98 per

cent of small-dimension stock is cut and graded under

order specifications rather than under generally ac- cepted grading rules. Increased production of dimension stock manufactured under accepted grading rules or specifications established by each branch of the in- dustry, including automotive, furniture, wood-turning,

and similar branches, is an apparent need.

As the situation now stands, it is impractical for

manufacturers of small dimensions to cut for stock

unless they know that this material will be purchased

by reliable consumers. With the establishment of

standard sizes and grades the manufacturer would be

assured of a market for such material, and could

utilize odd sizes of lumber, left from cutting larger

orders, for the manufacture of standard chair legs,

stretchers, or other forms of small-dimension stock,

whether he had specific orders for them or not, since

as standard material they would always be salable. Under these conditions a producer could utilize larger

percentages of stock than the man who cuts for a limited number of orders. Furthermore, with standardization a fact, the producer can safely manufacture

during the slack months and thus eliminate the over- head and carrying charges which accumulate during

periods of production activity.

At present consumer must order weeks in advance.

Under present conditions the consumer of smalldimension stock must place his order several weeks in

advance of expected delivery. If sizes and grades were standard, a large percentage of all orders could

be taken from stock, thus insuring the consumer prompt service. Finally, small-dimension standardization would eliminate the necessity for keeping

orders separate, would economize mill space, and

would simplify the taking of inventories.

Although the standardization of sizes and grades

of small-dimension stock has not become an accomplished fact, a foundation for standardization has

been laid. The United States Forests Products Laboratory has investigated the hardwood consuming

field and has issued a report entitled, “ Sizes and

Quantities of Rough Cuttings Required by Hardwood

Consuming Industries.” This report contains in-
129

formation as to the sizes most used in nine important

consuming industries; and the National Hardwood

Lumber Association has adopted rules regulatingsizes and grades for furniture stock and turning

squares. Even though these accomplishments are only an

initial step in the standardization program, they form

a basis on which to build for standardization in all branches of the dimension-consuming field, so that

at some not far distant time we may hope to arrive

at a condition of complete standardization of readycut stock with benefits resulting both to the consumer and producer.

It is because the National Committee on Wood

Utilization realizes the importance of the standardization of sizes and grades of small dimension, that it has devoted a chapter of its report on small dimension

to this subject.

BRITISH, CANADIAN, AND AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL STANDARDS

ASSOCIATIONS

British Association Is the Oldest of Bodies; Canadian Body Formed in 1919; Australian Association in

1922; Duties and Accomplishments of Each Discussed in Article

The British Engineering Standards Association is the oldest of the standarizing bodies which are functioning now in 20 countries. It was organized in 1901

by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of

Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Naval Architects, Iron and Steel Institute, and Institution of

Electrical Engineers. It is now incorporated under

English law.

A main committee has executive authority and controls administration. The expenses are paid largely

from contributions made by industries, although the

British and Dominion Governments provide some

funds. Sectional committees are formed to prepare

standards.

The association itself does not initiate standards

projects. When a proposal for standardization in a

certain field or the need for a standard specification

for a commodity is presented to the body b}^ technical or trade organizations, a representative meeting is called to consider the proposal. If the meeting approves proceeding with the project, a sectional committee is organized. The B. E. S. A. reserves the

power to appoint the chairmen only of all sectional

committees.

Has promulgated between 300 and 400 standards.

Since its organization, the B. E. S. A. has promulgated between 300 and 400 standards and standard

specifications. These fall within the scope of 11 major

sections; that is, aircraft, automobile, chemical engineering, civil engineering, colliery requisites, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, petroleum products,

ships material and fittings, and transport.

Some of these standards have been withdrawn and

a number have been revised or amended. A few se- lected specifications have been translated into foreign

languages and published in Spanish, French, Italian,

and Poi'tuguese editions.

Canadian Engineering Standards Association.

The Canadian Engineering Standards Association was formed in 1919 under the auspices of the Dominion Government. Like the B. E. S. A., it has a main or executive committee which directs its activities. At first, funds for the expenses of the organization were appropriated by the Dominion Government; but the budget is now provided by industries

and the National Research Council of Canada.

Sectional committees are formed to prepare standards. These sectional committees have power to appoint advisory technical committees. The main committee and the sectional committees cooperate and

consult with the British Engineering Standards Association. This is found to be mutually advantageous

and avoids duplication of effort. Because of different

conditions or methods of manufacture, some specifications developed by the Canadian body, vary from

those for a like commodity promulgated by the British

organization.

The Canadian standards, which have been promulgated or are being developed, fall within the scope

of seven major divisions, namely, civil engineering

and construction, mechanical work, electrical work,

automotive work (including aircraft), railway work,

ferrous metals, and mining machinery.

Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards

Association.

The Australian Commonwealth body was organized

in 1922 under the auspices of the Commonwealth Government by the Commonwealth Institute of Science

and Industry, Institution of Engineers, Australasian

Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and the Australian Chemical Institute.

The executive and administrative powers are placed

with a main committee and a number of standing

committees. While the headquarters are at Sydney,

there are branch offices in five other centers. Association receives proposals for standardization.

The association receives proposals for standardization projects, and, if investigation justifies the action,

forms a section committee to prepare the standard.

The body appoints only the chairman. Members of

the committee are selected by the interested groups

and the association endeavors to see that all interests are taking part in the work.

The specifications, which have been promulgated

or are in course of preparation, are within the scope

of the following six divisions: Civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mining,

transportation, and the chemical industries.
130

IMPORTANCE OF SCREW-THREAD STANDARDIZATION

More Than 50,000,000 Bolts, Nuts, and Screws Made Daily; Safety of Life Depends Upon Proper Fittings;

Commission Has Fullest Cooperation

“An idea of the magnitude of the screw-thread

manufacturing industry and of the importance of

threaded products in our everyday lives can be gained

from consideration of the fact that more than

50,000,000 bolts, nuts, and screws are manufactured in

the United States every working day,” reports W. H.

Bearce, secretary of the National Screw-Thread Commission, and “ that practically everything of a mechanical nature is held together by iDolts and screws.

“ In view of the wide use of screw threads in engineering, industry, and everyday life it is apparent

that not only the effectiveness and dependability of

many manufactured products, and also the safety of

human life, is dependent upon the proper fitting and

functioning of such threaded products. For example,

the failure of a single connecting-rod bolt in an auto- mobile or airplane engine may mean disaster, property

damage, and loss of life. Such failures have in the

past been all too frequent and they can be averted

only by the setting up and putting in practice of

proper screw-thread standards. It was for this purpose that the National Screw-Thread Commission was

established. “ In the development of screw-thread standards the

commission has had the fullest cooperation of engineering societies, standardizing committees, manufacturers and users of screw thread, threading tools and

gages, and the standards adopted by the commission

have been accepted by industry to such an extent

that they are, in fact, as well as in name, American

National Screw-Thread Standards.”

Attention given to establishment of thread series. “ The commission has given its attention primarily

to the establishment of thread series, dimensions and

tolerances, and a classification of screw-thread fits

suitable for all ordinary fastening purposes. The

classification of fits is on the basis of a uniform

minimum hole for all fits, with unilateral tolerances on each threaded member ; that is, all variation in the

tapped hole or not is from a minimum or basic size to above that size, and all variation in the bolt or screw

is from a maximum size to below that size. The tol- erance, or amount of variation permitted in the size of each member, is dependent upon the class of fit specified.

“ Tables contained in the commission’s report give

the limiting dimensions for each size of bolt and nut,

and for all classes of fit. The report also contains

detailed .specifications for small-hose threads, fire-hose

threads, pipe threads, threads for electrical fixtures

and fittings, threads for electric lamp bases and

socket, threads of special diameters, pitches and

lengths of engagement, Acme threads, threads for

cutting and welding torches, wood screws, dimensions of boltheads, nuts, and wrench openings, and

much material on threading tools, gages, and methods

of gaging.”

Many problems remain to be solved.

“ While most of the work originally contemplated

by the commission has now been completed, there are

still many special problems in screw-thread standardization that may well engage the attention of the

commission to the end that progress in standardization may keep pace with progress in industry.

“ The commission has published three reports, the

latest being the 1928 revision (Miscellaneous Publication, Bureau of Standards No. 89). This report may

be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents,

Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., at 50 cents a copy.”

COOPERATION WITH ROAD BUILDERS AND

HIGHWAY OFFICIALS

Activities of State Highway Departments Included in 1930 Standards Yearbook; Analysis of Information Being Made

by American Road Builders’ Association and Bureau

Information concerning the purchasing and standardizing agencies of the State governments has been

given in the several issues of the Standards Yearbook,

with special regard to the specification making and

using activities of these agencies, according to the

division of specifications of the bureau.

In presenting the information in up-to-date form

In the 1930 Standards Yearbook, now being prepared

for the press, special attention is being paid to the

activities of the State highway departments, which

are spending not only the State funds, but also much

money contributed by the United States Government

in accordance with the Federal-aid road construction

plan.

Questionnaires for obtaining the needed data were

prepared by the equipment standardization committee of the American Road Builders’ Association and

a cooperating committee of the American Association

of State Highway Officials, and submitted to the

road officials in the 48 States. An analysis of the

information received is being made jointly by the

American Road Builders’ Association and the National Bureau of Standards.

STAPLE PORCELAIN (ALL-CLAY) PLUMBING

FIXTURES

Commercial Standard Printed Booklet Sales Is 8,000

The manufacturers of porcelain plumbing fixtures

have purchased 8,000 copies of the pamphlet entitled, “ Staple Porcelain (All-Clay) Plumbing Fixtures,

Commercial Standard, CST-29,” of which 5,600 copies

have been distributed gratis to 4,500 architects and

1,100 distributors of plumbing fixtures. The remaining copies have been divided among the producers

who will furnish them to salesmen and to customers

from time to time as occasion may require.
131

NEW MARINE STANDARDS SUMMARIZED

Executive Board Meeting to Be Held This Month; Marine Standards for Wire Ropes; Uniform Outfits for

Merchant-Marine Officers; Reinforced Concrete Piles; and Platform Sling Reviewed

The American Marine Standards Committee has an- nounced that the last meeting of the present executive

hoard will take place this month in New York. The

executive board for the year 1930 will be elected during December and will meet in January. At the meeting this month the results of the membership ballots

will be reported on the following subjects: Wire ropes

for marine uses; sleeve couplings for propeller shafting; mooring pipes; tubular metal berths for ships;

standard practice for hull construction.

The American Marine Standards Committee is of

national scope, according to its secretary who has

offices in Room 713, Department of Commerce Building. It is self-governed through an executive board

elected annually by the member interests. Its purpose is to unify practice and eliminate waste in construction and operation of ships and port facilities. The Government is prominently identified with it through members representing the Navy and War

Departments, Coast Guard, and bureaus concerned

with shipping and shipbuilding. The committee’s

work is aided by facilities and services furnished by

the Department of Commerce through the National

Bui-eau of Standards and by the United States

Shipping Board.

Projects reviewed.

Numerous constructive suggestions, according to the

secretary, have been made regarding the proposed

specifications for wire ropes, which, considered col- lectively, have indicated advisability of revision in

order to make the specifications practical and useful

in the purchase of wire ropes for ships. It is ex- pected to submit a proposed final draft to the board

at the meeting this month.

MANY ECONOMIES TO INDUSTRY EFFECTED

BY ADOPTION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE

Bureau Finds 10 put of 105 Recommendations Bring Savings

of $300,000,000 Annually

Industry’s evaluation of some of the results obtained

by adherence to simplified practice shows that 10 out

of 105 active simplified practice recommendations are producing for all interests an annual saving of $300,-

000,000 declared Edwin W. Ely, chief, division of

simplified practice, in an address made last month

before the manufacturers’ section of the American

Gas Association in Atlantic City.

Each of the remaining 95 programs in the list is making its annual contribution to reducing the Nation’s waste cost, according to the records of the division, which show the details of those results and benefits as expressed by manufacturers, distributors, and

users of the respective commodity. The experience

acquired by the division has verified the conviction

that one of the outstanding causes of waste in industry

lies in too great a variety of commodities produced

for stock.

A preliminary draft of proposed standard specifications for uniform outfits for merchant marine officers has been approved by the special subject committee,

and is now before the technical committee on “ Ship

Operation Details ” for ballot vote. This covers style

and material of uniforms and insignia for license,

staff, and petty officers. A proposed standard specification for reinforced

concrete piles, with structural details of piles from 40

to 60 feet long has been submitted to the technical

committee on “Port Facilities” for consideration.

The suggestion has been made that a type of platform sling be standardized in the interest of waste

elimination in handling ship cargoes packed in cases. It is pointed out that much damage to shipments re- sults from the use of ordinary rope, chain, or net

slings, which is not all preventable by strong and ex- pensive boxing and that such damage would be largely

avoided even with ordinax-y boxing if platforixx slings were used. It is estimated that the possible savings

in damages and cost of packing would amount to a

lai’ge sum annually. It is contemplated to place the

subject on the program of work for the technical committee on “Port Facilities.”

Publications available.

Printed publications containing promulgated marine standards are available to prospective users in

the mai'ine industry, according to the secretai’y, as well as to institutions teaching naval architectui'e

aixd marine engineering. A list of the publications

may be obtained from the secx-etary. Additional

copies of the publications can be purchased at nominal

prices froixi the Superintendent of Documents, Govvernment Printing Office, Washington, D. C.

Present-day competition tempts manufacturers to produce excessive variety in the hope of attracting

customers, aixd that some competition makes prompt

imitations by competitors inevitable, thus creating a constantly increasing burden which must be borne in

part by industry.

Although the ultimate consumer is often able and

willing to confine his requirements to these items

which fill the major portion of his normal demand, he

must assume a share of the burden of added cost fox- varying chax'ges, obsolescence, additional storage re- quirements, interest charges, etc., all of which are caused by slowness of stock turnover resulting froixx excessive variety of commonplace articles. Simplified practice is a method of reducing waste

by eliminating unnecessax-y variety in industrial

products. Varieties of vitrified paving brick have

been reduced from 66 to 5; nxetal lath, from 125 to 24; files and rasps 1,351 to 475; hotel chinaware from

700 to 160; cut tacks and small cut nails from 421 to 181; bed blankets from 78 to 12; milk bottles from 49

to 4; steel lockers from 65 to 17; paint and varnish

bruslxes from 480 to 138; composition books from 86

to 41, with corresponding reductions in the variety of

lxxaxxy other articles.
RESULTS AND BENEFITS OP SIMPLIFYING THE CLASSIFICATION

OF IRON AND STEEL SCRAP

Scrap Formerly Sold Without Uniform Specifications; Such Practice Conducive to Unnecessary Confusion;

Simplification Program Has Proven Successful

By H. P. Dalzell, Division of Simplified Practice

In the past, iron and steel scrap was disposed of

under various specifications which were drawn up to meet the convenience of individual interests with scrap

to sell. This custom compelled the dealer to use a number of groupings and gradings according to the

classification under which the scrap was sold to him.

It is obvious that such an arrangement must have

caused unnecessary confusion with attendant misunderstanding and loss. Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 58, “ Classification of Iron and Steel Scrap,” divides all the commoner kinds of iron and steel scrap into 75 groups

and specifies the general requirement for each class. Moreover, it provides a contract form for the pur- chase of scrap. The history of this recommendation

shows with what care ancl deliberation it was developed by the industry

as a measure to correct the

above - described uneco- nomic conditions.

In 1923, the National

Association of Purchasing Agents undertook to gather all available data

with a view to drawing up

a uniform scrap classifica- tion. This information was obtained, by the association’s iron and steel committee, from the or- ganization preparing the

various grades of scrap, the brokers and dealers handling it, and from the

various consumers. From the results of this survey,

(lie committee prepared a set of specifications cover- ing iron and steel scrap for use by blast furnaces,

basic open-hearth furnaces, acid open-hearth furnaces,

electric furnaces, foundries, Bessemer converters, etc. Specifications discussed in 1923.

These specifications for classes of scrap were dis- cussed at a preliminary conference held at the Bureau

of Standards in Washington, November 9, 1923, and

tentative specifications were adopted by the National

Association of Purchasing Agents for a period of one

year. After that period had elapsed, a second conference, held at the Bureau of Standards on January

12, 1925, changed the specifications and adopted them

in the revised form for a second trial period of one

year. After each of these conferences, the tentative

and revised specifications were published in various

trade journals. During this 3-year period of formation and revision, interested parties sent in suggestions and criticisms based on their observations as to the practical application of the specifications. All

suggestions for revision were discussed at the yearly

meetings, and slight changes were made in the light

of these suggestions so as to arrive at a classification

that would truly meet the normal need of the

industry.

Standard contract form developed.

There was also drawn up a standard contract form

for the purchase of scrap. The National Association

of Purchasing Agents requested the Department of

Commerce to assist in securing the attendance of all interests at a general conference to consider the adoption of these specifications in a final form.

It was the opinion of those members of the scrap

industry who attended the general conference that,

since producers, dealers, consumers, and Government

agencies had collaborated in the formulation of the

recommended classification, it represented the mature

opinion of experts and

should satisfy all usual

requirements, if periodically revised to meet

changing conditions. It was recognized that there

are special requirements

and conditions which can

not be covered by a standard specification. Nevertheless, it is believed that

such an instrument af- fords a basis for mutual

understanding and that

this in itself should prove

of distinct value to the

industry. The sense of the meeting was that the

cumulative benefits of these specifications will become

increasingly evident as they are more widely used.

Program effective in 1926.

The proposed specifications were discussed in detail

by the general conference, and some minor changes

made. They were then adopted to go into effect July

1, 1926, for a period of one year, at the end of which

time a revision conference was to discuss and, if it were found desirable, modify the classifications. The

contract form for purchase of scrap was adopted at the same time. It was then decided that such suggestions and criticisms as the industry wished to make should be submitted to the committee on iron

and steel of the National Association of Purchasing

Agents.

The standing committee held its first annual re- vision meeting in Chicago on January 18, 1927, in

joint session with the representatives of the American

Railway Association and the Waste Material Dealers

Association.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to reconcile certain differences existing between the published

specifications as shown in the original recommendaThis is the seventh article, of a series that

have appeared in the Commercial Standards

Monthly, on the results and benefits that have

resulted from the simplification of files and

rasps, woven-wire fencing, asbestos millboard,

steel barrels and drums, carbon brushes and

brush shunts, and loaded shells. Copies of any of these summaries can be

had in mimeographed form from the division of simplified practice, National Bureau of

Standards.
133

tion and those under consideration as a result of the

activity of a committee of the American Railway

Association.

The joint deliberations were directed toward determining (a) what specifications in the simplified practice recommendation met with the approval of the

American Railway Association, (6) those specifications which could be changed in wording so as to meet with the approval of the American Railway

Association, and ( c

)

those specifications which did

not apply and could not be worded so as to meet with

the approval of the American Railway Association.

Two days were consumed by the committees in dis- cussing suggested changes and revisions, and technical

details of the use and disposition of iron and steel scrap. A unanimity of opinion was secured on a majority of the items considered. It was necessary

that the American Railway Association’s committee

submit its recommendations to the general convention of the American Railway Association, held in

Chicago during the week of May 23, 1927. for final approval.

Railroads offer indorsement.

The joint recommendations of the two committees,

to revise and coordinate railroad scrap specifications

with the standard classifications adopted under the

procedure carried on by the division of simplified

practice, of the Department of Commerce, were approved by the American Railway Association at its annual convention through its division of purchases

and stores. The result of the meeting practically insured uniformity as to scrap classification, since the specifications have the approval of scrap dealers, steel makers,

and the committee of the National Association of Purchasing Agents representing the simplified practice

recommendation on the classification of iron and steel scrap. No change was made in the contract form for the

purchase of scrap. Membership of standing committees.

January 1, 1928, was selected as the date on which

the standard classification would become effective,

subject to annual revision by a similar joint meeting. The personnel of the present standing committee, of which A. J. Copeland, of the Industrial Brown

hoist Co., Bay City, Mich., is national chairman, is as follows

:

Pacific coast region.—C. C. Mueller, of A. M. Castle

& Co., 32 West Connecticut Street, Seattle, Wash,

(chairman) ; H. W. Christensen, of the Llewellyn

Iron Works, Los Angeles, Calif.; «T. S. Gabriel, of the

Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Salt Lake

City, Utah; R. H. Petillon, of the Western Pipe &

Steel Co., San Francisco, Calif.

Southern region.—C. T. Doerr, of the Alabama

Power Co., Birmingham, Ala. (chairman) ; and E. B.

Corbett, of the Harrisburg Pipe & Pipe Bending Co.,

Houston, Tex.

North Central region.—Walter Wenzel, of the Vilter Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis. ; L. E. Jones,

of the Heywood Wakefield Co., Chicago, 111. ; E. H.

Cordes, of the Stacey Manufacturing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio ; H. C. Wickline, of the Union Steel Casting Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.; C. J. Black, of the Indiana

Limestone Co., Bedford, Inch ; and J. W. Hargate, of

the Granite City Steel Works, St. Louis, Mo.

Eastern region.—B. C. Sawyer, of the Bethlehem

Fabricators (Inc.), Bethlehem, Pa. (chairman); F. M. Roos, of the Consolidated Car Heating Co., Albany, N. Y. ; A. P. Hickcox, of the Scovill Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Conn. ; M. G. L. Harris, of

the Standard Gas Equipment Corporation, Jersey

City, N. J. Canadian region.—T. G. Elliott, of the BabcockWilcox & Goldie McCullough. Galt, Ontario, Canada

;

J. R, Hoyle, of the Canadian Vickers (Ltd.), Montreal,

Canada ; and W. Iv. McGuffie, of the General Steel

Wares (Ltd), Toronto, Canada.

The results of these conferences were the adoption

of a single set of specifications for iron and steel scrap

and a contract form, for the purpose of scrap to take

the place of the many then in use in the trade. This was expected to secure a more uniform practice within

the industry and a more equable basis of negotiation.

These benefits would extend to the buyer and the seller with the lessened necessity for

sorting, and rejecting.

expense in grading,

Excerpts from acceptors’ replies.

After the recommendation had been in effect for more than one year, the division of simplified practice

circularized the acceptors of this recommendation, re- questing their opinion as to the value of this recom- mendation in actual practice. Replies received from

this circularization show clearly that dividends are being paid on the time and effort invested by those

who developed this program.

“ We have been able to place orders over the phone

for low phosphorous steel scrap by giving the number

of your classification, and with very few exceptions,

the scrap received was the same scrap that we had in

mind when we made the purchase,” the purchasing

agent of a company producing steel castings wrote.

“ We were obliged, up until the time that we accepted

your recommendation, to make special trips to inspect

the scrap before we placed an order.”

“As a result of using your classification of iron

and steel scrap, we have in the past three years been

able to effect a very substantial saving in purchases

of material for our gray iron foundry,” the purchasing

agent of a machinery manufacturer said. “Aside

from the actual saving in money, we have been able to avoid misunderstandings with dealers by having a

clear understanding as to the materials which they were to furnish.”

“ Under the simplified classification of iron and steel scrap accepted by us,” the secretary of a foundry and

machine works informed the division, “we have

eliminated grounds for controversy to a large extent,

and expedited adjustment in those cases where the

material did not meet specifications. It undoubtedly

made it easier to purchase the grade and quality of

scrap needed with the added protection and assurance

of the least possible chance of misunderstanding between buyer and seller.” “ We are using the classification of iron and steel scrap regularly with considerable saving,” another

industrial machinery company wrote, “ we know, be- cause of the proper segregating of various materials.”

The director of purchases of a middle western steel corporation wrote that his company is strongly in
134

favor of simplified practices, but could give no specific

instance of dollars-and-cents savings. “ However,” he

continued, “ we are thoroughly convinced that the

scrap business is a more businesslike basis to-day than

ever before, and we are getting a better grade of

material for the same price than we formerly re- ceived. There is a better understanding of the scrap

classification, and this, we feel, is conducive to econ- omy. It has also helped the consumer in the way of

according him protection against unscrupulous

traders.” , “ Referring particularly in our case to classification

of iron and steel scrap,” another steel foundry and

machinery company said, “ we find that there is greater

care taken by the dealers in scrap to avoid misrepresentation in the grades that they are selling.

We feel that the results are very satisfactory, since

we have had fewer rejections on account of inferior

quality, both in chemical analysis and the physical

structure of scrap.”

“ We can not give you any report in dollars and

cents, but we can say that the efforts made in the

direction of simplified practice are making themselves

manifest,” an officer of one of the country’s foremost

motor companies wrote. “ Our interest was at first centered in that phase dealing with grading of scrap

from a producer standpoint. We have found that

these classifications recommended and adopted, as far as they may cover our particular grades, are recognized by consuming mills. However, the benefits we

will derive from the broad use of simplified practice

will be far-reaching in its direct and indirect savings.”

Of course, the recommended classification does not,

as net, enjoy universal acceptance. Some additions

to the list have been suggested, and these were re- ferred to the standing committee. Emphasis has also

been laid on the need for greater cooperation between producers, dealers, and consumers.

Division’s part explained.

One of the more progressive scrap dealers wrote in

detail regarding possible means of arousing interest

in the standard classification and increasing its adoption, to which Edwin W. Ely, chief, division of simplified practice, replied, outlining the division’s part in

the project. “ This program,” he said, “ as you perhaps are aware, was not proposed nor formulated by the Department of Commerce. The iron and steel scrap in- dustry itself is the author of the schedule, while the

sole contribution that has been made by the Department of Commerce, has consisted in reaching out and

securing the indicated support of those upon whom

the success of a program of this kind depends. Of

course, it is impractical for us to contact with every

individual company and group in the United States

who has anything to do with iron and steel scrap.

MANUFACTURERS OF TRACK TOOLS PROPOSE SIMPLIFICATION PROGRAM

The simplification project formulated by the manufacturers of track tools has been in the hands of a committee of the American Railway EngineeringAssociation, and this committee has suggested a number of modifications of the original program, accord-

“ However, the Department of Commerce can not

publish simplified practice recommendations until

those individuals and groups which represent at least 80 per cent (by volume) of the named commodity

have recorded their approval. It is recognized that no standard is of any value unless it is known and

used, nor can a standard remain continually adequate

without periodic revision. A standing committee is in existence to handle the periodic revisions of the

recommendation on scrap and it is expected that this

program will be brought progressively closer and

closer to the ideal standard. Each time a simplified

practice recommendation is revised, we approach the

industry for signed acceptances and, in so far as we

are able, we actually measure the degree of support

that the program is receiving and we also try to in- crease that support by securing signed acceptances

from an augmented list of individual concerns and

organizations.”

Program meets with approval.

The general tenor of correspondence on this subject indicates that the classifications of iron and steel scrap have met with approval and are being used with

gratifying results. The project is now firmly established and it only remains for the industry to keep

it revised to meet changing requirements, and particularly to extend its adoption. The formation of

the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel and its progressive work in stabilizing the scrap iron and steel industry will no doubt be an important factor in

standardization on a satisfactory classification. In

this connection, it is interesting to note that among

the major problems before the institute’s research

committee is the establishment of a foundation for a clearer understanding of specifications of scrap and

a more equitable system of inspection thereof.

Further evidence of the important position to which

the recommendation has attained is seen in the fol- lowing quotation from the report of the purchases

and stores committee No. 1, on manual review, of the

American Electric Railway Engineering Association,

presented at their recent convention at Atlantic City.

No. 1, heavy melting steel and No. 2, melting steel, were included in the revised scrap classification as two distinct classes (8 and 9) to conform, in general, to corresponding classes, including in Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 58, which latter has been

accepted by our own association as well as a great

number of producers, dealers, and consumers of fer- rous scrap. These two classes are well known and

in general use in industry.

Copies of Simplified Practice Recommendation No.

R58-28, “ Classification of Iron and Steel Scrap ” (1st

revision) can be obtained from the Superintendent of

Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,

D. C., price 10 cents.

ing to information received by the division of simplified practice.

The committee is strongly in favor of a large reduction in the existing variety of track tools, and believes

that this simplification will not only benefit the manufacturers, but will be of even greater benefit to jobbers and users.
135

ELIMINATION OF WASTE IN INVENTORIES

Method of Organizing Committees for the Simplification and Standardization of Stock Reported by the

Purchases and Stores Committee No. 5, American Electric Railway Engineering Association Convention

The importance of delegating final authority for the

elimination of waste in stores materials to the members of a standardization committee was especially

stressed in a report of Purchases and Stores Committee No. 5 presented before the American Electric

Railway Engineering Association convention, held at Atlantic City. X. J.. September 28 to October 4. It is the opinion of the Purchases and Stores Committee. that the method of procedure submitted below,

if regularly and carefully followed, will produce the

desired results in the simplification and standardization of stock and the disposition of surplus and obsolete materials.

The outline recommended is as follows:

1. Each company should establish its own simplification and standardization committee.

2. The members of this committee should be appointed by the executive head of the company.

3. The members of this committee should represent

the departments interested.

4. The chairman of this committee should be the

executive head of the stores department.

5. Each member of this committee should be vested

with final authority as to the simplification and standardization of stock and the disposition of surplus and

obsolete materials within his department ; other member’s opinions should be carefully considered.

6. The chairman of the committee should call meetings and invite those members who, in his judgment,

are interested in the materials to be studied.

T. The executive head of the company should make

it mandatory for each member so invited to attend

ihese meetings.

8. It should be optional with any member of the

committee representing a department of the company

to ask any assistants that he may deem necessary, to attend the meeting with him.

9. The committee should discuss and review each

class of stock periodically at the discretion of the

chairman.

10. Minutes in detail should be kept of each meeting

and a copy of these should be furnished to all members of the committee and others interested; the

minutes should show the action taken by the committee as to the findings in regard to each of the various

items in order that the recommendations of the committee may be complied with throughout the departments concerned.

11. It is further recommended that the chairman

of this committee keep in close touch with the work

of and cooperate with the division of simplified practice of the United States Department of Commerce.

Many simplifications already proposed and accepted

by industry and indorsed by the Department of Commerce include materials used on electric railway

properties. Lists of the simplified sizes, dimensions,

etc., of these materials which have been especially ar- ranged for the convenience, use, and files of foremen,

storekeepers, engineers, purchasing staff, etc., can be

obtained free of charge upon request from the division of simplified practice. It is believed that the

concentration of purchases of materials pertinent to

electric railway properties on the simplified lines

already established by industry and indorsed by the

Department of Commerce whenever possible and

wherever practicable, should effect benefits redounding to the advantage of electric railway properties.

Public utilities adopt plan.

In discussing the subject it was brought out that

a number of large utilities had already adopted a

similar plan. One large utility reports these benefits, after a campaign of three years of simplification

and stock reduction. The committee was appointed

by the executive head of the company and consisted

of one or two representatives from each department,

with final authority as to disposition of materials.

Their stores executive acted as chairman and arranged

meetings at various locations, these being held at

least once a year at each location. Minutes of each

meeting were made in detail and the responsibility

of simplifying, standardizing, and otherwise making

disposition of materials was relegated to certain in- dividuals within the committee who reported their

analysis and recommendations within a certain length

of time. For example, there were 138 sizes and kinds

of bolts carried which were reduced to approximately

70; there were 75 sizes and kinds of iron which were

reduced to 49 sizes; 24 kinds of paint to 12; 13 kinds

of insulators to 7 ; standard sizes of meters and trans- formers were established, and numerous items eliminated as stock items, only to be ordered on demand.

Reduced inventories.

This has resulted in reducing inventories 36 per

cent: inventory discrepancies from 1.9 to 0.4 per cent,

and expenses 36 per cent. Items were reduced 15 per

cent, and individual stockrooms showed reductions

of 66, 51, and 47 per cent, etc. The turnover now

averages three times a year whereas it formerly was

1.7 times a year. Employees were enabled to use the

time thus gained in studying better methods of store- keeping. The efficiency of their records increased 29

per cent. This utilities’ investment in materials as

of December 31. 1927. reflects favorably with 33 other

large utilities, since it ranks second lowest when compared with gross earnings.

The committee made the following recommendations to the association:

1. That the proposed method of simplification and

standardization of stock outlined in this report be approved as a recommended method manual section for

inclusion in the Engineering Manual.

2. That the subjects be continued for the purpose

of determining the progress and results of the

adoption of these recommendations.
136

SIMPLIFICATION OF PRINTED FORMS EFFECT SAVINGS

Industry Has Adopted 14 Programs in Paper Field; Bank Check Simplification 82 Per Cent Effective;

Use of Standard Printed Forms Reduces Costs; Federal Government Saves $43,000 by Eliminating

Printing Duplication

By S. F. Tillman

The requirements of management have become in- creasingly exacting and management can no longer

rely upon unsupported personal judgment or

“ hunches.” Information that is comprehensive, ac- curate, and timely must be available to enable the

carrying out of the programs and to measure performance. Intelligently developed management methods

develop such information and provide control of all organization activities and operations.

Among the problems to be met is the elimination of

avoidable waste. This is being done through the application of the principles of simplification and standardization. It might, therefore, be said that simplification is an essential of good management.

Simplified practice represents a common-sense application of the principle of eliminating “ too much ” variety, in both production and selling, by establishing a “ simplified ” list of sizes, dimensions, styles,

and types, which represent those varieties in major

demand. A list of the simplified practice recom- mendations developed by industry may be secured

upon request, from the division of simplified practice,

National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. The “simplified” list, or program, is established

through agreement of all interested elements of the

particular industry concerned—manufacturer^, dis- tributors, and users—meeting together in general con- ference under the auspices of the division. After a general conference has given approval to a proposed

program, the division sends it to the industry, by letter referendum, for comments and for signed acceptance.

The proposal must be accepted by at least 80 per

cent of the industry, by volume of annual production,

before the Department of Commerce will publish it as part of the “ Elimination of Waste ” series. One hundred and fourteen programs developed to

date.

As of November 1, 1929, industry, with the cooperation of the division, had voluntarily developed a total of 114 programs. It has been the experience of the

division that, prior to the adoption of simplified practice by an industry, about 80 per cent of the business

of that industry is done on 20 per cent of the varieties

manufactured. Obviously, the relatively nonessential

80 per cent of the varieties “eat up” the profits

secured from the sale of the popular 20 per cent. Through simplified practice, emphasis is placed upon

these items which enjoy the major demand. For in- stance, here is a list of simplified practice recom- mendations which touch upon the interests of pro

clucers, distributors, and users of paper products.

Reductions

S. P. E. Commodity No. From

To—

10 Milk-bottle caps 10 1 19 Asbestos mill board sizes and thicknesses 21 4

22 Asbestos paper, sizes, widths, and weights of rolls. 72 16 22 Paper.. .. __ __ __ 34 Warehouse forms . .. _ _ _ 15

37 Commercial forms ... 3 42 Paper grocers' bags _ . _ _ 6,280 4. 700 44 Boxboard thicknesses _ ... _ 244 60 46 Tissue paper (roll tissue) _ - 13 . 3 Tissue paper (sheet tissue) _ 21 6

50 Bank checks __ _. 1 70 Salt packages ... _ ... ______ 35 19

84 Composition books _ _ 86 41 98 Photographic paper. _ __

Simplified forms effect savings.

The use of simplified business documents, such as bank checks, invoice forms, and purchase orders, is producing tangible savings for the business world.

Prior to the development of Simplified Practice

Recommendation No. 37, Commercial Forms, practically every business concern ordered its forms in

amounts to serve their individual needs, with accom- panying variations as to the printed contents, size of sheet, and grade of paper. Individual departments of a concern would order printed forms without

regard to uniformity of size. This practice naturally

caused confusion and waste. To-day, through the joint action of manufacturers,

distributors, printers, and users of certain printed

forms, simplified forms uniform in size and printed

contents, have been developed. These may be ordered

for stock and not printed specially every time the

supply runs low. A recent audit of Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 50, Bank Checks, revealed

the fact that 82.64 per cent of checks now in use are standard. A prominent banker states that adherence

to standard or simplified bank checks means an an- nual saving of $20,000,000.

If there were no measurable benefits from the application of the principle of simplification, industry

would not be interested. The fact that simplified

practice recommendations are effective is borne out by various reports of the Bureau of Standards, re- leased from time to time, showing the average degree

of adherence accorded the promulgated programs,

which is between 85 and 90 per cent. Federal Government practices simplification.

The Federal Government has emulated the example

of industry in the same direction. A review of the

annual reports of the Public Printer, of the Government Printing Office, from 1922 to 1927, shows that

that official is actively engaged in the elimination of

waste through simplification and standardization.
137

The Permanent Committee on Printing was organized in 1921, as the first coordinating agency, under

the Bureau of the Budget. That -committee consists

of representatives of the publications divisions of

the various departments, with the Public Printer as

its chairman, and has effected the standardization of

38 Government forms commonly used throughout the

establishment and 81 other forms used by the General Accounting Office. The committee expects that eventually there will

be but one standard printed form for each routine

function of the Government service. Only where it

is shown conclusively that a standard form does not meet the needs peculiar to a certain establishment,

will special forms be developed.

The use of standard forms reduces printing costs, relieves the Government Printing Office of a congestion of electrotype plates, and simplifies filing devices

and systems, and obviates the necessity of storing

large stocks of printed forms in each department.

A summary of the outstanding accomplishment of

the Permanent Committee on Printing follows: (1)

Standardized letterheads, as to paper stock and size

;

use of embossed stationary restricted ; estimated sav- ing $15,000 a year; (2) saved $43,000 by restricting

duplication in the printing of annual reports; (3)

standardized wall calendars for all departments at a saving of approximately $5,000 a year.

Dimensions of Government publications standardized.

The dimensions of Government publications have

been simplified to 8 standard sizes, whereas more

than 50 sizes prevailed only a few years ago. Threefourths of the 100,000,000 Government books and

pamphlets issued annually are printed in either

octavo or quarto size. During 1922 and 1923 nine

major periodicals, including several of the Department of Commerce, were standardized to the size of

the Congressional Record. This uniformity made

possible a gratifying pressroom and bindery economy.

By cooperating with the various Government committees under tlie direction of the Bureau of the

Budget, the size of various forms, such as proposals,

contracts, leases, etc., has been fixed at one standard

size. This one size is estimated to be saving the Government at least $50,000 annually. The sizes of the

millions of envelopes for mailing Government printed

matter have been reduced from more than 12 to 4. In addition to the economies effected by simplification of these forms, other savings have been made

through better shop practice, more careful supervision over the use of materials and equipment. In 1924

these savings amounted to $283,916; in 1925, $312,333;

in 1926, $230,838 ; and in 1927, $388,883.

STRENGTH OF BRICK WALLS MEASURED BY

BUREAU

Complete Series of Comprehensive Tests; Data Given Should

Aid in the More Economical Use of Brick and Lead to Economy in Construction, Says Report

The bureau, in cooperation with the Common Brick

Manufacturers’ Association, has now completed what

is probably the most comprehensive series of strength

tests of masonry ever carried out. The results of

these tests were contained in the October issue of the

Journal of Research, official publication of the

National Bureau of Standards, and will answer many

questions for which there has been no authoritative answer in the past.

The tests showed that brick walls which had been

kept damp for one week after they were built were no

stronger' at the age of 60 days than similar walls al- lowed to cure in the laboratory. They showed that

higher strengths can be obtained by having the horizontal mortar beds smooth and level, eliminating all trowel marks, and having all joints filled. When the

strength of several of the recently developed types of

hollow walls were divided by the allowable workingload permitted by building codes governing masonry

construction an ample factor of safety was obtained.

The relation between brick strength and wall strength

and between the strength of walls of different size was

investigated.

Record kept of tests. Careful records were kept of the material used in

the walls and the time required to build them. These

data, showing the saving in brick, mortar, and time

for all the types of hollow walls as compared with

solid walls of brick of the same thickness, and coupled

with the strength tests, give information which will be

of assistance to prospective builders in selecting the

type of wall for their homes. The data given in this

report should aid in the more economical use of brick

and lead to economy in construction.

FINDS MARKET FOR WASTE MATERIALS

Sell Year’s Metallic Sweepings for $100,000; Rubber Shavings

Go to Make Bowling Balls; Discarded Tires Used in the Manufacture of Footwear The reclaimed-materials organization at the Western

Electric Co.’s Hawthorne (Chicago) works now handles and sells about $7,000,000 worth of reclaimed

waste annually, according to an article appearing in

Class and Industrial Marketing, by D. W. Gee, manager reclaimed-materials division, Western Electric Co.

This type of marketing has been characterised as

“ harvesting the hidden profits of a business,” and

is truly a constructive marketing job.

The metallic sweepings alone are worth $100,000

annually. Metal shearings in odd-shaped sizes are used in the manufacture of toys. A chemical byproduct is hepta- aldehyde. The old wooden lays used on cable spools are sold to Chicago bakers, because

the blaze from the wood makes an even beat for baking bread. Rubber shavings go to make bowlingballs. Switchboard wire is dipped in paraffin and

sold to radio manufacturers. Discarded tires from

the motor fleet, if they have any semblance of tread

left, are purchased by a dealer who ships them to Portugal, where they are cut into suitable lengths and

used in the manufacture of footwear. Very little of

Hawthorne’s scrap is sold to junk men. Only lowgrade material is disposed of in this way.
138

RESULTS OF SMALL-HOUSE SURVEY

National Survey Covers Trends in Small Dwelling Construction in 38 Cities; Large Variety in Type of

Architecture Found; English House Popular; Bungalow Prices Lower Than 2-Story Houses

The small-house survey, covering typical details of

construction and equipment, in small dwellings in 38

cities of the United States, with exact summaries on

these details for 31 cities, is the basis of a report to be published later on in the year by the division of

building and housing.

The cities chosen for the study were well distributed over the United States. In this systematic study of

recent trends in small-dwelling construction, data were

obtained on approximately 400 details of construction

and equipment to indicate trends in dwelling-house

style, installation of improvements and conveniences, room sizes, ceiling heights, and materials used for

frame and finish. In releasing the findings from the survey, the division of building and housing makes no claim that it portrays average conditions throughout the country.

It merely publishes the data for the representative

houses visited. Division chief makes address.

In an address delivered last month before the builders’ and subdividers’ division of the New York State

Association of Real Estate Boards, James S. Taylor,

acting chief, division of building and housing, dis- cussed a number of the findings.

“A great variety in type of architecture was found,”

he said, “ with the English house very popular.

Thirty-four houses of this type were included in the

list. Forty-nine houses were capable of no exact

classification as to type of architecture; 12 were Spanish; 11 Colonials were in the list, and it is surprising

to note that only three of these were Dutch Colonial,

which would not correspond with conditions a few

years ago.

“ Of 106 single houses, 54 were 1-story bungalows,

10 were story-and-a-half bungalows, and 40 were 2- story houses. Two contained two and a half stories.

AUTOMOBILE BUMPER HEIGHTS REVISED

S. A. E. Renews Present Specifications; Recommends Number

of Changes

As a result of the lowering of car frames, the subdivision on passenger car bumpers of the Society of

Automotive Engineers’ standards committee has re- viewed the present specifications for bumper height

and recommends a number of changes, according to

a recent number of the magazine, Automotive

Industries.

“ In the past,” saj^s the announcement in Automotive Industries, “ the bumper height has been

measured with the car empty except for supplies,

but it is now recommended that the nominal height as

specified in the standard shall be the mean between

the actual height with the car empty and with the car carving a full passenger load.

“ It is further recommended that the horizontal

center line of the bumper face, exclusive of fittings,

On bungalows the most common number of rooms

were five on the first floor; and the greater part of the

group were in the classification between four and a half and five and a half rooms. For 2-story houses

the most common type were three rooms on each floor. (In counting the rooms, a separate breakfast room has

been counted as half a room.)

Average price of house $9,487.

“ The average total price of 69 detached houses for

which this figure was available, was $9,478. The aver- age lot price for the group was $2,016, making an

average percentage of lot to the whole of 21.3. Individual cases vary greatly from this average, but the

average of individual percentage of lot value to total value checks the figure very closely. The average lot width for 81 detached houses was 49.3 feet, and the

average depth 132 feet, the most common dimension

being 50 feet for width and between 120 and 130 feet for depth.

“ Bungalow prices were lower and showed a smaller

range in price than 2-story houses, the average price

of 33 bungalows without lots being $5,028. For 5- room bungalows this average was $5,176, while for

the typical 6-room 2-story house the average price was $6,744, without land.

“The average house width for all detached houses,

including porches, was 31.1 feet. Subtracting this

from the average lot width of 49.3 feet leaves an

average clear space of about 18 feet. Individual per- centages check this figure very closely. The average

setback of detached houses was 27.1 feet, and the

most common street width was 50 feet. Only 28 per

cent of the streets on which these representative moderate-priced houses were located were without paving, and the paving was usually paid for by the

developer.”

shall be 17 inches, plus or minus one-eighth inch per

inch of effective face, above the ground for front

bumpers, and 17 inches, plus or minus one-fourth inch

per inch of effective face, above ground for rear bumpers' or fender guards. The point where the

face of the bumper is to be measured is specified as follows : The vertical spread of contact face of bumper

assembles is the distance between the upper and lower

edges of the bumper impact bar or bars, and shall be

measured at the extreme outer end thereof.

“ Since it is considered important from the standpoint of appearance that bumpers be set at the proper

angle and bumper pads are now generally machined

on the spring horns, the subcommittee recommends

the following additions to the present bumper specifications : The faces of the mounting pads for the front

bumpers shall be perpendicular to the ground when

the car is unloaded. The faces of the mounting pads

for the rear bumper shall be perpendicular to the

ground with the car fully loaded.”
139

PAPER BEST ADAPTED TO RETAIN STAMPS IS OBJECT OF TESTS

Work of Paper Laboratory Results in Other Interesting Developments

Experiments looking to the perfection of paper

which will best retain postage stamps constitute a major part of laboratory work in the general paper

field. Papers surface sized with starch or rosin are

the principal offender as regards the shedding of

stamps, according to the bureau.

Investigation of postage stamps.

The study of resistant envelopes has been continued.

The object is to find, if possible, the factors that have

the most important effects on the adhesion of stamp

gum. Several thousand envelopes taken from the in- coming mail have been examined and the most re- sistant types are being studied, particular attention be- ing given fiber composition, surface finish, nature of

sizing, and degree of sizing. Results indicate that the

adhesion of stamp gum depends in no way on the

fiber composition, but that it does depend on the nature of the sizing material, degree of sizing, and sur- face finish. All papers surface sized with starch sizing

have been found extreme^ resistant.

Nearly all of the other resistant papers found were

high-finish bond papers having a high degree of rosin

sizing. It is believed that these two types of papers

are the principal offenders as regards the shedding of

stamps. Various modifications of the stamp gum are being tried in an effort to develop a gum that will

stick to all types of paper.

Moisture content of felt rags.

Arrangements have been completed for finding the

moisture content of the various grades of rags used

for making roofing felts and other similar products

at different humidities. This work is to be done in cooperation with the technical committee of the Felt

Manufacturers Association and was undertaken at their request. They require the data to fix an equitable moisture-content basis for purchase specifications. The moisture content of 50 samples of rags will

be determined at a constant temperature of 70° F. and at relative humidities of 50, 65, and 98 per cent. Deterioration of paper.

Chemical accelerative factors in the deterioration of

paper are apparently acidity of paper and air in contact therewith, oxygen, and catalytic effect of the

paper itself. There is some evidence that paper deterioration is autocatalytic in nature. Because of these

last two factors it is important to know the relation

between the measured area of a piece of paper and the

actual (contour) surface of paper which this measured

area represents. A method for determining this ratio has been devised and preliminary tests yield

promising results.

For every cubic foot of air in contact with paper

there are apparently 70,000 times as much oxygen

surface as true paper surface, which increases the

probability of catalytic effect of paper surfaces in contact with deteriorative gases. Specimens for cross- section photomicrographs as well as a special device

for measuring contour surfaces are in course of

preparation.

Tests were made on three rosin-sized papers having various degrees of acidity. The papers were made

in the bureau’s experimental paper mill from purified

wood fibers. Runs 766, 771, and 722 were identical

except for the hydrogen-ion concentration of the

stocks which were 4.4, 5.5, and 6.5, respectively, at the

head box. The regular physical and stability tests were made, also the usual chemical tests. It was found that sample 766. having the highest

acidity, is also the least stable of the three papers.

Lowering the acidity was found to have increased

the stability markedly. Evidently, it is extremely

important to control carefully the pH of stock for

permanent papers. Only the smallest amount of alum

necessary for the required sizing quality should be

used. It is probable that commercial mills could improve the permanence qualities of their papers, by

regulating the acidity more carefully, and without

losing sizing quality.

Sample 771, which had an acidity of 4, and pH of

5.5, much lower than usually encountered in commercial papers, was remarkably resistant to the heat test, and yet was satisfactorily sized. Sample 772, even more stable, did not appear to be sufficiently well

sized. Therefore, 5.5 is probably about the right

hydrogen-ion concentration in this type of stock to obtain the best combination of sizing quality and

stability.

Dirt count of rag half stuff. As an aid in minimizing the dirt content in the

finished paper, it is common mill practice in the manufacture of fine wood-fiber papers to make test sheets

of the wood pulp and count the dirt specks in a given

area. In the case of rag fiber as prepared for beating,

commonly termed “half stuff,’’ such determination is more difficult, as owing to the comparatively greater

length of the unit constituents of the material, it tends

to form a lumpy and irregular test sheet. At the request of a rag paper manufacturer, ex- periments were made on the preparation of a suitable

test sheet. It was found that the half stuff could be

defibered sufficiently in water, with a high speed agitator, to permit the formation of a satisfactory sheet

with the ordinary type of test-sheet mold.

INDUSTRY TO SIMPLIFY CASTERS

The division of simplified practice is still collecting

data on the production and demand of large industrial casters, in nominal sizes of (2y2 to 6 inches, in- clusive. The majority of the manufacturers now favor

a simplification program. As soon as figures have

been received from manufacturers representing at

least 80 per cent of production the division will ar- range a second preliminary conference for the purpose

of appointing a simplified practice committee, to have

charge of formulating the simplified list of stationary

and swivel casters.
140

THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN AND SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE

Profits Are in Turnovers and Not “Shelf Warmers”; Simplified Practice a Means to This End; Industry

Has Already Effected Many Programs of Interest to Housewives and Business People

By S. F. Tillman

The greatest construction project of ancient times

the Tower of Babel—was frustrated by a confusion

of tongues. Manpower and materials there were

available in plenty, and the plans of the builders re- mained unchanged. But when these plans and in- structions could no longer be communicated from one workman to another, accomplishment became impossible and the undertaking had to be abandoned.

One would hardly expect to find any such lack of

coordination, especially in daily commerce and trade,

existing in this day of modern business methods. It does exist, however, and to it may be charged, in a large measure, the unnecessary high costs of doing

business. While the difficulties encountered by Amas to offer no distinctive value to either the manufacturer or the consumer. Industry is now eliminating “ excessive variety in

production,” by concentrating both manufacturing

and selling efforts on those varieties that, because they

are in greatest demand, will adequately serve the

major demands of the trade. This elimination process is called simplified practice. In order to be suc- cessfully carried out, it requires the cooperative ef- forts of the manufacturers, distributors, and users. Merchants overstock.

Through this overdiversified manufacture of staple

products, the shelves of the merchants have become

Collection of hosiery boxes showing large variety in container sizes prior to standardization

erican business men in their dealings with foreign

business men can readily be appreciated by the in- dividual citizen, due to the difference in tongues, it is hard for one to vizualize a similar difficulty exist- ing in these United States between the manufacturer

and the buyer.

Industry produces too many varieties.

This confusion or lack of coordination, is the result.

;n part, of industry producing “too much variety"

in the staple articles that associate themselves with us

in our daily life. “ Too much variety ” in production

makes for waste in industry. It also hinders the purchasers from making better selections, due to the maze

of varieties offered, the variations often being so slight

ladened with articles that do not sell. They gather

dust, rather than dollars. This waste, avoidable

waste, if you please, concerns the pocketbook and

living conditions of every man, woman, and child,

from the salaried man to the capitalist, and this

article is intended to give the readers of the Commercial Standards Monthly a glimpse, “ back stage,”

of what the National Bureau of Standards of the

Department of Commerce is doing to help industry

eliminate waste, through the application of the principles of simplified practice.

While it is true that no single individual, be he

manufacturer, distributor, or user, has the power to materially change the situation ; nevertheless, through

the cooperative efforts of the various elements of an
141

industry, all working toward the same end, much

can be accomplished.

In talking about “ too much variety ” in manufacture, it may surprise some of the readers to know

that the experience of the division of simplified practice of the bureau has been that, prior to applying

simplified practice, 80 per cent of the business is generally done on 20 per cent of the varieties produced. The remaining 80 per cent of the varieties,

serving only one-fifth of the trade, eats up the profits

from the so-called “ quick sellers.” Simplified practice reduces the varieties.

A further emphasis may be given the meaning, or the purpose and value of simplified practice, by illus- trating examples. Reference herein is made to several simplifications covering commodities of interest

to every family. The first examples were enacted by

the industry without the aid of the bureau.

Only a few years ago industry was producing 179

different electric-light bulb bases, which necessarily

had to have 179 different sockets into which to fit, for none were interchangeable. After the line was

simplified, industry concentrated on six standard bases

simplified, industry concentrated on six standard

bases, completely eliminating 173 styles. The con- sumer can readily appreciate the convenience result- ing from the simplification of this item. One can now

buy bulbs and lamps without having to know the

first, middle, and last names of the particular

light socket they require.

The manufacturer also has

less trouble, for he can now

produce a few sizes in

larger quantities, which

m e a n s better production

methods and lower prices.

In the same connection,

a reduction has been also

effected in the number of attachment plugs, from 37

to the 1 standard plug, with parallel blades which

fit any device now made. Electric light bulbs have

also been reduced in variety of style, size, and kilowatt hour capacities, from 45 to 5, with a reduction

in price from $1.10 per bulb to 25 cents per bulb.

Simplifications under auspices of bureau

Commodities that have been simplified under the

auspices of the division of simplified practice, include

bed sizes, milk bottles and caps, bedsteads, springs and

mattresses, woven-wire fencing, kitchen range boilers

and tanks, bed blankets, etc. Varieties of several containers, of interest to the

housekeeper, such as salt packages, preserve jars,

paper grocers’ bags, etc., have also been simplified.

This has made for greater convenience in purchasing

as well as in handling the packages in the kitchen and

the storing of them in the pantries. By having a uniformity in the sizes, shapes, and capacities of the containers coming into the kitchen, the housewife can have a more systematic arrangement of the items and

at the same time effect greater utilization of the empty

containers.

It is to be noted that simplified practice has nothing

to do with matters of fashion, creative styles, or the

individual artistic concept. In no way does it restrict improvements in manufacturing methods or the progress in invention. Nor does it attempt to suppress

or submerge individuality. Its object is not the crea- tion of a rigid regime of so-called standardization,

where there is no regard for beauty or art. In no way

does it limit the opportunity of the individual to secure those things which satisfy cultural desires.

Programs promulgated voluntarily.

The development of a simplified program, or a simplified practice recommendation, is entirely voluntary on the part of an industry. There is no law

making it compulsory for industry to do this. The

readers will naturally wonder why this elimination

of excessive variety has not always been in effect. While many individual concerns have applied simplification principles to their own products, it should

be borne in mind that in developing a simplified-practice recommendation under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, it is necessary that all interested elements of the industry cooperate in working out the schedule. The Department of Commerce

will not indorse any simplified-practice recommendation until it has received the acceptance and support

of at least 80 per cent of the industry, based on

annual volume of production. Movement started in 1921.

A brief reference to the

birth of the simplification

movement in industry, un- der the auspices of the

division of simplified practice, should be of interest. In February. 1921,

a committee of 17 engineers, headed by Herbert

Hoover, met in Syracuse, N. Y., and mapped out “ a survey of waste ” then existing in American industries. When in June of that same year the committee published its report it focused the attention of

industrial leaders and management experts on the

appalling wastes then existing in manufacturing and

distribution methods. This committee, “The Committee On Waste In Industry,” selected six major in- dustries which they believed would present typical

conditions and found that the wastes were approximately as follows

:

Metal trades, 29 per cent; boot and shoe manufacturing, 41 per cent; textile manufacturing. 49 per

cent; building, 53 per cent; printing, 58 per cent; men’s clothing, 64 per cent ; the average being 49

per cent waste. Practically one-half of the material, labor, energy,

and human effort expended in these industries was

lost, or wasted; that is, spent without tangible return. If the waste factor of these six industries was typical

of all the industries in the United States, with their

annual output of more than $60,000,000,000 of manufactured goods, there was clearly a tremendous unnecessary cost to the user, who obviously bore the loss

THE ULTIMATE CONSUMER

PAYS FOR IT ALL

Since we are all consumers we should cooperate to eliminate waste in production, distribution, and consumption as the means of

reducing our own costs.
142

in the long run. It was recognized that all of this

waste was not avoidable; some of it could never be

overcome, but experience in various industries has

since proved that the total could, and has, been re- duced. The major causes of waste in industry was

found to be: Low production due to faulty management of materials, machinery, equipment, and

men ; interrupted production caused by idle men, idle materials, idle plants, and idle equipment; restricted

production intentionally caused by owners, management, or labor; lost production caused by ill health,

physical defects, and industrial accidents.

Management responsibility placed at 50 per cent. In assaying the relative responsibility for these

wastes, the committee found that 50 per cent of the

responsibility could be placed at the door of management, 25 per cent at the door of labor, with the rest chargeable to outside contacts or conditions, which

neither management nor men could control. Management had the greatest opportunity, hence, responsibility, for the elimination of waste in industry.

Following this report on the existence of waste in

industry, the application of the principles of simplified practice, as an effective eradicator of this waste,

followed. The principles were not new, being as old

as the world itself, but their application were beingused in a different manner. That this is a simple and yet effective method of

reducing too much variety, in manufacture, is evi- denced by a recent report of the division of simplified

practice covering a review, or audit, of nine of the

simplified practice recommendations. These audits were made during the second quarter of 1929. Average adherence is 89.81 per cent. Through this report the division stated that the

average support given each of these programs was

89.81 per cent. In other words, of the total products

manufactured by the acceptors of the recommendations during the period under survey, 89.81 per cent were of the “ simplified variety.” This amply demonstrates why industry has welcomed simplified practice as one of the most significant economic and industrial

movements of the day.

These annual or periodical audits afford accurate in- dexes of consumer demands, and are a reliable basis

upon which industry can build for mass production.

In this connection it is interesting to note that the

division is the only organization engaged in waste

elimination, through simplification, which makes this

annual factual review of the extent of usage which its recommended practices are put.

In addition to judging the extent of the adherence

accorded the programs, the annual review also provides the industry’s standing committee with the means for changing the program to keep it abreast

of progress in the art, due to invention, improvement

of methods, and changing trend of consumer demand.

The benefits that result from the concentration of

manufacture and sales efforts on the simplified line,

may very properly be discussed in three classes. Those for the user or consumer, those for the distributor, and those for the manufacturer.

Consumer’s gains.

By buying the standard or simplified variety and

sizes, the users may expect better prices than otherwise possible, better service in everyway, and lastly,

but not least, better quality due to ability of manufacturers to concentrate on better design and methods

of production.

Distributor’s gains.

Through adoption of simplified practice the wholesalers and retailers may expect increased turnover of

stocks due to elimination of the slow-moving items,

easier to buy and sell, and a more effective sales force

by concentration of effort ; decreased investment in

stock, repair parts, and storage and operating space;

decreased overhead and depreciation ; and better

service, lower prices, and quicker deliveries. Gains to the manufacturers.

The manufacturers’ gains are : Less capital tied up

in stock, special machinery and repair parts; more

economical manufacture made possible through re- duction of various items to be manufactured, which

permits more time for study to produce better

methods, reduce overhead ; higher individual production and reduced clerical records; more efficient labor,

due to greater ease of training employees on smaller

number of tasks, better earnings made possible by

greater skill acquired through production of same unit more often ; and steadier employment due to increased

output ; general gains include better service to the

trade, increased turnover, easier application of sales

effort to smaller list of items ; easier financing and

better individual attention where it is needed, either

in manufacturing, service, or selling.

Industry has effected 114 programs.

So far industry has effected a total of 114 simplified

practice recommendations under the auspices of the

division of simplified practice. A list of these pro- grams may be secured, without cost, by addressing

the chief, division of simplified practice, National

Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

The average citizen, as a consumer, has an important part in making simplified practice a success, and

in determining the extent to which it should be used.

He or she, as the case may be, should get acquainted

with the value and benefits of simplification, and talk

the thing over with the neighbor and fellow-club

members. Still another responsibility in the move- ment rests upon every purchaser of staple goods.

Cooperating with the manufacturers and the merchants, by encouraging simplified practice and specifying the simplified lines when buying, will be a great stimulus to economical production and efficient service.

A demand for something special, when a standard

article will completely fill the need, and adopting a noncooperative attitude, when the merchant explains

the situation, will not help to lower prices or increase

service and our standards of living. On the other

hand, an effort to select one or more of the suggested

standard varieties will be the best method to pave

the way for the further practice of simplification and

subsequent benefits to the user and others concerned.

So, as through our daily purchases, we encourage

the elimination of the unnecessary variety in the

goods that go to satisfy our daily needs, we hasten

the elimination of waste in industry. As these wastes

decrease, the purchasing power of our dollar is bound to increase.
143

SAW INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES SIMPLIFICATION PROGRAM

Saw Manufacturers Join Lumber Industry in Working for Simplification; Proposed to Confine Manufacturers’ Stocks

of Finished Saws to Standards in Most Demand

The saw manufacturers of the country, according

to an article in the magazine. Wood Construction have

definitely joined the lumber industry in its work for

standardization and simplification of product. For

some months a committee of representative saw manufacturers has been studying the needs of the lumber

industries throughout the country, and after carefully

considering the best current mill practice they are now publishing lists of standard band and circular saws for wood cutting.

It is proposed to confine manufacturers' stocks of

finished saws to these standard items which are generally in demand with approximately 90 per cent of

the trade. The object is to maintain stocks of finished saws which will always take care of customers’ standard requirements promptly. In the past when there was an attempt to carry in stock almost an unlimited

variety it actually proved impossible to have stocks

capable of servicing customers except at the expense

of excessive investments.

SAYINGS EFFECTED BY STANDARDIZATION

OF PAPER AND PRINTING

Practice Declared to Promise Great Reduction of Expense

and Waste for ‘Entire Industry

Savings effected by individual firms through the

standardization of their paper and printing have

been such as to prove that enormous savings would

result from national standardization in this connection, according to G. A. Renard, secretary of the National Association of Purchasing Agents.

Many firms have simplified and standardized their

paper and printing, with savings in some instances

as high as 40 per cent. This elimination of waste has

the active support of many of the most representative

printers and paper suppliers; in fact, much of this

saving can be directly attributed to the recommendations and cooperation of progressive and efficient producers and distributors. If individual consumers can

effect such savings, the savings brought about by a national standardization of paper would be enormous. But here, also, the movement must have the cooperation of the paper suppliers to be effective. “ We must agree that the savings to be made are

the real incentive for the undertaking,” declares Mr.

Renard, and it can only be successful if these savings

are distributed. The papermaker or distributor is not interested unless he can profit, and that is also true of the purchaser. Failure to allow both the producer and the consumer to profit will bring failure, as it has so often before.

u Producers in other lines are offering considerable

resistance to elimination of waste, by refusing to share

the savings on the theory that nonstandard materials

must be produced and distributed to those consumers who refuse to accept the standard materials. By

adopting this attitude they are penalizing the con- sumer who does accept standardization in favor of

the one who does not.

Opposite policy advised by Renard.

“Just the reverse should be done. When the producer recommends certain materials as standard be- cause they can be produced most economically and

serve the consumer properly, those who accept the

standardization should be permitted to share in the

savings made; those who do not should pay the full cost of the. nonstandard item's. This is true of special and distinctive paper required for advertising.

Nonstandard material has a great value in this field,

and. because of its value, it will continue to be produced and can carry the cost of its production. If

paper standardization is promoted in this way. every- one contributing to its success will profit very handsomely; if it is not approached with this intention, it will not be successful.

“ The purchaser is interested in securing the greatest value in paper, as in every other commodity. If

his cooperation is secured it will be through giving

greater values either by lowering prices, or increasing

quality. This can be done very easily if the producers and distributors will make a sincere contribution to the movement. This we should expect from

previous activities by the most representative ones. Users should be consulted.

“ Every effort should be made to permit the vendors

to contribute their knowledge and experience in a determination of what papers and sizes are most eco- nomical from their viewpoint. The user should determine what he wants the papers to do and allow the

manufacturer to determine the best and most eco- nomical papers to secure the performance required.”

Such cooperation will result in very great savings

that can be distributed to all concerned. Those who

are unwilling to cooperate in such work must admit

they would rather profit by waste and inefficiency,

than by real service.

The Government (the National Bureau of Standards) can depend upon the purchasing or consuming

interests to support this movement, and its success

will depend entirely upon the amount and kind of

support given by producing and distributing agencies

who should have just as great an interest in, and

reward from, its fulfillment.

DUCKPIN BALLS USED TO STUDY EFFECT

OF TURBULENCE ON WIND-TUNNEL MEASUREMENTS

The bureau in cooperation with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics has made further

progress in the standardization of wind tunnels, so that the designers of aircraft may be able to interpret

the results of model tests, irrespective of the particular

tunnel in which the tests are made. Such diverse objects as a fine platinum wire, one-third the diameter

of a human hair, and standard tenpin and duckpin

balls have found application in the investigation.

It has been found that wind tunnels differ in the

amount of eddying motion or ripples superposed on

the steady air stream of the tunnel, and that this

turbulence has an important effect on the measured

air forces of certain types of models, especially air- ship models. These ripples have been studied by

their effect on the cooling of a very fine electrically
144

heated platinum wire, the variation of which is amplified and measured. The current may be passed

through a loud speaker and the eddies “heard,” if desired.

It was found that the air resistance of spheres was

very sensitive to the amount of turbulence and could

be used to measure turbulence after the laws of the

variation had been established by the hot-wire apparatus. For this purpose, the standard duckpin and ten- pin balls which are spherical to a high degree of

accuracy, are found quite satisfactory. They are, of

course, easily obtained by any wind tunnel experimenter who wishes to measure the turbulence of his

wind tunnel.

STANDARD SYMBOLS FOR HYDRAULICS

The American tentative standard for symbols for

hydraulics, prepared by a subcommittee of the general committee on scientific and engineering symbols

and abbreviations, has been printed and is now available at 35 cents per copy, through the office of the

American Standards Association, 29 West Thirtyninth Street, New York, N. Y. G. E. Russell, professor of theoretical hydraulics, Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, was chairman of the subcommittee which prepared the standard. J. Franklin

Meyer, of the National Bureau of Standards, is chairman of the general committee which is working under

the sponsorship of American Association for the

Advancement of Science, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, and the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers.

RAILWAY ENGINEERING STANDARDS AND

SPECIFICATIONS

The sixth revised edition of the Manual of the

American Railway Engineering Association, has re- cently been published by the association. It represents a compilation of the formal conclusions, to and

including the 1929 annual convention, of the A. R.

E. A., covering principles, definitions, designs, specifications, and recommended practice for economic

location, construction, maintenance, and basic physical elements of operation of railways. In addition

to the specifications relating to the construction,

maintenance, and operation of railways, the manual

contains standards and specifications for masonry,

water sewer and sanitation, iron and steel structures,

wood preservation, electricity, standard contract forms, construction of buildings, and wooden bridges

and trestles. NEW DRAFT OF SAFETY CODE FOR MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION PROPOSED

A complete new draft for the proposed American

Safety Code for mechanical refrigeration has just

been completed by a subcommittee and is being submitted to the sectional committee responsible for the

code, which is being prepared in accordance with

American Standards Association procedure, under

the sponsorship of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers.

In this new draft of the code, full advantage has

been taken, according to the office of the American

Standards Association, of the new data and experi- ence developed as a result of a recent unfortunate

series of accidents with multiple installation of re- frigerators in the Chicago area. The code has been

completely rearranged, and in the new draft is dealt

with under four principal headings—single unit, in- stallations, particularly in homes; commercial units;

multiple installations; and commercial refrigerating

machinery. The section of the code dealing with

multiple installations is new and is being presented

as a satisfactory solution of this much-discussed

subject.

STANDARDS FOR DIAMOND CORE DRILL

FITTINGS

Commercial Standard Indorsed by Industry; Insures Inter- changeability of Fittings

A circular letter was disseminated on September 6, announcing receipt of signed acceptances representing

between 85 and 90 per cent of production by volume

of diamond core drill fittings, thus assuring success of the commercial standard on this commodity, ac- cording to the division of trade standards.

Manuscript has accordingly been prepared and for- warded to the Government Printing Office, for printing under the title, “Diamond Core Drill Fittings,

Commercial Standard CS 17-30.”

This commercial standard covers terminology, size designation, dimensions, and tolerances for drill rods,

drill-rod couplings, core barrel bits, casings, casing

couplings, and casing bits, used in diamond core drill- ing, in order that these fittings may be made interchangeable as produced by the various manufacturers,

thus facilitating replacement or extension of equipment and, in general, making it possible for the producers to better serve the drilling contractors and

users. Diamond core drills are used extensively by oil companies, mines, etc., often in remote sections of the

country. Operators of drilling outfits are often put

to serious inconvenience and delay because the particular make of fittings required for their outfit can

not be obtained readily.

Manufacturers of these drills, wishing to facilitate the replacement of extension of equipment, to lower

stock, and to gain other advantages of standardization, decided to provide complete interchangeability of

mating parts. The Diamond Core Drill Manufacturers Association requested the assistance of the National Bureau of Standards in its standardization

program. The recommendation, as prepared by the

association and adopted by a general conference on May 27. 1929, has since then been very generally ac- cepted by the industry. The standard, as adopted,

covers four sizes of drill rods and casings, casingcouplings, and core barrel bits for obtaining cores approximately 2%, 1%, iy8 ., and % inch in diameter.

The dimensions and tolerances set forth will be used as the basis for a system of careful gaging to insure

interchangeability.

A representative standing committee was appointed

to review suggested revisions in order that the standards may be kept abreast of progress in the industry. The standard is to become effective for new production January 1, 1930, and existing stocks of non- standard items are to be disposed of by July 1, 1930.
STANDARDIZATION OF CLOCK SPRINGS

PRESENTS DIFFICULTIES

“ Standardizating of springs presents many difficul- ties because of the varying demands for different

lengths, sizes, and strength,” says John R. Godfrey

in his column “ Seen and Heard,” appearing in the

American Machinist. “ Mainsprings for 8-clay clocks

are, however, practically standardized,” he said, adding that “ as far back as 1860 one spring company

began making springs for 8-day clocks that were

three-fourths inch wide and 0.017 inch thick, and

these springs are still standard for 8-clay clocks. Perhaps the solution of the standardization of many

similar products might be to accept the practice of

old-time manufacturers where their product is widely

used, probably after weeding out the inconsistencies. “ Most of us would prefer dimensions that seem

rational, that have fairly regular increments, and are

in even figures where possible. But the main object

of standardization is uniformity of product and not

ideal dimensions. And while we would much prefer

to use 0.25 inch instead of 0.231 inch, the exact size really makes little difference if we can depend on the new part giving the same performance as the old,

whether it be a bolt or a clock spring. The application of large quantities of common sense is a great

attribute for members of a standardizing committee, no matter what the product may be.”

IMPREGNATED PAPER CABLE

Propose Standard Specification for Impregnated PaperInsulated Lead-Covered Cable

A draft of the proposed standard specification for

impregnated paper-insulated lead-covered cable has

been prepared by a subcommittee of the general committee on insulated wires and cables, functioning

under American Standards Association auspices.

These specifications apply to all sizes and classes of

impregnated paper-insulated lead-covered cables

which are to be used in underground conduits for the

transmission and distribution of electrical energy up

to and including 15,000 volts rated circuit voltage.

The draft •includes sections on the information to be supplied to the manufacturer of the cable by the

purchaser, reservation on estimated quantity, conductors, insulation, sheath, marker, over-all diameter,

insulation resistance, dielectric power factor, maximum operating temperature, and test requirements.

The specification also outlines the tests to be made on

each length of cable. These tests are conductor re- sistance, high-voltage tests, and insulation-resistance

test. Tests of samples and tests to be made after in- stallation are also included, together with sections on

reels shipment and miscellaneous items.

D. W. Rope, superintendent of the street department. Commonwealth Edison Co., Chicago, is chairman of the technical committee No. 5, which pre- pared this draft. The sponsors of the general wire

and cables committee are : American Electric Railway

Association, American Institute of Electrical Engineers. American Railway Engineering Association,

American Society for Testing Materials, National

Electrical Manufacturers Association. Association of

Edison Illuminating Companies, American Railway

Electrical Engineers, National Board of Fire Underwriters, National Electric Light Association, and National Fire Protective Association.

SAVINGS FROM USE OF SKID PLATFORMS

AND LIFT TRUCKS

“ By the use of skid platforms and lift trucks a western railway is reported to have reduced the labor

pay roll in its storekeepers’ department by over

$15,000 a month,” according to an article appearingin a recent issue of the Purchasing Agent magazine.

“An analysis disclosed a reduction in handling brake

shoes from 175 manual operations to 7 and in handlingbrake beams from 200 operations to 10.” “An automobile manufacturing company,” the

writer continues, “ reported that their old method of

unloading a car of crank shafts required eight men

seven and one-half hours at a cost of $24. They found

that by means of skid platforms and lift trucks one

driver and one helper could unload a car in 45 minutes at a cost of $0.98.

“A western firm last year gave away to its cus- tomers 4,000 skids, at an approximate cost of $10,000,

knowing that the use of these skids by its customers

would save it more than this in the stevedore pay roll. “A paper company reports that loading a 50-foot

box car of paper, which formerly took seven men

three hours, can be accomplished on skids by two

men in 45 minutes, representing a labor saving of 93

per cent.” RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR POWERPIPING SYSTEMS

Proposed American Recommended Practice for Power-Piping

System Set in Circulation by A. S. A. for Review and

Criticism The American Society of Mechanical Engineers,

sponsors for the technical committee on the Code for

Pressure Piping, under auspices of the American

Standards Association, is circulating for review and

criticism, the proposed American Recommended Practice for Power Piping Systems, which is section 2 of

the code. The code covers the design, manufacture,

test, and installation of power piping systems in steam

generating stations, central heating plants, industrial

process work, and all distributing systems where the

pressure is in excess of 15 pounds.

Power piping systems are classified as all piping in the above-mentioned plants, with the exception of

building heating (where the pressure does not exceed

15 pounds), roof and floor drains, plumbing and

sewers. In addition to the general requirements for

all power piping systems, the code covers specific

mandatory requirements for (a) steam pressures from

250 to 1,350 pounds, and temperatures from 450° to 750° F.; ( b ) steam pressures from 125 to 250 pounds,

and temperatures not in excess of 450° F ; (c) steam

pressures from 25 to 125 pounds, and temperatures not m excess of 450° F. ; (<7) steam pressures up to 25

pounds and temperatures not in excess of 450° F. ; (e)

l oiler-feed systems and hot-water systems over 250°

F. ; (/) blow-off piping; (</) service water and vacuum

systems; (/;) oil piping systems; and (i) air pipingsystems.

Edwin B. Ricketts, research engineer. New York

Edison Co., is chairman of the general committee on

code for pressure piping and John H. Lawrence,

president, Thomas E. Murray (Inc.), is chairman of

the subcommittee on power piping. Other subcommittees are at present working on hydraulic piping
146

systems, gas and air piping systems, refrigerating

piping, oil piping, materials and fabrication details.

SAFETY CODE FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

APPROVED

Code to Assure Safety of Life, Limb, and Health for Workers

in Plants Approved by American Standards Association

A code aimed to assure the safety of life, limb, and

health for workers in all plants operating textile machinery and equipment has just been approved as American tentative standards by the American Standards Association. The code is intended for voluntary

adoption and use as a standard by both manufacturers and users of textile machinery and equipment.

The National Safety Council assumed the leadership for the preparation of the code under the auspices of the American Standards Association. The

actual preparation of the code was in the hands of

a technical committee of 24 men representing not only

the manufacturers and users of textile machinery and

equipment, but also independent experts, representatives of Government departments, representatives of

insurance organizations, and others. Charles H.

Fames, president, Lowell Textile Institute, was chairman of the sectional committee and W. Dean Keefer,

chief engineer, National Safety Council, was sec- retary.

Among the organizations represented were the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, the National Association of Wool Manufacturers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the International Association of Government Officials in Industry of the United States and Canada, the International

Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, the United States Department of Labor, National Bureau of Standards, the National Association

of Mutual Casualty Companies, the Silk Association

of America, the National Board of Casualty and

Surety Underwriters, and individual manufacturers

of textile machinery.

The requirements of the code apply to such textile

machinery and equipment as plants operating pickers,

cards, combing machinery, drawing frames, slubbers,

roving frames, ring spinning frames, spinning mules,

spoolers, twisters, wrappers, slashers, looms, inspection machines, folding machines, baling presses, sewing machines, cloth singers, washing machines,

kiers, mercerizing and tenter frames, mangles,

winders, dry cans, dyeing pedders, jigs and vats,

color mixers, printing machines, soapers, aging boxes,

pasters, dampeners, calenders, hookers, doublers, extractors, bottles, and other machinery and equipment

used for similar purposes.

PROPOSED AMERICAN STANDARD FOR CUT

AND GROUND THREAD TAPS

Draft of Proposal Is Now in Circulation for Review, Says

American Standards Association

A draft of the proposed American standard for

cut and ground thread taps is now being circulated

for review and criticism, and copies are available for

this purpose from the office of the American Standards Association.

The draft was prepared by technical committee No.

12 of the general committee on small tools and machine-tool elements, organized under the auspices of

the American Standards Association, with the Society

of Automotive Engineers, the National Machine Tool

Builders Association, and the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers, as sponsors. Charles M. Pond,

manager, small tool and gage division, Pratt & Whitney Co., is chairman of the technical committee.

The particular features of this new standard, ac- cording to a foreword to the standard, are (1) adoption of larger major diameters to allow for greater wear, (2) increase in minimum pitch diameters on

cut thread taps over ^4-inch diameter to compensate

for lead error, (3) adoption of a comprehensive

standard for ground thread taps, and (4) standardization of a number of elements not heretofore covered. The standard covers, machine screw end, tapper, nut, and pulley taps. Standard tolerances on all dimensions are included.

It is understood that this proposal follows closely

the tap standardization program set forth in the 1928

report of the National Screw Thread Commission, as carried out by-that commission and its cooperating

committees, representing manufacturers and users of

taps.

SIMPLIFICATION OF SCREW JACKS

The division of simplified practice has heard from

a number of manufacturers of this equipment who

favor a reduction in the present variety of sizes and

styles. The division has also circularized a considerable number of shippers and large users, including

railroad companies, all of whom strongly favor such

reduction in variety. It is expected that a conference

of manufacturers will be held in Chicago during this

month at which a definite simplification program will be formulated.

SIMPLIFICATION OF CIGAR SIZES

Survey Conducted by Industry to Ascertain Opportunities for Reducing Variety of Sizes Produced

Several trade papers in the tobacco industry have

manifested to the division of simplified practice their

interest in a proposal for simplification which has

been presented to the division bv the secretary of a local retail tobacco dealers association.

This official suggests that the practice of manufacturers of cigars producing the commodity in a wide

range of sizes is working a hardship on the retail merchant. He believes that not only the retail merchant is suffering but the manufacturers as well. He

points out that in a great many cases three or four

different sizes of a particular brand of cigars are made, the difference between the various sizes being

so slight that the average smoker can not discern it. There is also a wide and unnecessary diversification in

colors of cigars, added the secretary, pointing out that

the filler and binder give the cigar its character, but

that the use of a wide variety of wrappers has created

a misconception on the part of the smoker so that he

now believes that, for example, a light-colored cigar

is a mild one, whereas it may be just the opposite.

It has been stated that at one time a prominent cigar

company manufactured as many as 20 brands of

cigars, with 8 to 10 sizes for each brand, but since

they have confined themselves to approximately three

sizes per brand, they have increased their business

enormously.
147

The concensus of opinion is that there are too many

sizes of cigars on the market to-day. and that a reduction in the number of sizes would he of material benefit to all concerned. A member of the staff of the

division of simplified practice is going to interview

executives of several of the large tobacco companies in

the near future with regard to the possibilities of

applying the principles of simplification in this

industry.

KRAFT SEALING TAPE

Simplification for Commodity Approved; Effective Date Set

for February 1, 1930 A large and representative conference of manufacturers, distributors, and users of Kraft sealing tape,

held under the auspices of the division of simplified

practice in Chicago last month, approved a simplified

schedule of stock sizes for the commodity. The program is to be considered in effect on February 1, 1930.

subject to the approval of all interests. This type

of tape is known as No. 1 Kraft sealing tape and is largely used for sealing cartons used in shipments.

The program results in a reduction of 8 cur- rent weights of paper stock to 3 and these are 35.

60, and 90 pound paper before gluing. The recom- mendation also provides for the length of tape in

rolls, the widths of tape for each weight, as well as packaging and marking. The test requirements for

60-pound tape are included, as this grade is specified

b}r carrier and carrier organizations for use on fiber and corrugated shipping containers. The varieties

retained will, in the opinion of those concerned,

satisfy the normal requirements of the industry.

The conference approved the appointment of a standing committee to consist of representatives of

manufacturers, distributors, and users for the purpose

of enlisting the support of all concerned to maintain

interest and adherence by keeping the program

abreast of current practice through periodic revision.

The program is to be made effective beginning February 1, 1930. The division of simplified practice will shortly

send to the members of the sealing-tape industry a copy of the report of the conference, together with

an acceptance blank. When sufficient signed acceptances, representing at least 80 per cent of the industry by volume of annual production, are received,

the recommendation will be printed as part of the

Elimination of Waste series of the Department of

Commerce, in accordance with the regular procedure

of the division of simplified practice in its cooperative

work with industry.

TWO NEW PROPOSALS FOR SIMPLIFICATION

Contemplated Programs Cover Arbor Holes for Saws and

Grinding Wheels and Hydraulic Jacks

The division of simplified practice receives many

suggestions for simplification. A few of these are

listed below. Manufacturers, distributors, and users

of these commodities are invited to submit any comments which will be helpful in determining the in- terested industry’s attitude toward these suggestions.

Hydraulic jacks.—A manufacturer of hydraulic

jacks has suggested that there is a definite need for

simplification in this field, particularly as to the range

of capacities furnished. The division expects to get

in touch, during the next month, with other manufacturers of hydraulic jacks, and with large users, to ascertain their opinion as to the possibility of re- ducing the variety now made.

Arbor holes for saws and grinding wheels. —The

saw simplification committee, composed of representative manufacturers of saws, has suggested that the

number of shapes and sizes of arbors can be very

greatly reduced, to the benefit of everyone concerned.

They have taken up the matter with the division, and

it has also been brought up by the Grinding Wheel

Manufacturers’ Association. The division expects to get in touch with the manufacturers of portable electric machines on which these arbors are used, and to cooperate with all interests in developing a simplified

practice project which will result in concentrating

production on those sizes and shapes which are in

greatest demand.

ADHERENCE TO SIMPLIFICATIONS SHOWN

BY SURVEY

Periodic surveys of production are conducted b}r the division of simplified practice to determine the

degree of adherence which various industries are ac- cording their simplified practice recommendations.

Such surveys recently conducted on several programs

indicated that the adherence amounted to the following percentage of the 1928 production

:

Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 10, Milk

Bottles and Caps, 78.54 per cent ; No. 63, Metal Spools,

43 per cent; No. 66, Automobile Brake Lining, 78.93

per cent; No. 67, Roller Bearings, 58 per cent; and

No. 70, Salt Packages, 94 per cent. By these surveys, current practice is also readily

ascertained and these recommendations are kept serviceable. Many constructive suggestions as to further

eliminations or additions to these programs were also received. These will be given full consideration by

the members of the respective industries at the next

revision meeting of the respective programs.

LISTS OF SIMPLIFIED SIZES AVAILABLE

Complimentary Copies of Simplified Practice Recommendations Available Upon Request

To acquaint American business men with the

various simplified practice recommendations now in

effect, the division of simplified practice announces

the availability of complimentary mimeographed

schedules of these recommendations.

These mimeographed schedules, called sheet forms,

contain the recommended list of sizes and varieties

only, as adopted by the industry concerned, and are

especially designed for use of engineers, architects,

purchasing agents, the personnel of order departments,

storekeepers, accountants, foremen, and others who

are desirous of possessing, in concise form, schedules

which are easily adaptable to their filing systems.

A sheet listing the names of all simplified practice

recommendations now in effect will be mailed those

interested in securing copies of these recommendations

in sheet form. From this list recommendations of

particular interest may be selected. Several thousand copies of these mimeographed

sheet forms have been distributed during the past

several months, and as great benefits may be derived

from the application of these simplified practice
148

recommendations, it is exjiectecl that those engaged in

commercial and industrial pursuits will be quick to avail themselves of this service.

MASONRY OPENING SIZES

Meeting of Simplified Practice Committee on Masonry Opening Sizes Addressed by Secretary of Commerce; Subcommittee Appointed to Draft Tentative Recommendations

“ Economy in the building and construction industries is more necessary now than ever before,

1

’ said

Secretary of Commerce Robert P. Lamont in an in- formal address of welcome to the members of a simplified practice committee on masonry opening

sizes, at a meeting held at the Department of Commerce last month under the auspices of the division

of simplified practice.

Outlining the services which the Department of

Commerce has to offer the industries in the matter of

the elimination of industrial waste for better economy

in building operations, the Secretary said that “ it is often necessary for the component elements of an

industry to compromise on questions of minor importance in order that they may effect simplification or commercial standards programs which will be of

benefit to the whole industry as well as to the entire

country.” He further stated that “ the Department

of Commerce, through the division of simplified practice of the National Bureau of Standards, is ready

to support industry on any program that meets with

the approval of the majority of that industry.”

It was the concensus of opinion of those present, in

discussing the subject of a standard unit dimension

for masonry, that the fundamental or “ key ” building

unit was embodied in the brick. It was accordingly

suggested that a brick plus a mortar joint be established as a unit of measure, the length of the brick

to equal a unit minus one joint; the width one-half

unit minus one joint; and the thickness being onethircl unit minus one joint. For the purpose of these

considerations, a mortar joint was taken to equal onehalf inch.

Leroy S. Kern, representing the American Institute

of Architects, who was elected chairman of the committee, has informed P. H. H. Dunn, of the division

of simplified practice, that he will shortly appoint a subcommittee, which will consist of one representative

each from the face-brick manufacturers, the commonbrick manufacturers, and the Associated General Contractors of America. It will he the duty of this subcommittee to prepare a report in the form of a recom- mendation as to some standard dimensional unit,

such as suggested at the conference held last month.

This recommendation, necessarily tentative in its nature, will subsequently he referred to all those in- terested in the subject for their consideration and

criticism.

THREE SIMPLIFICATIONS REAFFIRMED BY

INDUSTRIES

The division of simplified practice announces that

three simplified practice recommendations, No. 9, Woven Wire Fencing; No. 80, Folding and Portable

Wooden Chairs; and No. 85, Adhesive Plaster, have

been reaffirmed by their respective industries for an- other year. Copies of the printed pamphlets covering

these programs may be secured for 5 cents each from

the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. BUREAU STUDIES BEHAVIOR OF GASOLINE

IN IDEAL ENGINE MANIFOLD

When gasoline is sprayed through the carburetqr

jet into the intake manifold of an automobile engine,

it evaporates, explains the bureau, as it is carried

along with the air stream into the cylinders. The

resulting mixture must contain air and gasoline vapor

in explosive proportions if the engine is to start when

a spark is passed through the mixture in the cylinder

and keep on running after it once has started. The case of starting and the amount of power developed by the engine will depend upon how rich or how lean an air-vapor mixture is formed. The car- buretor may be adjusted, to give equally rich mixtures

with gasolines of different volatility, but if the car- buretor adjustment is left unchanged a more volatile

gasoline will tend to form a richer mixture. Not

onty does the volatility of the gasoline effect the mixture of air and vapor formed, hut with any fixed

carburetor setting and any particular gasoline, the

richness of the mixture will depend upon the length

of the manifold and its general design.

Since vaporization of gasoline in the intake air

stream does depend upon manifold design, the bureau,

in studying the measurement of gasoline volatility, began with an almost ideal type of manifold. While

this type of manifold is so nearly ideal that it would

be impracticable to use it on an actual engine, the re- sults obtained with it furnish a standard, of reference

for evaluating how closely vaporization in different

kinds of actual manifolds follows that obtained in

.the ideal system. The results of three years of work

show conclusively that the distillation test used by

the oil refiners is adequate to give the desired information on volatility under equilibrium conditions. Of

course, this basic information must be supplemented

by a study of the differences between vaporization in an ideal manifold and in the various types of manifolds in use in cars at this time.

MANY ACCEPTANCES TO SIMPLIFICATIONS

AND COMMERCIAL STANDARDS

Total of 21,488 Individuals and 1,254 Associations Have

Accepted Simplified Practice Recommendations; 1,758 Acceptances Received for Commercial Standards

Indicative of the support and interest of American

business in the simplification and commercial standards programs developed as a medium of eliminating

avoidable waste in industry, the assistant director of

the bureau, in charge of the commercial standardization group, has announced that a total of 21,488 individual and 1,254 associational acceptances have been

received for the 114 simplified practice recommendations thus far developed by industry under the aus- pices of the division of simplified practice of the

bureau.

It was also stated that a total of 1,758 acceptances

have been received for the 12 commercial standards

that have been developed under the auspices of the

division of trade standards.

In addition to the programs already in effect, various industries have submitted 11 additional sim-
149

plification and 7 commercial standardization programs to the bureau. The division of simplified practice now has 100 active proposals under consideration

and the division of trade standards 41.

BASIC BOOK FOR PRINTERS

Chapter II of the book. The Standard Book on Estimating, by Fred W. Hoch, of the New York Employing Printers Association, dealing with the subject of paper, standard sizes, comparative weights of

odd size sheets and samples of paper, should prove

of interest to acceptors of simplified practice recom- mendation No. 22, Paper. The book has the approval

of the United Typothetae of America committee on

education, as a book of the typothetae management

series.BLUE PRINT PAPER SIMPLIFICATION

PROPOSED

At the request of the simplification committee of

the International Association of Blue Print and Allied

Industries, the division of simplified practice is making a survey of current variety of blue print paper.

The information collected by the division will be

used as the basis for developing a simplified practice

recommendation.

STANDARD SYSTEM OF AIRWAYS MARKING

HELD TO BE VITAL NEED OF FLIERS

Uniform and Simple Emblems Urged as Guides by Department of Commerce

The general adoption of a standard system of air- ways marking, so that flyers can obtain necessary in- formation in the simplest and most effective manner,

is one of the most vital needs of air navigation at the

present time, according to the aeronautics branch of

the Department of Commerce.

It is essential that every city, town, and hamlet be

adequately air marked, it is stated by the department,

and to secure uniformity in this work a standard sys- tem has been outlined. The committee which drafted

these recommendations included representatives of the

Bureau of Aeronautics, of the Navy Department, the

Army Air Corps, the National Airway Marking Association, and the aeronautics branch of the Department of Commerce. The markings should be as simple as possible consistent with the information to be

conveyed ; should be of such size and color as to insure

maximum attractive power and visibility under all at- mospheric conditions; should be easily legible from

an average altitude of flight, and should be so illu- an average altitude of flight, and should be so illuminated as to be equally as effective by night as by day.

SIMPLIFYING RESTAURANT GUEST CHECKS

A general conference of representatives of manufacturers, distributors, and users of restaurant guest

checks last month approved a simplified practice

recommendation for checks used by restaurants, cafes,

and dining rooms. The program which was prepared

by a committee of manufacturers, applies to written

checks only and does not include the type known as punch checks.

The program includes a description of the cardboard and paper to be used in the manufacture of

checks, as well as the sizes, colors of ink, numbering,

binding, and packaging ' of finished checks. The

recommendation will reduce the current grades of

cardboard checks from 4 to 3 and paper checks from

7 to 4; widths of cardboard checks from 12 to 5 and

lengths from 16 to 4; widths of paper checks from 10

to 8. The varieties retained will, in the opinion of

the industry, satisfy the normal requirements of the

trade.

The conference approved the appointment of a standing committee to consist of representatives of

manufacturers, distributors, and users for the purpose

of enlisting the support of all concerned to maintain

interest and adherence by keeping the program abreast

of current practice through periodic revision. The

conference established January 1, 1930, as the effective

date for the recommendation.

RESEARCH BUREAU FORMED BY SCRAP IRON

AND STEEL INSTITUTE

The Scrap Iron and Steel Institute is reported to have recently created a research bureau to survey

conditions in the scrap iron and steel industry. It is proposed to study thoroughly every phase of direct

dealing between producers and consumers of scrap.

It is stated that the principle of reciprocity in the

sale of finished steel products and the purchase of

scrap, and its effect on the steel industry, will probably

be included. It is announced that when the survey

is completed the results will be placed at the disposal

of producers, consumers, and all agencies concerned

with the industry.

MEMORIES OF THE PAST

The artist who drew the front cover of the General

Electric News for August, 1929, tried to bring out an idea that has recently been attracting the atten- tion of all of us, namely, that it is very old fashioned

to be wasteful. Excessive waste, the artist felt, will soon be considered quite as obsolete and absurd as gas

lights, side burns, and the horse and buggy as a means

of getting around. Let us all hope he is a good

prophet and that the days of excessive waste will soon

be nothing but memories. The front cover of the

General Electric News has a red background with pic- tures sketched in white. The pictures represent the

old fashioned buggy, gas light, side burns, spinning

wheel, high-wheel bicycle, and in the center is the

well-known waste can. BEVERAGE INDUSTRY SEEKS TO SIMPLIFY

SIZES OF BOTTLES

Great Savings Are Expected to Result from Adoption of Committee Recommendations

Great savings are expected to result from the

adoption of recommendations which are to be pre- sented by a simplified practice committee at a general

conference on the simplification of sizes of bottles

used by the carbonated-beverage industry. This con- ference will be conducted under the auspices of the

division of simplified practice.

The conference will be comprised of representative

manufacturers, distributors, and purchasers of car- bonated beverages, bottling machinery, bottle caps,

bottle boxes, bottle labels, crates, and cartons, and will

be held in Atlantic City, N. J.
150

At the present time there are several hundred varieties of bottles used in the carbonated-beverage

industry, which accounts for a great deal of economic

waste and also much inconvenience, states the committee in charge of the proposed program. The rec- ommendations of the committee completely cover standard capacities, heights, diameters, and weight of

glass for bottles used by the industry.

Membership of committee.

The joint simplified practice committee of the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages and the Glass

Container Association, which has prepared the recom- mendations, includes the following: James Vernor,

jr., James Vernor Co., Detroit (chairman) ; Charles

E. Culpeper, the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of New

York (Inc.); J. P. Curran, American Bottling Co.;

F. L. Lloyd, Crown Cork A Seal Co. ; W. S. Richards,

Illinois Glass Co. (representing standardization committee of Glass Container Association) ; W. R. Root,

of the Root Glass Co.; Junior Owens, secretary of the

American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages; L. S. Cunningham, jr., of the D. O. Cunningham Glass Co.;

and Carl A. Jones, president of the American Bottlers

of Carbonated Beverages.

The general conference is expected to establish an

effective date for production on the basis of the new

schedule, after it has been approved by the industry,

and will designate a transitional period during which

eliminated varieties may be moved into consumption

without injuring any element in the industry. A

standing committee also will be appointed to control

the new recommendation.

UNIFORMITY IS SOUGHT IN TYPES OF

TRUNKS

Conference Scheduled This Month to Consider Reduction in Number of Sizes At a meeting held in New York on August 16, at- tended by manufacturers and dealers as well as representatives of the Pullman Co., the American Association of Baggage Agents, the National Retail Dry

Goods Association, and others, a resolution was approved authorizing the appointment of a joint committee to prepare a tentative recommendation for

luggage sizes for the use of the division of simplified

practice, in arranging for a general conference to be

held in conjunction with the November convention of

the Trunk, Luggage, and Leather Goods Manufacturers of America.

It is the belief of some of the manufacturers that

the adoption of standard sizes for trunks and hand

luggage will result in a considerable reduction in in- vestment in boxes used in the production of suitcases,

etc. One manufacturer stated that “ if standard sizes could be adopted he could reduce his inventory by

$5,000 on boxes used in the manufacture of a line of

ladies’ merchandise. If this is true in one factory,

the total saving for all manufacturers would be considerable. It is felt also by dealers that standardization of sizes will increase turnover and make it possible to have their orders filled promptly.

The baggage agents of the various railroads and

steamship companies claim the standardization of luggage sizes will help tremendously in the expeditious

handling of luggage. According to the chairman of

the committee on standardization of baggage, of the

American Association of Baggage Agents, the rail- roads have for a long time felt the need for uniformity

in sizes of baggage. The National Retail Dry Goods

Association, the National Association of Retail

Clothiers and Furnishers, and the Pullman Co., are likewise very much in favor of the standardization of

luggage sizes.

INDUSTRIES IN EUROPE PROMOTING

UNIFORMITY

Five Countries Found to Be Active in Promoting Standardization of Goods, Says Harriman

Testing equipment of the National Bureau of Standards is superior to that maintained by the European

Governments, N. F. Harriman, executive chairman of

the Federal Purchasing Board, stated recently upon

his return from abroad. He has returned from a 3-month tour of Europe, during which he visited

the testing laboratories of the leading European countries and also observed the progress of the standardization movement in purchasing methods.

Standardization work in Europe, he said, is carried on as extensively as in the United States. The countries most active in this work are Germany, England,

the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In Germany the

work has inclined toward dimensional standardization. Purchasing methods also have progressed just

as far in Europe as in the United States, he added.

Industrial establishments and railways, particularly, are up to the standard of the United States in purchasing methods, he explained.

While in Scotland he visited one of the foremost

Diesel engine manufacturers in Europe. This firm,

he said, is studying the adaptation of the Diesel en- gine to aviation.

NEW BOOK ON SHEET-METAL WORK

National Association of Sheet Metal Contractors Publishes

Book on Standard Practice in Sheet-Metal Work

The National Association of Sheet Metal Contractors of the United States, through its trade development committee, announces the publication of a book

entitled, “ Standard Practice in Sheet Metal Work.”

This book contains the standards of recommended

practice in fabricating and erecting sheet-metal work

for the building industry and covers the following

subjects: Roofing; gutters; conductors; flashings and

corrugated iron work; skylights and ventilators;

metal cornices; metal ceilings; warm-air furnaces;

heating and ventilating systems; blow pipe and ex- haust systems: fire and Kalamein doors; hollow metal

doors and trim; hollow metal windows; restaurant,

kitchen, and hotel equipment; and protective coatings

and paints.

Members of the National Association of Sheet Metal

Contractors of the United States, and representatives

of the National Hardware Association of the United

States, jointly cooperated, under the auspices of the

division of simplified practice, with other interested

elements of the industry, in the formulation of simplified practice recommendations for eaves trough, con- ductor elbows, and fittings; hollow metal doors; and

Kalamein doors.

o
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, AND COMMERCIAL

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE

national BUREAU of standards

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH

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

union of science and its applications in one

journal shortens the lag between discovery

and application.

All engaged in industry and commerce should

have available for current use and permanent

reference, the Bureau of Standards Journal of

Research.

Early in its firSt year the Journal developed a

liSt of paid subscribers double the anticipated

maximum.

This Journal is full of interest to executives

and technicians controlling industries and

commercial enterprises. It enables them bet- ter to promote efficiency by determining the

scientific measured controls ofprocess through

experimental and theoretical research.

TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN

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

days of 1917 to keep the Army and Navy and

other branches of the Government informed

of progress in scientific war research at the

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

Government, science, and industry.

The TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN will

keep you informed of current progress in the

scientific and technical work of the bureau’s

laboratories, and gives each month a liSt of

the publications of the bureau. A complete

cross index is published with the December

issue.

You can not afford to be without the TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN. Every article is short and to the point. The busiest executive can afford the time to read it.

Issued monthly . Price, $2.75 per year Subscription price . 25 cents per year

COMMERCIAL STANDARDS

MONTHLY

STANDARDS YEARBOOK

FOR 1929

This new governmental periodical is a review

of progress in commercial simplification and

standardization. It is the only journal of its kind. It covers the national movement initiated by President Hoover for the reduction

of needless sizes and varieties of products and

the promotion of voluntary commercial

Standardization by industry.

The Secretary of Commerce in the firSt issue

of this new journal said: “Certain Standards,

such as those used for weights and measures,

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

volume of Standards developed by industry

and commerce and voluntarily maintained.

* * * The activities of the Commercial

Standardization Group of the Bureau of

Standards are concerned with Standards

adopted by voluntary agreement.”

Subscription price, $1 per year

The new Standards Yearbook for 1929 is the

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

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

of progress.

Standardization is a world-wide movement.

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

example of methods and results of suggeStive

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

interest.

NOW READY Price, $1 ORDER AT ONCE

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

activity supplemental to others.”

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

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

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

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

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

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. LAMONT, Secretary of Commerce

AERONAUTICS BRANCH, Clarence M. Young, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics. Establishment of civil airways and maintenance of aids to air navigation; inspection and registration of aircraft and licensing

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

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

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

transportation, and religious bodies every 10 years; censuses of agriculture and electrical public utilities every 5 years; and a census of manufactures every 2 years. Compilation of statistics of wealth, public debt and taxation, including financial statistics of local governments, every 10 years; annual compilation of financial statistics of State and municipal governments.

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

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

cities and automobile accidents weekly.

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

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

William L. Cooper, Director. The collection of timely information concerning world market

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

consular officers, and its distribution through weekly Commerce

Reports, bulletins, confidential circulars, the news and trade

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

maintenance of commodity, technical, and regional divisions to afford special service to American exporters and manufacturers. The compilation and distribution of lists of possible buyers

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

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

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

fundamental technical data. Collection and dissemination of information concerning

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

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

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

utilization of minerals, including the study of mine hazards and

safety methods and of improved methods in the production

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

Research on helium and operation of plants producing it.

BUREAU OF MINES—Continued.

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

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

BUREAU OF FISHERIES, Henry O’Malley, Commissioner.

The propagation and distribution of food fish and shellfish,

in order to prevent the depletion of the fisheries; investigations

to promote conservation of fishery resources; the development

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

statistics; administration of Alaska fisheries and fur seals; and

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

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

Notices to Mariners.

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

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

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

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

BUREAU OF NAVIGATION, Arthur J. Tyrer, Commissioner.

Superintendence of commercial marine and merchant seamen.

Supervision of registering, enrolling, licensing, numbering,

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

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

including imposition of fees, fines, tonnage taxes, etc. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE, Dickerson N. Hoover, Supervising Inspector General. The inspection of merchant vessels, including boilers, hulls, and life-saving equipment, licensing of officers of vessels, certi- fication of able seamen and lifeboat men, and the investigation

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

Commissioner.

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

prints, and labels after technical examination and judicial

proceedings

Maintenance of library with public search room, containing

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

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

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

examining and settling international radio accounts.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1929