Annual Report

of the

Director of the Bureau of Standards

to the

Secretary of Commerce and Labor

for the

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1904

Washington

Government Printing Office

1905

Annual Report

of the

Director of the Bureau of Standa

to the

Secretary of Commerce and Labor

for the

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1904

Washington

Government Printing Office

1905
Department of Commerce and Labor

Document No. 39

BUREAU OP STANDARDS
REPORT

OF THE

DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

Departmext of Commerce and Labor,

Bureau of Standards,

Wasliington^ D. 6'., Jaly 190J^. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this Bureau for the fiscal 3'ear ended June 30, 1904:

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, the work of the Bureau

has been carried on in the temporary quarters previously occupied in

the Butler and Coast and Geodetic Survey buildings and at No. 235

New Jersey avenue SE. , and for a portion of the year a part of the

work has been conducted in the new mechanical building on Pierce

Mill road, near Connecticut avenue NW.

The ofiices of the Bureau, together with the section of weights and

measures and the section of resistance and electromotive force, have

been, as heretofore, in the Butler and Coast and Geodetic Surve}^ buildings. The sections of heat and thermometry and of light and optical

instrimients have remained during the 3'ear in the temporary laboratory

fitted up two years ago at No. 235 New. Jersey avenue. The instrument shop was moved into the new mechanical building

in the winter and the following sections established themselves in the

laboratory rooms of the same building in the spring: (ci) Inductance

and capacity; il)) electrical measuring instruments; (c) magnetism; id)

photometry; and (e) engineering instruments. The vai'ious sections

of the Bureau have thus been enabled to expand their work, the sec- tions remaining behind in the temporary quarters having occupied the

space vacated b}' those moving into the new building.

The physical building is to be completed bj^ the terms of the contract

during August next, but it will not be read}^ for occupanc}^ before

October. This building, which is connected with the mechanical building by a spacious tunnel, so that the two are practically one building

so far as service and facilities are concerned, is the larger of the two

and will accommodate the ofiices and library and a large part of the

research work and testing of the Bureau. The two buildings will

3
4 EEPOKT OF DIEECTOE OF THE BUEEAU OF STANDAEDS.

provide for the present work of the Bui'eau and the temporary quarters now occupied will be surrendered.

In addition to the heating- and ventilating system, plumbing, steam

boilers, pumps, filters, and auxiliar}" apparatus installed by the Office

of the Supervising Architect as an initial equipment for the buildings,

the Bureau has installed during the year a considerable amount of

apparatus and machiner}^ in the mechanical building. The more

important items of this list of apparatus and machines are the following: A tandem compound engine of 120 horsepower, with two directcurrent dynamos of 75 kilowatts combined capacity; a simple engine

of 50 horsepower and two dynamos of 30 kilowatts combined capacit}'; a motor generator for charging storage batteries and a motor-alternator

testing set; three motor-generator testing sets brought from the temporar}' laboratory at 236 New Jersey avenue; two storage batteries; a switch board, for all the generators and testing machines, storage batteries, and distributing lines; an ammonia refrigerating machine of 30

tons capacitj^ together with a small ice-making plant; a gas-making

machine for laboratory use, and a large air compressor to be used in

connection with a liquid-air plant yet to be installed.

The sum of $1,500 was appropriated by the last Congress for grading grounds and building walks and roads. Of this amount f500 was

made immediately available, and has been expended in constructing a walk from Connecticut avenue to the laboratories and a roadway from

Pierce Mill road to the mechanical building. The balance will be

expended after July 1 for paving and grading about the mechanical

building and making a short piece of macadamized road.

SCOPE OF THE BUREAu'S WORK.

The testing work done hj the Bureau is much more extensive and

important than the table of tests and fees would indicate. It was

never expected that the fees received for testing would amount to a sum comparable with the total expense of the Bureau, and yet the

amount of fees will increase largely 3"ear b}^ year as the work develops

and the force increases. By far the greater part of the work of the

Bureau is that of investigation in connection with the improvement

of standards and methods of measurement, hence it is necessarv to maintain a force of men and an equipment for doing scientific work

of the highest grade. The act of Congress authorizing the establishment of the Bureau of Standards provided that the Bureau should

acquire and construct, when necessary, copies of the standards adopted

or recognized b}^ the Government, their multiples and subdivisions;

should compare with these standards the instruments and standards

employed in scientific investigations, engineering, manufacturing,

commerce, and in educational institutions; should conduct researches
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 5

pertaining to precision measurements, and should determine physical

constants and properties of materials. Granting that the primary purH^i pose of the Bureau is to do testing for the Government and the public, it is evident that the wide range of work provided for in the act

establishing the Bureau is necessary, in order that testing of the

- hig-hest grade mav be done.

The Bureau is the custodian of the legal standards of length of the

United States, and hence every precision standard used b}' manufacturers of bars, rules, tapes, or other measuring instruments, or by

engineers or surve3'0rs in lajdng out buildings or measuring land, or

b}^ the States or the Government in running boundaries or making

maps or charts, or by scientific investigators in all research work, must

come directly or indirect!}' from the Bureau of Standards. Similarly

the Bureau is the custodian of the legal standards of mass, and every

manufacturer of scales and balances, from the delicate lialances used

b}'^ chemists and assayers to the heaviest scales used in commerce,

depends directly or indirectly on the Bureau for his standards. Manufacturers' standards are not made by the Bureau except in rare cases, but are purchased from the makers of standard weights and measures

and brought to the Bureau from time to time for comparison with the

standai'ds of the Government. The degree of precision with which

they are compared with the fundamental standards varies from that

required in the standards for ordinary weights and measures to that

which is necessary in the standards used in scientific work which

demands the application of the most precise methods of measurement

known. The importance to manufacturing, comiuercial, and scientific

interests of correct standards and uniformity of measurements of

length, mass, and capacity is readily understood; but it is equally

important that these interests be properly provided with accurate

standards for measurements of electricitj', heat, illumination, pressure,

power, and other quantities. Moreover, the standards involved are far

more complex. Their preparation and comparison involve meas- urements and investigations of the highest order in practically all branches of physics and chemistr3^ This work includes the verification of the volumetric apparatus used by chemists in all kinds of

analytical work; the testing of precision thermometers used in scientific work or as standards by thermometer manufacturers, and of clinical thermometers and the standards employed in their manufacture,

and the standardization of instruments for measuring low temperatures

used in scientific work, and of pyrometers for measuring high temperatures in connection with the steel, glass, pottery, and other industries. The impoi'tance of a knowledge of the temperatures employed

in these industries is now well understood. The instruments involved

are, iuoreo\er, subject to error and must be compai'ed from time to
6 EEPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

time with the standards. The standards and measuring instruments

employed in the electrical industries are no less important or varied in

their nature. They inv'olve standards of resistance and electromotive

force, the two most fundamental units employed in electrical measurements. Every manufacturer or user of electrical measuring instruments or machinery must depend directly or indirectly upon these

standards, as well as standards of capacity and inductance. The

Bureau also maintains a laboratory for the preparation and testing of

standards of illumination used in the manufacture of electric lamps or

the testing of gas, oil, and other illuminants.

The illustrations given refer only to the more important branches of

the Bureau's woi-k, yet they serve to show its wide range and its scientific as well as commercial importance. Obviously, the Bureau of

Standards, occupying the .position of a court of highest appeal in matters pertaining to weights and measures, must possess material standards as perfect as possible; the methods of measurement employed

must be the latest and best; the instruments used must be the most

effective that can be bought or built; the laboratory facilities should

be complete in all respects; and, finally, the men in charge of the

work and their assistants must be able, well trained, and experienced.

WEIGHTS AMD MEASURES.

In addition to an unusually large amount of routine testing done in

this section during the year, considerable attention was given to the

designing and construction of new apparatus. This work included the

preparation of plans for a 50-meter tape comparator and also an arrangement for comparing 5-meter base standards for geodetic work. To

accommodate these comparators the entire length of the tunnel con- necting the mechanical and physical laboratories was divided into two

parts by a brick wall. That part of the tunnel devoted to the compai'ators is about 2 meters wide, and against one wall will be placed the

50-meter and the 150-foot tape standards, while the base bar comparator

will be near the opposite wall. When completed the facilities for work

of this character will be equal if not superior to any in existence.

Plans are also being prepared for a comparator for testing end-standards and gauges'up to 500 millimeters, or 20 inches in length. End-standards and gauges are used almost exclusively for precise mechanical

work; manufacturers of these gauges now work so accurately that one

of the most difficult problems is to determine with sufficient precision

the absolute length of the standards employed. It is also proposed to

study with this comparator various methods of contact used with endstandards.

Designs for standard weights and measures for the use of State,

county, and city sealers were completed during the year and placed in

the hands of several manufacturers. These supply a long-felt want.
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 7

Sealers may now purchase sets of standards specially desig'ned for

their use and send them to the Bureau to be verified and stamped.

Earl}^ in the year a notice of a proposed meeting of State sealers

was sent to the governors of all the States, but as a gi'eat many replies

indicated that no funds were available for the purpose of sending representatives, it was decided to postpone the meeting until January,

1906. The object of this meeting is to discuss means for securing

greater uniformity in the laws and practices concerning weights and

measures in the United States; also to bring about closer relations

between the Bureau and State officials. In order that the data for

intelligent discussion of the subject may be had, the Bureau is compiling the laws of all the States, as well as the national laws, relating to

weights and measures. This information has never been available, for

the reason that it is scattered through many volumes seldom accessible

to those interested in the subject.

In addition to the equipment which is being designed and constructed

in the Bureau for the section of weights and measures, a number of

precision balances of the highest grade have been ordered. One of

these balances will permit of weighing being done in vacuo. While

the reduction to vacuo of weighings can ordinarily be made with all ||k needful accuracy by observing the temperature, humidity, and pres- sure of the air and making correction for the air displaced by the

weights, these methods are indirect and should occasionally be verified

by actually weighing in vacuo.

Satisfactory progress has been made in meeting the' demands of

chemists for the calibration of volumetric apparatus used in exact

analytical work. A rapid volumetric method for testing flasks and

similar measuring apparatus was devised and thoroughly tested in the

verification of a large number of 100 cubic centimeter sugar flasks

submitted by the United States Treasury Department. This method

will be applied to the calibration of flasks and graduated cylinders of

all sizes. Considera])le work was done for the Public Health and

Marine-Hospital Service, for which higher accuracy was required

than has previously been attempted with glass voliunetric apparatus.

The apparatus was for use in the preparation of diphtheria and other

antitoxins, and it is essential that all apparatus used in their manufacture be as correctly graduated as possible.

Regulations were issued by the Bureau for the testing of such measuring apparatus. The}' were based upon the experience of the foreign

standardizing laboratories and upon experiments conducted at this

Bureau after consultation with a committee representing the American

Chemical Society and with manufacturers of chemical glassware.

Numerous aneroid barometers for the use of the Navy Department

and for individuals have been tested during the year. The capacity

of the apparatus used for this purpose is too small, and it is proposed
8 REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

to greatlv increase the size of the variable pressure chamber and to

provide facilities for rapidly raising- and lowering the temperature of

the chamber in order to determine the effect of temperature upon the

indication of the aneroids.

The national prototype meter of the United States was taken to

Europe and recompared with the standards of the International

Bureau. This is the lirst time that this standard has been compared

since the original comparison made under the direction of the International Committee in 1888 and 1889. The results of the comparison

indicate a very satisfactory constancy in the length of these standards

and will be given in detail in the first number of the Bureau bulletin.

Considerable attention was given b}- this section to the exhibit of the

Bureau at St. Louis. Six large cases containing weights and measures

of historical interest and types of the best foreign and United States

weights and measures were shown, the purpose being to show the

progress that has been made in the construction of material standards

and to illustrate their form and variety.

Among the more important pieces of work done in this section during the year may be mentioned the graduation and comparison of a standard meti'ic bar foi" the Canadian government and the repair,

readjustment, and verification of the Wisconsin standard weights and

measures. Plans for the equipment of a laborator}'' for testing time- measuringapparatus were also made during the year. The first requisite is a standard clock of such construction and workmanship that it shall have

a minimum of imperfections and shall be affected as little as possible by

changes in temperature and atmospheric j)ressure. A clock fulfilling

these requirements has been ordered for delivery- about December,

1901. For recording the time, making clock comparisons, rating chronometers, and for use in testing other time-measuring apparatus a double-pen chronograph has been secured.

HEAT AND THERMOMETRV.

During the year a laboratory has been equipped for testing- instruments used for the measurement of high temperatures, so that the

Bureau is now in a position to standardize almost every type of

pyrometer. Pyrometers have not yet found as wide application in

American industries as abroad, and the advantages resulting from their use in the control and duplication of products are just beginning to be

realized. Since the establishment of this laboratory many engineers

and experts of varied industrial concerns have visited the Bureau and

have taken gi-eat interest in this work. During the 3^ear some of the

best optical and radiation pyi'ometers at present availa))le have been

investigated, as it is in this field that the most marked advances have

been made in recent years in the measurement of high temperatures.
EEPOET OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 9

including even the extreme temperatures of the electric arc. The

results of these investigations will be published in the near future.

A special compai'ator designed for the testing of mercurial thermometers in the interval 0"- to 100^' C. was constructed in the

instrument shop. This comparator has also been used for the intercomparison of a number of primary standard mercurial thermometers,

constructed by Tonnelot and by Baudin, which have been subjected

to an elaborate investigation at the International Bureau of Weights

and Measures.

The Bureau has acquired during the past year a number of primary

standard mercurial thermometers in the interval from 0° to 550° C.

,

constructed by Baudin, of Paris, and by Niehls, of Berlin. The int^rcomparison of these thermometers and the comparison of the scale

which the}'^ define with the scale defined by a number of platinum

resistance thermometers is of fundamental importance, as on this

work depends the standard scale of temperature of this Bureau in the

interval 0° to 550° C. Several specially designed platinum resistance

thermometers have been received from the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company. A special Wheatstone resistance box has been

designed for use with the platinum thermometers for work of the

highest precision.

The development of methods and the design and construction of the

necessary apparatus for the testing of clinical thermometers, which

have been^ under way for some time, were carried to a satisfactory

conclusion during the past year, and on December 15, 1903, the Bureau

issued a circular (No. 5) on The Testing of Clinical Thermometers,

giving the conditions and test requirements that such thermometers

must satisf}' in order to receive the certificate and official seal of this

Bureau, together with the table of fees for testing.

At the beginning of this work large errors were found in the product submitted for test. An investigation of the standards used by

manufacturers showed that these were often in error by amounts that

could by no means be neglected. During the past year most of the

leading manufacturers have submitted their standards for test. Many

have constructed new sets of standards. In some instances these

standards were pointed by the Bureau, returned to the maker for

graduation, and resubmitted to the Bureau for test. In order to further facilitate the use gf standards of proper construction and the

general introduction and use of a uniform scale of temperature, the

Bureau has loaned for brief periods to a number of manufacturers

some of its own standard thermometers, specially designed for the

requirements of clinical thermometry. The errors of those now sent

for test are less than half as great as at the beginning of this work.

The hearty cooperation and active interest of the manufacturers has

done much to facilitate the work. The earh' experiments to determine
10 REPOET OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

the behavior of clinical thermometers of the averag-e grade were made

with thermometers placed at the disposal of the Bureau free of cost, as were the thermometers, made in special forms and of special kinds

of glass, used in the experiments on the action of clinical thermometers.

The representatives and experts of man}' of the manufacturers of clinical thermometers have visited the laboiatories during the year and

have carefully inspected the methods of testing. A large number of

tests were made for the several departments of the Government,

manufacturers, hospitals, druggists, and physicians.

Optical testing- and investigations are, in general, of such a nature

that the}^ can not be undertaken except with more complete facilities

than those afforded by the temporar}- quarters of the Bureau. There

are man}^ investigations to be taken up by this section which must be

deferred until the completion of the new physical laboratory. Nevertheless several of the more important ones are under way. The

Bureau has been requested b}' the Treasury Department to cooperate

with it in establishing uniform and improved methods for the polariscopic analysis of sugar. New and improved polariscopic apparatus

has been secured or constructed, and the Bureau is now in a position to

standardize quartz plates and the polariscopic apparatus used in sugar

analyses. Preliminary investigations have been made in reference to

the application of interference methods to linear and angular measurements; also an investigation of the sources of light used in such meas- urements and in spectroscopic analysis. The work of this section

includes the determination of the optical properties of materials.

Several such tests have been made for the public and in connection

with the regular work of the Bureau.

A small laboratory for the testing of engineering instruments has

been established in the mechanical building, the equipment of which

includes a machine for testing the strength of materials, with a capacity of 100,000 pounds (45,000 kilograms). This will be used for test- ing materials for this and other Government bureaus and for the public

when an authoritative test is required. An apparatus for the testing

of water meters has been installed and has 3nelded satisfactory results;

its capacity is limited at present to meters not larger than 2 inches,

the type of meter being immaterial. A gas-meter prover of the recognized standard type of 5 cubic feet capacity has been installed in the

laboratory and is ready for service. A fluid pressure balance was

purchased for the testing of steam-pressure gauges, pending the construction of a mercury column, which will shortly be erected and used

LIGHT AND OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS.

ENGINEERING INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS.
KEPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 11

as the primary standard for all work of this kind. A temporary

arrano-ement for the testing- of speed indicators has been provided;

however, a standard should be adopted in order that the new installation ma}^ conform to it. Much of the equipment in this laboratory will serve as a model for the equipment of municipal laboratories and

will be used for instruction of officials in charge of them. Numerous

requests for information in matters pei'taining to this work have been

received, all of which were given careful consideration. A.mong

other important matters which have received attention is the establishment of a uniform system of tire hose couplings. An extensive

correspondence showed that a great variety of sizes are used in ditt'er- ent cities. The standards for several important cities were examined

land inquiries were made to ascertain whether a change to uniform

standard was feasible. There was unanimous agreement as to the

desirability of uniformity, but few cities were willing to change their

own svstems.

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE.

The work of the section of electrical resistance and electromotive

force includes the construction and verification of resistance standards

and standards of electromotive force, the calibration of resistance

boxes, Wheatstone bridges, potentiometers, precision rheostats, and

resistance standards for current measurements. A considerable number of pieces of apparatus of this kind have been calibrated during the

veai'. In addition, investigations have been carried on to ascertain

how to prepare materials for standard cells, in order to construct cells

of uniform electromotive force that will hold their value permanently.

A considerable number of cells have been constructed and studied, and

some of the results have been published. The work of the section has

also been developed in other directions, and some important pieces of

apparatus have been added to the equipment.

MAGNETISM AND ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF CURRENT.

The section of magnetism and absolute measurement of current

was partially organized during the past 3'ear, but, owing to the lack

of room, apparatus, and men, little testing has been done in the temporary magnetic laborator}" in the mechanical building. Several pieces

of apparatus for magnetic testing have l)een purchased, and work has

been begun on the accurate graduation of these instruments, so that

in a short time this laboratory will be prepared to take up the regidar

testing of specimens of iron and steel and other magnetic substances.

As a preliminary to the important work of redetermining, in absolute units, electric current and the electromotive force of standard

cells, the study of the silver voltameter was taken up. This research
12 REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

led to the construction of an improved form of silver voltameter,

which will be used in future work of this kind at the Bureau. The

elastic properties of a large number of materials have been investigated, with special reference to their use as suspensions of the movingcoil in connection with an absolute electrodynamometer now being

constructed.

INDUCTANCE AND CAPACITY.

This work includes the construction and testing of standards of

inductance and capacity and the verification for the public of inductance

coils and condensers and the measurements of inductance and capacity

of instruments. A considerable number of such tests have been made,

and some thorough investigations have been carried out on the absolute

determination of inductance and capacity, the preliminary results of

which have been published. Investigations on the testing of con- densers and studies of various methods of measurements have been

carried on during the year. A considerable quantit}- of apparatus has

been added to this laboratoiy through purchase and construction.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENTS. ,

The work of the section of electrical measuring instruments includes

the investigation and testing of instruments of precision for measuring

electric current, electromotive force and power, and the testing of

instruments designed for such measurements, as ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, and wattjiouv meters, for direct and alternatingcurrents, and special alternating-current instruments, such as frequenc}' meters, phasemeters, curve tracers, etc. A considerable

amount of testing has been done, as well as some investigation of

instruments and methods of measurement. A series of new alternating--current instruments designed by this section and constructed in

the instrument shop of the Bureau has been found to give very satisfactory results in the measurement of current and electromotive force

and power, through a wide range of current and voltage. Some

special forms of alternating-current generators, designed by this sec- tion and constructed foi" the Bureau, have proved of great \'alue in

testing- instruments. During- the coming- ^^ear a number of important

additions are to be made to the equipment.

PHOTOMETRY.

Considerable progress has been made in the development of the

work in photometry. The number of tests of standards of illumination has increased steadily, and several tests of a special nature have

been undertaken, of which may be mentioned particularly the investigation of the relative illuminating power of several kerosene oils,
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 13

which is not 3^et completed. One line of work which has developed during the past year is the commercial testing- of incandescent

electric lamps for the v^arious departments of the Government. The

present force and equipment are very inadequate; however, much

attention is being paid to the development of the work. To this end,

plans have been made and some apparatus has been ordered for a commercial photometer with which it will be possible to test a great

number of lamps in a relativeh' short time. An integi'ating photometer for the measurement of mean spherical candlepower is being con- structed in the instrument shop of the Bureau, which, together with

the apparatus already in use, will constitute a fairly complete equipment for the testing of incandescent lamps. Subsequently, preparations will be made for the testing of other light sources, such as arc

lights and illuminating gases.

In addition to the testing and the equipment of the laboratory some

work of investigation has been undertaken. Preliminary to the designing of the integrating photometer mentioned, a theoretical stud}' of

the instrument was made, which led to several improvements. Other

investigations of photometric problems have been outlined, and some

apparatus has been designed and purchased.

CHEMICAL WORK.

Owing to the lack of permanent laborator}^ facilities the work of the

chemical division is as 3^et incompletely organized. During the past

3^ear a room in the Bureau of Chemistry of the Department of Agriculture has been occupied by courtes}'^ of the Secretaiy of Agriculture

and the Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry. Some work has been done

there, in coopei'ation with a member of another division, in the preparation and examination of pure materials for use in constructing

standard cells for the measurement of electromotive force. Much

time has been devoted to the planning of the arrangements and equipment of the new laboratories.

In conjunction with a connnittee of the American Chemical Societ}^

and with the head of the section of weights and measures, specifications have been prepared for the manufacture of apparatus for volumetric analj'sis which will be received by the Bureau for verification,

and for the testing of such apparatus. Some work has also been done

in connection with another committee of the American Chemical Society'

upon the subject of purity of chemical reagents.

OFFICE.

The following publications have been issued during the year: Annual

Report of the Director; Chart of the International Metric System of

Weights and Measures, issued February 11, Circular No. 1,
14 REPOET OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

Verification of Standards and Measuring Instruments, issued December 1, 1903; Circular No. 2, Verification of Metal Tapes, issued December 1, 1903; Circular No. 8, Verification of Standards of Mass,

issued December 10, 1903; Circular No. 1, Verification of Standards

of Capacity, issued December 10, 1903; Circular No. 5, Testing of

Clinical Thermometers, issued December 15, 1903; Circular No. 6, Verification of Electrical Standards and Measuring Instruments, issued

February 15, 1904; Circular No. 7, Pyrometer Testing and Heat

Measurements, issued April 15, 1904.

The staff of the Bureau consisted of 58 persons, distributed as follows:

Director, 1 physicist, 1 chemist 3

Eight associate and assistant phj'sicists, 1 assistant chemist 9

Fifteen laboratory assistants, 1 Hbrarian, 1 computer, 1 draftsman 18

One secretary, 4 clerlis, 2 messengers, 1 storekeeper 8 Four mechanicians, 2 woodworlcers, 3 apprentices, 2 laborers 11 One engineer, 1 assistant engineer, 1 electrician, 2 firemen, 2 watchmen, 1 janitor, 1 charwoman 9

Total 58

The stafi' will be increased to 71 at the beginning of the new fiscal

year.

The librarj^ contains 1,949 bound volumes, together with a niimber

of pamphlets, reprints, and miscellaneous scientific reports. It consists entireh" of boolvs of a purel,y technical character, dealing dii'ectly

with or closely related to the work of the Bureau. During the 3'ear

1,166 volumes have been added. Acquisitions b}- purchase have been,

in general, books that were not available in the other libraries of the

city or were in such constant use as to require that copies be immediately at hand. The privileges of nearly all the libraries of the cit}'

have been extended to tlie Bureau. Many books have ))een borrowed

from them during the _year and much assistance has been rendered by

the several librarians. A complete author and subject catalogue of

the works on hand has been prepared. Through the card distribution

of the Library of Congress the Bureau possesses a complete author

and subject catalogue of that Library's collection, so far as cards have

been printed, in the subjects relating to the work of the Bureau.

Titles are being continually added as they appear, and ultimately the

card catalogue of both collections will be complete. The library has

been conducted as a reference and circulating librar}" available to members. The total loan circulation for the year was 1,206 volumes. Of

this number 932 were from the Bureau collection and 274 were loaned

bv other libraries.
REPOET OF DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS. 15

Number and value of tests completed during fiscal year ended June 30, 1904-

Nature of test.

For Government. For public. Total.

Number. Value. Number. Value. Number. Value.

Length 125 219

670

513

1, 750

36 144

W62. 00

178. 50

311. 00

57. 70

294. 20

166. 00

144. 00

97 38940

76 3,559

131

7

$239. 15

245. 25

63. 00

93. 50

591. 27

522. 65

7.50

222

608

710

589

5, 309

167

151

.f401. 15

423. 75

374. 00

1.51.20

885. 47

688. 65 151.50

Photometry

Temperature

Electrical Sundry

Total 3, 457 1,313. 40 4,299 1, 762, 32 7,756 3, 075. 72

The number of tests made for the Government in 1903-4 was 17-i per

cent greater than in the preceding fiscal 3"ear, and the number of tests

for the public was 961 per cent greater, the increase in tests for both

Government and public amounting to 366 per cent.

The receipts for tests were as follows:

Total receipts, 1903-4 $1,74.5.87 Previously received for tests in progress, 1903-4 $72. 00 Snb.^equently received for tests completed, 1903-4 29. 05

101. 05

Received for tests completed, 1902-3. Received for tests in progress

46.00

38. 60

$1,846.92

84.6a

Fees for tests completed, 1903-4 1, 762. 32 FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

APPROPRIATIONS, 1901-2.

[Corrected to July 1, 1904.]

1^ Appropriations. Disbursements. Liabilities. Balance. Total.

Site • $261,171.07

25; 000. 00

21.959. 76

9, 915.-69

4, 894. 81

$63, 542. 64 $286. 29 $325, 000. 00

25, 000. 00

27, 140. 00

10, 000. 00

5, 000. 00

Salaries, 1902 5, 180. 24

84. 31 65.13 Equipment, 1902 General expenses. 1902

Total

40. 06

322, 941. 33 63,582. 70 5, 615. 97 392, 140. 00

APPROPRIATIONS, 1902-3.

[Corrected to July 1, 1904.]

Salaries, 1903 $32, 559. 93

28, 265. 35

4, 939. 97

$3, 500. 07

23. 45 17.23

$36, 060. 00

30, 000, 00

5, 000, 00 Equipment, 1903 Genera] expenses, 1903

Total

$1, 711. 20 42.80

65, 765. 25 1,754. 00 3, 540. 75 71, 060, 00

APPROPRIATIONS, 1903-4.

Salaries. 1904 $69, 754. 59

66, 965. 47

9, 232. 48

500. 00

$4,94.5.41

80. 73

239. 63

$74,700,00

110, 000,00

10,750.00

.500. 00

Equipment, 1904 General expenses, 1904 Grounds, 1904-5

$42, 953. 80

1,277. 89

Total 146, 452. 54 44, 231. 69 5,265. 77 195, 950. 00

Respectfully,

g

^

Stratton, Director.

The Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

O