New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-17
A NEW STANDARD OF MEASURE.
The GREAT WORK UNDERIAKEY BY PRO:
FE>>OR NICHOLSON.
. GREAT HONOR GIVEN TO AMERICAN SCIENCE
BY TIL INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF

BY TIL INTERNATIONAL BUREAU or
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Worcester. Mass Jan. 16-Professor Albert a.
Nicholson. of Clark University, has been invited BY
the International Bureau of Weights and Measures To
spend the coming summer at the Bureaus laboratory
AZ Brctcu near Paris for the purpose Of establishing
q metric standard in terms Of wave lengths Of light.
lie l. asked make the basis OF the unit OF weighs
natural instead of arbitrary. This invitation Is an
honor both 10 American scholarship and 10 ClarR
University.
4 brief rehearsal Of the history and work OF tho
Bureau will show the Importance of Professor Mehei'
sons task. The necessity OF standard, bo'h OK
weights and measures, from practical point OF Nie"'
has long been felt especially 10y those requiring ereas
eXacness their computations for the slightest error
nuplles Itself with the repetition Of the unit. Mier
the French had measured quarter circumference OK
the globe aud had adopted ten-millionih part
thereof their meter and the basis of the metric
system, the prototype meter, bar OF metal, was
sealed up in artificial cavern AT Breteuil, to bs
opened long intervals for comparison and reetifca
ZION OF the few standard copies. one of these copies
is al Washington in the survey Department, and
Professor Inman there has made many MICROSCOPE
and other determinations Of metric bar OF metat
approaching human body. For nearly thirty years
Professor Charles Pierce has been employed By this
Which involves all these refinement, OF method.
As science nas grown more exact the need OF more
mon tSe new Reich--an,tat which is devoted almost
solely precision work says that 70 measure te sh1
distance Of a meter with accuracy adequate 10 me
needs of science requires researches IN all NE ,Ass
heds OF molecular acuon a. IN light, electricity ano
The International Bureau OF Weights and Measures.
founded many years ago now embrace ci te aoHss
countries such Forster. of Berlin, Director Of the
Of switzerland Wiid OF Russia: star. of Belgium:
Bertrand, Cf Frame Tlaei Of ewedeI ana oouo ..
America. OF Tie three methods Of determining
sf The measuring qu.iuTaOt OF
eag,h's circumference. the oscillation OF pehduun
under given conditions and the length Of Hight waves
~ n gwen line in the spectrum the last i the most
accurate the advantage Of being cosmc rather
than terrestrial st1nd,,id That inns method should
have been discovered and worked by an American IN
esusatOr j. matter Of great National pride Ln ny
on had he cooreraon OF Professor lorley Of cleve.
land The difficulties OF the inve'ugaioas nave All
The apparatus devised BY Professor Nicholson measures
the small part OF single light wave with eNsctness
been accepsd Sy Professor Nicholson with IN, informal
approval Of the president and trustees OF oiark M
only awaits the ya OF Official PsPSrs from
ps1 and s been s eS With Or the wcS
sd Tool company Of Yaliham and with Mr. Bra.her
by +. /. G. wardwen Professor D. A. Gould. Of Cam
bridge. the weIlknown astronomer and American repre-
sentative OF the International Congress Of Weights and
Ncas.re, writes TO President Hall as follows:
: The proposed Investigation Is a magnificent one.
10 be feasible. The honor inuring country BY
the selection OF American professor carry out
requiring such SURPRISING deicacy is one which, am
confdcnf. you viii appreciate as highly do. u
is my conviction that the OF Clark University
win not only redornd 10 its high honor and be gratS
fully recognized throughout the civilized world, but
will constitute enduring title 10 remembrance ana
full appreciation In the history of science. IL seems
TO Just source OF pride that country should he
called on take the chief part. both scientific and
technical, In such on undertaking. and will not deny
that | considerably ciaed by it,
kilograms from Professor Forester at Berlin and
Ilirsch Of Switzerland president and secretary ~
spectvey. Of the National Bureau. have beon receives
rautying Ill arrangements.