New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-28
THE METRIC SYSTEM.

new argument of considerable force for the
adoption of the metric system of weights and
measures by this country has recently pre-
scented itself. Hitherto the principal reasons
urged for pursuing such policy have been that
the new standards possess greater simplicity
and uniformity than the old At present there
two kinds of pound. two kinds of ton, two
kinds OF quart, two kinds OF gallon. and two
three kinds of barrel. The metric system not
only avoids this confusing uncertainty, but. by
substituting decimal fractions for halves,
quarters and twelfths, allies the standards Of
weights and measures more closely to the stand
ard of the currency. These considerations alone
strongly recommend the proposed reform. But
here Is another. 1t is becoming more obvious
every year that the extension of this country's
foreign commerce will be distinctly promoted
by the proposed change.
single Illustration Of the fact may be found
in a report which the British Consul at Amster-
dam sent few weeks ago to the Chamber OF
Commerce at Wolverhampton. He tells his fell
low countrymen that the German manufactur-
of iron and steel have adopted a uniform
scale of dimensions for certain articles greatly
in demand. like steam boilers and angle iron,
These products are carefully graduated in sizes
for the trade, and the measurements all con-
form to the metric standard. The latter already
prevails pretty generally on the Continent of
consequently, to patronize the German
facturer than his English rival, who adheres to
the old system. For bridge and other railway
material, according to this report the prefer
ence is given to Germany; and in the matter OF
pipes and tubes for waterworks 1T is absolutely
certain that the Dutch market is completely
''lost to Great Britain from the same cause" In
cidentaly it Is added that a combination of
Belgian iron manufacturers has started works
in China. where probably the Belgian system,
''and therefore the metric system, will be intro
"duced."
These announcements possess fully as much
interest for Americans as for the English IL
the old set of weights and measures letters
the trade of Great Britain, 1t must operate IN
the same manner on that of the United States.
Nor is the disadvantage likely to be confined to
a single class of industries This country is
making an earnest effort to sell iron and steel
abroad but it is also pushing its cotton goods
Moreover it has felt. rightly or wrongly, that
it had a peculiar title to the trade of Central
and South America. Yet, curiousy enough in
those regions the metric system prevails al
most generally 1t does the Continent
of Europe. And numerous reports from United
States Consuls in South American cities, within
the last year or two. have specified the prices
paid there for various styles Of fabrics not by the
and cotton goods is true of many other articles
Of merchandise. In short, with only one i'm
portant exception those manufacturing nations
which to-day the chief rivals Of the United
States in the markets of the world have adopted
the new standard; and that standard is steadily
gaining in popularity among the people to whom
Americans most want to sell their surplus
products.
Although engineers and manufacturers In this
country not yet agreed to the expe-
diency of adopting the metric system in the
immediate future, there is a growing sentiment,
and probably preponderance of sentiment in
it's favor. The change from the old standards
to the effected in Germany thirty years
ago with surprising ease. A year or two was
allowed for agitation and preparation before
the use Of the latter became compulsory. And
when the law took effect cOmpulsion was re-
qured One of the famous Siemens Brothers
declared that it needed about two weeks to put
the system into operation in their works; and
the workmen actually found 1t easier to work by
than the old one. These and other circumstances
that might be mentioned lead to suspect
that the metric system could be installed in this
country with less difficulty than has been sup
posed.