The Washington times., 1902-06-15
Prominent Scientists Urge
Its General Intro
duCtlOn.
SOME OF THE OPINIONS
American Neurological Society Issues
Pamphlet Giving the Views of Noted
American Educators, Men of Science
and Business.

The campaign for the adoption OF the
metric system in the United States is
being pushed vigorously by society
having that sole end in view, the Ameri-
can Neurological Society.
The committee on legislation of the
society has issued a pamphlet contain
Ing views in advocacy of the system
from sixty or more Government officials
and leading educators. bankers, manu-
facturcrs and business men throughout
the country.
Among the opinions quoted are the
following:
: System Strongly Favored.
James Knox Taylor, Supervising Arch
itect. Treasury Department: Il know
for our own Office, and for the great
body of the profession that l represent.
because | brought the matter up at the
last convention. that the general senti-
ment is in favor of the metric system. -
George l.. Gillespie, brigader general.
chief of engineers, United States Army:
Il DO not hesitate to say that / am
heartily in favor of any movement which
will bring about the adoption in this
country of the metric system with the
least confusion and expense"
Reso luton of third annual convention
OF Builders of the United States:
THE secretary of this association is
directed to correspond with other or
CARNATIONS for the purpose OF co-aperat-
ing with them in any efforts that may be
making for the establishment of this
method of weighing and measuring"
Used Throughout Europe.
H. s. Wiley. Chief. Bureau of Chem
istry, Department of Agriculture: II
would like to say. here that chem
lists in all countries have been compelled
to adopt the metric system in their
work. Even in England you will find
nothing in the chemical laboratories
there but the metric system, and the
benefits have been so pronounced. 1t di-
the work and the burden OF the
profession to such an extent that the
mere suggestion that we abandon IL and
go back to the old system would be re-
garded as rank heresy, so there is no
use Tor me to say single word. think.
about the benefits of the metric system
TO the profession which | represent"
Sir Douglas Fox, president of the
institution OF Civil Engineers: 81
desire to record my opinion that il
is of the utmost Importance to the en-
gineers and traders of this empire that
this simple and effective mode of meas
urement Cthe metric SYSTEM, already in
force in almost every other civilized
nation. should be introduced here. Hav-
ing had occasion for many years 10
work under both systems, | can bear
testimony to the great saving OF time
and OF labor effected by the use of the
metrical weights and measures. and to
the case with which the system is ac-
auired, even by those trained to use our
antiauated and complicated standards"
Simplifes Calculations.
Frederick f. Lyon, C. E.. surveyor
generals office. Salt Lake City. Utah:
In general engineering it is not only
the decimal character of the metric sys-
TEN which simplifies calculations. but
also the close and natural relation be-
tween the units of length, weights. and
liquid and dry measure. The simplicity
of all these relations renders the inter
change of quantities in solving problems
of engineering a matter of minutes in
stead of hours. The various societies If
American engineers are fully alive to
the efficiency of the metric system and
have repeatedly pettioned their law
giving bodies to make its use obligatory.
1t is only a question of time when 1t
will Re the national standard. Why not
have the benefit now?'
Utah Teachers Association: I'VE re-
gard the metric system as incalculably
superior TO the present system and as
probably the most perfect system that
can be secured at this period of the
world. The adoption of said system by
the United States would result in great
and lasting benefit to the schools and
general business of the country
Many Material Advantages.
Committee. Boston Society of Civil
Engineers: by the adoption of the
metric system several material advan-
tages are TO be gained in the details of
the surveyor worf which are often
overlooked in our general view of Its
mere important and extended benefits.
Apply the metric system to draughting.