Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-21
THE METRIC SYSTEM.

A very unique defense of the old sys-
tom Of measurements, IN opposl-
ton to the change to the de-
cilnal system, Is found IN a
contribution to the Electric World
and Engineer. The writer takes the
ground that the old system employing
several units, commensurate with each
other adapted to different uses, and
each divided by continual dissection
while making no pretentions in that
way, is in reality in the highest sense
scientific and philosophical; and this by
reason Of feature which Is wanting In
the metric system, "and the want Of
which renders that system unphiloso-
phical, unnatural and inconyenient for
the purpose Of mechanical measure
ment"
lie argues:
THE problem always Is, how can the
idea Of any distance or dimension be
formed in the mind and conveyed to
other minds with the greatest dlstlnc-
ness? The answer is obvious. We must
employ the largest available unit of
measurement, and supplement this, as
required, by smaller units, employing
the largest available division formed by
continual dissection When the reality
cannot be expressed IN this way, then,
and not TIL then must we resort to the
decimal system Of division, the value OF
which, In this limited field, is beyond
all estimation"
The old system he further says, en-
ploys the largest available unit OF
measurement and brings the idea OF
dimension more clearly to the mind,
than any other system. Thus we do
not say 1900 yards, but 10 miles; we do
not say 100 inches, but 10 feet. And 40
universally. BY employing the largest
suitable unit, we see the distance or d.
mension as vivid reality. We are en-
abed also to apprehend more clearly
the relation to one. another of the diff
ferent members Of sny construction"
How any advantage in this respect |
can be claimed for the mile, yard, inch, |
etc, that does not equally belong to
the kilometer meter, centlmeter and
Is difficult to understand
To one accustomed to the new system,
the kilometer gives as distinct an idea
Of length as does the mile. The liter Is
as distlnct az the quart In fact, when
the change is once made, people viii
wonder what possible advantages the
old system could have just as they now
fail 10 see any advantage In the none
tary system that prefers pounds, shll-
lings and pence to dollars and cents
IL is not claimed for the metric sys-
tenn that II possesses any specific
scientific value. II was invented by
French savants in revolutionary times,
when the general cry was for the aboli-
ion Of nearly everything that was es-
ablished. They took the quadrant Of
he earth's surface at the meridian OF
Paris, and divided It into ten million
ARTS and thus obtained the meter,
quail to somewhat over 80 inches. II !
las since been proven that their calcu-
ations were not scientifically correct,
nd that the meter as a unit is as arbi-
rary as any in existence.
But for the decimal system It Is I
laimed that il Is easy and natural.
is the best adapted for all purposes,
specially commercial, and that is after
i the chief consideration. There
'ould be no difficulty in this country to
lake the decimal system applicable to
Fights and measurements, as 1t is al
eady in use in the money system. It
'ould greatly help the import and ex-
ort trade