The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-07
METRIC SYSTEM NOT BEST.
Reform OUR OWN MEASURES,
SAYS HENRY n. TOWNE.

Advocates Before the Mechanic al EDgi-
neers . Project for n Commission Of
Experts 10 He Named by the Presi-
dent 90 submit Plan 10
Henry r. Towne, president Of the Yale
A Towne Manufacturing Company, told
the American Society OF Mechanical Engi-
neers at yesterday 3 session that the question
Of improving our system OF weights and
measures ought TO be referred TO a technical
commission, to be appointed by the Presi-
dent. Permanent legislation, Mr.Towne said,
should be based on the report Of this CON-
mission.
The speaker did not believe that the adop-
ton of the metric system was the way out.
France, Germany and each Of hes smaller
states which have adopted the metric sys-
tenn did so ia obtain unity Of weights and
measures in place Of a chaos Of old units,
he said. W have absolute unity now. but
would lose it by attempting TO change 10 a
new system-a change which, as proved
by the experience of France. would not
be completed in 100 years.
Decimal notation is possible with any
system, but although desirable for oompu-
tation and scientific work, is unacceptable
for the daily uses of the people, who in
vsriably resort to binary division. Our pres
ent tables can he simpliied and improved
without changing our units, the grain,
the inch, and the gallon, which are az good
as, il not preferable to, the metric units.
Measures of length in many respects are
immutable."
Mr.. Towne is not won over to the metric
system by the argument that out Of
the thirty-nine so-cslled civilized nations
thirty-six have adopted it. The naming
three" he pointed out, ARE the United
States, Great Britain and Russia. The
combined population of these three coun-
tries ia 567 600 900, and of the remaining
thirty-six countries is AS .29e 900, A larger
population exists within a radius OF nifty
miles from the town hall Of Manchester.
England, than in any one OF the first NV enty-
five of the thirty-siN nations referred TO.
The combined population OF twenty-four
OF them Is only equal to that OF the United
States. The essential question il, What
system IL best for us?
"Unquestionably there il needless can
fusion M the English system of measure.
We have, all told, ten tables OF measure,
In the matter of measures OF volume We
rave liquid measure, beer measure and
dry measure II would seem that possibly
these three might he merged into one and
might he - standardized as to conform 70
the British imperial measure Of the hushel.
The British and American units OF welgh
and of volume could be brought into per
feet harmony. and could be simpliied into
practically two tables or scales, one fol
weight and the other for volume.
THE metric units as a whole are no bette,
than ours, and those relating 10 length anC
area are inferior. Although the manu-
facturers of the United States were author,
lied in | $40 TO Use the metric system, not one
in ten thousand has found it necessary 81
even eNpedient 10 do so, and if appealed 70
they would oppose overwh elmingly a propo'
sition to Coerce them in this respect"
Mr.. Towne drafted a bill embodying hi
suggestions. which was introduced in the
last Congress. II was referred 10 the Hous
Committee on Weights and Measures.