The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-10-20

hnest compendium or governmental
statistical information In the world.
The bureau OF manufactures n the
agency for the collection and dissem-
ination of information With reference
10 foreign trade opportunities. Oper-
ating In conjunction with the consular
service IL gathers every sort Of An
formation that will enable the Ameri-
can manufacturer TO extend his for
eign trade. The bureau Of navigation
has charge or the enforcement Of the
laws with reference to the operation
Of the $4,000 vessels In the American
merchant marine. with the exception
OF those laws (which relate to steam
boat inspection. This inspection II
made TO ascertain the sea-worthiness
OF vessels, the safety OF their boilers.
their proper equipment with life-pre-
servers and other protective appli-
ances. Nearly 100000, 900 passengers
are carried annually on boats report
ing to this bureau.
The lighthouse board looks after
the lighthouses and lightships Of the
coast of the United States. The bu-
reau of fisheries has 35 hatcheries, and
"a sub-hatcheries. auxiliaries, and egg
collecting stations. IL propagates three
species of marine fishes. five species
OF river fishes. seven OF great lake
fishes, ana Is OF inland fishes. Over
three billion fish and eggs were dis
trlbuted last year. The bureau has
done much for the preservation or
the oyster industry. One-half OF the
worlds total production Of oysters IL
gathered in the Chesapeake bay and
Its tributaries. The oyster feeds on
diatoms, microscopic animals Of the
sea, and the government has been
growing these diatoms for the benefit
OF the oyster
The coast and geodetic survey sur
veys the harbors and coast lines or
the United States, establishes its Mex
lean and Canadian boundaries, issues
charts. pilot charts, tide-tables. and
notices 10 mariners. All the informa-
ton We have about the depth OF wa
ter In the various harbors OF the coun-
try and along the coast. Is gathered
by this survey.
The bureau OF standards has an I'M
portant function TO perform. All me-
chanical progress depends upon &C.
curate measurements. There must Do
instruments for recording the imper
ceptible jar OF a distant earthquake.
the millionth part OF a degree OF heat.
etc. This bureau keeps all Ameri-
ean-standards of measurement The
parent measurement OF length In this
country is an exact copy OF the
worlds national standard meter at ST.
Clouds, France. II Is kept IN a room
perfectly ventilated, carefully lighted.
and OF an even temperature. Tho
steel tapes used by the coast and
geodetic survey are made OF invar and
have only one twenty-eighth as much
expansion through heat as steel. The
standard by which they are tested Is
kept packed In Ice In an underground
laboratory. The standards OF meas
urement OF the bureau are as accur-
ate for all other kinds OF measure
ment as those for length. In addition
TO its work In maintaining the stand
ards BY which all American measures
are regulated. the bureau or stand
ards tests everything that the gov
eminent uses, from the electric lights
with which its Offices are lighted to
the ink and the paper upon which IFS
records are kept. IL also does testing
work for private concerns upon the
payment OF established fees.
Tomorrow-The Smithsonian Instt
tuition.