Evening journal., 1916-10-27

can be used to fix the composition of such complex
mixtures Of hydrocarbons represented by
lines The popular opinion that specific gravity Tor
degrees Baume) will suffice test for gasoline is
unfortunately For example, gasoline OF
70 degrees Baume from oil fields is no more
volatile than a gasoline Of IS degrees Baume from
other oil fields.
Another point about which there is often misun-
derstanding is the relative efficiency of high low
density gasones. It is the common opinion of gaso
line users that gasoline of low specific gravity Tor
high Baume reading) is efficient in that they
get miles out Of a gallon. This is not true If
the motor equipment is adapted to the fuel used
The message which it is particularly desired to con-
vey is that the public should not expect hasy action.
It is extremely important that proceed with the
greatest caution and in the light of the fullest tech
nicaI information There is only way at most
very few ways Of doing the right thing while there
are any infinite number of ways OF doing the wrong
thing mistake OF any kind such a specification
that unnecessarily restricted and which might UNI
duly limit competition will disturb economic and
ufacturng conditions and might only result in i'm
posing greater burdens the consuming public.
There are aspects to the question under con-
sideration the local, the other national There
is no doubt that the advantages that would result from
satisfactory Standardization Of gasoline by the Ma
tiona Government are many. Not the least of these
would be its influence State and municipal legisa
ing such legislation more nearly uniform throughout
the country Legislative bodies are beginning to take
up this question and much of this legislation is GER
tain to be i'll advised, although enacted with the best
intentions because it cannot in the nature Of things
receive the careful consideration of technical experts
that required for the satisfactory solution OF ques
tions OF this kind It will readily be that the eff
feet of indscriminate legislation might produce
ditions nothing short OF chaotic.
The question that very naturally arises at this point
s-with such a complicated specification for gasoline
for which the cannot make the necessary tests
how will It be possible to protect his interests and to
assure himself that he is actually getting standard
gasoline? The answer is, he cannot possibly do so;
the government-natonal, State, municipal-must
protect him by a suitable inspection service, just as
it protects him in matters relating to weights and
measures pure foods etc National legislation re-
latng to interstate commerce. making it unlawful to
sell a product under the name of gasoline that does
not come within the specifications with suitable in
spection service would be important contributing
factor in safeguarding the consumers interests Other
products which might be just good motor fuels for
motor and carburetor equipment adapted to them,
could not then be sold in interstate commerce under
the name Of gasoline" but would have to be called
motor fuels or by other name which would dis
tinguish them from the standard gasoline" To pro-
tect the interest OF the in inrastate COM
merce it would be necessary for States and munich
pates to adopt similar legislation and TO increase
their inspection service to provide for this work.
Just as they provided for weights and measures
and pure food regulations in the past
The Bureau of Mines has done great deal Of work
on gasones derived from different oil fields and by
different methods of manufacture. Any experimental
work incident to the Of gasoline fuel belongs
primarily to that bureau. The Bureau Of Standards,
on the other hand, is primarily interested in ques-
tons relating its Standardization. That bureau is
accordingly entering into cooperation with the Blu
reau Of Mines with a view to arriving at satsfac-
tory answer to the question to what recommended
tons are possible at this time and what should be
done Before any final decisions reached all in
terested parties will be given hearing.