The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-16

Charles L. hcNary, chairman; o. Z. Wei
Ter and A. A. jones' began hearings last
week the Bntten-Ladd bin designed to the
advantages Of the commercial OF metric weights
and measures after a liberal transitional period Of
ten years.
The interest in the Britten-Iadd bill plainly shows
that the people Of the country are alive to the
necessity Of eventually adopting the metric system Of
weights and measures. Over Io3s3, individual pc
titions from organizations, corporations and ndivd
uals calling for the Of legislation
the advantages Of the general Of metric weights
and measures have been received at the White House
and referred to the Department Of Commerce. The
success of the metric cause seems to have been
frightened by the fact that $3.50 Of these petitions
were received from manufacturers and engineers.
Over 100 recognized national organizations have
indorsed the international metric system for adop-
ton in this country. They include the Associated
General Contractors of America. National Refrgera-
tor Manufacturer Association, National Sewing Ma
chine Manufacturer Association. American Specially
Manufacturers Association. National Wholesale Gro
GERS Association. National Congress of Mothers and
Parent-Teaehers Associations National Federation of
Federal Employees and the international Brotherhood
Of Electrical Workers
TIE State legislatures Of Illinois. California. Ten
nessee and North Dakota have recently petitioned
Congress to enact metric legislation. Utah some
years ago took similar action The General Electric
trio Company. Crane Company. Baldwin Locomotive
Works, Estate Stove Works and the Goodyear Tire
and Rubber Company among the overwhelming
number of industries that are strongly in favor Of
metric Standardization II is realized that the trade
OF the Pacific is to be in the future carried upon
the metric basis Japan's complete adoption of the
metric units IN IoaI has more than ever assured the
position Of the world standards the ultimate units
for Pacific trade.
rTSHE Honolulu Chamber of Commerce and the
u Manila Chamber Of Commerce. which are in
the best position to know the facts, have strongly
urged Congress TO hasten the advance to the world
units Virtually every American Chamber Of Com
erce outside Of the United States has taken similar
action including our chambers OF commerce in Ar
gentina, Belgium, Brazil, Italy. Mexico. Spain and
Turkey
The board Of directors of the Chamber of Com
erce Of the United States pronounced the subject
timely and of national scope and Importance. spe-
cal metric system committee Of the chamber is now
making ready to- report the result of its Investigations
to the board Among the many eminent Americans
Who are quoted as favoring the adoption of the
tric system are A. d. Lasker. Gen. Pershing Admiral
Benson, Otto II. Kahn. Samuel vanclaim. Thomas A.
Edison. Elihu Root, W. C. McAdoo and Charles W.
Eliot.
Senator Ladd states that ii is becoming
generally believed that America win eventually
adopt the metric system. He points out that the
longer II Is delayed the difficult win be the
change. The North Dakota Senator further states
that il we were able to such startling results
during the war by the use Of system Of weights
and measures similar advantages would accrue from
universal Standardization in the time Of peace. Now
that over thirty-seven nations have made the metric
system the single system Of weights and measures.
Il rests upon America to take this important step IN