Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-30

government and to state governments.
When tests or Investigations are car
ried out for private individuals or or
CARNATIONS, a nominal fee is charged.
The relations of the bureau to the
other government departments. to the
public and to other industries are ex-
tremely varied and interesting
One of the most important functions
of the bureau is that of a testing
laboratory for all of the other govern
ment departments. 1t is quite OBJ
vious that it is to the interest of all
concerned to place government pur.
chases of supplies on sound basis OF
merit, and it is with this end in view
that the bureau of standards under
takes to make routine tests Of the
various materials used in govern
mental work. The government differs
in no way, except as to size, from Il
private industry. 1t is. however. con-
siderably larger than any other. single
industrial organization in America,
and, of course, its activities cover a
forming routine tests for the govern :
ment, it is able to keep in close touch
at all times with all of the latest
manufacturing methods. In addition
to this routine testing work, 1t also
acts in an advisory capacity ana Is
frequently called into consultation by
other bureaus and departments to aid
ir the drafting Of specifications, rules
and regulations.
During the war it's relations to most
of the government departments were
closer than ever before. and in the
case of the War and Navy depart
ments, besides conducting a vastly
increased number of routine tests. II
carried out numerous investigations
of new military devices. aided In the
development of new material and IN
vestigated processes for using we'll
60
The value of the assistance which the
bureau thus rendered to the military
services cannot even be slightly esti-
mated. 1t is only necessary to state
that as success in modern warfare
depends almost entirely upon scientific
tunate that this government had such
well equipped research laboratory
and high-clacs scientists at its COM
mand.
As indicated above, it is absolutely
necessary for the government to de-
standards of all kinds. The public
can hardly be expected to appreciate
the need for and value of exact stand
ards in it's purchases. If the govern
ment itself does not set an example
by demanding the highest possible ac-
curacy. The bureau has, therefore.
aimed to take leading part in the
education of the public in the matter
of standardization and has always
maintained the closest relations with
state and municipal libraries, labora-
tories and educational institutions. 1t
pamphlets which are particularly de-
signed to be of service in everyday
life. 1t has also aided the public
thrugh its frequent service as an i'm
partial mediator in disputes between
municipalities and public service cor
porations.
The bureau is deserving of the sole
credit for the inauguration of an en-
tirely new industry in this country.
Prior to August. 1914, every camera,
binocular, microscope or other optical
instrument of precision was dependent
for its optical glass. and in many
cases the finished optical parts upon
a few German. French and English
manufacturers. After this date the
German supply of these materials was
entirely cut off. and the English and
French almost completely, due to the
necessary Communicating of the prod
uct for the military needs of these
governments. 1t was felt at once that
this was a field to which the bureau
Of standards was in duty bound to de-
vote a portion of its activities.
+ y *x
A cCoRDINGLY, after the out
break of the war and two and a
/ half years before this country de-
clared war with Germany. Director
Stratton, had firm grip on the fore
lock of time and was doing every
thing possible to meet the emergency
threatened by the utter lack of OPP
tical glass industry in the United
States When our declaration of war
; with Germany crystallized this pos
sible emergency into serious
actuality the bureau had already
| done great deal of valuable and
difficult pioneer work. was actually
| making optical glass in it's expert
mental plant and was enabled to be
! of immediate and practical assistance
| in the quick creation of an optical
| glass industry. The needs of the
case. however, demanded the instant
and thorough cooperation of all who
! could contribute to the solution of
/ the optical glass crisis This was
| forthcoming by every American man.
! ufacturer of glass.
! The work of the pioneer is usually
| difficult and rarely rapid, though its
value as foundation for later
| progress is frequently out of all pro-
| portion to the initial results achieved
! 1t must be kept in mind that the
/ whole industry had been confined TO
/ rev nfmS on the Otner side or the
ocean. and it's actual technique was
| hedged about with solemn secrecy
| IT was necessary to begin at the bot
/ tom and to work out and solve diff
| cult problems of technique peculiar
| to the manufacture of optical glass
| before processes and quality of prod
net could be studied from a scien-
/ life standpoint.
1t is believed that tie results final
/ Iy secured in all respects form an
original and world beating contribu-
/ ton to the technique of glass manu-
facture. All information on the sub.
| ject of the composition of the OPP
teal glasses. annealinY, testing and
technique was made freely available
TO all interested glass manufac.
| turers. SO exceedingly clear is this
optical glass that a watch placed
| be'.,nd a chunk foot in thickness
can be seen as plainly as though
held in ones hand.
Every owner OF an auto ought te
have kindly feeling toward the
| bureau of standards. 1t was largely
/ through the efforts of the institution
! that certain gasoline station pumps
| all over the country We're shown up
! These pumps were so arranged that
| a dishonest dealer could pump Out
short gallons TO his customers al
day long. The pumps were not at al
standardized. but could easily be ad
ness of each dealer. Due to the ex.
posure by the bureau. that sort oil
proiiteering is now mighty unpoeulal