The Washington herald., 1922-02-26
Learning From Germany.

-
troduced in its favor Many astute engineers
believe that millions can be saved by compre-
hensive Program in this field. A committee of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers warns
that Germany is making remarkable strides in the
development of her Industrial resources through
Standardization and points to it her chief link
in chain OF processes by which she aims to be
a power in world trade.
Insufficient attention has been given to the
role which Standardization is playing in German
industrial reconstruction" it is asserted, "The
German industries planning and are carrying
out far-reaching program Of Standardization as a
necessary step in building up an unprecedented
industrial structure which must rest in large meas,
intensive foreign trade. In no other
country except Great Britain is Standardization
work being carried upon scale. ors with an
intensity, comparable to that in Germany.
"The German work is of special interest to
those responsible for the management OF American
industries not only because of its Importance, but
also because of the similarity in the historical con-
dtons surrounding the national Standardization
movements in Germany and in America :
at behooves managers OF American industries
to intensity their efforts toward Standardization or
they will be left behind in the competition ior
world commerce 1t is not enough that there be
Standardization work done by sections of industries
and by individual firms, although such work, prior
to the war;. made possible considerable amount
OF mass production which attracted the attention
Of European ndustrialists. "...- ;.
ITO reap the full benefits the work must be
broadened and intensified and made national in its
scope This requires the joint effort of manager
and engineer. OF producer, distributor. consumer
and independent specialist, all speaking through
the organized bodies which represent their interests.
oF h.,
no means limited to the production side. In the
long Standardization is bound to be of even
greater importance in the reduction OF distribution
and selling costs-perhaps the most important
problem of economic system comprehen-
sive program OF standardization planned and car
ried out by great national industries will mean
the saving OF hundreds OF milons-even billions
OF dollars
Systematic cooperative, effort OF industries
functionng through national industrial associations.
technical societies and government bureaus is
declared to be responsible for the great forward
strides made by Germany since the republic started
functionng.
The Standardization movement in Germany is
particularly significant since Germany is one OF the
three leading industrial countries" it is added.
THE industries OF Austria, Holland, Sweden and
Switzerland intimately related to those of
Germany account OF geographical and other
relationships that they necessarily affected very
largely by developments in Germany.
at appears that the work is being woven very
intimately into the industrial fabric. The very
large number OF standards purchased by the indus
try and the fact that the certrar organization has
5000 firms which cooperating members are a
sufficient indication OF this.
There seems to be striking analogy between
the present Standardization movement in Germany
and the research movement developed there a
generation ago Whatever estimate one may place
upon the role it played in German industries gen
orally everyone agrees that research was funda-
mental in the development OF their great chemical
industries The role which the Germans are expect
ing Standardization play in all their industries
would be not unlike the r2e which research has
plaved in their chemical work
1t is indicated that efforts will be spared to
put through a similar program in this country.
Should the best minds OF the country deem such
program feasible and practicable let it be tried,
bv all means. but with safety valve. 1t must
not be forgotten that much Standardization
probably was as great factor in the loss OF the
war in its early stages by Germany as any other.
And while we are profting by Germany's achieve
ments let us not forget her mistakes and limitations