The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-22
Frederick Haskin's Letter
STANDARD WEIGHTS
tspeaa correspoudenee Of The ArEus.l

weights are placed on the scale
pans with holders. Some balances
are so equipped that a little round
piece of the glass case wo ks on
lever and pushes the scale nan
outside the case. The scientist can
then place the weights on the scale
pan without opening one whole
side OF the case and letting in dust
For careful work the weighing
expert sometimes stands eight or
ten feet away from the glass en-
closed balance so that the warmth
of his body may not affect the read
ing. He reads the figures by use
of telescope and mirror.
In the basement of the building
is the even temperature room
where still greater precautions are
taken to achieve exactness. The
room is built with an extra double
wall of hollow tile, so that when il
is kept closed the temperature re-
mains constant to within one-tenth
OF a degree in many hours. The
most important balance in the
building is here It is protected
frim vibrations by having its mount
on a separate foundation from the
floor. For special research Arob-
lens a vacuum can be created in
its metal case.
Improved Standards in States.
The official gold-plated weights
of all states are referred to the
government standards when neces-
sary. New sets of standards for
Wyoming and Massachusetts are
being tested in the bureau labora-
tories at present They will then
be sent to each state capitol, and
entrusted to the sealer of weights
and measures or the corresponding
state official.
A few years ago, when the gov
eminent began to promote more &C
curate weighing in markets and
stores, in the effort to eliminate
fraudulent weights and measures,
most of the states hardly knew
that they had official standard
weights.
In one state the set of official
weights was located in a junk shop.
In another it is said that they were
melted into bullets during the Civil
war In several other states they
were hidden away in vaults and
cellars Of the state capitol and for
gotten. Now every state realizes
the Importance of accurate weigh
ing based on reliable standards,
although some states have gone
farther than others in enforcing
laws
Nothing like the minute exact
ness of the bureau of standards
work is expected in everyday
weighing. The bureau experts can
weigh to one-millionth of a MILL
gram, distinction so fine that we
cannot grasp any idea of it. But
the bureau scientists also believe
that common sense should be ap-
piled to weighing problems. when
it is necessary to do highly accur-
ate work, we can; when it isn't, we
don't" one official says
Very fine work is being done
with weights and balances now. In
the last Is years apparatus has
been so highly developed that even
the scientists in their striving for
perfection say that their laboratory
work is good enough for all pur-
poses.
Laboratory weighing is far ahead
of practical, everyday weighing.
The federal experts are working
now in cooperation with the states
for more uniform state laws and
fair weight for the public. In the
golden age of some future day the
people of one state will not have to
accept as honest weight that which
by law is dishonest in other Ecztes.
and the grocer's thumb in ali its
sizes will no longer be included in
the weight of the purchasers pack
age.