The Washington herald., 1922-03-13
URGE GOVERNMENT
TO ACT JOINTLY
WITH INDUSTRIES
Standardization Urged by
Engineering Society Fol-
lowing World Survey.

CHICAGO. March 12.-Immediate
steps to bring about joint action be-
tween the government and industry
urged by the American Society
pr Mechanical Engineers, which.
making public results of
world survey Of progress in stand
ardization, shows that standardizing
oodies are at work In fourteen ma
kions.
The United States Government Is
probably the largest purchaser Of
materials in the world, and the pres
mt Is a particularly opportune time
or u to use its enormous buying
power in cooperation with the in
dustries. says the society's statement
|pKepared by A. A. Stevenson. of
hiladelphia. a leading member OF
ne society. and former chairman OF
he American Engineering Standards
Committee.
Standardization Urged.
With the exception Of the War and
Savy Departments. II Is stated. the
interest OF the government in stand
probation Is the same as that OF
fH the consumers. The government
urged not to permit the work Of
GENERALIZATION to lag. Japan and
ers Of industrial progress through
governmental aid to industry.
The efforts of the present adminis-
ration at Washington" according to
ne statement OF the engineers, show
Keen appreciation Of the Importance
pr Standardization and its bearing
lpon industry as a whole. and con-
Futute a most significant develop
nent in the relation of the govern
nent and industry" Americas ''un-
tvaled group OF research 'organiza-
ions" is cited by the engineers as an
available instrument of tremendous
alue in government cooperation"
The world war has shown us the
need OF Standardization along ma
fonal lines and the results obtained
rave been of unlimited service to
ne country as a whole" the society's
tatement continued. would 1t not
Pc calamity not to profit by the
essons taught by these experiences,
aapttng them to peace-time condi-
Jons? The advantages OF national
tandardiZation are no less real in
ne midst OF the postwar readjust-
nent struggle. The need for unifica-
lon OF standards is. in fact. greater
han ever before; for the manufac-
urer needs IL to obtain maximum
Production, the distributor to mini
nize stock carried. and the consumer
secure articles at the least pos
ible cost"
stasilis.tie. Of EnpIoynent.
StabiliZation Of employment and
Production. elimination Of wastes,
mass output with lower costs, ac-
Gmulation OF stock with prompt
ehVeries. and improved method
and equipment. with resultant
he2per prices to the nations mil
ions OF consumers, are pointed out
s Advantages that will how from
government participation with in
1ustry. The labor situation would
pc relieved. II is asserted, because
tabiliZation Of production and en-
Ployment means for the producer
uninterrupted manufacture from
took during periods Of depression.
Standardization work in Japan
as Just been given a great impetus
the organization OF the japanese
ngineertnE Standards Committee 9
by the statement The main fducs
ion Of this committee 1. to ..erv,
bureau for solving and initiat-
nt problems involving engineering
Standardization.
The committee consists of sew
nty members presided over by the
Minister Of the Department OF
agriculture and Commerce acting
president. and a vice president,
vho is elected or appointed. The
ctails OF the work are handled by
seven secretaries who are enxf-
beers of the government DEPART
nents OF Agriculture and Com
nerce, Communications. Railways,
Military Engineers and Naval En-
Eineers. The work is being pushed
With vigor. Investigations already
Peing under way on metals, woods,
bricks. screws. electric wires and
lectric motors.
In Norway a national Standard
ation committee has been organ
zed by the Federation Of Nor
Tegian Industries, and has taken
bp the Standardization of ship ma
hinery and ship details. National
tandardization bodies now exist in
lustria. Belgium, Canada, Czecho-
oyakia, France, Germany, Great
Britain, Holland, Italy. Japan, Nor
ray, Sweden and Switzerland.
Adopted By Other Countries.
In both Great Britain and Ger
hany national Standardization Il
icing carried on intensively. Ger
an Industries are carrying out a
ar-reaching program of standardi-
alton as a necessary step in build
nE up an unprecendented indus
rial structure which must rest in
krge measure on an extensive for
ign trade. 1t Is being woven yery
ntimately into the Industrial fabric
the country under the guidance
an organization which functions
ery much like the American En-
|ineering Standards Committee. and
b its work 5000 German Industrial
rms are cooperating"
In this country, said the society.
IS national organizations are ac-
lively cooperating with the work
Z the American Engineering
tandards Committee. The creation
Z uniform national standards" n
declared. means economy for
he producer. the consumer and the
ountry as a whole, and hence ac-
ivities which will accomplish this
,esired result should be encour-
ged by the government to the
haximum extent"