Evening star., 1924-01-06

Just perfected a device which
will save the United States
government $1,000 for every
hour that the Shenandoah-pride OF
the American air service-ts in flight
That, according to common inter-
pretations of the word, is news.
But il might have been more inter-
esting news if the newspaper read
ing public had been informed before
hand, in headlines. both large and
black, that the Shenandoah in her
picturesque flights over the heads OF
an admiring and heavily taxed pub
lie was burning up one thousand
hard. round silver dollars for every
hour she flew. Such was the case.
The waste came about through the
fact that for every pound of gasoline
consumed a pound of helium had to
he "valved out" to maintain the
standard buoyancy of the ship. The
problem was turned over TO the
bureau of standa rdS. There II was
proved by experiment in the laoora-
torres, that exhaust engine gases may
be made to yield a pound or con-
dcused water for every pound OF
gasoline consumed. The discovery
will enable the Shenandoah and other
craft of her type to maintain stand
ard buoyancy without "valvins out
the expensive helium The annual
saving on one airship. flying one day
In six would exceed the annual bud
get of the bureau of standards for an
entire year.
Millions Saved. Yearly
But this story is not about the
Shenandoah. but about the bureau OF
standards and the results of a some
what cursory check up there to show
the millions of dollars which are
being saved American industry, and
therefore the American public. by its
work. 1t has been said and written
before that the bureau of standards
has effected savings in industry. But
with the thought in view, perhaps.
of having convincing memoranda at
hand when the annual fight for ap-
preparations begins on Capitol Hill,
officials at the bureau have checked
up interesting data which shows, in
dollars and cents, what a sound In
vestment the American people have
made in the bureau of standards. So
far as known, this is the first time
anything of the sort has been at
tempted.
Limited in the work it might do by
the lack of funds-an old story at
the bureau of standards-a system
has gradually come into use there
,i.,1 L. inc hi
agency a distinct aid to all branches
of American industry. There are ap-
proximately 100 committees now
existing which represent various
groups, and which meet regularly at
the bureau for the discussion of
problems common in allied fields of
industry. When the bureau decides
10 investigate particular problem
for instance, the problem of getting
the most wear out of automobile
brake linings-the automobile indus
try, through it's representative or
ganizations, will be invited to send
men to the bureau who will take
part in the experiments. The brake
lining tests are a good example. Some
time ago the War Department asked
the bureau to help put it's trucks in
first-class condition. 4 test was
started on brake Innings. The au-
tomotive industry found out about
the experiments and asked to be
allowed to benefit by them. The
tests themselves have been finished
and it is estimated the savings in
brake Innings alone will approximate
s1o,o0o,o00 annually to the automo-
bile-owning public.
Helps Industrial Groups.
With few exceptions, the bureau
undertakes work for an Industrial
group only at the solicitation of that
group. thereby evading any slurs or
the bureau concerning it's desire to
meddle in somebody else's business
Nor does the bureau undertake tc
compete with industrial establish
mcnts which make business OF
testing or analyzing materials. This
policy is carrying out the ideal OF
any government establishment by
making 1t an agency which cooper.
ates with and assists private indus.
try, which does its work to benefit
the majority of the people, but re.
iigiously abstains from interfering
or attempting to dictate.
The bureau may tread on some.
oodys toes now and then, but the
step Is taken in the interest of the