Evening star., 1932-12-30

Is Not Mediocrity
70 the Editor Of The Star:

In The Star Of December n there
appears an editorial entitled Stand
ardization," In which its writer takes
the stand that that Standardization
means q "dead-level Of mediocrtty."
The undersigned wishes to take excep-
tion to the views as expressed In this
editorial, and offers these thoughts as
relating to the subject Of standardiza-
ton:
The writer Of the editorial leads one
to believe that he understands stand
ardization to mean an arbitrary pat
tern. Iigidity and f,xity: whereas
It's aim Is not fixity or stagnation, but
potential gain makes it worth while.
The student Of economics appreciates
the fact that recent application Of
quality standards to familiar articles of
commerce has greatly stimulated inter-
est In the establishment Of standards.
True, it has been feared by some that If
standards are applied too freely indi-
vidual expression will be fettered and
We will come to lead a drab and stag
nant existence, with much of the uni
formity Of housing, food, clothing, etc,
usually associated with military life.
We need only glance at the rich back
ground OF standards In nature to gain
sufncient perspective and obtain bet
ter appreciation Of present trends In
standardization and their significance.
To nature the process Of standardiza-
ton and the evolution Of standardized
forms Is an old, old story. Throughout
the ages nature has standardized all
individuals of the same species, so as
to be essentially alike, and at the same
INV a npo TOLL NJ
vidualS OF other species. In the same
species Of plants, fishes, birds or ami
mails individuals resemble each other
in the minutest detail Of structure and
function. 80 thorough has nature been
that every species may be recognized
by the standardized organs. functions
characteristics or habits peculiar to
each.
1t Is difficult to imagine any human
progress without the wonderful stand
ardtzation nature has provided; in fact,
without the systematic and orderly in
duence Of Standardization civilization
would be impossible. Every item of
existence would present separate prob
lem, with no precedent for guidance,
with no possibility for generalization,
and, therefore, no possibility Of knowl-
edge which is based on generalization.
There would be no organized life, no
institutions, no customs, no laws; for
these depend upon an underlying nmi-
tation OF action and reaction. There
for how could 1t be predetermined
where to look for the heart or the
stomach, or. II you please, whether or
not q given body contained such
organs?
The more the mysteries OF nature are
dispelled by knowledge, the more Is
Standardization revealed, as in the geo.
metrical arrangement Of crystal forma-
ton, predicted discoveries Of new chem
ical elements, or the coming Of q comet
We depend upon the meticulous regu-
larity Of the suns appearance, the re-
curing phases Of the moon and the
perfectly timed rotation Of the planets
We accept as indisputable facts the
infinitely established boiling and freez-
ing points. the peculiar behavior Of
certain materials and the changeless
normal properties OF elasticity, strength,
hardness, ductility, viscosity, rcfrac-
tivity, electrical conductivity. perme-
ability and other properties Of the ele-
constantly appropriating for his use.
The variations Of color available to
the painter are composed Of parts of a
narrow band of spectral wave lengths,
and all Of the artistry In music Is con-
veyed through another small group of
frequencies. And yet We hear no COM
plants that nature has carried stand
ardization to extremes; that life Is dull,
drab or stagnant as a result of stand-
ardized chemical elements, standard
lied crystalline growth or wave lengths,
as in sound, radio, light and X-rays.
We find that the tennis player Is
confined to standards, such as the size,
weight and residence Of ball, dimensions
Of court, racquet and net, rules OF the
game, etc. The same is true Of base
bah, golf and Of every organized sport
or athletic event.
The architect may be limited to two
sizes of face brick, but he has a choice
Of color, texture and arrangement sufi-
cient to produce an unlimited variety
Of structures and effects. while the ac-
complished limitation OF dimensions
gives him basis upon which to start
and relieves his mind altogether Of the
problem of the size of brick to be
employed.
In every direction we find standard
ization, whether We look to the orbits
Of the electrons about the atom. the
consultations Of the stars, the micro
cosm or the macrocosm. commerce or
the arts, industry or sport.
STEPHEN FREDERICK T1LLMAN.