Evening star., 1934-07-08
Business Advisory Council
Concludes Six Months
Special Study.
REQUESTS P. w. A. FUNDS
FOR 8 NEW PROJECTS
Lack of Personnel and Reduction
of Money to Garry On Ex-
periments Cited.


the economy program inaugurated in
1882, and the expenditure of a total
of S698,000 of public works funds is
asked in special report to the De-
partment of Commerce made by the
Business Advisory and Planning
Council.
The report Is the result of more
than six months study by a special
committee of eight, representing the
council, the Committee of the Bureau
of Standards of the Science Advisory
Board and the Visiting Committee of
the Bureau of Standards.
Eight new projects are asked, for
which p. w. A. funds have been re-
quested. In addition 10 special func-
tions are set up to define the work
Of the bureau.
Funds Drastically Cut.
The report pointed out that due to
the severe cut in the bureaus budget
last year and because of the increased
expense involved in its work of test
ing for various other Federal depart
ments and State organizations which,
according to the organic act estab-
fishing the bureau is done without
charge, funds remaining for other
fundamental services of the bureau
are reduced to drastically small pro-
portions.
The report declared that since 1882
"the actual reduction in funds to sup
port the authorized work of the bu-
reau amounts to about 10 per cent"
Ac ha cl haf
direct appropriations be made here
after to cover the testing of materials
done for other departments in order
that fundamental scientific work may
not be crowded out. 1t was also
pointed out that work of the Public
Works Administration had contributed
greatly to the added burdens of the
Bureau of Standards.
Projects Requested.
In addition to the increased direct
appropriations sought. the eight P. w.
A. projects requested include the fol-
lowing:
A high voltage laboratory to extend
the range of voltage and X-ray meas
urements from the present 100000 to
100000 volts, to cost $435, 5,109.
Hard surfacing Of present Cinder
driveways to reduce dust which is
injurious to experimental work; sod
ding and planting; a metal protective
fence around the property; protective
fence and elimination of the fire haz-
ard at Maryland Radio Station, to
cost S79,500
Equipment to improve transmission
of standard radio frequencies at the
Beltsville Transmitting Station, to
cost $4,000.
Dynamometer equipment for testing
motor vehicles to cost $50, 900.
Preparation of heavy hydrogen. at
Muscle Shoals, equipment and one
year program, SAL 800.
Investigation of the effect of rough
ness of pipe walls on the flow through
pipes, requested by the Bureau of
Reclamation. One-year program, to
cost $l9600.
Study of the effect of oil filters in
reducing wear of automotive equip
ment, oneyear program, $780,
Experimental study of plumbing
systems, one-year program, S27,260.
TEdiSCu.
The committee praised the arrange
ment under which the American
Standards Association took over the
studies of simplified practice, trade
standards, standard specifications, and
building and safety code work, but it
made a set of recommendations to
define the present and added func-
tions of the bureau.
1t also asked for larger personnel,
pointing out that "the staff is rela-
lively undermanned with younger men
because none has been added during
the past five years, and between 200
and 800 have been dropped via the
furlough. This will create a serious
problem of leadership in the future
and it now necessitates using the older,
higher salaried men on jobs of rela-
lively subordinate Importance"
The new recommendations setting
forth the functions of the bureau are
as follows:
81. To maintain the national stand
ards of measurement and to conduct
research necessary for the develop
ment of such standards.
20. To calibrate and certify measur-
Ing instruments in terms of the ma
tional standards, for the Federal
Government and the various States
(without CHARGE, and for scientific,
engineering and industrial groups and
individuals (at cost, in order that ac-
curate and uniform standards of
measurement may be used throughout
the Nation.
Seek Improved Methods.
"3. To develop improved methods
of measurement for use in industry,
engineering and scientific research.
q. To determine physical constants
and the properties of materials and
physical systems when such data are
of great importance to scientific or
manufacturing interests and are not
to be obtained of sufficient accuracy
elsewhere
"5. To serve, in so far as is prac-
ticable, as a centralized laboratory for
physical, chemical and engineering
investigations for governmental agen-
cies, thus utilizing effectively the spe-
cial facilities of the bureau. avoiding
unnecessary duplication among Gov
ernment agencies and preventing un-
necessary development of new labora-
tories in the future.
&C. To conduct investigation look
ing to broader and more effective uti-
lization of materials and the develop
ment of better processes and methods
of fabrication, in cooperation and
with the financial assistance of engi-
neering societies, trade associations,
industrial and consumer groups, pro-
vided such investigations are of pub
lie and governmental interest
"7. To cooperate with the Federal
specifications board and national
Cnntin,iad a., para Q Nnl,,raa .