THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS 217 



work in Pittsburgh under the old organization formed a part of the 

 technological division of the survey. 



The engineering division is performing an important service for the 

 government in testing all cement made by the Atlas Cement Company 

 for the Panama Canal. The company furnishes cement at the rate of 

 6,000 barrels a day. Inspectors are stationed at the works, and the 

 bureau maintains there a well-equipped laboratory. 



The testing of all paper purchased for the Government Printing 

 Office falls within this division, in cooperation with the division of 

 chemistry. Formerly bids were received on specifications, the lowest 

 bid was accepted, and then the successful bidder proceeded to furnish 

 the cheapest paper he could get accepted without further regard to the 

 specifications. The results were that the best paper manufacturers 

 refused to bid because they could not afford to sacrifice their reputation, 

 and the government was defrauded. On one occasion the award for 

 paper for the Bulletin of the bureau was made on specifications calling 

 for paper of definite weight and half rags. When the paper had been 

 made and submitted to the Printing Office, the analysis of the bureau 

 showed that it contained no rags whatever, but only wood pulp. 



At present print papers are bought on rigid specifications, and 

 samples of all shipments are analyzed at the bureau. The fraud per- 

 petrated on the government in the matter of print paper of all grades 

 has now been eliminated. 



Printing inks are purchased at present in the same manner, and 

 the assistance of the bureau has saved the government in this particular 

 item enough to cover about half the cost of the inks. The same system 

 has stopped the graft by commissions once practised in the Bureau of 

 Engraving and Printing by a trusted foreman. The price was very high 

 on account of the generous commission allowed the foreman. Prefer- 

 ences for a particular make of ink or other commodity must now be 

 supported by something more than the dictum of an old employee. 



The engineering division does not confine its activities to the direct 

 service of the government. Its aim is also to furnish scientific and 

 physical data which lie at the foundation of engineering practise and 

 design. It is now engaged in the actual measurement of the stresses 

 producing compressions and elongations in the steel members of bridges 

 and other structures after erection, as compared with those calculated 

 by the designers. The results of such a comparison should be of 

 eminent service to engineers and makers of structural steel, as well as 

 to the government in the design and construction of its battleships. 

 The largest testing machine, now in process of erection at the bureau at 

 a cost of $150,000, is to be a marvel of precision. It will apply a 

 maximum force of compression of 2,300,000 pounds, and will measure 

 it with an accuracy of two pounds. 



This brief survey of the activities of the Bureau of Standards is 



