456 



HISTORY OF THI COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



The LRS study summarized the advantages as follows: Simplicity, 

 ease of learning, logic, savings through faster calculations by en- 

 gineers and scientists, precision and efficiency, expansion of trade with 

 metric nations, the fact that the United States is virtually alone among 

 nations holding out, and that certain sectors such as the pharmaceutical 

 industry, geodesy, ball bearings and spark plugs, some segments of 

 the military, and our Olympic teams — are already on metric. Dis- 

 advantages were summarized as cost of conversion, inconvenience 

 of breaking old habit patterns, work and time necessary to learn a 

 new system, confusion of the transition period when double use of 

 the two systems would be necessary, and outdating of many signs, 

 measurements, and documentary deeds. 



CHAIRMAN MILLER LEADS THE FIGHT 1965 



I have some aversion 



To metric conversion 

 Though it's sound from the scientist view 



But describing a dame 

 Won't be the same 



If she's 96-61-92 



In opening hearings on his study bill in August 1965, Chairman Miller 

 mentioned most standard arguments, but seemed to come down stronger 

 on the advantages: 



The metric system is the unique and universal language of science and tech- 

 nology, even in the United States, which has become the most powerful nation in the 

 world precisely because it excels all others in science and technology. It seems to me, 

 therefore, quite paradoxical that we lead the small minority of nations who have 

 yet to utilize the metric system. * * * The time has come when the Congress should 

 authorize and direct an exhaustive study to arrive at recommendations upon which 

 congressional decisions can be based. This question must be examined in every minute 

 detail and aspect. 



The responsibility of the Committee on Science and Astronautics in this matter 

 toward the future strength and vigor of our country is indeed a profound one. 



One by one, committee members endorsed the study — even those 

 like Waggonner who was negative on the metric system itself. Repre- 

 sentative Lester L. Wolff (Democrat of New York) brought up a new 

 argument which in later years was frequently repeated — that since 

 eventual conversion to the metric system appeared inevitable, it would 

 be more advisable to "lend direction to this, rather than letting us 

 drift into this system." 



In the 1965 hearings, Fulton renewed his efforts to speed up the 

 process through making the decision to convert first, and then using 



