INCHING TOWARD Till METRIC SYSTEM, 1959 ' 457 



the study as a means to decide how to speed up the process of con- 

 version. Fulton asked: 



Win nor have the Congress determine, after hearings, that we should make it 

 the polay ol the United States converting to the metric system over a period of time, 

 and then have studies on the methods in the various industries on how to go about it? 



An overwhelming majority of the committee disagreed with Fulton, 

 and preferred the more cautious approach of, as the Miller bill stated, 

 authorizing a study "to appraise the desirability and practicability of 

 increasing the use of metric weights and measures in the United 

 States." Instead of the Bureau of Standards, the Secretary of Commerce 

 was authorized to study the costs and benefits of alternative courses of 

 action, and report within three years. The change was made at the 

 suggestion of the Commerce Department, to allow a broader study. 



WYDLER COOL TOWARD METRIC 



The full committee reported the bill out favorably, but Wydler 

 by his questions and observations in the hearings indicated a negative 

 feeling toward it. On August 4, Wydler and Chairman Miller had this 

 exchange: 



Mr. Wydler. I was interested in this discussion today, particularly how this 

 change would affect foreign trade. It appears to me there are two sides to that 

 coin. * * * It must be difficult for those countries that have the metric system to 

 compete with our own industry in our own country. Our home industries have a 

 built-in-advantage. 



Chairman Miller. But can we maintain our industry at the present level if we 

 do not convert? 



Mr. Wydler. This is something you have to put on the other side of the scale. 



Chairman Miller. That is right, if you want to make yourself a little 

 island. * * * 



In its report on the bill, the committee concluded: 



It would seem certain that the United States will be using the metric system 

 some day. The overwhelming forces of simplicity, ease of communication, and plain 

 commonsense will force us to adopt it. The questions concerning the adoption of 

 such a system are simply, "When?", "How?", and "To what extent?" These are 

 questions that can be answered only by the serious study that this legislation calls for. 



Appending "Additional Views" to the committee report, Fulton 

 once again argued: 



If the U.S. Congress and the President approve the immediate policy of adopting 

 the metric system, then our schools and educational system can now begin working 

 and readying. * * * We must begin immediately to lay an adequately broad base 

 for the changeover with ease, not to postpone this essential change for a total of 15 

 years with further studies. 



