INCHING TOWARD THE METRIC SYSTI M, 1959-79 483 



On a rollcall, the rule was adopted by a vote of 342 to 3. 



Teague then led off the debate, commending Symington, Mosher, 

 Fuqua, and Lloyd "for their hard work in bringing this bill to the 

 floor." He remarked to his colleagues: 



I am convinced that this bill is good for the country. Perhaps I will never learn 

 the total metric system myself, but there is no doubt that today's school children will 

 learn it sooner or later, and before long the housewife who goes shopping will under- 

 stand it. 



Teague later confessed: 



During World War II, I walked all the way from the Normandy beaches to 

 Strasbourg, and I never did know how long a kilometer was. 



SYMINGTON SUMMARIZES POLICY DECISIONS 



Symington underlined the fact that under the bill the change to 

 the metric system would be entirely voluntary, and that the Metric 

 Board would have no compulsory powers whatsoever. He summa- 

 rized the four policy points in the legislation: 



First, to plan to coordinate the increasing use of the metric system; 

 Second, to encourage voluntary participation of affected sectors and groups; 

 Third, to encourage efficiency and minimize costs to society; and 

 Fourth, to assist in developing a broad educational program which will assist 

 all Americans in becoming familiar with the metric system. 



Symington fully satisfied the labor opponents of the bill by asking 

 a number of questions, which he then answered by underlining the 

 strictly voluntary provisions in the legislation. These were the 

 "clarifying" statements which he promised labor he would make. 



Matsunaga wanted to know how the objections of small business 

 and labor's interests in the cost of tools had been taken care of. 

 Symington answered: 



We have been in touch with the small business representatives, including John 

 Motley of the National Federation of Independent Businessmen, and very recently we 

 were assured by them that this bill meets the problems that they thought the prior 

 bill presented. * * * The Metric Board has an obligation under this bill to study the 

 harmful effects that any metric move made in this country could have on any element 

 of society, and of course, none more importantly than the working people who own 

 their own tools. 



Matsunaga was fully satisfied with the explanation, and declared: 



The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Symington), the gentleman from Texas 

 (Mr. Teague) and the other members of the Committee on Science and Technology 

 deserve a great deal of credit for their perseverance and thoughtful efforts in bringing 

 this legislation to the floor 



Mosher expressed strong support for the legislation, and his 

 pleasure "that the objections from last year are now reconciled, and 



