INCHING TOWARD THE METRIC SYSTEM, 1959-79 439 



many Members of Congress who were getting angry mail from constit- 

 uents, and several bills were introduced in Congress to block the pro- 

 posed action. Teague expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms, 

 stressing that the 1975 act was a voluntary one. The Highway Ad- 

 ministration withdrew its abortive plan in June, but damage had been 

 done to the cause of conversion. Teague later explained: 



In my district in Texas, which is about 200 miles long and 100 miles wide, with 

 interstate highways running the length and width of the district, you can imagine 

 the storm of protests I got from my people when the highway people were going to 

 put up those signs with kilometers on them. I began to hear from my people. They 

 really gave me Hell. 



Teague stressed this point in a letter to the President, July 14, 

 1977, including the following: 



I am very much concerned about the manner in which this matter was handled. 

 I am particularly concerned that the ineptness and the resulting adverse publicity 

 has produced a set-back to the nation's orderly adoption of the Metric system. * * * 



The Metric Conversion Act of 1975, which was reported out of my Committee 

 after extensive hearings over several years, specifically provided that conversion shall 

 be made entirely on the basis of voluntary participation. Furthermore, the Act fully 

 recognizes the need for careful coordination and extensive public education as part of 

 the changeover process. It appears that none of these principles were followed in the 

 Federal Highway Administration's proposal. 



At the same time, Teague urged the Federal Highway Administra- 

 tion to develop a proposal for the changeover to metric highway signs 

 which would minimize the adverse effect on the public while moving 

 forward. He added: 



In my view, the set-back which they have experienced should not be allowed to 

 bring the process to a standstill. I want to assure you of my support for a reasonable 

 and well-considered Metric conversion plan for the F.H.A. and for the other agencies 

 of the Federal Government. 



Cox wrote Teague on August 19, 1977, enclosing a policy order by 

 Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams (a former member of the 

 Science Committee) from which Cox indicated the Highway Ad- 

 ministration "will develop a phased plan of action for an orderly 

 transition from the customary system of units to the metric system." 

 The controversy then died down. 



FROM FAHRENHEIT TO CELSIUS 



In the spring of 1977, the U.S. Weather Service developed a ten- 

 tative plan to stimulate public awareness of the use of "Celsius" as 

 well as Fahrenheit in dual announcements for use by news media. The 

 Weather Service began with temperature announcements, which were 

 to be followed by other metric measurements such as precipitation and 



