SHALL WE ADOPT THE METRIC SYSTEM? 763 



necessary than was sufficient to furnish the standard weights and mea- 

 sures adopted for government use. 



" Respecting the last inquiry submitted by the resolution, ' Wliat 

 objections there are, if any, to making the metrical system obligatory 

 in all transactions between individuals, and what is the earliest date 

 that can be set for the obligatory use of the metrical system throughout 

 the United States ? ' the department is unable to give a definite answer, 

 inasmvich as it is not informed as to the present intention of the English- 

 speaking peoples in regard to the adoption of the proposed change. 

 However desirable or advantageous in theory the change might seem, 

 if adopted by us and not by the other peoples speaking the English 

 language, it would seem probable that a mutual disadvantage would 

 exist growing out of diverse weights and measures. 



" It may be assumed that a more general intercourse will exist be- 

 tween peoples speaking a common language than between peoples who 

 speak different languages. And looking at the present geographical 

 extent of the countries wherein the English language is used, and the 

 importance of their commercial intercourse, and also its future impor- 

 tance, as compared with any other of the spoken languages, at a period 

 not at all remote, if regarded historically, it would seem to be of doubt- 

 ful expediency to separate ourselves from what is now common in 

 weights and measures w^ith other people who speak our language, and 

 with whom it is desirable to increase rather than diminish our commer- 

 cial intercourse. Experience would indicate that we should hold our- 

 selves in accord with them, rather than adopt other standards, however 

 theoretically advantageous, for it will be impossible to escape many 

 practical disadvantages if our standards vary from theirs, so long as 

 our intercourse shall continue." 



The Postmaster-General reports as follows: "In reply to the re- 

 quest contained in the resolution of the House of Representatives, I 

 have to say tliat the only objections to making the use of the metric 

 system of weights and measures obligatory throughout the domestic 

 postal service, which occur to me as having been made or as likely to 

 be made, are two : one based on the expense incident to the change of 

 systems, and the other based on an apprehension that the practical 

 workings of a new system will fail to give satisfaction, owing to the 

 lack of knowledge of the metric system and experience in its use and 

 application on the part of postmasters and of the public at large. 



" In order to ascertain the probable force of the first objection, I have 

 caused an estimate to be made of the probable number, grade, and cost 

 of the balances and scales of the metric system which should be pro- 

 vided to take the place of those now in use in case a change is ordered. 

 The estimate is that the sum of 1124,788 would be called for as an im- 

 mediate outlay to provide for the change. 



" In regard to the second objection, it is not to be denied that the 

 metric system of weights and measures corresponds in principle with 



