182 HKLL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL 



of plant design associated with new developments within each of the 

 industries, it is also true that the extent of the progress made is due in 

 no small measure to the careful study of all phases of the problem being 

 conducted by the Joint Committee of the National Electric Light 

 Association and the Bell Telephone System. 



Under the guidance of this Committee and soon after its formation, 

 the types of situations of physical proximity were classified and certain 

 broad principles of cooperation were recommended. Soon thereafter 

 more complete principles and detailed practises were formulated. 

 These principles and practises were printed and widely distributed tc^ 

 companies and individuals directly interested in the problem of coor- 

 dination. 



The principles and practises thus set up were largely qualitative and 

 the need for an organized program of research to establish quantitative 

 data and to develop improved physical facilities for coordination was 

 early recognized. Accordingly, the Joint Sub-committee on Develop- 

 ment and Research was organized, and assigned the work of determin- 

 ing both experimentally and by field experience quantitative data 

 covering the various aspects of coordination problems, and of devel- 

 oping detailed methods of effecting physical coordination. Under 

 this Sub-committee a very large volume of research work has been 

 undertaken. Results of some of this work have been published and a 

 considerable amount is now in progress. The three papers to follow 

 in the symposium discuss much more fully three of the most important 

 aspects of coordination work at the present time and tell of the work 

 being done in these fields by the Joint Sub-committee on Development 

 and Research and by the other branches of the Joint General Commit- 

 tee's organization. 



In reviewing this subject one is impressed by the number of ways in 

 which the coordination problem touches both the telephone and power 

 fields, and by the very large amount of cooperative work which has 

 already been done. This work, as has been indicated, has resulted in 

 great progress in the satisfactory handling of coordination matters of 

 all types. This matter concerns two industries both of which are in a 

 period of rapid development and change, both as regards their size and 

 as regards the physical arrangements which constitute their plants. 

 Many new developments in each plant require consideration from the 

 standpoint of coordination. It is evident, therefore, that if the ground 

 already gained is to be held and further progress made, the channels of 

 cooperation between the two industries must be kept in operation 



