UNIFORMITY OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 359 



Chambers of commerce, boards of trade, mauufactiiring associations, and other 

 vohmtary societies and individuals will be induced to consider and in their dis- 

 cretion to adopt its use. Tlie interests of trade among a people so quick as ours 

 to receive and adopt a useful novelty will soon acquaint practical men witii its 

 convenience. When this is attained (a period, it is hoped, not distant), a further 

 Act of Congress can fix the date for its exclusive adoption as a legal system. At 

 an earlier period it may be safely introduced into all public offices and for Govern- 

 ment service. 



In the schedule of equivalents provided in the Bill, extreme scientific accuracy 

 is not expressed. The reasons follow. The exact length of the meter in inches 

 and the weight of the kilogram in grains can of necessity be determined only 

 approximately. The most careful determinations of these quantities now possible 

 are liable to minute corrections hereafter as more numerous observations are made 

 and better instruments are used. Instead, therefore, of aiming at an accuracy 

 greater, perhaps, than is attainable, it is more expedient to consult the convenience 

 of the people by using the simplest numbers possible in the schedule, and yet such 

 as shall be in fact more nearly exact tlian can ever be demanded in the ordinary 

 business of life. These nmnbers are to be used in schools and in practical life 

 millions of times as umltipliers and divisors, and every unnecessary additional 

 figure is justly objectionable. 



In a popidar sense of the word, however, the numbers in the schedule may be 

 said to be exact. The length of the meter, for example, is given as 39-37 inches. 

 The mean of the best English and the best American detei-minatious dirters from 

 this only by about the amoimt by which the standard bar changes its length by a 

 change of one degree of temperature. Such accuracy is certainly suflicieut for 

 legal purposes and for popular use. 



The second measure recommended is a joint resolution, necessarily following the 

 adoption of the leading Bill, and provides for furnishing the standards, which will 

 thereby be required, to the several States. 



The third proposition is a Bill to authorize and provide for the use of the weight 

 of 15 grams in the Post-office, in conformity with the system adopted by that 

 department for foreign correspondence. 



The fourth is a Resolution looking to effective negotiation for a uniform coinage 

 among nations. 



Respectfully submitted, 



John A. Kasson, Chairman. 

 Charles H. WnsrFiBLD. 

 Thomas Williams. 

 Hezekiah S. Bukdy. 

 Henby L. Dav\tes. 



BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE REPORT. 

 A Bill to authorize the use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and Home of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this Act, it 

 shall be lawful throughout the ITnited States of America to employ the weights 

 and measm-es of the metric system ; and no contract, or dealing, or pleading in any 

 court, shall be deemed invalid, or liable to objection, because the weights or 

 measm-es expressed or referred to therein are weights or measm-es of the metric 

 system. 



Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the tables in the schedule hereto annexed 

 shall be recognized, in the construction of contracts, and in all legal proceedings, 

 as establishing in the terms of the weights and measures now in use in the LTnited 

 States, the equivalents of weights and measures expressed therein in tenns of 

 the metric system ; and said tables may be lawfully used for computing, deter- 

 mining, and expressing in customary weights and measures the weights and mea- 

 sm-es of the metric system. 



