PRACTICAL STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS, oF 
It appears from papers laid before the International Electrical Congress and 
from the discussion that there are considerable discrepancies between the laws 
reJating to electrical units, or their interpretations, in the various countries repre- 
sented, which, in the opinion of the Chamber, require consideration with a view to 
securing practical uniformity. 
Other questions bearing on nomenclature and the determination of units and 
standards have also been raised, on which, in the opinion of the Chamber, it is 
desirable to have international agreement. 
The Chamber of Delegates considers that these and similar questions could best 
be dealt with by an International Commission representing the Governments con- 
cerned. Such a Commission might, in the first instance, be appointed by those 
countries in which legislation on electric units has been adopted, and consist of, 
say, two members from each country. 
Provision should be made for securing the adhesion of other countries prepared 
to adopt the conclusions of the Commission. 
. The Chamber of Delegates approves such a plan, and requests its members to 
bring this report before their respective Governments. 
It is hoped that if the recommendation of the Chamber of Delegates be adopted 
by the Governments represented the Commission may eventually become a perma: 
nent one. 
Committee of the Chamber of Delegates on International Standardisation. 
The Committee of the Chamber of Delegates on the Standardisation of Machinery 
beg to report as follows :— 
That steps should be taken to secure the co-operation of the technical societies 
of the world by the appointment of a representative Commission to consider the 
question of the standardisation of the nomenclature and ratings of electrical 
apparatus and machinery. 
If the above recommendation meets the approval of the Chamber of Delegates 
it is suggested by your Committee that much of the work could be accomplished by 
correspondence in the first instance and by the appointment of a General Secretary 
to preserve the records and crystallise the points of disagreement, if any, which may 
arise between the methods in vogue in the different countries interested. 
It is hoped that if the recommendation of the Chamber of Delegates be adopted 
the Commission may eventually become a permanent one, 
The first of these Reports, relating to the summoning of an Inter- 
national Congress on Electrical Units, is now under the consideration of 
His Majesty’s Government. Meanwhile a preliminary conference of re- 
presentatives of standardising laboratories and others interested in the 
determination of electrical units has been summoned by the President of 
the Reichsanstalt to meet in Berlin in the autumn. Lord Rayleigh and 
the Secretary have received invitations to be present. 
The object of this Conference is stated to be that the institutions 
which are concerned in maintaining the accuracy of electrical measure- 
ments in conjunction with those scientists who have devoted especial 
attention to this field of work should exchange opinions, and if possible 
come to an agreement as to the measures which must be taken in order 
to obtain the international uniformity in electrical units and measure- 
ments which is desired. It is thus preliminary to the more forma] con- 
sideration of the subject, which would be the work of the International 
Congress. 
One of the important questions which will be discussed will be the 
Specification of some form of standard cell. Work on this matter has 
gone on in America and at the National Physical Laboratory, and an 
Appendix to the Report by Mr. Smith contains a provisional specification. 
1905, Hq 
