May 4, 1900.] 



SCmNGR 



699 



facturers of other countries, notably Ger- 

 many and England. 



The recent acquisition of territory by the 

 United States more than proportionately 

 increases the scope and importance of the 

 proposed institution, since the establish- 

 ment of a government in these possessions 

 involves the system of weights and meas- 

 ures to be employed. During the near 

 future large public improvements will be 

 undertaken in these countries ; schools, fac- 

 tories, and other institutions will be estab- 

 lished, all of which require the use of stand- 

 ards and standard measuring apparatus. 



Ample facilities should be provided for 

 the investigation of problems which arise 

 in connection with standards and standard 

 measuring apparatus, since it is by the so- 

 lution of these problems that the standard- 

 izing department is enabled to meet the de- 

 mands of modern and improved methods of 

 measurement. 



The work of the OfSce of Standard 

 Weights and Measures has been of a high 

 order, and as extensive as the appropriation, 

 working force, and quarters would permit ; 

 but in view of its great importance to sci- 

 entific and commercial interests, it is earn- 

 estly requested that its functions be en- 

 larged to meet the requirements of existing 

 conditions, and that it be provided with a 

 suitable laboratory, equipment and working 

 force. 



National Academy of Sciences, 

 Washington, D. C, April 19, 1900. 



Sir: In response to your request and by au- 

 thority of the National Academy of Sciences I 

 have the honor to communicate the following 

 resolution, adopted by the Academy at its pres- 

 ent session: 



"Whereas the facilities at the disposal of the 

 Government and of the scientific men of the 

 country for the standardization of apparatus 

 used in scientific research and in the arts are 

 now either absent or entirely inadequate, so 

 that it becomes necessary in most instances to 



send such apparatus abroad for comparison: 

 Therefore, be it 



' ' Resolved, That the National Academy of 

 Sciences approves the movement now on foot 

 for the establishment of a national bureau for 

 the standardization of scientific apparatus." 

 I am, sir, yours, with great respect, 



WOLCOTT GiBBS, 



President. 

 The Secretary of the Treasury, 

 Washington, D. C. 



statistics relating to standardizing in- 

 stitutions op foreign governments. 



England. 

 Standards Department. — Established in 

 1879, to provide for the custody of the 

 standards ; to construct and verify copies 

 of the standards ; to verify standards in use 

 by local authorities ; to regulate the system 

 of inspection in use in the Empire. Under 

 board of trade. Work directed by a super- 

 intendent of weights and measures. 



Total annual expenses, including salaries, 

 equipment, and incidental expenses for the 

 year 1897-98 |15,700 



Electrical Standarizing Laboratory. — Estab- 

 lished 1890, for general electrical testing and 

 the verification of electrical standards and 

 measuring apparatus. Situated at Old Pal- 

 ace Yard, Westminster. Under board of 

 trade. Work directed by a chief electrician. 



Total annual expenses, including salaries, 

 equipment, and incidental expense for the 

 year 1897-98 $8,600 



Keiu Observatory. — Established 1871, at 

 Old Deer Park, Richmond, Surrey. Origi- 

 nally founded as an astronomical observa- 

 tory ; then as a meteorological observatory; 

 now as a general testing bureau. Under 

 Royal Society of London. Affairs controlled 

 by the Kew Observatory committee. Work 

 directed by a superintendent. Recently in- 

 corporated in the National Physical Labora- 

 tory. 



Total annual expenses, including salaries, 

 equipments, and incidental expense for the 

 year 1897-98 (almost wholly derived from 

 fees) $17,800 



