UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MAURICE H. STANS, Secretary US NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS LEWIS M. BRANSCOMB, Director Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 345-1, 157 pages (December 1970) CODEN: XNBSA Issued December 1970 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE THE HONORABLE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIRS: I have the honor to present the first of a series of interim reports that will stem from the U.S. Metric Study. This Study was established by Public Law 90-472, which was approved on August 9, 1968. I will make a final report to the Congress on this Study in August 1971. This interim report concerns international standards activities and their importance to the international transfer of goods and technology. It calls attention to significant events and trends that have become apparent during the course of the U.S. Metric Study and recommends that certain steps be taken now with regard to these developments without awaiting my final report to you in August 1971. I concur in the conclusions of this interim report and am discussing with other interested parties and agencies of the Federal Government, means for implementing the recommendations. I invite your consideration of these matters and will welcome the views of the Congress and the public concerning them. Respectfully submitted, Mannse H. Stans Secretary of Commerce LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Honorable Maurice H. Stans Dear Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit to you an interim report of the U.S. Metric Study, which is being conducted at the National Bureau of Standards at your request and in accordance with the Metric Study Act of 1968. The Study is exploring the subjects assigned to it with great care. Numerous surveys and investigations have been launched to obtain primary data with respect to the issues of metrication. In addition, we are holding a series of National Metric Study Conferences that will provide an opportunity for major groups and organizations representing the various sectors of our society to express their views with respect to these issues. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this report reflect a substantial concern about the need to strengthen the effectiveness of the United States in international standards negotiations. Because this report has been prepared as an offshoot of our inquiry into the issues of metrication, it does not consider specific means to achieve such increased effectiveness. Rather, it calls attention to significant events and trends that have come to light in our Metric Study and have led us to certain basic conclusions. If you concur with these conclusions and our recommendations, you may wish to give further attention to the possibility of Federal leadership in encouraging greater support by U.S. industry for international standardization, the desirability of substantial Federal assistance to our private sector standardizing institutions, and other alternatives that might emerge from a thorough review of this question with such institutions and other interested parties. Sincerely, Lewis M. Branscomb, Director Enclosure |