The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1976-05-01 / 5. szám
May, 1976 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 7 METRIC BILL BECOMES LAW The President of the United States signed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 on December 23. This historic step finally gives official federal sanction to a change that has been taking place at an accelerated rate in the United States and formalizing the U. S. Government’s involvement in bringing about a smoother transition to the use of the modern metric system. The Act closes a years-long legislative process marked by setbacks, delays, and compromise. In signing the bill President Ford said, “I sign the bill with the conviction that it will enable our country to adopt ncreasing use of this convenient measurement language ... both at home in our schools and factories, and overseas with our trading partners. — U.S. industry, ... is miles ahead of official policy. American companies already are making great use of metric measurements. Many areas of our industry — such as pharmaceuticals, cameras and space exploration — already are entirely or largely metric. In addition, many of the country’s largest retailers are finding it is good business to deal metrically with their customers. — The truth is that our continued use of the English system of measurement was making us an island in a metric sea. In 1965, Great Britain renounced its old system of measurement in favor of metric. It was followed by the Commonwealth countries. Today, more than 90 percent of the world’s people use metric measurement in their everyday lives.” The Conversion Act declares that “the policy of the United States shall be to coordinate and plan the increasing use of the metric system in the United States and to establish a United States Metric Board to coordinate the voluntary conversion to the metric system”. “The board shall consist of 17 individuals with the Chairman and members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. — The Board function is to devise and carry out a broad program of planning, coordination and public education consistent with other national policy interests.” The Act emphasizes the importance of public education and information programs aimed at making every citizen familiar with the modern metric system. I have observed that metric system is not common to the average U.S. citizen. Many people are not aware that it was a matter of last year’s legislation. In February, 1975, Allegheny Campus, Community College of Allegheny County, conducted five free SI metric awareness workshops. The participants were from every walk of life, teachers, engineers, salesmen, nurses, housewives, etc. Reaction to the workshops were: “The workshop has been ... interesting and informative ... enlightening ... easy to follow ... needed and really enjoyable ... helped me to develop a good concept of the Metric System...” These comments and others clearly indicate that much resistance to metric conversion stems from the public’s lack of knowledge about metric. WHY THE CONVERSION? There are several reasons that make the change to “metric” inevitable and desirable. A few of them are: (a) Universality. — The United States was the only major nation in the world that has not committed itself to the metric system. (As of this time the only four countries in the world which were still uncommitted to the SI system: Brunei, Burma, Yemen, and Liberia.) — The adoption of a 10-year metrication program by Great Britain in 1965 signaled the end of English measurements as an international system. (b) Simplicity. — The SI is a decimal measuring system, therefore, it is simpler, easier to learn and easier to use. Eliminates much of the use of common fractions. (c) Educational Benefits. No more arbitrary conversion units; no more avoirdupois ounces, troy ounces, or fluid ounces! The arithmetic of the Metric System eliminates much drudgery from the classroom. The logical relationship of the units simplifies the approximations and computations. (d) Manufacturing Simplicity. — Under metrication, we will eventually reduce our wide variety of different standard sizes of products. For example: All wine sold in the U. S. must be bottled exclusively in metric sized containers by January 1, 1979. The conversion to metric bottles will reduce the number of domestic wine bottle sizes from sixteen to six and the number of imported wine sizes from about twentyseven to six. (f) International Trade. — The conversion will help American business and commerce to better serve a strong and growing nation; it will help the U. S. continue to be a vibrant force in world economics in the years ahead. We would like to offer some thoughts and comments that may allay the fears of the conversion and give you an idea what metrication will mean to the people of the U.S. Therefore The EIGHTH TRIBE in future issues will present articles concerning conversion to the modern metric system (SI). Professor Kálmán Mécs
