Standardization rules

Recent inquiries indicate that some uncertainty exists regarding the reports of the Standardization Committee. It has always been the understanding that these rules after final adoption would require frequent revision. The necessity of such rules was clearly manifested in a topical discussion at New York and Chicago Jan. 26, 1898. The report of the original committee was discussed at the Omaha convention in 1898, and the final draft was issued after approval, June 26, 1899. The very general acceptance of the rules by various engineers, universities and manufacturers was exceedingly satisfactory, and it is doubtful whether any specific act of the Institute has met with such universal commendation. The committee has been continued from year to year, with comparatively few changes in its personnel, and its members have patiently devoted much time to the consideration of the various amendments made necessary by progress in the art. The second revision was finally approved at the Great Barrington convention in 1902. The rules of that date are still in force. The committee undertook the latest revision, with a view to presenting its report at the Milwaukee convention in June, 1906, and the fact that the tentative rules were printed for convenience in discussion seems to have created the impression that this was an authoritative publication, which is far from being the case. At the meeting of the committee, Nov. 23, 1906, the rules were so perfected that they are now practically ready for criticism by members who are interested in the subject, and advance copies for this purpose will be mailed upon application to the Secretary. It is assumed that a person asking for a copy will understand that it is not yet ready for general publication.