gram can become a public relations disaster for the free enterprise system. Here you would have, under those circumstances, a lot to do with this aspect of whatever approach is ultimately taken to metrication. You have had your great influence over the years on public confidence in the marketplace. Your influence on manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, during whatever adaptation is coming, could be decisive in maintaining the hard won public good will that you have painstakingly built up. The really relevant question that we had to pose for ourselves in the study was not so much what will automatically happen that benefits the country the day we go metric, but, if we did go metric, what bad would happen or what good. But what would be the nation's measurement language needs in the 1980's, 90's, and the next century? What should we do to prepare for the future? Now, some cynics may say, "Why should I do this for posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?" But we are not even in the position of the little Dutch boy who could put his finger in the hole in the dike. It is as if we were in a rowboat in the middle of a swift river. There is no question that the river is flowing from English to metric. The choices we have are to row upstream as long as we can, to drift with the current, or to pick up the oars and row vigorously downstream. This is a determination of national policy. It is for the Congress and the President to decide, and they have to decide whether there are waterfalls and cataracts downstream or whether there is some peaceful body of water around the bend. We only hope that our study will provide the tools that they need to make that decision intelligently. No matter what national approach the Congress may adopt, the members of this Conference are going to have to play a central role in the way the American people adapt to the coming increase in metric usage, which seems inevitable at least at some rate of change, no matter what the official action of the government. And I suspect, therefore, that this is not the last time you will hear of the problem of metric measurement usage. Now if I may, I would like to turn to some Conference business. By now, most of you know that the National Conference on Weights and Measures has decided to hold the Conference in different areas of the country, away from Washington, every other year starting with the 1973 meeting. This decision was made mainly as a result of the proposal by your Executive Committee last year in Salt Lake City and was strongly supported by the Conference membership. We at NBS are pleased that such a move is possible, and it should prove to be a major step toward strengthening the interest and involvement of weights and measures officials throughout the United States in the affairs of this National Conference, as well as all others who desire to participate in the Conference. It is important to bring this Conference to the states and to the people. In fact, I am looking forward to attending the Western Regional Conference in Hawaii next month. This leads me to a few other general thoughts that I have had concerning future directions of the Conference. I believe that it would be advisable for your officers and your Executive Committee to continue to explore new ways and means by which the National Conference can serve the growing needs of the states and the many people that look to the Conference for guidance. This in no way means to imply that the Conference is not fulfilling the purposes for which it is held, for it has compiled an outstanding record of success throughout the years. However, we know that those who work in the field of weights and measures continue to experience problems brought on by changes in the science of measurement, in our system of government, and in the aspirations and needs of the people in commerce and in technology. Thus, we must plan for and be prepared to adapt to these changes and to take such action as is necessary to structure our organization and procedures to solve the problems that confront us and meet the challenge of the future. It may be necessary and desirable for Conference members to share more fully in the leadership. I personally would welcome such increased participation. More and more, the burden of work resulting from your expanded service to the people will fall on you together with our weights and measures staff. The content of the Conference program this year and the many constructive recommendations that are being proposed by your committees reflect the progressive nature and work of this organization. Obviously, one has to be impressed with your efforts, and I wish to assure you that the National Bureau of Standards will continue to lend its support and assistance to the states and to the National Conference in every way possible. We call on you to let us know how our partnership can be improved, and we urge you to use this Conference as a forum and a means to achieve an even greater system of weights and measures in our country. I hope to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Executive Committee on Friday morning to discuss with them more specifically some additional steps that might be taken to strengthen the Conference and its mission. And now I come to the time when, as your President, I have the privilege to announce the appointment of individuals to serve on the Conference standing committees. I am sure you are well aware how important the work and contributions of these committees are to the success of the Conference. For this reason, considerable care is taken in the selection of committee members, and we take great pride in their accomplishments. I would like to thank those members who have served on committees for their valuable service, and I wish to extend my appreciation to those who are taking on new responsibilities. Before making the appointments, I wish to point out that the number of appointments is greater than usual this year, due to the recent retirement or termination from public service of several officials whose term on a committee would not normally have expired this year. For the Committee on Laws and Regulations, Mr. R. L. Thompson, State Superintendent of Weights and Measures, State of Maryland, is appointed for a five-year term to replace Mr. Dettler, whose term is expiring. Mr. Dettler is reappointed to serve out the unexpired two-year term vacated by Mr. R. W. Richards, who resigned from public service. I wish to point out that Mr. Dettler has served on the committee for only two years, having originally been appointed at the 54th Conference to serve out an unexpired two-year term. For the Committee on Specifications and Tolerances, Mr. K. J. Simila, Assistant Chief for Weights and Measures, State of Oregon, is appointed for a five-year term to replace Mr. Rebuffo, whose term is expiring. Mr. T. F. Brink, Director, Division of Standards, State of Vermont, is appointed to fill the unexpired three-year term of Mr. W. C. Hughes, who is retiring from public service. For the Committee on Education, Mr. R. T. Williams, Director, Consumer Service Division, State of Texas, is appointed for a fiveyear term to replace Mr. J. I. Moore, whose term is expiring. Mr. J. C. Stewart, Assistant Supervisor, Weights and Measures Regulatory Section, State of Virginia, is appointed to serve out the one-year unexpired term of Mr. B. A. Pettit, who retired from public service. For the Committee on Liaison with the National Government, Mr. W. N. Seward, Assistant to the Senior Vice President, American Petroleum Institute, is appointed for a five-year term to replace Mr. R. C. Primley, whose term is expiring. |