NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS The National Bureau of Standards1 was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology, the Center for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs. THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Measurement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics-Electricity-Heat-Mechanics-Optical Physics-Linac genics3. THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard Reference Materials and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry-Polymers-Metallurgy-Inorganic Materials-Reactor THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute also monitors NBS engineering standards activities and provides liaison between NBS and national and international engineering standards bodies. The Institute consists of the following divisions and offices: Engineering Standards Services-Weights and Measures-Invention and Programs. THE CENTER FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effectiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective utilization of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus within the executive branch for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing equipment, techniques, and computer languages. The Center consists of the following offices and divisions: Information Processing Standards-Computer Information-Computer Services THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum accessibility to the scientific information of the world, and directs the public information activities of the Bureau. The Office consists of the following organizational units: Office of Standard Reference Data Office of Technical Information and 1 Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234. 2 Part of the Center for Radiation Research. 3 Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302. Report of the 56th National Conference on Weights and Measures 1971 Sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards States, Counties, and Cities, and Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 358, 252 pages (Mar. 1972) Issued March 1972 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. C13.6/3: 358), Price $1.50 Stock Number 0303-0933 Abstract This is a report of the proceedings (edited) of the Fifty-sixth National Conference on Weights and Measures, sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards, held in Washington, D. C., July 12-16, 1971, and attended by state, county, and city weights and measures officials and representatives of the Federal Government, business, industry, railroads, and associations. Key words: Conference, weights and measures-laws; weights and measuresregulations; weights and measures-technical requirements; weights and measures-administration; weights and measures. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 26-27766 CONTENTS (NOTE: Reports of the standing and annual committees and the Treas- Progress through Understanding and Cooperation, by M. Jennings, Con- ference Chairman, Director of Marketing, Tennessee Department of Address, by Hon. James T. Lynn, Under Secretary of Commerce Information: The Consumer Dilemma, by Dr. T. M. Brooks, President, American Council on Consumer Interests, and Dean, School of Home A Manager's View of Electronic Data Processing in Weights and Meas- ures, by G. E. Mattimoe, Deputy Director, Division of Weights and The Accreditation of Weights and Measures Jurisdictions, by R. T. Wil- liams, Director, Consumer Service Division, Texas Department of 67 |