number of scales examined, except in the case of automatic-indicating elements, where the basis is the number of scales equipped with such elements. The data enclosed in brackets are for the past year only, being based upon a total of 712 scales and a total of 188 scales equipped with automatic-indicating elements. The faulty conditions found upon inspection are summarized in table 3. TABLE 3.-Vehicle-scale inspection results, November 1936 to April 1940 Reported as "very good". 164 No provision for pit drainage or information not available on this factor. 1, 158 [Pit repairs needed.. 36 Scale approaches: Rough.. 131 Curved. 278 Inclined to scale platform.. 1, 154 Inclined to scale platform at angle of 3° or more (included in preceding entry). 590 Displaced from proper relative positions, or displaced entirely from mutual contact. 260 Levers out of level. 392 Beam rod, bearing assemblies, and/or connections between levers out of plumb... 835 Interference between, or inadequate clearance around elements of the lever system.. Clearances between scale platform and coping too large, too small, or both.. 757 30 42 42 Faulty indications (does not include weighing inaccuracy). 96 22 total of 538. [Other faults associated with automatic-indicating elements-based on total of 188.. 1 During the past year, 93 instances (13 percent) of actual interference of foreign matter with lever systems were reported. It is interesting that of the 34 general percentages reported in table 3, 6 are the same as the corresponding percentages reported last year, and that the others differ from the corresponding percentages reported last year as follows: 7 were 1 percent higher and 9 were 1 percent lower than before; 1 was 2 percent higher and 1 was 2 percent lower; 1 was 3 percent higher and 1 was 3 percent lower; 2 were 4 percent higher and 5 were 4 percent lower; and 1 was 7 percent higher. Mr. C. P. SMITH. When you know scales are being used with an overload, why do you not try them with the overload? Mr. R. W. SMITH. Because we will not take the responsibility for possible damage to a scale part or to an installation resulting from deliberately exceeding the rated capacity or the rated loading of a scale. There are times when we should like to do this, to learn the performance of the scale under actual conditions of use; but suppose we did do this, and our 40,000-pound truckload started on its way down to the bottom of the scale pit-we would be in serious trouble. We think it better to avoid such a situation. Mr. C. P. SMITH. Is there any follow-up to your program, after you condemn 75 percent of the scales you test? Mr. R. W. SMITH. In answer to that question I would remind you that the Bureau testing is carried on strictly in cooperation with State and local officials, and that we do not have any regulatory powers-we cannot condemn a scale. Moreover, we do not ask to have reports made to us on repairs made to scales subsequent to our tests, because our testing schedules do not permit us to return and make retests. It is the responsibility of the officials with whom we cooperate to take such steps as they deem appropriate to follow up on scales which we have found to be in need of repairs or adjustments. In some cases, officials accept our tests just as though they had made them themselves, and accept or reject or condemn upon the basis of our results; in other cases they merely accept our results as information, and take no official action. Recently more officials have been sealing or condemning on the basis of our tests than was formerly the case, but such actions are definitely the actions of the officials themselves and not of the Bureau. DISCUSSION ON INFORMAL MEETING TO CONSIDER METHODS OF SALE OF COMMODITIES MR. PISCIOTTA. I should like it if we could get together some time' perhaps tomorrow afternoon, to discuss certain problems confronting us. For instance, there are such questions as the proper method of selling cotton batting, whether toilet tissues should be sold by weight or count, and whether wrapping paper should be sold upon a gross or net basis. If it is at all possible to arrange such a meeting for tomorrow afternoon, and if there are those who would be interested-men who have already gone through the laboratories of the Bureau-I should like Mr. Smith to make suitable arrangements. Mr. R. W. SMITH. I understand that a meeting has already been scheduled between certain representatives of the cotton-batting industry and weights and measures officials, for tomorrow afternoon. Mr. PISCIOTTA. We know of that, and in view of the fact that that meeting is scheduled for 4 o'clock, it is suggested that we meet a little earlier to take up these other matters. Mr. R. W. SMITH. Why is it not appropriate for discussions not specifically mentioned on the program to be held at the time that has been especially set aside for that? Since there is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon a tour of the Bureau laboratories, which certainly will be interesting to those who have not made the tour, it seems unfortunate to set up a definite counter-attraction in which the delegates might also be interested. We have a program item "General Consideration of Subjects of Interest and Questions Brought up for Discussion by Officials" scheduled on Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning, and the Friday sessions may be continued throughout the afternoon if necessary. Mr. O'KEEFE. Another thing that is very important in Chicago at the present time, and is going to be important in other cities, is that showcases are being built all over the country with no provision at all for mounting scales. In Chicago you can see the indicator at all high showcases, but that is all that can be seen, as the scale is down behind the showcase. I do not know that we can do anything with the showcase manufacturers, but if we cannot talk about it here, I do not know where else we can discuss it. I am leaving here Friday noon or Friday morning sometime, and I should like to talk over some of these things with some of the State officials. Mr. S. T. GRIFFITH. Item 29, Thursday afternoon, and item 32, Friday morning, both provide for the discussion that Mr. Pisciotta and Mr. O'Keefe have mentioned; these questions are of such vital interest to the whole body that I think we should discuss them here in open meeting as the schedule provides. The tour of the Bureau will be held tomorrow afternoon; that is always interesting even though one has seen it often, because there are always new features being discussed and we can learn something. Mr. O'KEEFE. Mr. Pisciotta is merely asking if there are any gentlemen who do not want to make a tour of the Bureau who would give up their time to sit down with us a few minutes. Mr. R. W. SMITH. In order that you may not misunderstand me, let me say that certainly I am not one to try to stop discussion. I think that is what we are here for; we may get more out of the discussions than we do out of some of the items on the program. As far as the physical accommodations are concerned, there is no problem; if the committee room is not adequate to serve the purpose, larger rooms are available at the hotel. I shall be very glad to make any arrangements that you desire. Mr. PISCIOTTA. I am afraid, Captain Griffith, that Thursday afternoon and Friday morning are going to be busy times. It is problematical how long the discussion on standardization will take. Although provision is made on the program for general discussion of unscheduled items, we may find ourselves without sufficient time to discuss these vital problems which we wish to talk about. If arrangements can be made, Mr. Smith, for some time tomorrow afternoon for those who wish to discuss these things, I hope that you will try to arrange it. I do not believe that we can possibly cover these matters on Thursday, and on Friday it is going to be as it has been in the past-everybody will be in a hurry to get away. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. All of those who wish to participate in the meeting that Mr. Pisciotta and Mr. O'Keefe have proposed, please signify your intention by raising your hands. (There was a considerable showing of hands.) Mr. KANZER. In addition to the problems that have been mentioned, I can add several others involving cooperation and uniformity. For those who have already seen the National Bureau of Standards, I know of no better time than tomorrow afternoon to get together in a way that we feel would do us the most good; I am strongly in favor of the proposal. Mr. MCBRIDE. I think this is taking a good deal of time, but there appears to be a desire to hold this informal meeting. I think that the best way of disposing of the question is that the Secretary be instructed to ascertain at what time, either tomorrow or the next day, suitable space can be obtained, and to announce this and let the group arrange to attend that meeting. It is entirely voluntary and anyone who wishes can skip the trip through the Bureau. Mr. R. W. SMITH. There is no question of availability of quarters. I shall be glad to arrange for them at the hotel at any time and for as large a group as may gather. Mr. PISCIOTTA. Will you arrange it for about 2:30 tomorrow afternoon at the hotel? Mr. R. W. SMITH. I shall make those arrangements, and at the session tomorrow morning I shall announce just where the meeting will be held. "SELECTION, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE SCALES"-A SOUND-SLIDE TREATMENT OF FORM NBS 256 By LLOYD ELLINGWOOD, Toledo Scale Co. What I have to present is a recorded program, which will speak for itself. As an introduction, let me say that I believe everyone here is acutely conscious of the development which has been going on in the past 10 years in the use of and requirements for big scales for weighing trucks and truck loads. Unfortunately, the one fellow who should be here and who should be most conscious of big-scale requirements today is not here that is the fellow who buys them. It certainly is true today as it never has been before that the purchase of a large scale is an important item that deserves serious consideration on the part of the purchaser. Quite obviously many of the difficulties which Mr. Smith pointed out, the things which his men have uncovered, are the result of indifference and carelessness on the part of the purchaser in years gone by, plus a big increase in the weighing requirements; this has led to the situation of many inadequate scales being used for large loads today. If we can take the ideas and the information and the knowledge possessed by your group and project it among purchasers and prospective purchasers of vehicle scales, a great many of our problems now and in the future will be solved, or, certainly, lessened. This program is an effort to accomplish something along that line. In our opinion the best boiled-down summary of information on vehiclescale data is National Bureau of Standards form NBS 256. Accordingly, we have taken this form and, with the full consent of the Bureau, have quoted from it and illustrated it in this program. In addition, there is another angle which the purchaser should certainly keep in mind, and that is the matter of weights and measures activity in the policing of vehicle scales; as most of you know, and as we will show you in the latter part of the program, that phase of weights and measures activity has increased tremendously in the past 10 years, paralleling the increase in the use of big scales with big trucks and big loads. So there are two features of this program: First, an attempt to summarize and boil down still further and illustrate NBS 256; and second, to point out to the prospective purchaser the advisability of consulting his local weights and measures department and understanding the operation of weights and measures enforcement before he invests his important money in a new vehicle scale. I will now turn on the sound and you can hear the program. (At this point, the sound-slide film was projected.) I should like to say that our company is greatly indebted to the National Bureau of Standards and to those State and local departments who furnished us with the pictures upon which this program is based. Additional films and records of this program are on file in 85 of our offices throughout the country, and they are available for showing, without charge, upon the request of any of you gentlemen. (At this point, at 4:40 p. m., the Conference adjourned, to meet at 10:00 a. m., Wednesday, June 5, 1940.) |