EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION 74-175

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00988R000400060002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 19, 1973
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2001/08109 : CIA-RDP85-00988R000400060002-1
'Welf, MW
ME[VDRANDUM FOR: Executive Secretary, Suggestion Awards Committee
SUBJECT : Employee Suggestion 74-175
1. Let us first quote from the article, GO(SI) in the Change to Metric
by Richard E. Myers. . . "At the 11th General Conference on Weights anMeasures in 1960, a system known as Systems International d'Unites (SI) was
adopted. The United States was a signatory to this agreement. The SI Metric
System should delight the hearts of all scientists and engineers in its basic
simplicity and ease of mathematical manipulation. The SI system has only
seven base units as follows: length, meter (m); mass (not weight); kilogram
(kg); time, second (s); electric current, ampere (A); temperature, kelvin
(K); luminous intensity, candela (cd); amount of substance, mole (mol).
Two supplementary units are used; the radian (rad) and the steradian (sr) for
measuring plane and solid angles. Other units of measurement are derived
from these seven units or consist of a base unit combination. A few of
them are: frequency, hertz (Hz); force, newton (N); pressure or stress, pascal
(Pa); work, energy or quantity of heat, joule (J); power, watt (W). There
are several other derived units to complete the system. . ."
2. About three years ago the President tasked the Congress to
undertake a study to develop a plan which would permit a gradual con-
version of the United States to the SI metric system. In theory this would be a
10-year conversion plan; in practice it may take somewhat longer, especially
considering the size of the industrial base which must be converted. To make
a point here, it is evident that the suggestor does not have an original
idea in terms of general applications. Specifics will be dealt with below.
3. Now for progress - it is important to note that what is proposed is
a partial, not wholesale, conversion to a metric system. However, progress
is being made in many areas. The observant shopper may note that box
contents of many foods are cited in gram weights as well as in ounces. Fifth
and sixth grade students in some elementary schools are being taught the
basics of the metric system. Heavy industry is beginning to use metric
standards in those areas where the commodities involved make conversion a
simple matter. You can now purchase rulers and tapes with measurements
expressed in metrics as well as in the more conventional inches, feet, etc.
4. But to the suggestion that the Agency make a unilateral conversion
to the metric system, I must rejoin with a resounding -- NO! While I agree
that the metric system is simpler and more rational (?) than our conventional
measurements (if understood and used by all), and it may well be that NASA
and the National Bureau of Standards have some applications of metrics peculiar
Approved For Release 2001/08/09 : CIA-RDP85-00988R000400060002-1
 Approved For Relee 2001/08/09: CIA-RD P85-00988R000490060002-1
SUBJECT: Employee Suggestion 74-175
to certain types of work inherent in both agencies, the 'rest of the
Federal Government (and most of the country) still employs conventional
measurements. What the suggestor proposes would produce some kind of
chaos. One small example of a problem area would be the entire Federal
stock numbering system. Another thing -- you may want to order your
paper supplies by the meter, but if the manufacturer makes and sells his
paper by the yard, you are just out of luck.
5. Per Mr. Myers, the metric system has been legal in this country
since 1866, and we have been wrestling with the conversion problem without
notable success until the.past decade. Conversion costs appear to be
the main factor in the delay. But as stated, progress is being made and the
conversion must not only be gradual -- it must also govern how all of us
(including the Agency) will measure. To quote Myers again "Miss America
may well be proud of the fact that her proportions are 914-(D)-610-914,
but will she want her weight advertised as 535 newtons?. . ." So it would
seem that we will also have some philosophical adjustments to make before
we dive headlong into the meter stick shoe sizes.
6. The suggestor should be thanked for his thoughtful and entertaining
idea, which is not in itself bad - just a few years ahead of its time.
Chairman, Internal Suggestion Awards Panel
Office of Logistics
Distribution:
Orig E 1 - Adse via DD/L
1)- OL/PEjPS Official
25X1A9a OL/PE,PS :jw/3357 (19 Nov 73)
2
Approved For Release 2001/08/09 : CIA-RDP85-00988R000400060002-1
 turn: t'J:i:..f, Iii