agencies, to develop standard commercial specifications for domestic and industrial fuel oils. Future work contemplated includes the revision of specifications for the methods of testing motor lubricants and motor benzol. New methods are being studied for the determination of gumming and corrosion in gasoline. Measurement of Flow of Gases.-The bureau has continued.work on the standardization of methods to determine the open flow capacity of natural-gas wells, and in 1929 published a report in two parts, The Study of a Fundamental Basis for Controlling and Gauging Natural-Gas Wells, Part I (serial 2929), Computing the Pressure at the Sand in a Gas Well, and Part II (serial 2930) A Fundamental Relation for Gaging Gas-Well Capacities. Also, an investigation relating to standardizing a formula for computing the flow of natural gas through gas transmission lines was made. The preliminary results were published as serial 2942, The Flow of Natural Gas Through High-Pressure Transmission Lines. Further work will be conducted during the current fiscal year. Work has been continued on the standardization of measurements of natural gas by means of the orifice meter. This work is in cooperation with the Bureau of Standards and the American Gas Association. Ore Crushing and Grinding Methods.-At the Intermountain Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City, Utah, methods have been developed for determining the fineness of pulverization of ore and its relation to the work required in the crushing and grinding of ores. At the Mississippi Valley Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, Rolla, Mo., a new formula has been developed for the trajectories of cataracting balls in ball mills. A new power formula has likewise been calculated. Fundamental Physical-Chemical Constants of Nonferrous Metallurgy. At the Pacific Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, Berkeley, Calif., fundamental physical-chemical data are being obtained on the oxides and sulphides most important in non-ferrous metallurgy. Such data include specific heats at both high and low temperatures, heats of formation, heats of solution, vapor pressures, etc. Determinations have been completed on the specific heats at low temperatures of ferrous oxide, magnetite, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, stannous oxide, stannic oxide, plumbo-plumbic oxide, lead peroxide, manganous oxide, manganic oxide, mangano-manganic oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, antimony, antimony trioxide, antimony tetroxide, antimony pentoxide, arsenic trioxide, arsenic pentoxide, bismuth trioxide, and silicon. The heats of solution of zinc oxide and purified zinc were determined, resulting in the most accurate data known on the heat of formation of zinc oxide. Accurate data have been obtained on the chemical equilibria involved in the reduction of the ores of iron, zinc, copper, cadmium, tin, and lead. Fundamental Physical-Chemical Constants of Ferrous MetallurgyThe solubility of iron oxide in iron has been determined over a wide range of temperatures. The dissociation constant of fayalite (2FeO. SiO2) has also been determined. An inclined plane viscometer has been developed and the viscosities of melts near the lime-silica boundary of the lime-silica-ferrous oxide system measured. The melting point and viscosities of the system ferrous oxide-manganous oxide-silica have been determined. Resistance Offered to Flow of Gases by Columns of Irregular Solids. Extensive work by the North Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, Minneapolis, Minn., has led to the development of a mathematical equation expressing the resistance offered to the flow of gases by columns of irregular solids. Salt Systems Studied. The equilibrium conditions in the system potassium sulphate-magnesium sulphate-water have been carefully determined. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE This service is working on a revision of Rules I, covering material, and II, covering construction, inspection, etc., of boilers, of the general rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Supervising Inspectors. The bureau has been working on the revision of these rules since January, 1929, and during the month of June copies of the tentative rules were sent to marine boiler interests and others concerned. These rules will be finally acted upon by the Board of Supervising Inspectors at its session in January, 1930. 2. In this connection it may also be stated that for several years the bureau has been endeavoring to standardize examination questions so that this service might be uniform throughout the country in the conducting of examinations for licenses for the deck and engine departments of vessels. These standardized examinations have been completed and are in the process of duplication. They were sent to the field for use commencing October 1, 1929. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS During the fiscal year, 1930, the Indian Service has prepared and is using standard specifications for automobiles of both the passenger and truck types. The specifications, while clearly reflecting the type of machine desired, are so drawn as to permit of the widest possible competition among the various dealers. A specification on dish-washing machines has been developed which has proven to be satisfactory for use in the Indian Service. However, it is understood that the Federal Specifications Board has a specification under consideration which will no doubt supersede the one now being used. Specifications on X-ray machines have been developed which have proven to be satisfactory in obtaining free competition on the type of machine required for use in the Indian Service. It has been found advisable in advertising for fresh beef for the Indian Service to adopt the "good" or No. 2 grade of beef, as set up as one of the standards by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the Department of Agriculture. It has also been found advisable to specify that beef bid on must be from animals slaughtered under United States supervision or under adequate State supervision. Advertisements for family flour for the Indian Service now permit bidders to quote prices per hundredweight, based on the prevailing price of September wheat on the Chicago market as of a specified date. Awards are made on the basis of the September wheat price on the date preceding the date of notification of award, the awarded price being the bid price plus or minus a certain amount stated in the bid, according to the conditions of the market at the time the bid is submitted and on the day preceding notification of award. Under this plan bidders do not feel compelled to quote prices on short time options, as a result of which the Indian Service receives the full benefit of all bids submitted. Owing to the necessity of calculating freight charges to numerous destination points from the f. o. b. points of delivery offered by the bidders, considerable time must necessarily elapse between the date bids are opened and the date on which awards are communicated to the successful bidders. Under the old plan of calling for bids on a straight price basis, many options expired before awards could be determined. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION Members of the bureau represent the department on two technical committees of the Federal Specifications Board, and on two sectional committees of the American Standards Association. Standardization work that has been approved since September 29, 1928, and now being used by the Bureau of Reclamation, includes the following: 16 inch drum gate control valve (3 sheets). Rubber sealing strip (4 sheets). Back geared double drum hoist, 80,000-pound capacity (6 sheets). Power unit miter gear set (2 sheets). Drum gate position indicator (3 sheets). Hydraulic automatic gate hanger (5 sheets). Hydraulic automatic gate hanger, control signal mechanism (1 sheet). 10 to 12 feet radial gate, heads 8 to 9 feet (1 sheet). 16 to 18 feet radial gate, heads 12 to 13 feet (1 sheet). Concrete pipe culvert, single barrel, 18 to 60 inches diameter (1 sheet). Concrete pipe culvert, double and triple barrel, 36 to 60 inches diameter (1 sheet.) Concrete pipe turnout, single barrel, 18 to 40 inches diameter (1 sheet). Concrete pipe turnout, double barrel, 24 to 48 inches diameter (1 sheet). 4 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 6 inches high-pressure gate, conduit lining and transition (10 sheets). 4 by 5 feet high-pressure gate, conduit lining and transition (10 sheets). Circular conduit lining, 30 to 84 inches diameter (1 sheet). Now being prepared: 36, 42, and 48 inches diameter screw lift vertical gates (6 sheets). 60 inches internal differential needle valve, (40 sheets). Standardization work done in this bureau in the past, now in progress, and contemplated in the future, is limited to the development of designs and practices to be adopted as standards by this bureau only, for use in connection with the Federal irrigation projects in the West. In this the interests of this bureau are the controlling factors, and cooperation with outside interests in the matter has been largely incidental. Standard designs have been prepared and are now in use for about 25 groups and classes of machinery and structures, including 550 drawings. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CHILDREN'S BUREAU During the year ending June 30, 1929, the Children's Bureau has carried on the following activities relating especially to the development of standards: Assistance in birth-registration campaigns in two States. Cooperation with State boards of health in 15 States in a study of causes of maternal mortality according to a uniform plan. Collecting on a uniform schedule, and compiling, reports on employment certificates issued in the calendar year 1928 to working children in the District of Columbia, 16 States, and 65 cities in 15 other States. Collecting on uniform cards and compiling information concerning juvenile court cases of delinquency, dependency, and neglect. About 150 courts are now cooperating, and reports for the entire calendar year 1928 were tabulated for 65 courts in 16 States and the District of Columbia. Preparation (not yet completed) of a handbook on the administration of mothers' aid, undertaken at the request of the national committee on public aid to mothers of dependent children in their own homes. Conference of State departments of public welfare, held at the Children's Bureau February 13, 14, and 15, 1929, to discuss problems of dependency and child protection. A resoultion was adopted calling for the appointment of a committee to cooperate with the Children's Bureau in matters pertaining to the work of State departments of public welfare. One of the problems discussed that the committee was expected to consider was how to obtain uniform statistics of child dependency. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS The Commissioner of Labor Statistics represents the Department of Labor on the executive committee and the executive council of the American Standards Association. By arrangement with the latter organization the workers' representatives on safety code committees are selected and appointed through the Department of Labor, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Practically all of the American Standards Association codes which deal with safety of the workers are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Commissioner of Labor Statistics is secretary-treasurer of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, and appoints the representatives of that association on the American Standards Association safety code correlating committee and the various safety code sectional committees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is represented on the safety code correlating committee of the American Standards Association. Through its investigations of spray painting and radium or luminous painting the bureau urges special safety devices for rendering these occupations less hazardous. It also has connections with the various State bureaus of labor statistics having for its purpose the standardization of methods of collection and tabulation of statistics. It sends experts to the various States to plan their statistical policies and methods whenever called upon, with a view to such procedure. WOMEN'S BUREAU The Women's Bureau is charged with the responsibility of developing policies and standards and conducting investigations in the industries of the country which shall safeguard the interests of women workers and thus make their service effective for the national good. Cooperation with the States in all such matters is constant. The following is a brief outline of the general standards that have been submitted and recommended by the Women's Bureau as a basis for such a program: Hours of Labor.-Not more than an 8-hour day including two 10-minute rest periods. Not less than 11⁄2 days of rest in the week. No night work. At least 30 minutes for a meal during the work day. Wages. Adequate wages based on occupation, not on sex. Working Conditions.-COMFORT AND SANITATION.-Clean work places, with special attention to floors to prevent slipping. Enough light but no glare. Comfortable temperature; provision against excessive heat and cold. Pure and accessible drinking water; individual cups or sanitary fountains. Sanitary and accessible washing facilities; hot and cold water, soap, individual towels. Sanitary toilet facilities, separate for men and women, in the ratio of one installation for every 15 women. Dressing rooms for change of clothes. Rest rooms for rest periods. A clean, comfortable lunch room, with hot food where possible. POSTURE AND PHYSICAL STRAIN AT WORK.-A chair for each woman, built on posture lines, adjusted to both worker and job. Neither constant standing nor constant sitting. Mechanical devices to prevent unnecessary and repeated lifting of heavy weights by women, and other motions abnormally fatiguing to women. SAFETY AND HEALTH.-Guarded machinery. Protection against fire and other hazards. No prohibition of women's employment in any industry except those proved by scientific investigation to be more injurious to women than to men. Protection against health hazards involved in contact with poisonous fumes or substances or the handling of material which, because of some process in its preparation or conditions, might cause an infection or in other ways affect the wellbeing of women workers or conditions surrounding the industrial processes in which women are engaged. Adequate first-aid equipment. Home Work.-No industrial home work for women. NAVY DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF AERONAUTICS The Bureau of Aeronautics holds membership on several committees and subcommittees of the Federal Specifications Board, the Navy Department Specification Board, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, and in addition cooperates closely with several commercial standards organizations in the development and standardization of various materials, processes and accessories used in the construction of aircraft. The standardization activities of the bureau have been unusually productive. Each year representatives of the Army Air Corps and the Bureau of Aeronautics assemble and tentatively agree on various aeronautical standards. These proposed standards are later distributed to all interested manufacturers for comment and at a general conference at which representatives of the trade are present, the standards previously agreed to are considered for adoption. At the |