Measures for Progress: A History of the National Bureau of Standards

324 THE TIME OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION. (1931-40)
Nothing like formal approval of the new functions was considered,
although the Board later reported that the restatement was "to a large
degree * * * officially approved" by the appropriations act of 1935. That
act replaced the 29 specific appropriation items in the budget of the previous
year by grouping the work of the Bureau into 4 general funds: (1) for
operation and administration, (2) testing, inspection, and information serv-
ice, (3) research and development, and (4) standards for commerce, the
latter to provide for Bureau cooperation in the work of the American Stand-
ards Association.75
Turning from its extended study of the Bureau and other scientific
agencies in the Federal establishment, the Science Advisory Board briefly
interests and are not to be obtained of sufficient accuracy elsewhere" [quoted from
the organic act].
5. To serve, insofar as is practicable, as a centralized laboratory for physical, chemical
and engineering investigations for governmental agencies, thus utilizing effectively
the special facilities of the Bureau, avoiding unnecessary duplication among Gov-
ernment agencies and preventing unnecessary development of new laboratories
the future.
6. To conduct investigations looking to broader and more effective utilization of ma-
terials and the development of better processes and methods of fabrication, in
cooperation and with the financial assistance of engineering societies, trade associa-
tions, industrial and consumer groups, provided such investigations are of public
and governmental interest.
7. To cooperate with the Federal Specifications Board and national standardizing
agencies in the development of (a) specifications for equipment and supplies, and
(b) safety and engineering codes; and to conduct research when necessary to pro.
vide a satisfactory technical basis for such specifications and codes.
8. To serve as a testing agency for governmental purchases to determine whether
purchases of equipment, materials, and supplies meet the purchase specifications.
9. In connection with national standardizing organizations to develop simplified prac-
tice recommendations and commercial standards in cooperation with manufacturers,
distributors, and consumers, provided such activities are of public and governmental
interest; and to encourage the use of nationally recognized specifications by pur-
chasing agencies expending funds derived from taxes.
10. To serve Federal, State and municipal agencies in an advisory capacity on technical
matters in the fields of physics, chemistry, and engineering; and to indicate to
citizens of the United States, upon request, available technical information relating
to these subjects.
Science Advisory Board, Report, 1934—35 (Washington, D.C., 1935), pp. 52—53; letter,
LJB to Secretary, SAB, Aug. 6, 1935 (NBS Box 383, IDS—SAB).
The House Appropriations Committee had suggested consolidation of Bureau funds to
Dr. Stratton in 1922. But special appropriations had served him well and he hesitated.
"On the whole," he had replied, "it is not a bad plan. * * The best thing from many
points of view is to have a lump sum for all purposes to carry on * * * research work,
but on the other hand it is good business to have a specific appropriation for a specific
thing" (Hearings * * * 1924, Nov. 16, 1922, p. 207). In his annual reports of 1927 and
1928, Dr. Burgess strongly recommended to Commerce consolidation of funds into three
or four classes, to simplify office procedure.