Masonry Magazine March 1976 Page. 25
METRIC CONVERSION BOARD ESTABLISHED
The Act signed into law provides for the creation of a 17-member United States Metric Board "to coordinate the voluntary conversion to the metric system." The Board is charged with devising and carrying out "a broad program of planning, coordination, and public education, consistent with other national policy and interests, with the aim of implementing the policy set forth in this Act."
Until now the National Bureau of Standards has had primary responsibility for providing metric information when requested by the public. This function will be assumed by the new Board, although the Bureau will continue to provide international metric coordination through the General Conference on Weights and Measures. The Bureau will also retain responsibility for maintaining the national measurement system, coordinating metrication with state weights and measures officials and, through its interaction with consumer, business and scientific groups, assist the nation in the changeover to metric.
NBS will continue to make available metric information including the NBS Metric Kit and "What About Metric," a booklet that explains metric in layman's terms. NBS maintains a Metric Information Office that can answer questions about the new Act and metric conversion. Contact: NBS Metric Information Office, Washington, D.C. 20234; telephone, 301/921-2658.
Washington Wire
(Continued from page 22)
The bill faces further opposition in the House, if it passes the Senate. The House proposal permits court suits by the states, but it doesn't contain the other Senate provisions.
COMING EVENTS
1976
May 5-8. Annual Conference, Canadian Masonry Contractors Association, Victoria, B.C. Contact: CMCA, 134 Oakdale Rd., Downsview, Ont. M3N 1V9.
May 16-21. 27th Annual Meeting of The Perlite Institute, Le Chateau Champlain Hotel, Montreal, Canada. Contact: Perlite Institute, Inc., 45 West 45th Street, New York, Ν.Υ. 10036.
June 17-20. Summer Executive Board Meeting of the Mason Contractors Association of America, Thunderbird Motor Inn, Portland, Oregon. Contact: MCAA Executive Office, 208 South La Salle St., Chicago, IL 60604.
June 20-23. Annual Promotion Meeting, International Masonry Institute, Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Contact: Neal English, Executive Director, IMI, 823 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
masonry • March, 1976
CONGRESS SEEMS LIKELY TO EASE UP ON THE PENSION REPORTING that is so hard on small businessmen.
They complain about costs of administration; many plans have recently been dropped by employers because of this expense. The Labor Department has taken several steps to answer business complaints. It has reduced the length of the reporting form and extended the deadlines.
But many in Congress believe the Department has not moved far enough. They want a measure that mandates simplified reporting for small businesses and gives the Congress power to reject proposed regulations before they can take effect.
THE PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION WILL RELY MORE on voluntary standards, as an alternative to the development of mandatory rules for consumer goods.
The step reflects the Commission's very tight budget and manpower squeezes. As a result, many industries may now be able to head off mandatory rules. Any item not under formally set standards is a candidate for voluntarism. But voluntary standards won't be allowed if unreasonable risk can be shown.
ODDS ARE RISING ON A NATIONAL HEALTH-INSURANCE PLAN in limited form.
Congress is pushing for passage of catastrophic illness protection in 1976, perhaps as limited as Ford's plan of protection for Medicare beneficiaries, but more likely of broader scope. One plan, sponsored by Sen. Russell Long, would cost $6.8 billion and be financed by a payroll tax on all employers.
TORTURED!
Mortar-plaster model 10 mp
Crews don't always take care of mixers. That's why Gilson builds mixers to survive tortures of high turnpike speeds, ruts and boulders, "new" hired help. Heavy non-twist, electrically welded main frames keep all components rigidly aligned. And blade shafts run on precision ball bearings lubricated for life. Concrete mixer tilting models with 312 and 6 cu. ft. capacities. Non-tilting in 312, 6, 11, and 16 cu. ft. sizes. Mortar-plaster mixers in 32, 52, 6, 8, and 10 cu. ft. sizes. Write or phone for details. (414) 692-2441. Gilson Brothers Company, Mixer Division, Box 245, Fredonia, Wisconsin 53021.
Some mixers are tougher than others...
Gilson
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