the official publication ~· -merican Land Title Association

Creativity In Customer Services

October, 1971 President's Message

OCTOBER, 1971 speakers from the At our recent Annual Convention in Detroit, we had the opportunity of hearing MBA, as well as from Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; HUD; VA; and our own industry leaders. ALTA doing for me?" Our members in attendance had positive answers to the question, "What is it can do best, to It has been a year when your Association has had ample opportunity to do what effectively by individual take responsibility for its members on those matters that cannot be handled industry positions on companies or by state associations. During the past year, ALT A has taken firm Action Committee and controversial proposed federal legislation; and, through our Federal Legislative , Jr., your associa­ our effective and hard working ALTA Executive Vice Pre ident, William J. McAuliffe we provide to our cus­ tion continues to lobby actively for our industry and for the essential services tomers. provided by our mem­ Another essential function for ALTA is to educate the public to the services was spent on public rela­ bers. To this end, the largest percentage of dues paid to ALTA this past year clips. Our "target audi­ tions. Most of you are familia r with ALTA news releases, radio spots and TV During the Convention in ences" are home buyers, opinion leaders and land title market control groups. which can be used by Detroit, ALTA's Public Relations Commitlee presented the new film it developed soon. It is most effective. TV stations. 1f you didn't see it, arrange to do so in public service time slots achieved, through This past year has been challenging. But, I believe some encouraging results were members serving on the efforts of Bill McAuliffe and his staff, and through the efforts of a great many of Governors, Executive many committees, all carrying out the decisions and directions of our Board our entire membership, I Committee and the resolutions passed at our General Sessions. On behalf of extend sincere thanks for their efforts this past year. members join with me Our most capable new officers face many new challenges. I know each of our the coming year. in congratulating them, and in pledging to each of them our full support during

Sincerely,

ALVIN W. LONG 1itle News the official publication of the Amencan Land Title Association

Association Officers Features President Alvin W. Long Ch icago Title and Trust Company A Metric America? 2 Chicago, Illinois

Vice President John W. Warren Creative Customer Services 5 Albright Title and Trust Company Nev.kirk, Oklahoma

Chairman, Finance Committee Tidelands and Land Titles 6 Hale Warn T itle Insurance and Trust Company Los Angeles, California

Treasurer James G. Schmidt Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company Departments Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chairman, Abstracters and Title Insurance Agents Section President's Message Inside Front Cover James A . Gray Fidelity Abstract & Guaranty Company Benton, Arkansas Meeting Timetable 1 6 Chairman, Title Insurance and Underwriters Section James 0 . Hickman Pioneer National Title Insurance Company Los Angeles, California

Immediate Past President Thomas J. Holstein ON THE COVER : Mark J. Cohen, LaCrosse County Title Company left, Sonoma County (Calif.) Lacrosse, Wisconsin Abstract Bureau, empha izes th at his company can save the company of Doyle Harris, subdivider, right, "five pounds of money". This Association Staff creative customer service technique and others are discussed by Cohen in an article beginning on page Executive Vice President 5. William J. McAuliffe, Jr.

Director of Research Michael B. Goodin

Director of Public Affairs Gary L. Garrity VOLUME 50, NUMBER JO , 1971 Business Manager David R. Mclaughlin

Association General Counsel TJTLE NEWS is published by American Land Title Association, Thomas S. Jackson 1828 L Street, N.W., Jackson, Gray & Laskey Washi11gto11, D.C .. 20036; (phone) 202-296-3671 1828 L Street, N .W . Washington, D.C. 20036 GARY L. GARRITY, Editor, ELLEN KAMPJNSKY, Assistant Editor A Metric America?

The change will not come quickly, (Editor's note: On July 30, Secre­ ing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; No. C nor will it be without difficulty; but tary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans order by SD Catalog Americans working cooperatively can recommended to Congress that the J 3.10:345.) resolve this question once and for all. United States engage in a coordi­ * * * in the last two centu­ The basis for the conclusion that nated, J 0-year changeover to the me­ any times considered the U.S. will eventually be metric lies tric system of measurement. His rec­ M ries, the Congress the metric sys­ in the findings of the study that ommendation came after a the merits of adopting language of America is already metric in some re­ nationwide, three-year study by the tem as America' primary action was spects; that we are becoming more so; National Bureau of Standards under mea urement. Each time, because the metric and that the great majority of busi­ provisions of the Metric Study Act of postponed, often in use by our nessmen, educators and other in­ 1968. ALTA participated in this system was not then abroad. Now, formed participants in the study study and, on October 6, 1970, pre­ major trading partners major nation con­ reported that increased use of the me­ sented its related statement at a Con­ with every other committed to con­ tric system is in the best interests of struction Industry National Metric verted to metric or acle has been re­ America. They also believe that it is Study Conference held at the Bu­ version, this obst better for the nation to move to me­ reau's Gaithersburg, Md., facilities. In moved. of these and other tric by plan rather than by no plan at the statement, 1969-70 ALTA Presi­ In the light ances, the Congress all. dent Thomas J. Holstein reported that changing circumst of Commerce They go beyond the question of the Association Board of Governors directed the Secretary U.S. Metric Study. whether or not the United States on April I, 1970 adopted a resolu­ to undertake the to evaluate the im­ should progressively replace its pres­ tion stating that ALT A "secs no ad­ Jts purpose was metric trend ent measurement language with me­ vantage in converting land titles to pact on America of the for na­ tric. The question they ask is · how the metric system; nevertheless, the and to consider alternatives and when America will choose to Association will cooperate in any de­ tional policy. Study concludes make the change. It is primarily a cision made by the Congress to con­ The U.S. Metric United States will question of timing and preparation. vert to the metric system" . The rec­ that eventually the in the use Shall the nation do so by plan over a ommendation of Secretary Stans is join the rest of the world as the predomi­ comparatively brief period of 10 to accompanied by a J 88-page U.S. Me­ of the metric system of measure­ 15 years? Or shall it drift toward a tric Study Report. Selected parts of nant common language drifting to metric metric status, over a much longer pe­ the report arc published as adapted in ment. Rather than to help the sec­ riod of time, with some parts of the this issue of Title News for the re­ with no national plan and guide our re­ society inadequately prepared for the view of ALTA members. A copy of tors of our society , a carefully increasing prevalence of metric usage? the full report may be obtained for lationships abroad in which all sectors Consequently, the costs and bene­ $2.25 from the Superintendent of planned transition is preferable. fits to be considered are not so much Documents, U.S. Government Print- participate voluntarily OCTOBER 1971 2 those of · changing to metric versus not changing at all. The key compari­ son is between changing by plan ver­ sus changing with no plan-with no framework to guide the nation. There will be real costs and diffi­ SOME GROUPS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE METRIC STUDY culties in the change, whether or not it is done by plan. The study indi­ cates that such difficulties will in any event have to be faced as metric usage reaches substantial proportions in America. Thus, without a plan the United States would experience all the difficulties of dual inventories, dual education, dual thinking, dual sets of tools and dual production­ pcrhaps not so soon but over a much longer period of time. On the basis of all the factors that were considered, the study concludes that it would be best for the nation to change to metric under a coordinated program that provides for flexibility and encourages the various sectors of Secretary al Commerce Maurice H. Stans outlines his recammendotian to Congress that the United society to deal with their particular States convert to metric measurement in a coordinated, 10-yeor changeover. problems voluntarily. Within this framework, these sectors would work out their own timetables and pro­ Secretary Stans Outlines Specific grams, dovetailing them with those of other sectors. Recommendations Developing a national program for for Conversion change would require a great deal of n endorsing a coordinated, 10-year changeover to metric measure­ forethought and discussion. But the I ment in the United States, Secretary of Commerce Maurice H . study finds that two major activities Stans made these recommendations to Congress: should be begun immediately, because they would be pivotal in preparing -That the United States change to the International Metric Sys­ the nation for increased use of the tem deliberately and carefully metric system. -That this be done through a coordinated national program The first is education. Every -That Congress assign the responsibility for guiding the change, schoolchild should have the opportu­ and anticipating the kinds of special problems described in the nity to become as conversant with the U.S. Metric Study Report, to a central coordinating body metric system as he is with our pres­ responsive to all sectors of American society ent measurement system. -That within this guiding framework, The second concerns international detailed plans and timetables be worked out by these sectors themselves standards. High quality American in­ dustrial practices should be much -That early priority be given to educating every American school more vigorously promoted in interna­ child and the public at large to think in metric terms tional negotiations that are beginning -That immediate steps be taken by Congress to foster United to establish "engineering standards" States participation in international standards activities on a worldwide basis and will increas­ ingly affect world trade. -That in order to encourage efficiency and minimize the overall While the majority of the Ameri­ costs to society, the general rule should be that any change­ can people arc not well versed in the over costs shall "lie where they fall" metric system, the study shows that -That Congress, after deciding on a plan for the nati'on, establish those who are informed about it tend a target date 10 years ahead, by which time the United States to favor it. This demonstrates a need will have become predominantly, though not exclusively, for public education to help all citi- metric

Continued on Page 4 -That there be firm government commitment to this goal

TITLE NEWS 3 athletics, finance, insur­ METRIC A 'Technology Assessment' tate, college Continued from Page 3 transportation, The questions, at first, seemed ance, warehousing, , communications, retail­ fairly straightforward. Actually, the construction zens to cope with the trend to metric wholesalers, chiefs of police, fra­ quest for answers proved extremely ers, and poses a challenge to the Congress exporters and complex and challenging. Technology, ternal organizations, to point the way for all Americans. home economists, consum­ economics, sociology, international re­ importers, and other groups that could be lations, and many other factors are ers, by a change in the nation's involved. So are emotions and preju­ affected system of measurement. Perspective dices. 20 years the metric sys­ In the last The choice of a measurements sys­ This li st suggests the breadth and the dominant lan­ tem has become tem affects people in so many differ­ depth of the U.S. Metric Study. of measurement in the world. guage ent ways that the questions posed by The investigations that supple­ nations have not yet Only a few Congress cannot be reduced to a sim­ mented the hearings covered the fol­ metric system or decided adopted the ple issue and settled to everybody's lowing subjects: to do so. Of these, the most notable satisfaction. As with most major as­ (I) Manufacturing industry is the United States. sessments, the answers depend largely (2) Nonmanufacturing businesses . of What is the effect on the U.S on subjective thinking and personal (3) Education What the worldwide swing to metric? preference, on balancing possible fu­ ( 4) Consumers rela­ does it .mean to our international ture gain against current inconveni­ (5) International trade tions and balance of trade? How does ence. There is yet no way for draw­ ( 6) Engineering standards it affect Americans in every walk of ing up a reliable national balance (7) International standards li fe? sheet, in dollars and cents, for decid­ ( 8) Department of Defense Would it be desirable for the U.S. ing complex social issues. Going me­ (9) Federal civilian agencies to use the metric system more widely tric is one of these. (IO) Commercial weights and than it does? Should this be done de­ measures way? metric system liberately in some coordinated Scope of the Study ( J 1 ) History of the Or should the nation take no action to controversy in the U.S. During the cour ~ e of the study, promote the use of metric weights Each of these investigations is the representatives of business, labor, and measures? subject of a volume, published as part trade associations, consumers, educa­ of the record of the U.S. Metric Or as another possibility, should tors and the professions answered Study. The public hearings are sum­ the U.S. try to persuade the rest of tho:1sands of questionnaires, engaged marized and anlayzed in an additional the world to make more use of the in thousands of personal interviews, volume. customary system? What can be said and participated in a series of hear­ about the benefits and costs of delib­ ings that were widely publicized in erately changing to metric in compar­ advance. Jn addition, interview with Courses of Action doing nothing at all? ison with a representative sample of American In the Metric Study Act, Congress households sought to determine the specifically requested an evaluation of general public's knowledge of the me­ "the costs and benefits of alternative The Metric Study Act tric system. courses of action which may be feasi­ These are the kinds of questions The primary goal in the planning of ble for the United States." As the that Congress wanted answered when the study was to give every sector of study progressed, it became clear that it passed the Metric Study Act in Au­ society an opportunity to express its the U.S. is already increasing its use gust of 1968. Congress directed the views with respect to the questions of the metric system, albeit slowly Secretary of Commerce to arrange raised by the Metric Study Act. The now and that sooner or later the for a broad inquiry and evaluation: plan provided for a series of seven u.s .' wi ll probably become predomi­ the U.S. Metric Study. The Secretary public hearings, called National Me­ nantly metric. as igned the task to the National Bu­ tric Study Conferences, supplemented Many courses of action are con­ reau of Standards. by eleven special investigations. ceivable, including an abrupt and On the basis of the findings and The public hearings alone included mandatory conversion to metric and a conclusions of the Study, the Secre­ representatives associated with: manu­ program to promote more use of the tary was asked to make "such recom­ facturing and nonmanufacturing in­ customary system in the world. How­ mendations as he considers to be ap­ dustries, organized labor, small busi­ ever, the fea ible courses of action propriate and in the best interests of nesses, engineering and scientific are narrowed to two main alterna­ the United States." T he Bureau's re­ disciplines, education at all levels, ad­ tives: port on the study, along with the Sec­ vertising, publishing, law, medicine, Course One: The United States fol­ retary's recommendations, were to be public health, agriculture, forestry, lows no overall plan. Each firm presented to Congress in August of fisheries, agencies of federal, state, , real es- Continued on Page B 1971. county, and local government

OCTOBER 1971 4 Mark J. Cohen Sonoma County Abstract Bureau

Creative Customer Services

and title professionals are among is no different in this respect than any Each day of every week, make sure L the luckiest people in the world! other product or service. In my home the most important people in your Who else can solve so many problems county, for example, there are seven life are the market customers who for so many people every day? title companies and two escrow com­ deal with you. Every time an escrow closes, a title panies. How, then, can you compete LISTEN to them gripe, because pro has made two individuals and effectively when your product is simi­ their problems can put money in your usually two companies happy. The lar to what all of your competitors pocket IF you can offer them solu­ buyer acquires his property, the seller are selling? The answer in my home tions. receives his money, the real estate area, Sonoma County, Calif., applies In my position as the customer salesman earns his commission, and to many other parts of the nation as service representative of the Sonoma the lender is able to put his money to well. Improve your services, create County Abstract Bureau, I talk daily work. new ones, and then get out and SELL with real estate brokers about their One of the basic needs of a human them. Here's how. problems. being is to be appreciated, and title Continued on Page 16 people provide a low cost service which makes all of their customers appreciate them. By this time, it may seem that I have been smoking a lot book report (buyer and seller appreciate us for "making me pay all those closing costs" . . . real estate broker feels that title companies are parasitic in nature, etc.). But please read on. ALTA is educating buyers, sellers, and opinion leaders about land title services through its Public Relations Program. And, characteristically, it is the job of an ALTA member to edu­ cate his own market placement influ­ ences on the benefits of his particular land title services. The importance of properly educating real estate brokers and salesmen, lenders, builders, attor­ neys-and others who help decide where title business is placed-is well known among title people. What too often escapes emphasis, Author Cohen, second from right, provides o customer presentation on how the facilities however, is that title insurance is of a Sonoma County Abstract Bureau are used for neighborhood analysis and listing systems. Pictured service that also MUST BE SOLD. It from left are R. Max Mairs, Realtor Caryl C. Weis, and Gale E. Chandler.

TITLE NEWS 5 uring the past decade many Cal.3d 462 ( 1970). In California D states, as well as the federal today there are both constitutional government, have evidenced an in­ and statutory prohibitions against pat­ creasing interest in the ownership of ent or conveyance of publicly owned tidelands and the establishment of tide or submerged lands into private easements for their use by the public. ownership. The restrictions upon the Public beaches and other waterfront transfer of these lands have developed property are becoming scarcer while graduall y. At one time in parts of the number of people wanting to use San Francisco Bay it was legal for them grows. The value of land bor­ the state to convey submerged land to dering the ocean or other navigable a stated depth into private ownership. water is increasing very rapidly. More At times substantially all tidelands­ and more people are becoming inter­ those between high and low tide­ ested in preserving waterfront prop­ could be purchased legally from the erty in its natural state or developing state by private parties. Then this was it for the public use, and on the other prohibited as to land within two miles hand pressures for private commercial of an incorporated city. Later, tide­ or residential development also grow. land patents were prohibited alto­ gether except that the state has con­ These pressures have stepped up veyed tidelands in trust to various the activities in legislatures, courts cities, etc., primarily for purposes of and elsewhere concerning tidelands, harbor development. and have created a greatly expanded Then there is the problem of problem area for title companies. At boundaries. Suppose that between two least two generalizations should be points on an old survey there is a kept in mind. First, there is no uni­ slough extending quite a ways inland formity among the states as to the na­ which is large enough to permit small ture and solution of the legal title boats to travel in it. Does the line in­ problems involved. Differences in dicate that ownership follows the nat­ Tidelands sources of title, statutes, court deci­ ural meanders of the shore? Or, does sions and constitutional limitations the meander jump from headland to preclude uniformity. Secondly, the headland when the slough is encoun­ courts have decided some cases in tered? Does it matter whether you are And ways not anticipated a few years dealing with a rancho or a tideland back. Problems have been raised patent? which have been ignored for years. You have to consider that while For example, in the Alamitos Steam­ the shoreline is static in some areas Land Titles shovel Slough area discussed herein. because of cliffs or protected areas the decision to insure was made within bays, in many other places ac­ about 50 pears ago and there was no cretion, reliction, avulsion, as well as indication until a few years back that filling, dredgin g and other artificial the insured titles would be ques­ causes have resulted in a changing tioned. The following discussion shoreline through the years. What are should be considered as a California the tidelands? Are they the areas af­ legal phenomenon not necessarily ap­ fected by the tides at or prior to the plicable in other states and appl icable adoption of constitutional provisions? John J. Eagan only to a limited degree in other Or, are they the last natural tidelands California situations. It also should be Senior Vice President following statehood? What if there is considered as a warning as to how a some natural accretion combined with Title Insurance decision, which I believe almost any some artificial change? one of us would have made if pre­ And Trust Company sented as it was many years ago, can Some of these problems have been come back to haunt us as conditions, solved by the courts or the legislature, values and standards change over the by agreements between land owners years. and the state lands commission, or the factual situation is clear enough Some background seems desirable so that a title insurer can make a rea­ before discussing specifically the case sonable guess as to ownership. In of City of Long Beach v. Mansell, 3 some situations you just can't tell.

OCTOBER 1971 6 There is the additional and often providing that within a prescribed ownership lines mi ght not be separate problem of the federal rights area settlements of boundary disputes changed in favor of the state by or the inherent rights of the people of could be entered into, in some cases later erosion. In other a reas at the state to easements limiting the use the city and state could quitcla im least some of the owners adjoin­ of lands which now are or formerly their interests, and in some cases the ing publicly owned tidel ands must were tidelands in fact. These are the state easement for commerce, naviga­ conse nt to the agreements specifi­ so-call ed navigational servitudes or tion and fi shery would be terminated. cally because of separate problems easements or trusts for commerce, Two agreements were worked out and relating to the boundary lines. navigation and fishery. more are in process. In one, the Bel­ mont Shore-Naples There are other tideland problems agreement, there 3. The Belmont Shore agreement is a consider - leases of tidelands held in trust by ation of approximately deals with what we refer to as 2a $780,000 which Long cities or counties, the new series of Beach will re­ lands-from the section of the ceive from Cali fornia cases dealing with access title insurers. statute where these lands a rc de­ of the public to beach areas, etc. But There were doubts about the con­ fined. This is where almost all the the above catalog includes most of stitutionality of the statute and the subdivisions and houses are. A the problems in Alamitos Bay. city manager and city clerk in Long legal problem the court had to re­ Beach refu ed to sign the agreement. solve was whether the .proposed Alamitos Bay is one of the messiest Long Beach sought a writ of mandate settlements violate the provisions . complexes of tideland problems that to require execution. The California of the state constitution which we have faced. There is a valid ran­ Supreme Court accepted origi nal ju­ reads: "All tidelands within two cho patent. There are several valid risdiction ba ed on an agreed state­ miles of any incorporated city, tideland patents , but the old surveys ment of facts and issued the writ ap­ city a nd county, or town in this leave ownership bounda ry questions proving the agreements which were state and fronting on the water of in doubt. made to carry out the statute, but the any harbor, estuary, bay or inlet The San Gabriel River, which runs way it was done has not caused great used for the purpose of naviga­ through the area, has changed its joy among the title insurers. The tion, shall be withheld from grant course materially over the years, holdings of the court can be reduced or sale to private persons, partner­ sometimes slowly by natural accre­ to a relatively few iss ues, and the ships or corporations." The court tion ; sometimes creating entirely new court goes to considerable length to says that the word "tidelands" used channels in short periods because of be s ure we know it is talking about in this section are at least those floods. More recently, it has been the Alamitos s ituation onl y, not other seaward of the ordinary high tide channelized by the flood control dis­ parts of the California coast. line when the prov1s1on was trict. The Marine Stadium area, adopted the 1. The court agrees that the rancho in 1879, not just those site of the boat races in the 1932 having confirmation and the tideland pat­ the physical characteristics Olympic Games, was created. M ari­ ents to private owners are valid, of tideland at some later date. This nas have been built, many subdivi­ but that the boundaries are uncer­ latter approach, the court says, sions have been approved, and thou­ tain. Jt also says it is not clear would allow the patenting of land sands of homes built. In at least one whether the old survey line de­ which previously was tideland in area, Steamshovel Slough it is called, fining the patent boundaries were fact, but which has been filled, there never wa a transfer of title by fixed lines, or if mea nders were thus permitting easy avoidance of the state into private ownership, but intended, and, if meanders were the constitution. nevertheless the area wa filled, the intended, what effect later accre­ land subdivided, and it has been rec­ 4. But, the court said, following es­ tion, avulsion or works of man ognized since the tablished precedent, early 1920s as an may have had. there is no area containing several hundred pri­ objection to an agreement that 2. A basic purpose of the 1965 legis­ vate ownerships. Taxes were col­ really resolves where the bound­ lation was to provide for a bound­ lected, streets were maintained, etc., ary line was. The court says the ary settlement by agreement and until the early 1960s, at which point parties must undertake genuine ef­ quitclaim by the city and the state the State of California claimed that it forts to determine the true bound­ to the private owners. (The city owned all of the land within the ary and thereafter agree upon a gets in here because the state has Steamshovel Slough area. The Su­ line which fairly represents these conveyed the state's tidelands to preme Court says, early in the Man­ efforts. This, the court find s, was the city in trust for the people.) sell opinion, that a combination of done in connection with portions In my opinion, certain sections of factors has cast a cloud o n the title to of the lands in both of the agree­ the statute. opinion, agreements such an extent that the normal proce­ ments. Thus an agreement now and deeds fix mo t of the owner­ dure of an action to quiet title is of settling the question of where the sh ip boundary lines now and in no practical value. line really was is constitutional. the future. Some title people

In 1965, a statute was approved aren't altogether convinced that Continued on Page 15

TITLE NEWS 7 METRIC tary of Commerce was asked to make The Hearings from Page 4 Continued "such recommendations as he consid­ Seven hearings were held during ers to be appropriate and in the best the late summer and fall of 1970- or other entity pursues its own interests of the United States." six of them in the Washington area. measurement policy. A target They were divided into separate cate­ date for the nation to become Bureau of Standards gories as fol lows : predominantly metric is not set. National delegated responsibil­ (I) Labor The government does nothing to The Secretary the study to affairs impede or foster the change. ity for the conduct of (2) Consumer the National Bureau of Standards. ( 3) Education Two: The nation goes metric Course The Bureau's report on the study ( 4) Construction according to plan, under an along with the Secretary's recommen­ (5) Engineering-oriented industry overall national program with a dations were to be presented to Con­ ( 6) Consumer-related industry target date for becoming pre­ gress in August of 1971. (7) Small business, state and local this dominantly metric. Within government, natural resources, so­ The primary goal of the planning framework, segments of the health, transportation, and was to give every sector of society an ciety work out their own specific other services. timetables and programs, dove­ opportunity to respond to the ques­ that tailing them with the programs tions raised by Public Law 90-472 The categories were chosen so of other segments. and to consult and cooperate with there would be some overlapping of agencies, foreign interests in order to ensure that all The analysis of this report focu es other government and international orga­ who wanted to participate could be on these alternative courses of action. governments, nizations. heard. The U.S. Metric Study invited con­ How the U.S. Metric Study Advisory Panel tributions from more than 700 major including labor unions, trade Was Planned and As one means of furthering wide­ groups, associations, professional societies, ed­ spread participation, the Secretary of Carried Out ucational associations, consumer-re­ Commerce appointed a Metric System Congress authorized the U.S. Me­ lated organizations, and others. The Study Advisory Panel. Jt consisted of tric Study in August of 1968 by the hearings were widely publicized in ad­ almost 50 members from organiza­ enactment of Public Law 90-472. vance. Thus, in addition to those spe­ tions representing a wide spectrum of This act directed the Secretary of cifically invited to participate, there interests. The function of the panel Commerce to provide for a broad in­ were many contributions from groups was to participate in the planning and quiry and evaluation concerning the papers or took part in of the study and to help en­ who submitted use of the metric system of measure­ conduct opportunity was provided discussions. ment. Specifically, the study was to: sure that an for all sectors of the society to be -Determine the impact on the heard. Supplementary Investigations U.S. of the increasing worldwide The investigations that supple­ use of the metric system. The Plan mented the hearings covered the fol­ -Consider both the desirability The blueprint for the study was lowing subjects: and the practicability of increas­ worked out by the National Bureau 1. Manufacturing industry ing the use of metric weights of Standard in close cooperation 2. Nonmanufacturing businesses and measures in this country. with the panel and was completed in 3. Education -Study the feasibility of interna­ December of 1969. The plan pro­ 4. Consumers tional use of standards based on vided for a series of hearings, called 5. International trade the customary system. N ational Metric Study Conferences, 6. Engineering standards -Examine the implications of the supplemented by a number of special 7. International standards metric trend for international investigations. All of these were to be 8. Department of Defense trade, national security, and completed during 1970 so that the re­ 9. Federal civilian agencies other areas of foreign relations. sults could be evaluated and summa­ 10. Commercial weights and meas­ -Identify the practical difficulties rized early in 197 l. Interim reports ures that might be encountered covering the special investigations and 11. History of the metric system should the metric system be used the results of the hearings were to be controversy in the U.S. in the U.S., and more widely sent to the Congress. The National evaluate the costs and benefits of Bureau of Standards' comprehensive courses of action which the U.S. Going Metric: report of the entire U.S. Metric Study might realistically take. would lay the groundwork for the The Broad Consensus On the basis of the findings and Secretary's recommendations to Con­ It is perhaps surprising that any conclusions of the study, the Secre- gress in August of 1971. general pattern of agreement should

OCTOBER 1971 8 have emerged from the U.S. Metric pany, for instance, keeps a file of the kinds of advantages and disadvan­ Study, considering the great diversity 61,000 different engineering standards tages that they might expect in a na­ of the participants. that are continually augmented and tional changeover to metric. They were Opinions came from many different revised. asked about such factors as: the train­ cross-sections of society. On a na­ Thus the U.S. Metric Study ing of personnel, engineering design tional scale, for example, whole in­ adopted several different approaches, and drafting, inventories of parts and dustries were asked for their collec­ some complex and some simple, all products, manufacturing operations, tive views and estimates of costs and with the hope of letting each sector of exports and imports, domestic sales benefits. At the grass roots level , indi­ society express itself on its own terms and competition, communications and vidual citizens expressed their per­ and on its own level of sophistication. records. Most were unable to explain sonal thoughts in correspondence and Some people filled out questionnaires; where greater use of the metric sys­ in the public hearings. And in be­ others were interviewed in person or tem would be, for themselves, either tween, ideas were collected from over the telephone; still others pre­ a help or a hindrance. large and small firms, labor unions, sented and discussed their views at the public hearings. As can be seen in Sentiment for or against going me­ professional and technical societies, tric varied greatly even within the and other groups with special interest. the following paragraphs, there were some differences of practice, opinion, same kinds of industry. Large firms As was (previously) noted, the and judgment. tended to be more in favor than part1c1pants included representatives But on three fundamental questions small ones, although some small busi­ associated with: manufacturing and there was a clear consensus: nessmen were among the most out­ non-manufacturing industries; orga­ spoken advocates of a metric nized labor; small businesses; engi­ -Is increased metric usage in the changeover through a national pro­ neering and scientific disciplines; edu­ best interests of the United gram. Companies substantially in: cation at all levels; advertising; States? volved in international act1v1t1es publishing; law; medicine; public -If so, should there be a coordi- tended to be more favorably disposed health; agriculture; forestry; fisheries ; nated national program to to metric. The aluminum industry agencies of federal, state, county, and change to metric? was, on the whole, pro-metric; the local government; real estate; college -Over how many years should the steel industry was not. athletics; finance; insurance; ware­ change be made? As to whether a unilateral increase housing; transportation; construction; in metric use for their products would communications; retailers; wholesal­ Manufacturing Industry be desirable (irrespective of what the ers; chiefs of police; fraternal orga­ The information for this sector nation may decide), manufacturers nizations; exporters and importers; came from answers to detailed ques­ were about evenly divided. But as to home economists; and consumers. tionnaires mailed to almost 4,000 whether increasing the use of metric: The wide diversity of the participants firms and followed up in some cases would be good for the country as a in the study required many compro­ by personal visits or telephone inter­ whole, an overwhelming majority mises in the questions that could be views. The companies were chosen to voted "Yes." About 70 per cent of asked of them. The questions had to be a representative sample of some those answering this question (repre­ be geared to the capabilities of the 300,000 U.S. firms that manufacture senting 80 per cent of the total em­ potential respondents. Moreover, the products, and they ranged from tiny ployment) said that more use of me­ choice and wording of questions were operations employing only a handful tric would be in the best interests of cleared by panels of special interest of people to giants with payrolls of the U .S. Then the companies were groups convened by the Office of tens of thousands. asked, if it is found that increased Management and Budget. Eleven per cent of these companies metric usage is in the best interests of Even among industrial firms, the reported that they make some use of the U.S., what course should be fol­ level of sophistication concerning the metric system. But metric meas­ lowed? More than 90 per cent of measurement and engineering stand­ urements and standards have per­ those who responded preferred a co­ ards covered a wide range. Some vaded U.S. manufacturing much more ordinated national program, based on companies, such as those that sell widely than this figure would indicate. either voluntary participation or man­ bulk materials by the lot or the car­ A disproportionately large number of datory legislation. Only 7 per cent fa­ load, need seldom worry about preci­ the big and very big companies use vored no national program for going sion measurements or complex metric in at least some of their opera­ metric. systems of engineering standards. But tions; firms that said they make some others that deal in high-precision use of metric actually account for products-e.g., automobiles and elec­ nearly 30 per cent of employment in Nonmanufacturing Businesses tronics-maintain special departments manufacturing. However, the actual The companies in this sector are that work full time on measurements, extent of use is unknown. engaged in such a variety of activities composition of materials, and other Manufacturers who now use metric that gross figures of metric usage standards. One large automotive com- to some extent were queried about would mean little. Nevertheless, some

TITLE NEWS 9 the general conclusions about attitudes inches, pounds, and degrees Fahren­ industry survey. ·More than half can be drawn. heit-inevitably, since they live in a agencies make some use of metric­ in medicine, electronics, Few companies saw reason to mostly non-metric environment. generally physical sciences, and other fields change their use of measurements un­ it is already the dominant less the whole country decides to do Government where measurement language-and one-fifth so. But 6 per cent of those inter­ The Department of Defense ex­ expect to use metric more extensively viewed said they intended to increase pressed no view as to whether in­ regardless of national policy and their own use of metric in the near creasing use of the metric system is trends. As was mentioned earlier in future, chiefly to enhance their pros­ in the best interests of the nation. this volume, one of the large t agen­ pects in world trade. Nevertheless, the Department stated cies, the National Aeronautics and Participants in the survey were in its metric study report that the Space Administration, last year began asked whether increasing use of the armed forces could make a change­ entirely on its own to convert to me­ metric system is in the nation's best over to metric without impairing tric language. Forty of the 55 agen­ interest. Sixty-one per cent said that it their functions, assuming that indus­ cies estimated that long-term advan­ is. Eighty-six per cent of the nonman­ try would fir t convert through a co­ tages of going metric would outweigh ufacturing businesses were in favor of ordinated national program. The De­ disadvantages, and almost all of these a national conversion program. Jn partment of Defense would not take favored a coordinated national fact, a majority held this view in the lead by writing metric units into conversion program. every industry, from agriculture to its specifications but would follow in­ A survey was undertaken by the utilities. dustrial practices. State-County-City Service Center, As to whether conversion would be which represents such groups as the the best interests of the military, Education in National Governors Conference and the Defense report said: "Although Educators are nearly unanimous in the National League of Cities. The use of a simpler system would their endorsement of the metric sys­ the indication was that only a coordi­ no outstanding military advan­ tem. A public hearing devoted to edu­ have nated national program would per­ the slight advantage expected cation was attended by representatives tage, suade state, county, or local govern­ be amplified because of its of all leading teacher and school ad­ would ments to go metric. widespread nature. The compatibility ministration societies as well as many Nevertheless, some government U.S. and foreign equipment will firms in the educational field. They of agencies at these levels are already combined military operations represented a total of 1,600,000 peo­ enhance making some use of the metric sys­ simplify logistic support require­ ple. and tem. especially in connection with " Speaking for more than one million ments. pharmaceuticals, laboratories and test­ of these, one participant said in a This conclusion is consistent with ing, and the purchase and repair of prepared statement: "The National one reached by General John J. certain metrically designed equipment, Education Association believes that a Pershing more than 50 years ago, such as foreign vehicles. ln addition, carefully planned effort to convert to shortly after he had commanded the the American Association of State the metric system is essential to the U.S. Army in World War I. He wrote Highway Officials has begun to pub­ future of American industrial and in a letter: 'The experience of the lish recommended tests in both metric technological development and to the American Expeditionary Forces in and cu tomary units. evolution of effective world communi­ France showed that Americans were Earlier this year the Legislature of cation." He further urged that, start­ able readily to change from our exist­ the State of fndiana passed a joint ing with the upcoming school year, ing system of weights and measures re olution urging the U.S. Congress to all teachers should teach metric as the to the metric system .... Not the adopt the metric system. primary system of weights and meas­ least advantage . . . is the facility ures in the U .S. which that system gives to calcula­ simplest Knowledge of Metric Virtually all the individuals in the tions of all kinds, from the Public I believe that it to probe public informa­ educational system and the firms asso­ to the most complex. In order to extend the the U.S. Metric ciated with it make some use of the would be very desirable tion and attitudes, in the the help of the Survey metric system and are in favor of a use of the metric system Study enlisted possible the University of planned conversion program, a find­ United States to the greatest Research Center of see that of the Center se­ ing supported by a special survey extent; but I can readily Michigan. The staff obsta­ of 1,400 families conducted as part of the U .S. Metric there would be many practical lected a sample to replace of the 62 million fam­ Study. This survey found that about cles in the attempt entirely representative States and then 10 per cent of the boys and girls in our existing system by the metric." ily units in the United interview the individuals elementary and intermediate grades The views of 55 other federal gov­ proceeded to are taught something about metric ernment agencies were collected in a in person. public, it is apparent, units. Nevertheless, like their parents, separate report. The results roughly The general the metric system. they still think primarily in terms of paralleled those of the manufacturing knows little about

OCTOBER 1971 10 Only 40 per cent could name a single changeover in six to l 0 years. But Recommendation and metric unit, and only half of those speaking for themselves, most were Problems Needing were familiar with relationships willing to complete the task in five Early among metric and customary units. years or less. "Immediately" was the Attention The more people know about the optimum period most often cited by Within the broad framework of the metric system the more they favor it. spokesmen for eight nonmanufactu­ national program, industries, the edu­ Rather consistently, those with more ring industries: finance, insurance, ag­ cational system, and other segments formal education or more experience riculture, services, real estate, forestry of society should work out their own using metric units seemed the most and fisheries, retailers, and transporta­ specific timetables and programs, dove­ confident that they could master it tion. tailing them with the programs of with other segments. This can only be little difficulty and believed that In the commercial weights and metric done effectively after there has been a conversion was in the best in­ measures field, the adaptation to me­ decision to go metric and after joint terest of the U.S. For these reasons tric of devices now in use would take planning by all groups to be affected the su rveyors judged that a program considerable time. The survey of this of by the change. Because of the scope public education would be essential field points out that there are rela­ ·to of such a program, the federal gov­ the success of a national conver­ tively few trained personnel who can ernment would have to firmly back it. sion program. do the work. Becau c of the large numbers and varieties of devices now There will have to be a central co­ ·consensus for 10 Years in use, I 0 years would be required to ordinating body. It could be consti­ The clear consensus for the length complete adaptations. tuted in different ways. Congress of the changeover period could assign the coodinating function was l 0 As was pointed out earli er, the Na­ years. At the end of this time to an existing government agency, or the na­ tional Education Association has tion would be predominantly it might appoint a special group, such (not urged that, starting this fall, all chil­ exclusively) metric. as a national commission, to perform dren be taught metric as the primary the task. In any ca e, the coordinat­ Some participants in the study pre­ language of measurement. A survey ing body will have to be able to draw ferred that the change be made more conducted especially for the U.S. Me­ upon all segments of the society for quickly; a few wanted more time. tric Study suggests, however, that information and advice. At the end of Nevertheless, all could be accommo­ school systems are not ready to move the period of transition to metric, or dated by a I 0-year transition period, that rapidly. The consensus was that possibly earlier, the coordinating body because those who could move faster for primary and secondary education will have completed its work and will would do so as soon as their customers a five-year transition period would be then cease to function. and suppliers were ready. Those who a bit tight, since two or three years needed more time could take it, since would be needed for planning. But The coordinating body would work the nation's goal in a I 0-year program textbooks would probably present no with all groups in the society that would be to become mostly (not en­ obstacle; one major publisher of sci­ were formulating their own plans, so tirely) metric. ence texts assured the survey team as to ensure that the plans meshed. It that he would help to decide how the public Most manufacturing firms judged could convert has entire line of books could best be fami li arized with the that the l 0-year period would be from cu ternary to metric units metric system. It would advise gov­ close to optimum for them. Weighting in uccessive printings over three years. ernment agencies, at all levels (state, manufacturers according to size (i.e., local, and federal), of changes in value added in manufacturing), the * * * codes and regulations that would re­ study found that 82 per cent thought The U.S. Metric Study quire attention. And it would have to the changeover period should be 10 has pro­ vided answers to three a nticipate and deal with other special years or less. The average of the peri­ fundamental questions problems, such as those described ods chosen was 9.6 years. posed near the beginning of this chapter. The clear-cut con ensus later in this chapter. Tn its study the Department of De­ of the participants in the study is Groups of industries would coordi­ fense concluded: "The DOD is de­ that: nate their efforts with the help of pendent upon the National Industrial - Increased u e of the metric sys­ trade associations and agencies of Base. and the rate of conversion tem is in the best interests of the federal, state and local governments. within the DOD will be dependent on United States. State weights and measure agencies how well conversion is ca rried out by -The nation should change to the would cooperate industry." in making the change­ metric system through a coordi­ over through their National Confer­ Nonmanufacturing businesses, with nated national program. ence on Weights and Measures. generally much less hardware needing -The transition period should be Other groups, including educators, conversion , were in favor of a shorter l 0 years, at the end of which the labor, standards making bodies and transition period. They thought that nation would be predominantly consumers, would be brought in at the nation as a whole might make the metric. the start. A hierarchy of definitive

TITLE NEWS 11 and other commodi­ plans would be developed by all these A U.S. national program could pre­ ing meat, cheese, by the piece- at least not participants for themselves. And each sumably rely on a similar approach to ties sold that automatically wiegh plan could provide for contingencies, adult education. The American Asso­ with scales and print out the price. such as failures to meet deadlines. ciation of Museums has volunteered the package to display popular exhibits on the me­ State and local weights and measures tric system. And the Advertising laws would have to provide for a Education and International Council, which helped greatly to pub­ transition period during which such Standards licize such national programs as the scales could continue to be calibrated Two areas merit immediate atten­ Peace Corps and the campaign in customary units until the day they tion, even if a national program is against cancer, has offered to help in were converted. not adopted: education and interna­ a national metric changeover. Consumers might be apprehensive linked to metric tional standards. Education, formal or informal, will about price increases conversion. For instance, the price of It is urgent that the U.S. begin now be buttressed by encounters with the a liter of milk would have to be to participate more vigorously in metric system in everyday life-hear­ greater than the price of a quart world standards-making. International ing weather reports in degrees Celsius, (0.946 liter). The public education standards will increasingly influence buying cloth by the meter, potatoes by program mentioned earlier would world trade. The great majority of the kilogram, and milk by the liter. In help to clarify such questions. these standards remain to be devel­ this way metric habits of speech and oped. Thus, the U.S. has the opportu­ ways of thinking will gain momentum. nity to ensure that its practices and Small Business technology are taken into account in Weights and Measures Congress is already concerned-as the Small Busi­ international standards negotiations. Weights and measures in commerce are others, including small busi­ And as the nation changed to metric, would play such an important role in ness Administration-that at a disadvan­ it would be changing to metric-based a metric changeover that the U.S. Me­ nesses are being placed as the nation international standards that it helped tric Study conducted a special survey tage, even now, metric system. to set. In this way the cost of hard­ of this field. Manufacturers of weigh­ increases its use of the have technical, ware modifications in a U.S. change ing and measuring devices foresaw no Most large companies managerial resources to metric could be greatly reduced. problems in switching their produc­ financial, and their own metric change­ Almost all the participants in the tion to metric devices. But because for planning dealing with it over a long U.S. Metric Study tressed the impor­ many scales in use are worth the cost over and businesses do not pos­ tance of education in any change to of adapting and relatively few people period. Small such resources. The small busi­ metric. Citizens need to be informed are trained to work on them, adapt­ sess is less likely to be in a of what the change would mean in ing them would require several years. nessman position to decide when to go metric; their jobs and everyday lives. Metric The Post Office alone uses 240,000 large companies tend to set the pace. measurement needs to be taught more scales. Most of them are the little six­ Moreover, the small businessman is vigorously in the schools. The Na­ teen-ounce beam scales used to weigh more dependent on the ready avail­ tional Education Association has letters; it would probably be cheaper ability of standard parts and supplies. urged that, as early as possible, all to replace these. But 35 ,000 larger It is for these reasons that spokesmen children be taught metric as the pri­ and more expensive postal scales, the for mall business favor a coordinated mary language of measurement. weights and measures survey found, national program, in which no one Timely government assistance may be would have to be modified over the would be left behind. needed to help develop teacher train­ course of five years. Meanwhile, each program the govern­ ing plans and materials. post office would display a dual set of In a national ment would have a special responsi­ Children starting school this fall rates and would begin charging pos­ bility to ensure that small businesses, will be 35 years old at the turn of the tage by grams instead of by ounces, including self-employed craftsmen, century. To fail to train them ade­ as soon as its scales were changed. are properly informed and their inter­ quately in metric will be to fail to The commercial weighing and ests adequately represented. In partic­ equip them properly for the world measuring field strongly favored a co­ ular, the metric system should be they will inherit. ordinated program that provided for brought into :.:1ll vocational and on­ magazines, timely amendments in weights and Through newspapers, the-job training programs. These and media, the measures laws in order to minimize radio, television, and other other forms of technical assistance inform­ the side-by-side use of two measure­ British Metrication Board is might warrant government support. ing people about kilograms, meters, ment systems. The program would re­ degrees Celsius, and a few other me­ quire goods to be labeled, at the start, Engineering Standards tric units they are likely to encounter in both customary and metric units. most important prere­ in everyday life, trusting them to pick After a while, the customary units One of the metric conversion would up on their own any more technical could be eliminated. This plan would quisites of of engineering details they may desire to know. not be practical, however, for market- be a reevaluation

OCTOBER 1971 12 standards. As a matter of fact, some In the event that the United States are u ually obsolete within a few of these are already under scrutiny. decides to change to the metric sys­ years after publication; when updated Early this year, quite independently tem under a national program, it in due course, it would be reasonably of the U.S. Metric Study, the In­ would be helpful for both countries cheap to translate dimensions into dustrial Fasteners Institute issued a to cooperate to the fullest extent pos­ metric units. The British have found report entitled: A Study to Develop sible. that retraining workers is unexpect­ an Optimum Metric Fastener System. edly easy; it is most efficiently done if It is intended to be the first step in Who Pays for Conversion? a man is taught on the job and told the development of a complete range only what he needs to know to do his The cost of going metric should be of threaded fasteners which, while work. borne in such a way as to minimize eliminating many superfluous items, Many the overall cost to the nation and to participants in the U.S. Me­ will satisfy stringent domestic engi­ tric Study expressed confidence avoid bureaucratic waste. The British that neering requirements. they could seek to attain this end by "letting the tackle the change to me­ tric. costs lie where they fall." As a result, A repre entative of the trucking industry . Antitrust British metrication is being coordi­ pointed out at one of the public hearings that his industry has An effective metric conversion pro­ nated by a small group at very mod­ made gram would require many efforts est cost to the taxpayer. The general several drastic technical changes in recent years. He added: . comparable to the study now being rule is that everybody in the society, "No metric conversion could made by the Industrial Fasteners In­ including government agencies, must ap­ proach the difficulty of doing what stitute. A principal goal in such a share in the temporary costs, as they is now being demanded of us for safe­ program would be to recoup costs, in will in the continuing benefits. The ty's sake." And a labor spokesman part by reducing superfluous varieties same philosophy was followed by said: "Metric is here, so let's get of standard parts and materials. This Japan in its conversion to the metric on with would involve expanded cooperation system. it." It is often argued that the most fa­ by businesses through trade associa­ This philosophy does not exclude vorable time for a metric changeover tions and standards-making bodies. the kinds of assistance suggested ear­ is now, before our society gets any To the extent that competitors lier in this chapter for small busi­ bigger, more complex and, therefore, worked together antitrust considera­ nesses. Nor does it exclude some help harder to change. On the other hand, tions would arise. during the transition period in the there are reasons to believe that some Although federal leadership in a form of accelerated depreciation for difficult changes have become easier national program would minimize the machinery and investment tax credits. and may become easier still. antitrust problem, some accommoda­ Even under the present tax laws, me­ tions would have to be made to per­ tric conversion co ts would be tax de­ Computers have already reduced mit cost-saving coordination while ductible. drastically much of the drudgery that avoiding illegal restraints on trade. would be involved in translating one The policy of the antitrust agencies of measurement language to another. Tackling the Change the federal government is that it is Numerically controlled machine tools, Many participants in the not the concerted form of the action study, as which are increasingly used in manu­ well as those who have observed which is the criterion of legality, but me­ facturing, are guided by a kind of tric programs in other countries, rather the effect of the joint action sug­ computer program. Guidance to me­ gest that almost all machinery upon competition. Early in the plan­ could tric dimensions needs only a change be continued in use-or at least ning for a national program to in the program. The trend to pre­ phased out only when change to the metric system, antitrust they wore out packaged goods in the supermarket or became ob olescent-with questions would have to be resolved careful -already above 90 per cent-has planning and an adequate by business and industry, on the one transition eliminated a least some of the confu­ period. hand, and the Department of Justice sion that a metric changeover would and the Federal Trade Commission A recent U.S. Air Force study indi­ impose on the consumer. As similar on the other. cated that many machine tools can technologies emerge, other ways to produce metric parts with little more facilitate the nation's change to me­ Cooperation with Canada than the adjustment of a dial, while tric can be expected. others require only minor modifica­ Canada, our major trading partner, tion. The recent redefinition of the has decided as a matter of govern­ inch as exactly 2.54 centimeters Going Metric: ment policy to change to the metric makes possible the conversion of What Would It Really Mean? system. But, the Canadians have put some inch-based machines to metric off starting a full scale program, The main reason going metric has by using gears of 254 or J 27 teeth. largely because of their uncertainty as been so controversial in the past is to what the U.S. might do in this re­ Many engineering drawings, hand­ that it was never clear what the de­ gard. books, and other costly paperwork bate was really all about. Some peo-

TITLE NEWS 13 pie assumed that it would mean an soft changes. If a recipe calls for 250 From that point on, metric habits think­ abrupt and mandatory changeover: at milliliters of oil, she looks at a conver­ of speech and metric ways of after some specific date in the near future sion table for translating milliliters to ing would gain momentum. And "inch," the inch and the pound would be out­ liquid ounces, then measures out a couple of generations, lawed. People at the other extreme slightly more than eight ounces (one " pound," and other customary words almost viewed it as a painless and casual cup) of oil. of measurement might sound as "cubit" or "league." We drift toward the use of more metric So far she has made only a soft as archaic be a pre­ measurements at little cost or incon­ change. Suppose then, she breaks her would then unquestionably metric nation. venience. measuring cup. Since her cookbook dominantly We shall certainly not go metric by reads in metric units, it would be foolish to buy a new cup graduated an abrupt and mandatory changeover. Rapidly, Slowly, Never Such a crash program would dislocate in ounces, and so she buys one People making the change to me­ our lives in an intolerable way. marked off in milliliters. This is a tric units would make an assortment hardware change. In this case, the Neither can we expect that a drift of soft and hardware changes, as nec­ cost of the hardware change is zero; to metric would be without cost or essary either to do their jobs or to she had to buy a new cup anyway. inconvenience. Our experience since keep up with what was being said in But if the use of the conversion table Congress legalized the metric system the newspapers and on television. In confuses her and she throws away her in J 866 suggests that if the nation even a concerted program for going ounce-marked cup in frustration, the prefers to drift to metric, it would metric, some things would be changed price of the new metric measure is an still be having to cope with two meas­ rapidly, some slowly, and ome never. "extra" hardware cost of conversion. urement systems at the end of this In most cases, things would be re­ century. Since the use of the metric placed with new metric models only system in the U.S. is increasing, when they wore out or became obso­ Metric Momentum throughout the prolonged period of lete. This would certainly be true, for For industrial engineers, factory gradual change there would be sub­ example, for existing buildings, air­ workers, carpenters, surveyors, build­ stantial costs and inconveniences, pri­ craft carriers, railroad locomotives, ing inspectors, butchers, school teach­ marily those associated with maintain­ power generating plants, and even ers, and people in almost every walk ing dual inventories, training people such things as hair dryers. of life, going metric would mean ac­ in both measurement systems, and In many instances industry and ceptance of metric as the preferred printing metric and customary dimen­ commerce would make metric change­ system of measurement and ulti­ sions on documents and labels. Small overs much as the housewife did mately, thinking primarily in metric businesses would have to tag along as when she broke her non-metric meas­ terms instead of primarily in custom­ well as they could. uring cup. A pump in a chemical fac­ ary terms. tory, for example, might with careful Soft and Hardware The use of metric units has already maintenance last 10 years before it When we talk about going metric, made considerable headway in the wore out and had to be replaced. But we really have to consider two kinds U.S. In a few fields-notably the if a critical part failed after, ay, five of changes, "soft" and "hardware." A physical sciences, pharmacy and med­ years, the user might well decide to much soft change is simply a trade of one icine-people have converted buy a new pump of improved design writing measurement language for another. of their thinking, talking, and and lower running cost, rather than Example: the weather announcer who to metric units. Electrical units are fix the old one. And if he were going begins reporting the temperature in the same in metric and customary. metric and metric pumps were avail­ degrees Celsius instead of degrees Nevertheless, our national measure­ able, the new pump would, of course, Fahrenheit is making a soft change. ment language is still only slightly be one built to metric standards. Hardware changes involve altering metric. Somewhat analogous i the problem sizes, weights, and other dimensions Jf schools were to give greater at­ of rewriting real estate deeds in me­ of physical objects. Example: if the tention to metric than to customary, tric dimensions-meters instead of dairy industry starts selling milk by if a large number of industries were yards and hectares instead of acres. the liter ( 1.05 quarts) , the milk dis­ to convert to metric, if our traffic There would be no good reason to do tributor has to modify his machinery signs were to read in kilometers in­ this until the property changed hands to fill a slightly larger container. stead of miles, if a man buying a and was resurveyed. A a matter of deeds in New Orleans are A hardware change i almost al­ shirt were shown a 40 or 41 centime­ fact, some written in terms of the French ways preceded by a soft change. Sup­ ter collar instead of a 16 inch collar, still of pre-Napoleonic times, and in pose that new cookbook are written if milk were sold by the liter and foot west there are still tracts that with recipes in metric languagc-i.c., meat by the kilogram, then the me­ the far described not in acres but in convenient fractions of kilograms and tric system might, in not many years, arc varas. a holdover from the liters. At first, the American house­ become as widely used as the custom­ square grant days. wife follows these recipes by making ary system. Spanish

OCTOBER 1971 14 In parts of France to this day, thousandth of a bar. Astronomers gram of harbor development,' are after almost 200 years of the metric prefer to talk of distance in "light relatively small in area, and have system, some consumers still order years," instead of many trillions of been freed of the public trust by une /i v re de beurre (one pound of kilometers. Such convenient units as legislative act." (p. 484) Applying butter). They get a half-kilogram these are not likely to be discarded. this to other fact situations will be package, to be sure, but the point is Even if it were to be specified that an interesting guessing game. The that no one has forced them to give only Jnternational Metric units were court goes over this ground sev­ up an old fami liar name. And manu­ to have full legal standing, many eral times in different words al­ facturers continue to make conces­ other measurement terms would per­ ways emphasizing the narrowness sions to non-metric thinking; until re­ sist in our culture-perhaps forever. of its conclusion. cent years in Germany, butter was packaged in 125-gram bars for people 6. Next, the court considers the por­ accustomed to buying it in qua rter tions of the other agreement be­ pounds. And many Germans call the TIDELANDS fore it, called the Macco-McGrath half kilogram ein p/1111d (one pound). Continued from Page 7 agreement, where an actual ex­ change of public tidelands The holding also was appli ed to for privately owned tidela confirm private ownership in a nds is called The Rule of for. All the lands in Reason portion of the rancho which ap­ question were filled in the course Some measurements and some di­ parently had been omitted inad­ of harbor de­ mensions velopment that resulted would never need to be vertentl y from the survey of the in the construction changed. It would be preposterous original rancho patent. However, of the Marine Stad­ ium. Only about five ever to tear up a ll our railroad tracks this part of the holding specifi­ acres are transferred to private just to relate them to some round­ cally does not cover Stcamshovel, ownership, number and Long Beach receives metric gauge. Americans which lands the court says are in return approximately seven acres. would not be likely to tran late into clearly tide or submerged lands. The legislature declared metric such sayings as "a miss is as Of Steamshovel . more later. in 1965 that the public lands in question good as a mile," or to rewrite the 5. The next question. and this really no longer arc necessary words to the song, "/ Love You a is a complex one. is whether lands or useful for commerce. navigation Bushel and a Peck." which were tidelands in 1879 and and fishery. Also. the court said Jn sports, going metric is not likely later were fi lled can be freed from the exchange itself furthers to present much of a problem. Soccer the public commerce. navigation an ongoing program of harbor development. Thus, is internationally the most popular and fi shery trust by legislative ac­ this exchange falls within the require­ game by a wide margin; however, tion . The court decided that to a ments I have outlin ed. there is no standard size for a soccer very limited extent this can be field. Cricket is played throughout the clone despite the constitutional 7. Finally. the court deals specificall y o ld British Empire. but although most provision cited and another consti­ with the Steam hovel area, and. of the nations that play it have either tutional provision which precedes after a long discussion of the re­ gone metric or are doing so, they wil l it. The public trust and the con ti­ quirements necessa ry to create an presumably cling to the traditional tutional provisions against a li ena­ equitable estoppel, finds that all imperial dimensions of the cricket tion both are involved here and to the elements exist and confirms pitch. Similarly, it wou ld be quite un­ some extent they conflict. I think the title of the private owners as necessary to change the length of a lawyer would have to read sev­ again st the public bodies. The ex­ U.S. football fields, even if our kind eral pages of the opinion several change and boundary line princi­ of football ever became an interna­ times to attempt to understand the ples referred to above were re­ tional sport. And keeping them as boundaries of the court's position. jected here by the court. they arc. no sports announcer who and then it wouldn't be clear how However. the language of the wants to keep his audience would much is dictum and how much is opinion does not limit the holding ever seriously say: "The Redskins holding. However. the court does to Steamshovel. but talks of it have the ball ; first clown and 9.144 consider a case where a small generally in relation to the 2a meters to go." portion of unpatcntcd tidelands lands without indicating which Some units that are not part of the was declared no longer usable for portion. if any. of the 2a lands Jnternational Metric System may con­ tideland purposes. and the con­ are affected in addition to those in tinue to be used wherever they are struction of public buildings was the Steamshovel Slough. The believed to make communications and permitted. The court says: ··Arti­ court also says that '·the rare calculations clear and easy. Even in cle XV. Section 3, doc not forbid combin ation of government con­ metric countries meteorologists stil l alienation of lands within two duct and extensive reliance were speak of "bars," one bar being miles of an incorporated city i nvolvecl and create an extremely roughly normal atmospheric pressure, which have been reclaimed 'as the narrow precedent for application and of the "millibar," which is one- result of a highly beneficial pro- in future cases.'' (p. 500)

TITLE NEWS 15 CUSTOMER SERVICES-Continued from Page 5 meeting f~metable One major complaint is the limited supply of good listings available. A related complaint is the apathy of salesmen when it comes to getting listings. The solution to this problem origi­ nally was a lesson in the use of our title plant. Every title plant has a October 24-26, 1971 November 4-5, 1971 Indiana Land Title Associa tion Dixie Land Title Association gold mine of li stings readily available Indianapolis Hilton Mobile, Alabama to any broker who will learn to use Indianapolis, Indiana it. By locating out of town owners, a salesman can easily acquire listings. October 27-28 November 5-6 Carolinas Land Title Association Land Title Association of Arizona This idea has been expanded into a Pine Needles Safari Hotel 20-minute talk about using o ur title Southern Pines, North Carolina Scottsdale, Arizona plant to obtain li stings-which allows us to sell a captive audience on the value of using our facilities.

A by-product of the listing talk October 28-30, 1971 December 1, 1971 came when a salesman asked how to Florida Land Title Associotion Louisiana Title Association Colonnades Beach Hotel Royal Orleans Hotel list at a fa ir price when a seller was Palm Beach Shores, Singer Island, Florida New Orleans, Louisiana asking too much for his property. Once again, our title plant came in handy. The salesman found all of the "comparables" he needed. Now, an­ tricks or stunts so the audience can ices, without ever mentioning title in­ other talk, "Pricing Your Listings", is be entertained while learning. surance, escrow service, or even the avai lable to real estate groups. One other service we have avail­ title plant. able is a free lending library with I won't belabor the details, but I Our sales meetings with customers over 50 sales and real estate books have never been turned down, and I are 20 minutes in length and are and records, to enable the brokers to sell mostly to brokers who own stock planned with the following criteria in plan their own sales meetings. in competitors' title companies. If you mind: These services have been developed can show a broker that you can make 1. Teach the system. to meet the needs of our customers. money for him, whom wi ll he want to 2. Talk about real estate, not title How do we se ll them? The answer to deal with? You, of course. Demonstrate your product. As insurance. this question is much easier to say than do. Jn order to sell the services, mentioned earlier, I often use magic 3. Encourage the audience to come we find it best to, first, forget the title tricks or stunts. lt is fun, entertaining, in for help with their listing or pric­ business. The customer doesn't care and it makes points. ing problems. about the age of the company, the Next time you want to sell a subdi­ The talk s contain humor, and some title plant, or the company assets. He vider on using your service try this: points are illustrated with magic cares about himself, so talk about Fill an eight-ounce tobacco can him and his interests. with five pounds of coins and hand it Create sentences in sales talks that to the subdivider to hold. "When you sell. When I sell our title plant serv­ subdivide property, you will have ice, I don't talk about the plant. I about five pounds of paperwork to talk about listings or fast service. Ex­ file with the state. This will cost you ample: a lot of money, won't it? I'm men­ "Mr. Broker, your office could use tioning this, Mr. Subdivider, because a few more prime listings, couldn't it? . .. " Don't think he won't listen. The reason I ask this is because we Think of ways to present your have a way to help make every one product more dynamically. Find out of your salesmen an expert lister." how you can further serve your cus­ A five-minute sales presentation tomers and better provide them with fo ll ows, selling the Sonoma County the service they want. Become more Abstract Bureau's title plant and serv- sales minded, and you wi ll profit.

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(CENTER ) PERSPECTIVE: AMERICA'S LAND TITLE INDUSTRY . A collection of six articles by experts that comprehen­ sively explain the land title industry and its services. This attractive book­ let is available at 35 cents per copy for 1-48 copies and 30 cents per copy for 49 or more copies. (RIGHT) THE AWARD-WINNING ALTA FILM, " A PLACE UNDER THE SUN." Eye-catch­ JVl ing color animation and on excellent LANOTITLE l ~Tr-~v script bring the story of the land title industry and its services to life in this highly-praised 21-minute sound film . Prints may be obtained for $135.00 each. American Land Title Association

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