Office, the graphic arts industry, and particularly the bookmaking branch, wa notable for its total lack of specifications for guiding purchases; the lack o any adequate and systematic methods for testing materials; the absence of an established trade standards covering manufacturing technique; in short, it wa hopelessly behind the times.

In this connection there is presented a brief résumé of the past re search work, and a description of the present research together with an outline of proposed future investigations of the Division of Test and Technical Control.

Studies of various bookbinding materials were made under thi cooperative research and standardization program as a result of which three standards were developed and adopted by the bookbinding in dustry. These standards were promulgated and published as Com mercial Standards by the National Bureau of Standards and wer later approved as American Standards by the American Standard Association. These Commercial Standards are CS49-34 Chip Board Laminated Chip Board, and Miscellaneous Boards for Bookbinding Purposes; CS50-34 Binders Board for Bookbinding and Other Pur poses; and CS57-40 Book Cloths, Buckrams, and Impregnated Fabric for Bookbinding Purposes except Library Bindings.

The present trend in bookbinding is toward replacing starch-fille book cloths with pyroxylin-treated fabrics, which are more moistur proof and vermin-resistant. Properties of various trade brands o these materials have been tested by the Division of Tests and Tech nical Control to determine their qualifications for bookbinding starch-filled book cloths have been replaced by pyroxylin-treated fab rics in the bindery operations. Standard specifications have been developed for purchase of these fabrics.

Another example of development is the use of roll gold leaf backe by a thin sheet of cellophane which replaces the former paper backing A thorough investigation of imitation gold leaf has been made and a procedure standardized for determining the comparative tarnis resistance of the various brands of that leaf, both flat and in the form of rolls. The impression made with this new product is sharper an clearer.

Various materials, such as end papers, super or crash, and sewing thread, used in the binding of books, have been studied with referenc to their efficient use in operations.

During the course of this research several technical bulletins dealing with bookbinding materials were published.31

Within recent years State governments have adopted various speci fications for the printing and binding of textbooks supplied, unde contract, to the pupils in schools. A movement, supported by textbool publishers, textbook manufacturers, and State boards of education has been started to make these specifications uniform and suitable for use in all States. The United States Government Printing Offic rendered all possible assistance to a joint committee representing thes groups in connection with the technical phases of these specifications

"Bindery Adhesives." by B. L. Wehmhoff, Technical Bulletin No. 14. 22 pp., U. S Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1931. "The Evaluation of Bronze Stamp ing Leaf," by B. L. Wehmhoff and F. R. Blaylock, Tecnnical Bulletin No. 17, 10 pp., U. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1933. "Starch Filled Book Cloth," b M. S. Kantrowitz, F. R. Blaylock, and G. G. Groome. Technical Bulletin No. 21, 27 pp U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1934.

Also eleven confidential special bulletins were published by F. R. Blaylock, Researc Associate Employing Bookbinders of America (E. B. A.) and Book Manufacturers' Institut (B. M. I.), between the years 1929 to 1934, and issued only to members of the Employin Bookbinders of America.

The United States Government Printing Office has made bindery tests of chrome-tanned leathers, experimentally produced by American tanneries, and has overcome the first difficulties encountered in their use for bookbinding. As a result, specifications were prepared for the purchase of chrome-tanned sheepskin, goatskin, and cowhide leathers. Vegetable-tanned leathers have been completely eliminated from use in the United States Government Printing Office. This is an important development in the industry, because leather required for the most permanent and high quality bindings could formerly be obtained only from foreign countries.

In planning the future trend of this research work the following program has been outlined:

Other materials as the need develops. State textbook specifications and standards.

Photoengraving and Lithographic Research.

Studies have been made in photoengraving and lithography with a view to standardizing and improving the character of reproduction of pictorial subjects with relation to the printing processes. The materials and formulas in these processes, being of an almost entirely chemical nature, were studied in their relation to functional properties and the purchase of the most suitable chemicals, for which standspecifications have been formulated.

Standardization of wet-plate collodion was found necessary. Labratory analysis and performance tests made in photoengraving cameras, led to the development of a standard specification for wetplate collodion.

In a similar way all of the various chemicals in photoengraving processes were investigated, and the best grades for use determined.

An extensive study was made of photoengraving zinc to determine the chemical and physical structure of the metal most suitable to the ching and routing processes. As a result of this research, a standard specification was established upon which a uniform product could be bought. This study was reviewed in a scientific paper on the Technical Qualifications of Photoengraving Zinc, presented at the annual meeting of the graphic arts division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in Washington, May 1936.32

The Technical Qualifications of Photoengraving Zinc," by Ernest W. Spencer, pubed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York City, in Proceedings the Graphic Arts Technical Conference, Washington, D. C., May 11-13, 1936, p. 23 ff.; and in the Production Year Book 1937, the Colton Press, New York City.

The graining of offset plates has a fundamental bearing on the process of offset printing. A microscopic study was made, therefore, of the plate grain and of the quartz sands used in automatic graining machines for producing the plate grain. Investigation of the commercial grades of sands on the market revealed a great lack of uniformity in their particle sizes and a great variety in crystalline structure. In order to obtain uniformity of plate grain and a uniform length of time required for the graining process, it was necessary to obtain sands consistent in structural form and granulation. A greater degree of fineness in the plate grain was also found to be a factor in producing more sharply printed images and more satisfactory press runs. In order to improve the process of offset printing in the United States Government Printing Office, as well as to stimulate standardization of sands for the trade in general, a study of this problem was made by the Division of Tests and Technical Control. The result of this study, which was published in a current issue of the Printing Equipment Engineer, was to form definite specifications upon which sands are now purchased.

33

Cooperation With Technical and Trade Organizations.

The Division of Tests and Technical Control has cooperated with the American Standards Association, the United Typothetae of America, the Lithographic Technical Foundation, the American Newspaper Publishers Association, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, the American Society for Testing Mate rials, the Printing and Allied Trades Research Association of Great Britain, and other domestic and foreign associations dealing with standardization in the printing and binding industries. Severa chemists, members of the staff of the United States Government Printing Office technical laboratory, serve on advisory boards and technical committees of scientific organizations and trade organiza tions, such as the Federal Specifications Executive Committee, the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Photography, the Tech nical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and the American Society for Testing Materials.

As a result of the research constantly being conducted by the Division of Tests and Technical Control the paper industry and other trades are able to maintain better control of their products during manufacture. The printer ultimately derives benefit becaus he obtains a standardized product, the uniform behavior of which or his presses is assured.

23 "Sands for Graining Zinc Offset Plates," Subject of Microscopic Study, by E. W Spencer, Printing Equipment Engineer, vol. 50 (5), p. 6 ff., August 1935.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

THE BITUMINOUS COAL DIVISION AND THE CONSUMERS' COUNSEL DIVISION, OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR

Standardization and the dissemination of commodity information relating to coal constitute part of the activities of both the Bituminous Coal Division, United States Department of the Interior, and the Consumers' Counsel Division, in the Office of the Solicitor, in the same Department. Although dealing with the same basic subject. matter, that is, the administration of the Bituminous Coal Act of 1937, these Divisions were made independent of each other by the t, and this independence was maintained by Reorganization Plan No. II, the effective date of which was fixed by Congress as July 1. 1939. Under Reorganization Plan No. II, the National BitumiCous Coal Commission was abolished and its functions were transferred to the Secretary of the Interior; and the former Office of Consumers' Counsel of the National Bituminous Coal Commission ecame the Consumers' Counsel Division in the Office of the Solicitor, United States Department of the Interior.

Legislative Authorization.

The Bituminous Coal Act of 1937 embodies more than one provision under which the collection or dissemination of information relating to the qualities and uses of coal is authorized. Section 2 (a) of the act authorizes the Bituminous Coal Division 34 to

itiate, promote, and conduct research designed to improve standards and ethods used in the mining, preparation, conservation, distribution, and stilization of coal and the discovery of additional uses for coal, and for such rposes shall have authority to assist educational, governmental, and other arch institutions in conducting research in coal, and to do such other acts and things as it deems necessary and proper to promote the use of coal and its derivatives

Section 14 (a) among other things directs the Bituminous Coal Division to "study and investigate the matter of increasing the uses of coal * * * "9

In addition to these sections relating to research, there are other pertinent provisions connected with the price-establishing functions f the Bituminous Coal Division. The initially proposed prices are to be determined by the Bituminous Coal Division after first reviewing the price proposals made by the various district boards, representing hose coal producers within the district who have accepted memberShip in the Bituminous Coal Code set up by section 4 of the act. The proposals of the district boards are, as required by section 4, II (a) of the act, to include prices for the "kinds, qualities, and sizes

Here and in the ensuing pages when reference is made to the functions of the Bituas Coal Division authorized by the act it should be understood that the act actually to the "Commission," but the Commission's functions are now exercised by the minous Coal Division, as stated previously.

tion method, or the preparation given at the mine (whether raw washed, cleaned, and so forth). A further standardization and con solidation of size groups, it was argued, would be an aid t consumer interests, since price schedules would be more readily under stood and price comparisons could more readily be made. In th publication "How Much Heat" 36 the Consumers' Counsel suggested as standard methods of determining and describing sizes the follow ing methods adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials "Method of Test for Screen Analysis of Coal" (A. S. T. M. Desig nation: D410-38), and "Method for Designating the Size of Coa from its Screen Analysis" (A. S. T. M. Designation: D431–38). Quality standards. Of broader significance than the Consumers Counsel's proposals as to size standards are its recommendation regarding quality standards. The Consumers' Counsel has suggeste that not only should the sampling be done in accordance with A. S. T. M. standard methods (as is recommended, in the alterna tive, by Order 235 of the Bituminous Coal Division) but also th analyses, and classifications of coal should be performed in accord ance with the "Methods of Laboratory Sampling and Analysis o Coal and Coke" (A. S. T. M. Designation: D271-37), "Specification for Classification of Coals by Grade" (A. S. T. M. Designation D389-37), and "Specifications for Classification of Coals by Rank (A. S. T. M. Designation: D388-38).

The classification by "rank" is a traditional method used by geol ogists, chemists, and engineers in describing different kinds of coal For anthracite coal and for "high-rank bituminous," the classification has been on the basis of the percentage of fixed carbon and volatile matter (i. e., the highest rank coals, such as anthracite, having the highest fixed carbon content and lowest volatile matter content.) Bu certain other bituminous coals, while having more moisture and les heating value (i. e., less B. t. u.) than the "high-rank," do not vary considerably among themselves as to fixed carbon and volatile matter These are therefore classified on the basis of moist B. t. u. per pound The complete table of rank for bituminous coal, as approved by the American Society for Testing Materials, begins with the high-rank coals, divided into "Low Volatile" and "Medium Volatile" (classified on the basis of specified limits for fixed carbon and volatile matter) then follows "High Volatile A," "High Volatile B," and "High Volatile C" (classified on the basis of moist B. t. u. per pound). This table further continues with sub-bituminous, lignite, and brown coal, with their correspondingly lower amount of moist B. t. u. per pound.

The "grade" classification adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials and recommended in 1937 by the Consumers' Coun sel is determined by size designation, the B. t. u., the ash content, the sulfur content, and the ash-softening temperature. The size of coa is designated in accordance with the Standard Method for Designating the Size of Coal from its Screen Analysis of the A. S. T. M. (D431-38) The heating value is expressed in hundreds of B. t. u. per pound, tc the nearest hundred, for example, 13,150 to 13,249 B. t. u., inclusive, would be expressed as 132.

36 "How Much Heat" (Consumer Ideas No. 1), by Consumers' Counsel of the National Bituminous Coal Commission, 28 pp., U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 1937, 10 cents.