EDITIORIAL

They're baaacck!!!

Several times over the years we've alerted you on this page to get ready for the mefic measuring system. Well, here we go again.

Despite the false starts of the past, this time it looks for real. Since January, federal agencies involved in construction have begun the use of metric, mmplying with a 1990 federal law requiring conversion to metrics in all government construction. The feds' role is a big one: about $35 billion of the $400 billion -a-year construction industry is federal appropriations for construction, grants and aid to states. To date, about $2 billion is already in the works.

Happily, minimal problems were encountered by the British, AusEalians, South Africans and Canadians when they converted to metrics from the English system we still use. Despite the prophets of doom, those conversions went better than anyone expected. Acceptance in the four countries has been widespread. As one observer put it, 'T-et's face it, it's a better and easier way to measut€."

DAVID CUTLER editor- publisher

Here at home, metric proponents continue to attempt [o answer the inevitable questions. Yes, the feds are really serious about the changeover. No, it won't cost more in the end, due to savings with a more efficient system. Yes, more foreign products will come into the U. S., but we can also export more of our products since they'll now be in metric sizes. No, we won't give up the 2x4. It's not2"x4" anyway. We can still call ita2x4 rt we like; its dimensions will be in a metric equivalent, rather than inch equivalent. Yes, meFic can be used on repair, remodeling and rehab. People who have used it say it's no different from using footpound units. Workmen still must install new products in old spaces. Isn't this what shims were invented for? And metric has proven to have a big advantage: field measurements can be done faster with fewer errors. The system is simply easier to use once it's learned.

A world without half pints vs. quarts and fractions like 25l32nds and 7/16ths of a mile sounds pretty good to us. Try it, you'll like it!