Office of the Historian

Mr. Olney to Mr. Townsend.

Department of State,
Washington, May 18, 1896.
No. 226.]

Sir: I am in receipt of a letter from the Hon. Charles W. Stone, chairman of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures of the House of Representatives, dated the 11th instant, stating that the committee has under consideration a bill for the adoption of the metric system of weights and measures for this country, and inquiring for authoritative information upon the following points:

  • First. Whether or not any serious difficulty was encountered by Austria-Hungary in making the change from the customary weights and measures to those of the metric system, together with any information as to the manner in which such change was made and the time occupied in making it.
  • Second. How far said system is satisfactory in practical operation, and whether there is any disposition or desire to return to the former system.
  • Third. What effect, if any, has the adoption of the metric system had on the trade and commerce of Austria-Hungary in adopting it.

You will give the matter your consideration and send hither all possible information that you may obtain upon the subject for transmission to Mr. Stone on the reassembling of Congress in December next.

I am, etc.,

Richard Olney.