That is the federal Metric Act of 1866. I think it was originally a housekeeping measure designed to prevent court cases from being marred by objections to the use of the metric system in American courts. Of course, the effect was to establish the legitimacy of the metric system in America. The effect of the law, I think, went far beyond the Nation's courtrooms. Since the Constitution authorizes the Congress to "fix the standard of weights and measures" for the Nation, I agree that the fact of this law's existence should be shouted from the rooftops---that and the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, which declares metric to be the PREFERRED system of measurement for US commerce.
Shout from the rooftops also that President Ronald Reagan, the supposed enemy of metric, who "abolished" the US Metric Board (he did not; it is still lawful) was the president who signed the 1988 law. Paul Trusten, Reg. Pharmacist Vice President U.S. Metric Association, Inc. Midland, Texas USA www.metric.org +1(432)528-7724 [email protected] On May 5, 2013, at 2:23, "Parker Willey Jr." <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi: > > I came across this while searching the internet. > > http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/204 > > This seems to be the law and we should let it be known. > > ...Parker Willey Jr. > San Jose, CA
