IIW History 1948-1958

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effective is the international collaboration existing vvithin the IIW, collaboration depending upon the cooperation of the professional organisations of various countries. In each country visited, the member societies of the IIW had made the necessary preparations for contacts with qualified technicians and for visits to works and laboratories so that the mission was able to collect a great deal of information in a short time. At the encl of ten years, the IHV has gained an enviable reputation at an international level, particularly if one considers how short this period is . The results of its work are not only quoted but awaited with interest and its advice is sought. On many occasions, reference, in no way prompted by any action of the IIvV, has been made to its ·work. For instance, the working commissions of the European Steel and Coal Community, when starting vvork on the specifi– cation of weldable steels, considered the document, though only of a provisional character, prepared by the IIVV on this subject and they wish to know how the IIW's opinions, and particularly those of Commission IX, have since evolved in this connexion. It would appear that the IHV's procedure, ·which was deliberately chosen on its foundatio1{, 11as·been most effective. Though it is still imperfect, it has, in a short time and with limited resources, led to tangible results on which it has been favourably judged internationally. It is indeed encouraging to see the beneficial effects of the spontaneous association of able technical minds continually striving after progress through the exchange of ideas, the comparison of opinions and the search for solutions to the problems encountered.

H . E. JAEGER.