A host of younger scientists were engaged in research in their respective sciences when the world war claimed the attention of all patriotic men. As I have explained before, in Russia, men espousing an academic career were exempt from service and therefore did not, in the majority of cases, receive any military training whatsoever. But many men of science volunteered their services in other capacities than soldiers. The revolution of 1917 brought new hopes, but these were soon shattered, and now the universities are deserted and empty but for a few who have adapted themselves to the Bolshevik régime or chose to remain at their posts and to carry on the torch of light amidst the darkness of ruin and desolation. Some perished. Others fled to foreign countries. Russia's contribution to science may become a closed chapter, unless new forces will arise capable not only of adjusting themselves to the new conditions, but of creating and producing where the present generation has failed.

RESULTS ACHIEVED IN INDUSTRY BY MODERN METHODS.*

By J. F. BUTTERWORTH.

SINCE I am here to-night as the result of your invitation sent through the Industrial League and Council, to address you upon "Modern Methods in Industry," a few words of explanation as to the aims of this body may not be out of place. Its Presidents are: The Right Hon. J. H. Whitley, M.P., Deputy Speaker, and the Right Hon. G. H. Roberts, M.P., former Food Controller.

The chief aim of the Industrial League and Council is to bring the employer and employed together in an atmosphere conducive to a calm and fruitful discussion of industrial problems in which they are mutually interested. The League also assists in establishing Whitley Councils and Works Committees, believing that by such methods the interests of industry can best be served. Its functions are purely educational and not executive.

The League does not interfere between the Employers' and Labour Organisations, nor take any part in trade disputes. It is, however, ready at all times to place any information in its possession at the disposal of the Employers' Associations and Trade Unions. Members, therefore, are able to discuss industrial questions of mutual interest with greater freedom and sincerity than would be possible if they felt that they were committing their respective organisations. The main thing we have to bear in mind is that to save our country we must all pull together. We had all classes fighting and dying together during the war. Why not therefore have the same united effort for peaceful industry?

The Industrial League and Council is composed of employers and employed, who know the great advantage it is to Industry to have complete accord and co-operation within its ranks. Its great activity has been followed by the success it deserves, and every citizen who has at heart the peaceful and prosperous development of his country should not hesitate to join its ranks and do something towards the attainment of its great object.

* A Paper read before the Midland Counties Section of the Institute of Brewing, March 18th, 1920.

Dr. Russell Wakefield, Bishop of Birmingham, has said: "It is the sanity of the Industrial League and Council which appeals to me SO strongly. To-day the nation is abnormal, the tendency of everybody is towards something illconsidered and rash, and I do see in the Industrial League and Council work, above all, sanity."

Fifty-four Whitley Councils have been already inaugurated by as many different industries, and although the men who make the barrels for your beer have joined in the scheme, the brewers and maltsters are as yet absent from the list.

It will be impossible to sustain the financial burdens imposed by the war unless our rate of wealth production is greatly increased. This can be accomplished only by giving the worker a larger interest in the business in which he is engaged, and by raising the scale and efficiency of our industrial activities to an extent not contemplated in pre-war days. In order to bring about this extension and increased efficiency, many changes and re-adjustments will have to be made in the industrial world.

I am obliged for the opportunity given me tonight to come and have a talk with you about "Modern Methods in Industry." All the results accomplished to date have come about through the study of the principles of scientific management described by the late Dr. W. F. Taylor, of Philadelphia, and their application to the industries by him and other able men, principally engineers.

The subject is so large and interesting a one that much time might be profitably spent in discussing its varied teachings, but to-night I merely touch upon some of its leading features. Even these, I trust, will be sufficient to give you serious food for thought, and create a desire for more knowledge of the whole movement and the economic revolution it is bringing about wherever its principles have been adopted and efficiently and thoroughly installed. Much has been written and illustrated about this subject, and those who may wish to know more of it can now get many good books, a perusal of which cannot but be beneficial and may be productive of far-reaching results. I shall be happy to furnish the titles and authors of the leading books to any person requiring them. There is confusion in many minds to-day as to the meaning of Scientific Management, but when I state that it is management based upon actual and accurate measurement, its scope and object will be made clear to such an audience as I am now addressing.

Its skilful application is an art that must be acquired, but its fundamental principles have the exactness of scientific laws, the study of which is open to all. There is nothing secret or hidden about it, for it is a science that is the result of accurately recorded, exact investigations, the results of which have been formulated and further findings are being added to it every day. The scope of this science is unlimited, for it applies to every field of activity, both mental and physical, and its laws are universal. Its fundamental aim is the elimination of waste of every kind with the attainment of the desired results by the least necessary amount of time and of effort; it may and often does result in expansion, but its primary aim is conservation and saving, by making adequate use of every particle of any type of energy expended.

The old saying, "The proper study of mankind is man," has assumed new meanings since the votaries of this new science have divulged their findings to the world, for they have taught us that success in handling both the human and material elements depends upon exact knowledge of the element itself and the acquired experience as to how either or both can best be handled. Through motion, fatigue and time study the capabilities of the workers have been determined. The exactions of the work and the fatigue of the workers which result, together with the amount and nature of the rest to overcome such fatigue are known, and their practical application of the findings to the industries have been fraught with the happiest results to employers and employed alike, for they have increased output, decreased working costs, and added to the wages earned by the workers. Agriculturists have taught us that it is possible to get great annual outputs and conserve producing force unimpaired by judicious use of suitable fertilisers. The knowledge of how to keep the soil at its fullest producing capacity, making provision for depleted energy, is largely standardised and widely practised. Industrialists should realise these facts and apply them to their workers. The sooner these workers can be treated to overcome fatigue and regain their normal working capacity in the shortest possible time, the quicker will the toiling masses and their employers benefit. Suitable provision for such recovery in the industries, before the days of scientific management, was unknown.

I therefore appeal to all to increase their knowledge of industrial conditions and necessities so as to increase production, which alone can prevent disaster and ruin to the nation.

Friends of the workers can do good service by teaching the truth as to the benefits obtainable from increased outputs, for these latter are the one condition that will permit a permanent rise in wages and at the same time reduce production costs. The benefits to the worker of increased wages speaks for itself, but the benefits to him of reduced cost of production are less obvious. However, they are just as real, for when production costs are lowered, it means greater purchasing power of the workers' wages; in other words, the first aim of the increased production campaign -reduced cost of living.

By what means is the cost of living going to be reduced? Some people will tell you that it cannot be reduced because every time wages are increased to meet the higher cost of living, prices are put up to overtake the increased cost of labour. But the cost of living can be reduced if the costs of production are kept in check by the installation of scientific management, with its later additions, throughout all industries.

The management of all works, great or small, must realise it is absolutely necessary that a "thinking and planning" department be established in the very beginning. If any person's ambition leads him to win races or other athletic contests, he can find out the recorded times of performances of previous champions; and if he desires to lower the record, he knows exactly the time he has to beat, and practises and trains accordingly. The annals of sport are full of such records. Can any of you tell me where such records are available

to the industrial worker anxious to improve his craft skill, and earn more money? Which of such records would be most productive of material prosperity and happiness to the nation? The records were not taken in the case of the athlete to "speed-up" or "drive" him, but to co-operate with him in showing what was reasonably attainable. (To be continued).

CORRESPONDENCE.

CLAYS AND ELECTRICAL OSMOSIS.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR, The paper on the above subject in this Journal of July 9, 1920, p.14, by Messrs Highinteresting questions, possibly of considerable field, Ormandy, and Northall-Laurie, raises some commercial importance.

It is well known that the Austrians have been able to obtain shapes commercially by special moulding which manufacturers in this country will not undertake.

It may be that the clay itself has something to do with the success of the process. I understand that the clay is forced into specially constructed moulds.

It would be interesting if someone familiar with the Austrian methods could throw some light on this phase of the subject.

The colour of china is also of possible interest, but I believe this is due to the place of origin of the clay materials, as the English product is free from the bluish-white cast common to the Austrian product; a difference connoisseurs notice at once, preferring the English whiteness. At any rate, this is a point of interest in connection with the process quite apart from any metallic colourings.

Technical literature is often disappointing, as trade secrets, if published at all, are often so distorted as to be of little value. If these points could be elucidated, even if they are not new to the expert, they would be appreciated, I believe, by the general reader who is anxious to extend his knowledge in such directions.-I am, &c. F. H. LORING.

NOTES.

July

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY.-(Pass List. (1920) Examinations).—The results of the examinations of the Institute recently held in London, Manchester, and Glasgow have now been published. The following candidates were successful:-For the Fellowship: In the Branch of Metallurgical Chemistry-A. C. Melville; in the Branch of the Chemical Technology of Textiles— G. E. Knowles. For the Associateship: In the Branch of Mineral Chemistry-E. A. Morris; in the Branch of Metallurgical Chemistry-C. Hollingsworth; in the Branch of Organic Chemistry