The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-05
WORLD-FA|MED FIRM
WILL Be DISSOLVED
John Arid e Co., Undertakers
of Great Enterprises, Soon
Only a Memory.
DAMNED RIVER NILE
VIII Complete All Outstand.
ing Contracts and Then
Distribute Plants.
DAMNED RIVER NILE

i|SNDoSs Oct. f--Ehe passing away
OF one of the greatest contracting firms
IN the world, John Aird 6 Co., is an
nounced for next year. The firm
which damned the Nile and carried
out other great works throughout the
world, will cease to exist next Sep.
tember, by which time all outstanding
contracts will have been completed.
The decision to 90 out of business
has been taken by the present Sir
John Arid, who succeeded his father
In 1911, and inherited from him for
tune Of more than $5,000,000. The
reason given is that, while the risks of
contracting are as great as they ever
were, the profits are not nearly go
large as they were some twenty or
thirty years ago. Great plants will be
distributed and a staff Of engineers
and workmen, who are said to have no
superiors, will be seeking new positions
as result Of the action,
Veterans in London.
Like that of most big contracting
firms, the history Of John Aird &
Co. is somewhat romantic. it was
started in 1S4S by John Arid Scot
tish mason, who came to London from
Ross-shire and after following his trade
for several years, wRs appointed super
intendent Of the Phoenix Gas company
at Greenwich. There he learned the
business that gave him his start, and
the first big undertaking Of his firm
was the laying of water and gas mains
baronet, who died in 1911. Joined the
firm in 1851, and under MIN the firm
made great strides, They removed
Crystal Palace from Hyde Park to its
present site at Sydenham; built water
and gas works all over the country, as
well as in Berlin. Copenhagen, Russia
France, Italy. Denmark and Brazil
They built and extended railways, and
constructed the Royal Albert, East and
West India and Tilbury docks on the
Thames, and later the Manchester ship
canal. The great docks at Ayonmouth
and Singapore were created by them,
but the damming OF the Nile capped
all their work.
Overcome Obstacles.
1t was not easy to get this undertak-
ing financed, the Egyptian government
not being willing to take the risk. 1t
was accomplished when the late Sir
John Aird met Sir Ernest Cassel, the
banker. in Egypt one day. Arid placed
the plans before the banker and in two
days the financial end Of the undertak-
Ing WAS arranged and Aird was able
to go to the Egyptian government with
an offer to construct dams at Assouan
and Assiout without even the first pay
ment being made until the work was
completed.
Girl Netmakers Strike.
The girl fish net makers Of Lowestoft
have gone out on strike as q protest
against the introduction Of mon and
boys at the net-making machines. The
strikers allege that the boys work Cor
less than they do and that the en-
ployers aim ut driving the girls ont OF
the trade.
Thus women have turned the tables
on those who in the past have accused
them Of undertaking other workers.
Tho wage paid the girls is about IS
week while the boys arc paid $3.50 a
week. Tho owners, however, say that
this wage for boys is only temporary
and as soon as they learn the trade
they will be paid moro than the girls.
Az result of the dcmand for nets the
boys will be worked at night az the
factory act will not permit Of women
being worked at night.