The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-12
FINANCIAL RUIN FACES ENGLAND'S ! MIDDLE CLASSES Mistake to Think That PeO- pie Are Not Suffering
 From War Es-l .ss.1 TAUGHT AFGHANS
 HOW TO MAKE GUNS Lloyd d-G eorge's Selection of Sir Salter Pyne to Push Munitions Work
 Meets With General II Approval 

London, September 1.-(Special )-Much has been written about wartime pros- perity of the English working classes and 1t is a natural but false inference from this that, as a whole. the people of Eng land are not suffering in a financial way at the moment. Nothing could be fur ther from the real truth. Hundreds of Thousands of people in this country, for rnerly in a comfortable, way of business, nre absolutely ruined, while hundreds are thousands of others, with their one-time ample incomes cut off, are living out of capital. praying and hoping that the war will be finished before their rapidly dwindling resources are exhausted.
 Everyone here can call to mind dozen friends in either one of these predica- ments. The writer knows of one man who earned at the rate of s75o0 a year Furthermore he held more or less of- ffcial position and rightly looked upon il as an absolutely safe berth for the rest of his working years. His income was derived from fees and since the war be- gan, 12 months ago, he has taken tho munifdcent sum of s3.50. As he has been living at the rate of s5000 year, he has had to rent his home for period covering his probable remaining years, and take a much smaller establishment in a small town down the river, living entirely on his savings.
 His immediate neighbor before the war; who kept five servants and able to sport two big motor cars, hasn't earned R penny piece for the past year and also has had to rent his home for a term of years. Indeed, one meets similar cases almost daily and is naturally driven to . 3h, r,.1-, at..& classes who are terribly hard hit by the war. It Is upon the ability and willing ness of these all important classes to keep stiff upper lips and stand the eco homie pinch to the end that British reso- aution depends. Thousands of them arc fighting battles just as hard and Just as courageous as are the men at the front with nothing like the recognition or the incentive.
 Taught Afghans to Make Guns
 No appointment that has been made by David Lloyd-George since he took over his new job of minister of munitions has been received with more general approval than his recent selection of Sir Salter Pyne to be one of the men of push and go' in the important business of turning out and providing "provender' for the so badly needed engines of war. This oddly named knight. who is one of the most distinguished sons of Birmingham has had a remarkable career, and if he could, s he did, make things hum in- dustrially in Afghanistan, he certainly should be able to make them do SO here.
 Sir Salter, who Is only 55 today, Is one of the most successful of British en- gineers. He began as an engineers ap- prentice, later became manager of a foun- dry and engineering works at Birning- ham. and finally migrated to India, where he eventually was appointed chief engi- neer to the Amir of Afghanistan. In this capacity he introduced into the country mAly and various industries, including works for the manufacture of guns, rifles ammunition and swords. and for turning out more peaceful materials, such as Soap, candles and even coins Also he Founded few dstilleries. Meanwhile, he rose high in the favor of the amir, who loaded him with presents and in 1893 sent him as his representative to the Viceroy of India. The success of his negotia- ttons was recognized by both sides, and resulted in his becoming a knight and a commander of the Star of India. He may be regarded as a dug out by the way, having to all intents and purposes, re- tired. In peace times his favorite amuse- ments are riding, fishing and shooting.
 Lord Desborough Bereaved
 Despite the splendid manner in which the ruling class in England have respond cd to the war call, 1t is doubtful if any h this country has suffered so heavily as have Lord Desborough and his fam fly
 When the war started Lord Desbor- ough had three sons. Today he has only one, the Hon. Two George Grenfeli, b boy of IT, now at Eton His eldest son, the Hon. Julian Grenfell. died of his wounds last May, and now comes W ord that his second son, the Hon. Ger ald Grenfell, has been killed while lead ing his men against the enemy
 The first son was a noted hard rider 10 hounds. the second was one of the best of university heavyweight boxers. while the father Is probably the most famous allround athlete in England. He is the leading spirit in practically every amateur athletic organization of Importance in the country. He has eculled across the channel, twice swum Niagara, Is a champion punter, and a renowned big game hunter. His coun- try home is Taplow Court, close by Cliveden, the magnificent estate bought by that erstwhile American, William Waldorf Astor and presented as a wet ding present to his son and namesak Ike.
 But besides his two sons Lord Des- borough has lost two favorite nephews both of them famous polo players ahd not unknown to the American sporting public. Capt. Francis Grenfell won the {nf fnrta hut n11 tp rI,.