South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-21

I
Production and Distribution.
In addition 10 these and many
other committees having general
powers Of investigation the depart
ment OF scientific and industrial re-
search has more than a score OF
Committees devoted 70 the irresti-
CATION OF specific matters such as
meta liturgy. glass and optical instru-
ments. illumination. abrasives. Wit
reous compounds. tin, tungsten, lu-
bricants. zinc and copper. The very
mention Of the names will suggest
that searching for raw materials,
their exploitation and the possible
substitutes for them will enter deep
~ into the future plans OF the en-
pire. Great Britain is investigating
many cher things that are more So
ciaI and political than economic. all
bearing, however upon the purpose
Of bringing her people and their pos
sessions 20 the greatest efficiency in
the production and distribution OF
goods and services.
Early in 1916 the president OF the
board of trade. which, il should be
remembered, is an integral part Of
the British governmental system. ap-
pointed several departmental COM
rnittees 10 consider the probable po-
sition Of various important branches
of British industry after the war,
especially in relation to interna-
tional competition, and 10 report
measures, If any, are necessary in
order 10 safeguard that position
These committees were the coal
trades. iron and steel trades. engin-
eering trades, electrical trades, non
ferrous metal trades. shipping and
shipbulding industries and textile
trades.
Raw Materials and Textiles.
The reports of these committees
have already been submitted and
they constitute a formidable array Of
accurate and detailed information
as 20 the situation confronting these
several classes Of industries. Just
a part OF the report made on raw
materials for the textile trades will
indicate the nature and purpose OF
the inquiry made. Recognizing the
present superiority Of the United
states as producer OF cotton the
committee reported that new fields
mus. be developed to guard against
the possibility of a shortage here
India. Egypt. SOudan, the West In
dies and the African colonies were
discussed as to the extent Of the
land the character OF the cotton, and
as 10 labor and transportation con-
ditions. OF India il was reported,
for example. that the yield is only
from so 20 100 pounds OF lint per
acre as compared with the average
yield of 200 pounds per acre in the
United States and $50 pounds an
acre in Egypt. But otherwise India
with agricultural soil, plenty OF
cheap labor and good railroads is
I favorably regarded a a place where
/ British ingenuity and persistence
may accomplish much. Other pos
sibilities were discussed, with this
significant conclusion: IF proper
steps are taken it is reasonably Ger
tain that all the cotton required by
the British empire can. in time. be
grown within its own territories"
An Imperial Selling Agency.
With these arrangements for in
/ creasing the volume and improving
the quality of the things that can be
produced in the British empire have
gone plans for building UP great
selling agency. The government has
created a new joint department of
the foreign Office and the board OF
trade which is known as the depart
ment of overseas trade develop
ment and intelligence). This body
/ controls the board OF trades trade
/ commissioner service within the en-
pire and the foreign Offices CONNER
/ cial attache service in foreign coun-
tries. In other words a single body
/ is to control and coordinate the
! cources of information i'm regard 10
Z those who have something TO sell
and those who are ready 70 buy. The
trade commissioner service is to be
strengthened end enlarged and like
! wise the consular service. Better
/ trained men are 10 be sent out TO
every corner Of the world TO keep
| watchful eye for every chance to
sell British goods. The department
1 of overseas trade is to undertake the
/ bringing of buyer and seller togeth-
\ er more quickly and less extensively
than ever before Inquiries are TO
/ be invited and answered. and by
publications for general distribution
and By confidential information, the
whole industrial and commercial life
OF the empire is 10 be quickened.
Possible liberalization.
Having set IN motion ths machin-
cry for stimulating production and
distribution, the British government
is planning to bring to perfection the
agencies by which this may be &C
complished. Much attention is being
given 10 the possibilities of electrical
power. 4 tentative scheme Of di-
viding the United Kingdom into dis
tricts in which super-power plants
would be erected for supplying mo-
tive power and heat has been
preached. The theory is that less
coal would be consumed, that less
labor would be needed, and that d
great saving would be effected. In
England at least they are not with
out hope that electricity nay prove
as great boon TO industry as did
the steam engine after the disastrous