The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-12
U.S.MANUFACTURING
IDEAS HELP BRITISH
Exporters Come Here to Get
Points on Applying Science
in Industrial Lines.
FAVOR STUDENT, SYSTEM
Germans Pre-War Plans of
Trade Penetration Also
Are Being Studied.
FAVOR STUDENT SYSTEM

British manufacturers In their efforts
to promote industries started during the
war and to stimulate the establishment
OF others dependent upon the applica-
ton OF science are adopting some ideas
in use in the United States. Investiga-
lions have been made here by agents
from England. besides Consuls and other
observers. who have sent in their reports
to the home producers
Britons too have learned many lessons
from study OF German methods and
the information gained Is being used and
win be put into effect more extensively
in the big battle for the world trade
now In its preliminary stages.
Scientific research Is proving an In
valuable adjunct in the development Of
vital industries all over the world and
the Britons belated drive in that direc-
ton has been started with energy, indi-
eating that efforts will be made to make
UP the ground lost In sighting this i'm
portant point
Lord Crewe at the British scientific
products exhibition In London told man.
ufacturers that one Of the plans In sci
entihc research that had always ap-
pealed 70 him was that OF definite indus
trial courses by students during vaca-
tionA In the United States he related
there was q custom of taking small
bodies OF selected and capable students
on tours Of six weeks or two months to
selected works, where they learned not
only the Industrial processes carried on
but also something Of the works man
aEement
Westinghouse Students Cited.
After students had obtained degrees
or diplomas, the titled speaker con-
tinued. there were openings as chemists.
physicists or In other lines at particular
plants. The good results obtained by
the Westinghouse companies through
It's many students in the plants at East
Pittsburg and Wilmerding were gone
into In detail. bolstered by concrete
cases OF students. many of whom were
college graduates, becoming executives
and experts In many lines after having
started In at from IL to 26 cents an
hour TO learn the rudiments OF electrical
work.
Industrial Fellowship perfected in the
United States were also told of by
for the purposes Of particular work or
manufacture was undertaken by post
war students belonging to an institu-
ton Joined up with a university supply
Ing advice.
Lord Crewe was instrumental in
bringing into being the British Depart
ment of Scientific and Industrial Re-
search. which is extending its opera
lions In many directions One of the
organizations most important points
IN the effort for real advance Of science
and of industry in the most practical
way Is the close connection with indus
trial manufacturing associations. many
OF which have already been founded.
while others are In contemplation.
tn, ..,Nx,
Britain before the war was dependent
upon Germany for certain things and
how Germany was to be supplanted in
supplying those things three important
points were brought out.
One was that Germany was far more
sdlful than the British In cornering the
raw materials. which fact could apply
also to the United States. The rings"
which secured almost a monopoly of
valuable natural products. proved a
revelation to many people. A Mitchell
Palmer in his report as Alien Property
Custodian showed the ramifications of
the ''rings'' In the United tates and the
menace the people of this country were
under for many years. while the Ger
man stockholders of the organizations
collected large dividends from ruthless
profiteering. Legislation in all the allied
countries is expected to prevent any
repetition of such monopolies.
Another thing that helped the Ger
mans outside of tlsir cartel" system
and resulting dumping was the fact that
the Kaiser's subjects proved excellent
statesmen, as the sales of their products
in the United States showed. Germany
gave great attention to the wants and
prejudices of her customers no matter
in which part Of the world. served goods
in the way the buyers liked best and
sent statesmen to solicit custom at all
favorable times. American manufactur-
ers have been impressed by the laGt
named point In their efforts to gain trade
IN South America
Germans Finished Products.
The third important feature in the
Germans scheme was that they took
pains over particular products SO as to
produce them of better and more uni
form quality than other exporters
American trade boomers have outlined
TO prospective importers that one mis-
take made in the past was that MANU-
facturers had been content quite often
with quality that they could sell In
large quantities and for which they had
a safe market. At the same time they
failed to realize that an advance In
quality by competitors would gradually
bring with 1t a greater demand and
put the wholesale trade into the hands
Of the latter.
In an address recently to British
manufacturers. which was heard by
Americans In London at the time, but
now back in the United States, Lord
Moulton made a point that is as applic-
able on this side of the Atlantic as on
the other. and that was:
Before the war the British were like
an old established house while the Ger
mans were like young house that
wanted to make business"
This parallel prompted him TO attract
the attention of his hearers to the fact
that means would have to be figured out
to produce articles of a higher quality
at reasonable prices which the Germans
had been enabled to make by means Ut
patience and Industrial research carried
on for many years.
6ar,oox -x-