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TECHNOLOGY AND
PHILOSOPHY
Mediator Between Philosop-
her And Mechanic
Although engineers in this country generally make no claim.. to u profound knowledge of philo- sophy, and propriety conipels us to recognise the significance of the Border in this respect, the subject is not far removed from our workaday affairs for as H. R. Palmer remarked, in B paper read before body of,, engineers who subsequently formed the Institution of Civil Engineers. "An engineer is a mediator be- tween the philosopher and 'the working mechanic and like an interpreter between two foreigners must understand the language of both. The philosopher searches Into Nature and discovers her laws, and promulgates the prin- ciples on which she acts. The engineer receives those principles and adapts them to our circum- stances. The working mechanic. governed by the superintendence of the engineer, brings his ideas in- to reality. Hence the absolute necessity of possessing both prac- tical and theoretical knowledge." In epitomising that observation and dening clvif engineering 'as the art of directing the great sources of power in Nature för the use and convenience of man," we make manifest the. three characteristics of engineering education. the first being a philo- sophy, the second, a method; and the third a faith In these days, when engineers play important part in superintending the me- chanism of our all too delicate a system of civilisation, we should not forget the moral power as- sociated with our professional work, since some, engineers-as, well as scientists have sacrificed everything for their work and
misfortunes with met their fortitude equal to that shown by other men for their faith.
A
To Select Data With regard to the philosophical our concerns it is of aspect of Interest to note that, at least since the quantum theory was formu- lated. the aim of the scientist has tended to approach that of the philosopher, in so far as both types of thinker attempt to pass In review the whole subject- matter of their respective studies, by unifying the great laws which, by the precision of their formu- lation and the exactness of their application. establish human knowledge on the broadest and most enduring basis. On the other hand, the technologist or engineer is compelled to exercise a choice and select data from the results of pure science, and apply the consequent approximately
true conclusions to the restricted needs of the moment. In short, the "savan" directs his mind to matters concerning quality, while the engineer is mainly interested in quantity which may, inciden- taily, for one of the reasons why students of engineering en- counter difficulty with the con ception of entropy. Both aspects
are essential in any generalised survey of scientific work, since our equations are not analytical relations, but quantitative "rela- tions between irreducible qualita- tive magnitudes, so that there runs throughout the physicists' world the unknown content that forms the stuff of our conscious- ness. Here lies the point of contact between technology and philosophy. and failure to appre cinte the significance of it fre- quently gives rise to unfounded criticism of the purpose of natu ral philosophy.
Two Kinds of Electricity
For instance, an engineer finds It convenient to explain his re- sults on the assumption that there are two kinds of electricity, while the mathematical physicist observes that the apparent diffe- rence in kinds is merely due to a particular property of time. Both points of view can be defended on the ground occupied by either investigator, so that no useful purpose is served by one asserting that the opinion of the other is wrong, for in such a controversy either worker might reasonably repeat ¡L remark of " the Red Queen, and reply "You call that nonsense. but I've heard nonsense compared with which that would be sensible as a dictionary." Re- turning to the broader view, we should note that it is necessary base our studies on the induction of experience rather than logical deduction alone, because there is weighty evidence to sup- port the view that science has
farthest progressed the
where Nature has returned to mind new
that interpretations of
which mind put into Nature. Hence the term man versus nature" engen- ders misleading ideas.
on
Our method of investigation consists principally in translating results obtained in the laboratory of the scientist into approximately equivalent terms suitable for use in the workshop, in which process we must interpret Impar- observe breadly tially and according to the recognised prin- ciples and laws of natural philo- sophy, lest prudence simulates scientific criticism.
highly did the founders of our own Royal Society value freedom of their thought that they chose motto from Horace's line: *Not pledged to swear by the words of any master."--Engineering.
So
Nine telephone girls were rescued by means of an emergency rope ladder when fire destroyed the Atam! Post Office just before"mid- night on May 6. Originating in an adjacent "dry goods store, the fre soon involved the Post Office build- ing, with several other Houses and adjoining premises. The "damage caused to the
office post
is estimated at Y.130,000. The girls carried on their duties until the staircase collapsed, when they were trapped,"
4
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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1934.
INDUSTRIES IN
CEYLON
Measures To Help It
on
The "Ceylon Observer" learns that "the Special Committee Industrial Development met and decided to recommend that a vote of Rs. 10,000 should be provided for the purpose of granting State nasistance to local Industries which are deserving of such "assis- tance.
NATIONAL RECOVERY
Mr. Runciman's 17
J
Points
(Special Air Mail Service)
London, May 1.
The National Government's re- cord of achievement since they It is learned that the Executive assumed office in 1931 was the sub- of Labour. Industry ject of a speech by Mr."Runciman, Committee
favour of President of the Board of Trade, and Commerce 19 in such assistance being provided, in and that the vote of Rs. 10,000 will be included in the forth- coming Budget estimates of that Ministry.
to
The object of this proposal is to foster and encourage the deve- lopment of local industries. Funds from this vote will be apportioned Renuine industrial concerns which are hampered by lack of Onancial support, but would other wise, have reasonable chance of developing the industries they are engaged upon.
Deserving Cases
of
Ever since the Ministry Labour, Industry and, Commerce came into being numerous appll- cations have been received for as- sistance for the development of local Indústries such as soap, candle and safety watch manu- facture.
The Inquiries conducted have by the Special Committee tended to show that, while not all applicants could be relied on, there are many who are genuinely ban- dicapped in successfully develo- ping their ventures by the want of financial means.
If the vote for Industrial, as- sistance 15 sanctioned by the State Council the Committees concerned propose to take careful measures to see that assistance will be granted only to concerns, which are really deserving.
Recent Engineering
Contracts
Messrs. The British Thomson- Houston Company, Limited. Rug- by, have received an order from
the London Passenger Transport electric-control motor-driven
for 26.
and for
motor
coa- the
Board equipments compressors ches for service Picadilly Railway. These equip. ments will be duplicates of the 145 electric-control equipments and compressors previously sup- piled by the company for motor coaches in service on the western extension of the Piccadily line from Hammersmith to Boston Manor and the riorthern exten- sion from Finsbury Park to Cock- fosters.
Messrs. United
Messrs. Morris, Motors, Limited, Cowley, Oxford, have received a repeat order for their industrial engines from States Metallic Packing Company: Limited, Bradford, for plant which this firm is supplying to the London Midland and Scottish Raliway Company.
F
Messrs. The English Electric Company, Limited, Stafford, have received an order from the Delhi Electric Supply and Traction Company, Limited, for a 1,030- KW Fullagar-engined alternator set. The plant will comprise, an English-Electric Fullagar oppos- ed-piston, mechanical-injection engine, having a normal full-load output of 1,470 b.h.p. at 300 г.p.m, and will be direct-coupled to a 1,030-W alternator with over- hung exciter, generating power "at 8,000/6,800 volts, three-prase, 50 cycles.
Messrs. Tangyes, Limited, Corn- wall Works, Birmingham, have recently obtained orders for some important pumping plants," in- cluding electrically-driven turbine barehole pumps for client's in Kent, the West of England, and the Manchester district; elect- booster rically-driven turbine pumps for Lancashire and the Manchester area; and also a tre- ble-ram pump. a bucket and plunger pump, and pumps for drainage work and for sewage for use in various parts of England.
RACING
MEETINGS: Saturday, 9,15 P.M.
ADMISSIONS
Sunday, 9.15 P.M.
Pari-Mutuels, $1 Cash Sweeps; Members Stand $1, Public Stand 40 cents,
the Cory Hall here to-night. Lord Plymouth presided, and on the platform were a number of local M.P.s and leaders of trade and industry in South Wales,
Mr. Runciman claimed that the Government had not one, but 17, achievements to their credit. These he enumerated as follows:~~ They had balanced the Budget and
remitted 6d, of the lacome-tax. Instead of piling up debts on the Unemployment Insurance Fund they had repaid millions. The cuts were being restored to the
unemployed.
Conversion operations had saved about £40,000,000 in annual in- terest charges,
money they had By cheapening
been helping Industrial organiz- ation and local authorities. Now they were enabled to obtain money cheaper than for two generations.
By a series of trade agreements they had lowered tarling in for- eign markets. He had signed nine agreements, and seven more were in negotiation. Nearly 700,000 more people were at work, and those at work in many trades were working more days a week than a year or two ago.
There was a steady rise in indust
rial securities, and Industrial dividends were beginning once more to appear.
U.S. SILVER FIGHT
Names of Hoarders Divulged
the
Silver futures brcke 1 cent an ounce to-day following the pub Hication of a list of sliver hoarders.
contained The list, which names of many important individ- uals and firms, was, submitted by the United States freasury at the request of the Senate Banking Committee.
The list showed that the Chase National Bank was the largest holder at the metal with '18,000,- ooooz. Other large holders were:
Bank of Manhattan 11.000,- 000oz.
Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, 4,000,00002.
Eastman Kodak Co., 12.400,- 0000%. J
Many of the names on the list are obviously dummies. Two mem- bers of the committee, which gave a banquet at a Washington hotel last night for the silver bloc in Cowgress, were disclosed as holders of silver through their companies. To-day's price of silver is the low- est since January, 1927.
Dunlop Profit. Increase Expectations that the Dunlop Rubber Co. has had a good year were handsomely confirmed after The fron and steel trades had been market hours yesterday, when it
much more satisfactory.
was officially announced that net Coal had improved slightly, but profits, after tax provision, show
mainly in the north.
an increase of '£652,769, and that They had passed an Act of Parlia- the dividend will be 8 pc. This ment that stimulated the pro-is double the 1932 distribution, but duction of motor spirit from coal the increase in profits indicates and other indigenous products. that the dividend could have been They had passed legislation to aid trebled without encroaching on the agriculture, and they were un-carry-forward. In short, the profit dertaking. bold experiments in Agure surpasses all serious estim- organized marketing.
ates lately current in the market. They had passed the greatest Town Final predictions, however, were
and Country Planning Act in his unusually and inexplicably accur tory.
ate, for in the "Street" market it They had done more towards re- was freely rumoured that the pro- housing than any of their pre-nt increase would be £660,000 and decessors.
the dividend 8 p... and the £1 They were entering on the great-units were, marked up accordingly. est crusade against the slums The full accounts, together with that had ever been attempted a consolidated statement, will be in any country.
published in a few days,
-...
They were on the eve of passing into law a great piece of con- structive social reform the Un- employment Insurance Bill.
COAL AND SHIPPING
Mr. Runciman proceeded to dis- cuss measures for helping the coal and shipping trades. The follow- ing were among his points:-- He was glad to see much more at- the tention being devoted to standardization of coal, while railway companies were endes- vouring to carry coal with the minimum of breakage.
In every agreement they had ar- rived at with foreign countries they had made special terms
case
for coal. They were carrying on negotiations
elsewhere, and in each were trying to bring home the importance attaching to the coal
trade
If they could get the iron and steel industries going full blast they would increase the demand for
coal.
WIGHTMAN CUP
America's Team
(Special Air-Mail Service)'
London, May 1. The United States Lawn Tennis Association yesterday selected the following players to represent them in the Wightman Cup match against Great Britain, to be played at Wim- blodon on June 15 and 16:
Miss Helen Jacobs (capt.), Mise Alice Marble,. Mis Sarah Palfrey, Miss Cruikshank,
Miss Carolyn Babcock Mine Jacobs will be playing cap- tain and Mr. James S. Cushman official captain. He will act in the same capacity as did Mr. M. D. Horn to the British Wightman Cupi team last year.
The team leave for Paris on May 10 for the French championships and special match on May 24 Router.
Had it ever occurred to them how the shipping industry was affect- ed by death duties?
Mr Wallis Myres writes!" Their ships had been brought in-
This beam, despite Mrs. Moody's to competition with German re- absence, which was anticipated, is paration ships, and liners had formidable. It may be sarumed Increased their competition with that Misa Jacobs, Miss Marble and tramp steamers.
Miss Palfrey will play in the There were two ways in which singles." The doubles pairs will British shipping could be helped probably be Miss Jacobs and Miss by a great increase of world Palfrey and Miss Marble and traffic or cutting down the Misa Cruikshank. amount of available ships.
Three of the team will be new
It was no use embaring on a lay-to Wimbledon, and of the new
ing-up scheme unless all other countries were parties to it. He asked whether it would not be better to get rid of all old ships, and replace them with new ships of the most modern type.
comers Miss Alice Marble from California, will certainly attract the moet attention. She has the fastest: woman's service I have ever seen.
Miss Nuthall was lucky to beat her in the American championship last year, for, Miss Marble led 5 If the Government were going to in the final set. Mi Jacobs will assist he would not say by way return to the centre court not only of subsidies because much might as a champion who successfully be said against them that as defended her title against the chal- sistance should not be only for lenge of Mrs. Moody last year, but the shipowner but for omcers, as a much improved player, In engineers, and crew w
cidentally, she will wear shorte, having instituted hem at Forest Hille last year
It was only by action that we could restore our Mercantile Marins and re-establish our trade and
Miss Palfrey is now a better player than when, she last appeared he was prepared to sacrifice at Wimbledon and defeated Miss great deal to attain those enda and
Sirven,
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Gas Works Explosion:
Heavy Loss of Life.
If Gossip We must.
Chinese Lady's Talk:
Interesting Speech at Rotary Tiffio.
Far Eastern Olympics:
And Local Sport Results.
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