1916-09-07 — Page 2

Page

INTIMATIONS

NEW SHIPMENT

OF

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER (TH 1916.

VICTOR VICTROLAS

AND

VICTOR RECORDS

RECEIVED BY THE

"

RUSSIA' AND

MARU,'

"EMPRESS

OF

S.S.

** PACOMA

S.

INCLUDING THE TATEST

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN SUCCESSES.

DIGNITY IN CAPTIVITY. GERMAN OFFICER PRISONER IN KID GLOVES..

An officer writing from the front says: Yesterday morning Pozieres fell into cur hands, after a terrific bombardment. during the night. I never heard any; thing like it for intensity, although it did not last so long as some of the others I have heard. The Australians who were here the other day in the village, took the place without great loss.

AIRCRAFT FACTORY.

METHODS.

COMMITTEE'S REPORTS, THE VIEWS OF THE AIR BOARD.

The Report of the Committes on the Royal Aircraft Factory and the Report to the War Committee by the Air Board on the Factory have been issued as a Parliamentary Paper.

The numbers now engaged in the cen tral office, stores, and other departments of a non-productive nature, reveal an organization more liberal than is guher- ally found in Government establishments, and on a scale unknown to the Committee in private works.

Experiments and other manufacture have not infrequently been delayed owing to lack of material. A carefully selected larger stock of materials constantly used should more than earn the interest on the enpital involved.

TRADE FOLICY AND SECURITY.

GOVERNMENT INQUIRY

As briefly announced by cable, the Prime Minister has appointed a Com-·* mittee.to consider the commercial and in- dustrial policy to be adopted after the war, with special reference & the conclu sons reached at the Economic Confer cuce of the Allies, and to the following questions

(a.)-What industries are essential to

establish them..

An experimental establishment of this In their report the Committee, after I had a long conversation with two enumerating the various functions of the magnitude should be provided with a officers who were taken prisoners, and Royal Aircraft Factory, say it is ap-full equipment of labour-saving devices, the futare safety of the nation; and what were in the prisoners cage before going parent that the War Office has laid it which are undoubtedly necessary for. back behind the line. Both of them sok down that the Royal Airerat Factory economic and most rapid prodretion.eps should be taken to mintain or (b.)What steps should be taken tu re ed rather dilapidated, but the nien, should be devoted to experimental rather From such resources, properly utilized, about Do of them, were fairly fine speci inan manufacturing purposes. Proceed- a reduction in number of employees now

necessarily working round a particular cover home and foreign trade lost during

the war, and to secure new markots, nents, but the officers told me that theying, the Committee say :- were mostly munchine gunners and picked

The Royal Aircraft Factory cannot, operation could be effected.

(c.)To what extent and by what means The Committee understood from Gene men. Although much on their dignity, therefore, be regarded as an establish one of the officers admitted that we had eat working en strictly commercial ral Sir David Henderson that he has con- the resources of the Empire should and done well, but he excused himself by say lines: it is rather a very large experi templated strengthening the Department can be developed.

(d.)-To what extent and by what means.

that it was impossible to expect bix war-

in the United Kingdom, where experi-transferring the designs portion of the weary mien to hold out against them; heats are enrried out to full scale, there Royal Aircraft Factory to London, but can be prevented from falling under fer- Riso admitted that the Australians were fore expruses must necessarily be high, they are strongly of opinion that any eign control.

The Committer is composed as fol- sury brave and fearless men. The Experiments upon models to reduced attempt to separate the designs branch

lows:--- the National from the shops would be disastrous, scale are conducted by seem to havé no fear of death." he said."

What seemed to stick most in this Physical Laboratory us and when re- officer's' gizzard was the fact that he was quired by the Aeronautical Committee or shut up in the same cage as his men, it may be by the Royal Aireralt Factory. The only manufacturing work done though there was a piece of wire be tween them; also that his position was since the war began seems to have been terribly infra dig, and uncomfortable. output of about 30 non-experimental He said, I am not used to sleeping machines and the manufacture of spare parts to meet urgent demands. The Officers always sleep open.

with

So 1 reminders for spare parts are very numerous, etl kimit was war time.Het mostly for small quantities; they, replied, "Yes, yesterday I was a gentle however, aggregate a fair total and their an: to-day 1 as a monkey behind irst the Royal Aircraft Factory. It is, there- production is an important hinction of hara. True, they were not very cour fare, Cisential that their manufacture fortable, as they had to lie on some chalky despatch should be contrate and ground alongside of a sunken rond.

ling that the Australians were so fresh mental laboratory, probably the largest of Aircraft Equipment in Londone sources of supply within the Empire

the

MOUTRIE & CO., LTD., be

EXCLUSIVE AGENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL.

MAURICE F. BANDMANN PRESENTS

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COMMENCING

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IT'S THE BEST.

1103

[1005

J. P. MORGAN'S ESTATE.

VALUED AT $09.409,732 NET.

'the'

expeditious,

or engine, but also as regards the course through which the components pass in the various stages from the raw materiał to the huished article.

During the course of our inquiries it was brought somewhat prominently to notier that a considerable amount Di criticism adverse to the Royal Aircraft Factory administration has been voiced by the Press, and apparently also by the neromantical trade generally. It is pos sible that it may be due to the occurrénye of very numerous alterations made after the issue of manufacturing drawings not the fault of the Royal Aircraft Factory, the fault of which must wholly rest with and also to absolute errors to drawings the Royal Aircraft Factory.

Total assets of J. Pierpont Morgan's estate, as appraised for inheritance tax purposes, are $78.140.021. This is exelu.

Our attention has been drawn rive of property outside New York State several cases of errors in drawings issued and of a reminder interest which passed to the trade, which with proper organi by virtue of a power of appointmentation ought not to have been passed. vested in Mr. Morgan.

CONCLUSIONS,

The following are among the conelu signs drawn by the Committee:

Summing up, the Commitee say that while fully alive to the ungrudging work done ander the trying conditions of wat pressure by the Superintendent and staff of the Royal Aircraft Factory, they think there are parts of the organization and management where improvements ar possible.

ACQUESTIONS.

The Right Hon. Lord Balfour, of Bur- leigh, K.T., G.C.M.G. (chairman), Mr. Arthur Balfour, Mr. H. Gosling.

...

Mr. W. A. S. Hewins, M.P. Mr. A. H. Illingworth, M.P... Sir J. P. Madny, Bt.

The Right Hon. Sir A. Mond, B., M.P. Mr. Arthur Pense.

Mr. R. E. Prothero, M.F. Sir Frederick H. Smith, Bt. Mr. J. Wardle, M.P."

together with the following gentlemen, who are presiding over Board of Trade Committees on the position of important industries after the war

Sir H. Birchenough, K.C.M.G, Lord Faring on. Sir C. G; Hyde,

The Hou, Sir C. A. Parsons, K.CB...

F.R.S.

Lord Rhondda.

Mr. G. Scoby-Smith.

GERMAN PAPERS ON "VERDUN ·

OVERSHADOWED."

The Air Board do not share the view of

The report of the Committee closes A board of management be forined com- with the following suggestions:- sisting of a chairman or director of the Royal Aircraft Factory, a Superinten dent of Designs and a Superintendent of Manufacture, alf preferably civilians, I could not help smiling to mywif at We were informed (the Committee add) who should give their whole time to the their lack of hour and absurd opinion test the preparation of a complete design affairs of the factory, and a military distinctive executive they had of themselves. Just picture these | of a new acroplane occupies from six to adviser without two German officers anything but smart nine months before any practical_build duties. The three last-named gentlemen ja fact very bedraggied after two daysing in quantities eari eammen. During should tank equally with one another

on the board. without a slave or wash one in dark this period it is understood that the full

The director should be well equipped green, uniforin, the other in a Prussian. size experimental machines are being bla uniforma, with his long blue cal produced in the shops concurrently with with previous commercial and seicalifi looking very dirty and worn and he in the preparation of the working draw engineering qualifications and experi

Mr. Perey Ashley, of the Board of self most bedraggled, Then to crownings. We were further informed that itence, but it is not essential that he should Trace, and M. G. C. Upcott, of the all he was wearing a rather light pair of does not infrequently happen that the possess any intimate or previous know kid gloves, which seemed to give him an exigencies of war pressure have rando.itdge of aviation. He should be selected Treasury, have been appointed secretaries almost comedian's touch; so absurd did necessary to place orders with the trade for his recognized ability in administrate the Committee.

loves appear in his present surround for complete machines before the governtion and managemen

The organization suggested would be I felt almost sorry for hing, being designs are completed in all particu looked so ridiculous and ret so much on lars. It is almost inevitable that up to much assisted by the appointment of a his dignity. He seemed to cling to his the time the design is actually finished civilian of high standing and suitable

The German war correspondents writ gloves as an emblem of respectability and proved by the experimental machine, qualifications as Controller, of Aircraft because when I saw him brought in yes alterations in dimensions of parts will be Supplies, with beadquarters in Londoning from the German Headquarters in terday evening he was still wearing them. liable to occur. When orders have been and among his duties the direct commu- France state that the first week of the I gathered from these officers they were placed with the trade before, sach a connications with contractors and the Royal Anglo-French offensive resulted in only rather surprised, that we have done as dition of affairs has been arrived at, con- Aircraft Factory.

As the Committee believe that the a partial success for the Allies. They ad- much as we had, ami that our troops were tractors must be called upon to alter,

good as thing am and our artillery it may be even to serap and reproduce capacity of the incirry could be greatly it, however, that there is ample sige separate. I asked what they, thought of parts affected. Payment is, we under augmented without increasing the num that the movement is only just beginning the present situation. They said.

stand, maur in compensation for such ber of employees, they suggest that this and that it will spread to a much wider pon, lure won five kilometres, but it is a variations.

should be arrived at in the shape of front. They speak highly of the courage unished from here to Brussels: but you The whole administrative system ap-additional current manufacture of acro- of the German infantry, who, they say, will get no further," They were very pears to us to be extremely elaborate, pinney and engines, without impairment are fighting millions of savages" armed sausch concerned, as to whether hero was both as regards the records of all par and indeed with increased efficiency by the munition factories of the whole any danger of being torpedoed when culars of material used in the mant the experimental functions of the Royal world, The Tageblatt says that the going over to England, as they heard that facture of cacis part of an aeroplane, Aircraft Factorynuous efforts should be character that they completely overshadow operations on the Somme are of such a very few hosts ever got across. I told

· Special them they might get across safe, but in

made immediately both by the Royal the Battle of Verdun in importance. all probability they would be sent to the

Aircraft Factory and by financial assist ance, it Isle of Man, in which case there was

necessary, to the trade, so that very good chane of going under: They

the most rapid production of all the high-capacity of Consulting Engineer to the Director-General of Military Aeronautics replied. Isn't there a signal given on

powered engines may be setured the steamer that it is carrying German

It would be better, that direct contact at the War Office.

Under the Superintendent, as now pro prisoners which I thought was rather

with contractors, including the issue to pused, there should be heel of this priceless,

them of drawings, should he

and Design branch and a head of the Pro- through a third parts. Coduction branch. Every effort should be troller of Aircraft Supplies, and ant by made to obtain the persons best qualified the Royal Aircraft Factory. Inquiries for these postu, should first of all be made to the officer aming drawings, presumably the Con troller of Aircraft Supplies, and the Committee that a Military Adviser with distinctive executive duties should be into touch with the Royal Aircraft Fac indicated by the Committee can in their should put any particular, contractor attached to the factory. The functions tory in order that any desired informa

be better discharged by the totion, data, or explanations any, when rection of Aircraft Equipmen: at the

required, be afforded direct. This course War Office. would also keep track of alterations, if The Board share the view of the Cun- any, from the original approved designs,mittee that communication between the Of course, the Controller of Aircraft Royal Aircraft Factory and contractors Supplies and the Director of the Factory should be redwed to a trimium, would be in reasonably close touch.

The Board do not, however, think it No useful purpose would be served al

necessary to create a' post of Controller this juncture by the submision of recom

of Aircraft Supplies for the purpose of ind created in 1867 by Mr. Morgan's existener. On its present wages enst the mendations as to the central office and acting as intermediary between the fac stores. I actually too elaborate, as they tory and the contractors. These func father, Junius Spencer Morgan, for the factory efficiency could be enhanced as an benefit of Frances Louisa Aracy Morgan | Sperimental lace and a scistantially seem at present, the re-arrangement of tions can be adequately discharged by

increased value of finished work pro-

duties suggested would naturally lead to the Department of Military Aeronautics duced, provided a sharp line of demaren some change in this direction, but at the War Office, as at present con- tion be drawn between experimentation should preferably be left for the action stituter. and commercial productivity, and the of the new board of management,

The proposal of the Committee that the factory be prorganized and managed as

ATE BOARD'S COMMENTS,

eupreity of the factory should be directed nearly as possible upon a commercial and

The report to the War Committee by to an increase of the current manufac engineering basis,

the Air Board on the subject of the Royal ture of aeroplanes and engines. raises a Aircraft Factory, which is issued with difficult question. There is the report just dealt with signed by that from a financial point of view such no doubt Lord Carzon. It pays a tribute to the extension is desirable. The larger the valuable public service done by Sir proportion of production to experiment, Richard Burbidge's Committed, but the the more credilable will the balance-sheet Board think that in certain respects the of the factory appear. Լ: :

On the other report may give not altogether correct hand, not only does the present produe pression, and with some of its recom-tion of the factory, limited, as it is. mendations they are not disposed to arouse, some measure of suspicion in the The Board find that in the table of such extension in the case of engines is. rainds of private manufacturers, but any percentages of the total absorbed by under existing conditions, impracticable. the various classes of work carried out An increased production of engines could in the Royal Aircraft Factory" the only be obtained if new shops were built. higure of 35 per cent., accepted by Colonel But there is no room for their construc- 'Gorman, represented new experition, and even if there were, no output mental, construction, &c., services, and could be obtained in less than 10 months. not construction of aeroplanes." The The object to be aimed at, in the view proportion of the work which represents of the Air Board, is an increase in the actual constraction of ainruft is very output of aeroplanes by an improved During the period of war activity the much smaller, probably less than 10 per organization of the existing staff. No inancial resources placed at the disposal cent. This is a misapprehension which it reduction should be made in the amount of the factory for experimental purposes appears to the Board very desirable to of experiment conducted at the factory. have been ample to allow experimental correct.

On the contrary, this is the aspect of work to be expeditiously performed in As regards the measures which should their work which it is desirable to em- efficient maury, and in a degree which be taken to improve the administration phasize by every possible means. should have placed useful and essential of the factory, the Air Board have come The Board have had under special con data at the disposal of the War Office to the following conclusions, which are sideration the guestion of increasing the Admiralty, and private trade. The Comin conformity with the recommendations output of engines by the trade, Mach is mitice have no information as to the of Sir D. Henderson, and in which they heing done in this direction, but the extent which the Admiralty have availed are hopeful that the Army Council will limiting factor is not financial assistance, which has not been stinted, but the lack themselves of the data put a their dis

They do not share the view of the Com of skilled mechanics, The Board have pasal,

The emoluments offered to heads of

a Board of Management. Such The Committee have not dealt with the It stated that the offers responsible were ability have been too low and are hardly an arrangement, however suitable for allegations, which have been made public. Brigadier-General Roe. who was acting

likely to attract many highly qualified private factory, would in practice be of defective internal administration of retain found ill-adapted to the exigencies of the factory, such as that the workmen Central Ufer Commanding at Karachi, their services. The work done by the military organization. They hold strong employed were inadequately employed or as Quartermaster-General at the time, the gentlemen, or if attracted, lo and the Assistant-Diretor of Bigdical Staff merits more consideration than hasly that the factory should be under the extravagantly paid.

The Board have Services at Karachi. Mr. Chainberlain hitherto been accorded. The weakness direction of a single Superintendent, examined this point, but think it best expressed his concurrence with the pro- inherent to a system of ander payment possessing the special qualifications of that the complaints on these heads should posal of the Govermeneut of India to re has been most materially counteracted business experience and administrative he referred to the new Superintendent of

ove them from their appointinents. Sir since the outbreak of the war, because canacity required for the past

the Factory, who should raake it his duty, Colonel O'Gorman has, in their at an early date, to report upon them Clement Kinlochy Cooke asked that these any gentlemen of the highest ability and officers should not be given other posi standing, whose emoluments in private opinion, rendered eminent public service and to remedy any abuses which he may

in the design and construction of air find to exist, tions of responsibility Mr. Chamberwork command salaries of possibly many lain replied that the Government of hundreds or even thousands per annum, craft, and they think that these abilities can best be employed in the future in the India could be trusted net to do anything are working at salaries so small as to be of the kind.

(Continued on nezi Column.) negligible in their cases,

Deductions consisting of debts, ad- ministration expenses and executors' com- missions amount to 80,701,244, leaving the net estate $68,384.00. To this is added $4,115.052, the present value of a trust

and over which J. P. Morgan had the power of appointment..

The total of all properis subject to the inheritance tax is therefore 800.49,722 It is estimated that the tax will be about $3,000,000 of which the estate has already paid 22.500.000 in order to get the benefit of reduction allowed for prouse pay

ment

The largest single iren is Mr. Morgan's interest in the Brms of J. P. Morgan Co. of New York and Drexel & Co., of Philadelphia appruised 21 829,576,847.77. The second largest is slocks and boads. $18,083.001.

The famous Morgan collection of ari objects, including paintings. porcelains, tapestries, rugs, ivuries and bronzes reached the great value of $20,331 609,

The collection of books, manuscripts" and prints in the Morgan library, includ ing an astonishing number of original manuscripts of famous works and of Best. editions, is appraised by Kirby n $4,000,666.50. The mammcripts separately. are scheduled at $2,844,555,

The Morgan real estate Ís apyraised w $2,970,946.

THE INDIAN TROOP TRAIN SCANDAL

In the House of Commons last month Mr. Chamberlain announced that three officers who were held to be responsible for the Indian troop train scandal had been removed from their appointments, He read a long telegran from the Govern

Such an experimental establishment as the Royal Aircraft Factory should be in

The existing undesirable, trade feeling should he met and, if possible, overcome, and the competition of the Reval Air raft Factory with the Trade should not. -if prasumably administered, be the curse it say detrimental friction trade

reling.

If the cumplaint that British airmen suffer from want of speed in, seroplanes is well founded, there would appear to have been some lack of foresight (whe ther on the part of the Royal Aircraft Factory or the War Office is not clear) as to the size of engines required to meet war conditions. The Committer are in formed that higher powered engines are now being bought from the trade, that some have already been delivered, and are being fitted into conenrrently

praxinued machines.

concar.

concur,

་

ment of Indix dealing with the inatter.deparutents and others of high technical that the factory should be placed taken independent, action is this respect.

Any measures of reorganization of the Royal Aircraft Factory should be adopt ed with the concurrence of the Air Board.