1919-10-03 — Page 10

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AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES.

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

PRICES AND PROFITS.

ADOPTION AT: STOCKPORT. LIMITS OF STATE CONTROL.

The old manual system of A Law to control profiteering operating telephone switchboards has come to an end at Stockport. and the automatic system come anto force. Already other towns have adopted the systerf. It is used st Epsom, Hereford, Bur.

lington, Accrington, Chepstow Newport, Portsmouth, Paisley, Dudley, Blackburn, Leeds, and Grimsby. In all these places it is recognised that the auto- matic system is infinitely better than the old one; and indeed its advantages are so obvious that probably in this country, as in the United States, there will soon be no large town unequipped with it. The new appliance has been fitted up in the case of every one of the Stockport telephone sub. scribers: 10,000 test calls have been put through subscriber's Peter and 25.000 through the exchange equipment. The result

to appoint

A

case of commodities of universa demand and-of-world-widezupply RATIONING OF ESSENTIALS, It is, of course, true that in a state of war a Government can

obtain control of the whole sup- is now before the House of Com-ply of articles of absolute neces- sity and сад ration their mons. The following articles by Mr. Harald Cox, appearing in the which each consumer is to pay distribution, fixing the price Sunday Times however will be for the limited amount allotted to read with interest ---

him. This was done during the war with a fair amount of success. The success was not complete, because, as there was a great deal of evasion everybody knows, of the strict rules laid down obtained considerably more than Many people surreptitiously their rations, in spite of the army of spies employed by the Food Department. But rationing re- a dangerous inflation of the prices gulations did, at any rate, prevent of necessary food at a critical period, and to this extent were fully justified.

The popular outcry against profiteering has induced the Gorerament Committee to inquire into pro fits in all stages of production. That is, at any rate, a wiser step than has been taken by the Italian Government which in response to mab riots, issued orders compelling retailers to sell at half the previous prices, with the result that many tailers sbut their shops altogether; being unwilling to sell at a loss even for the pleasure of gratifying a Government in a panic.

The question of the extent to

which a Government can control prices must be answered not by

It must be noted, however, that they only succeeded because they limited the quantity which each

person was entitled to draw.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1919.

SINGAPORE C. OF C

SOME INTERESTING

-QUESTIONS. :

US NAVY.

LOW PAY CAUSES RESIGNATIONS. The half yearly meeting of the Washington, August 21.--With members of the Singapore Cham- the resignations of more than 300- ber of Commerce was held on permanent officers of the regular- September 2% in the Exchange navy already submitted to the de Buildings, Mr. W. P. W. Ker partment and more arriving daily, presiding over a good attendance. Acting Secretary Rooseveli to- The Chairman, after mention-Iday began work on proposed ing the changes in the Com- legislation to be submitted to mittee and the new members Congress suggesting substantial of Mr. Tomlin, and went on to enlisted men of the navy and elected, referred to the departure pay increases for officers and say that the total membership Marine Corps.

Present pay the imports for the first quarter and have not been revised up was 119. With reference to trade tables became effective in 1908,

$193,794,991 as against $181,561.- has increased substantially in al- of the present year amounted toward since, although civilian pas 401 for the corresponding period most every branch of work. they amounted to $233,042,868 given careful last year; for the second quarter High ranking officers who have

study to against $200,682,895. Exports situation believe the efficiency of for the first quarter amounted to the navy is seriously threatened. $205,468,170 against $171,666,143 Most of the resignations have in 1918; and for the second quar- come from the younger officers in ter $199,765,658 as against 193,- the lower grades. the men to 938,375 during the same period whora the country looks for the

tite

has shown an efficiency of 98 per political but by economic con- That is possible in the case of report these increases, and he leadership of its ses forces in the

cent.

HOW TO REGISTER A CALL. The automatic system is very A disc is fixed near the simple. telephone, with numbers from I to 9 and 0 printed clock-wise round its circumference. Above this dise is acother disc which may be revolved, and in this are punctured holes, through each of

siderations. In all times the crowd when it sees prices rising is apt to impute the rise to the malevolent action of profiteers—---- or. as they used to be called in old Acts of Earliament, "forestallers regraters."

&DC

The crowd forgets that in times of plenty these same profiteers sell cheap, and it might have been imagined that

the contrast between the two facts would have been sufficient to show that low prices are not conceded, nor high prices imposed at the mere will of the dealer. If the dealer could make what profit he chose he would charge a high price in times of plenty as well as in times of scarcity.

which a number on the lower disc is seen. If a subscriber wishes to call up number 136, be first takes down the telephone, then places his finger in the hole of the revolving disc through which number 1 shows. Having revolved the disc to its fullest extent, he allows it to swing back again. The same action is repeateil in the case of the 3 and 'the 6. This process completed, the bell of sub- Scriber 136 rings, and connection must be always the relation be- Th finally determining factor is established. Should the sub- tween supply and demand. When scriber called up be engaged, the supply is short and demand is caller telephone gives an inactive, prices rise: when supplies termittent buzz, which is the

prices fall.

WAR CONTROL OF

DRUGS.

bread and meat and sugar and simple necessaries of life, such as coal, but it is not possible in the case of the thousand and one commodities that people daily buy for their own pleasure.

Take, for ing. By

example, cloth mechanism could the State ration what conceivable

clothing? It is indeed true that some of the Fabian Socialists are urged the desirability of compulsory standard clothing, Minister who set any value upon both for men and women, but no

his own neck would venture to attempt to put such a scheine into operation. Women, at any rate, would fight rather than submit to be dressed in standard clothing of standard cut.

Thus, the remedy of rationing, case of necessary foods. fails in which could be applied in the the case of clothing, and in what may be called all the et ceteras of life.

'engaged signal. The outstand. are plentiful and demand moderate THE CONSUMER CALLS THE TUNE.

The people who clamour overlook the fact that it is the against high prices habitually

consumer who calls the tune.

Unless people were willing to pay a high price rather than go with out the thing they want. prices would fall.

last year. It was satisfactory to

These officers. years to come. Peace had been signed trade year. Most of them Annapolis was confident that now that receive from $1,700 to $3,000 a would rapidly develop. With re- graduates capable of earning gard to Harbour Board returns much higher salaries in during the half year under re- civilian life.

say they find view 1234 vessels of a nett in impossible to support their registered tonnage of 2,245,899 families. on their pay In this 1058 of 1,669,772 tons in the same ed attention to the many classes tons used the wharves against connection one rear-admiral call- period of 1918. Coal and cargo of ordinary labour in civilian life handled was about the same, the who earn larger salaries than do increase being only about 1,000 naval officers who are responsible tons and 30,000 tons respectively. daily for many lives and thon- As to exports, contrary to ex-sands of dollars worth of Govern- pectations Singapore had been ment property. well supplied with tonnage, the

For the present, Acting Secret- improvement commencing quite ary Roosevelt said to-day, no soon after the Armistice was action will be taken on the resign- signed and large cargoes have ations now on file, peading been got away. In the matter of attempts to readjust the pay imports there was a serious break tables. Already short nearly 2,000 in values generally after hostili officers on the basis of the narr's ties ceased and the beginning of peace time strength. Mr. Roos- the year saw prices lower than evelt said that unless the salary they had been for some years, revision is obtained the navy faces Since then the position had the awkward choice of retaining gradually righted itself and the a large number of officers against market had now more confidence their will with subsequent dis- in the maintenance of a higher content and dissatisfaction, or scale of values. In the early accepting the resignations. An- part of the year the tir market napolis graduates have been ceased to exist and as they trained at a Government expense were aware the F.M.S Govern-of more than $20,000 each, he said, ment came to the rescue of and even though other condidates the industry by buying large might be obtained in the future quantities of the metal at a time to take their places, it would take buyers were almost entirely out when European and American years to train them.

ing advantage of this system is the speed with which it works. from which there is no escape. This is the broad, general truth A manual operator, as a rule, is

It is not, however. the whole in charge of about 80 subscribers. It often happens that five or six stor. There are. for example. of them are calling at

certain commodities of limited once: and obriously some time must

use, and it is possible in certain states of the market for a few elapse before ell can be

dealers to obtain control of the answered and put through. whole of the supplies of such The real cause of the high prices Take, for example. strawberries. The automatic system deals with commodities. and artificially to that them all at once. Then, again," indate the price for their own fetching is that there is an im- steadily improved as the year got the entire regalar navy in the

strawberries have been under the manuel system a subs benefit. criber often has difficulty in

mense population with sufficient wetting his line cleared between the outbreak of the war it became luxury of buying strawberries, rubber this opened at 774 cents

Drugs are a case in point. At available cash to indulge in the

also. happily, to the Government, people willing to pay 1s. 6d.

of the market. The position had

older and stocks have been absorbed by the markets. As to

two quickly following calls. der the automatic system the line is infallibly and instantene that there would be a shortage in pound for strawberries it would relapse took place. the lowest 191 doctors, twenty-five chaplains. ously cleared by the mere hanging up of the receiver. To each telepule is attached a meter for recording the number of calls made: the hanging up of the Feceiver causes the figure to be ticked up against the subscriber from whom the call basoriginated, just as it is done by the moter of

taxi-cab.

THE "HOWLER."

Delinquencies on the part of subscribers are automatically re- corded at the exchange. If a receiver is left of, for example, within three or four minutes a

as

The

NOTICES.

RED WING THOROBRED

THE MARINE MOTOR WITH POWER TO SPARE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This motor is a four cycle, four cylinder L bead type motor. In general appearance it is compact and clean cut, yet there has been incorporated the greatest degree of accessibity for such. adjustments as daily service requires. Careful design and manufacture under the most rigid system of inspection and final test ensures a motor of extreme refinements, that is quiet, smooth running and powerful with the added and very important feature of economy of operation. The large valves, free intake and exhaust passages and carefully balanced and light weight reciprocating parts make this motor unusually powerful at the slow speeds as well as the higher speeds up to 1400 R.P.M. There is no unpleasent vibration at the high speeds.

In order that this motor shall stand up and have endurance under severe conditions, there have been provided literal pro- portions of such feature as bearing area, water jacket volume and connecting rod & crank shaft strength. Lubrication is direct and positive. The use of accurately graduated, helical timing gears and entirely enclosed and lubricated push rods, valve springs, etc. inake one of unusual silence in operation. 4 MODELS IN STOCK-14 TO 40 HORSE POWER

SHEWAN TOMES & CO.

MOTOR DEPARTMENT. Garage No 7 Russell St.

'Phone 659,

TABAQUERIA FILIPINA

HIGH-CLASS TOBACCONISTS

WE BEG TO NOTIFY OUR CUSTOMERS THAT OUR STORE IS NOW OPENED AND WE INVITE YOUR IN- SPECTION OF OUR HIGH- CLASS GRADES OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO.

TABAQUERIA FILIPINA

More resignations are now on ale than had been received from

last thirty years. Since 1898 the average has been seven a rear. ing action are those of more than Among resignations now await- steady until June when a slight seventy-five officers of the line, certain essential drugs, and an,

be perfectly ridiculous for the point touched for No 1 sheet a score of supply officers and sine attempt was made to corner the State to interfere and say that being 6416 cents. Since then naval constructors. supply. The action then taken by the dealer must sel: at le. The values had improved and during · MäRoosevelt said a similar con- illustration of the useful functions dealer would at once step in and soared to the Government is an excellent only effect would be that a sub-

the last few days the price haddition of low salaries applied to over $1 per pound. warrant officers, non-commission- in commercial matters when it is and sell again at a profit to him- which a Government can exercise buy from the authorised dealer With regard to the river improve ed officers and enlisted men, and proceeding on sound economic self.

ment scheme the demand for that only legislative action can shortage accommodation up the solve the problem. He expects to lities.

To prevent such evasions as

river was still very brisk and submit recommendations to Con- A special department was con- this in regard to all the articles suitable sites were commanding gress next week. stituted at the headquarters of that are daily bought and sold it high prices. The need for the the National Health Insurance would be necessary to employ deepening of the river was just and further to serious break- Commission (England) to deal half the nation to spy upon the as urgent now as it was a year downs in the Pacific cable. with the drug question, and. other half. Rationing can only go and he hoped that now times Eastern Company had also bad incidentally, it is worth mention he applied to a limited number of were normal the work would be trouble with breakdowns at ing that, to the crèdit of this articles of more or less standard put in hand without delay. With various times but repairs had now bell rings and a coloured lamp department it conducted all its character. Against high prices reference to the new Chamber of been effected and the service was glows at the exchange. Then an

operations without engaging any for other articles the consumer

Commerce, as they knew, the gradually improving and the use instrument known

the fresh officials and without any must protect himself or herself Government

had expressed of codes now permitted would hawler" is turned on to the de cost to the State. Its first step-by Ine

device of simple

their willingness to was to warn all dealers in the buying linquent's telephone, and his

grant tend to reduce the volume of the less! The State. the Chamber # site in traffic. Touching upon the War attention is called to the amission drugs where a shortage was ought only to be called upon to Robinson Rd. on which to erect & Tax Ordinance of 1919 the Chair- The automatic system is not used expected that they rau consider interfere when there is clear new Chamber of Commerce, man went on to say that this year for trunk calls. A new manual able financial risks in speculating evidence of a conspiracy on the Rubber Auction Room and an as they knew was the centenary switchboard has been installed at a rise in price, because the part of the producers to form a Exchange. Their architects were of the foundation of Singapore Stockport to deal with these. Government might interfere and fix ring to hold up prices. The case now having borings put down but and it was greatly to be regretted The subscribers must call the prices. The corner instantly came of drugs was given above as an up to now the foundations had, that it was in this year of all exchange by dialling" the ex- to an end, and the range of prices illustration. A more immediate he regretted to say," not been others that our rulers should have change number, and the con- was subsequently determined, not iy pertinent illustration is that of found very satisfactory. He had, started imposing a tax on ship- nection between the Stockport by the arbitrary action of a few coal. A gigantic conspiracy has however, heard that day that ping. He would ask them to give

A strong movement is on foot subscriber, working under the new speculators, but by the broad been successfully organised by than the site immediately adjoin-pressing that the part of the Bill

hoy had found better foundations their unanimous support

for recognition of Provencal, the system, and the person called up, relations between demand and the Miners Federation of Great

language of southern France, 25 working under the old system, supply. The drug department, Britain to hold up the supply of Teluk Ayer market at the corner referring to the taxation of ship-

Three-fourths of the diamonds a distinct tongue from French, will be established at this new in order to secure that that broad coal in order to extort increased of Japan Stand, the seaside.. Heping be at once repealed. With placed on the market are pur- Price fixing can be dated as far switchboard Ner has the new relation should be in favour of payment from the public to the proposed to write the Government regard to exchange as they knew chased in the United States. back as, the fourth century when system been applied to telephones the British consumer, took the members of the Federation. But asking them if they could have during the last few days the trade

All Delaware's daily news-Diocletian placed the price of worked by coins in a box. These further step of prohibiting the instead of taking any stops to the option of the other site, which of the Colony had been temporari-papers are pablished in one city eggs at 5 cents a dozen. telephones, too, will ricg through export of drugs of which there crush this conspiracy the State was nearer the town for it wouldly held up by persistent rumours

Wilmington.

Regular tidal movements occur to the new manual exchange, and was a shortage, and also encour- has only intervened to assist the

be certainly rather "smelly" that the value of the Straits dollar Serbia's total loss in lives dur-in Lake Superior. the operators there will make the aged the import even of enemy Federation in fleecing the public. ce to cables, their Committee India and Siam. To clear up the one-fifth of the former popula- tuberculosis.

next to the market. With refer- would be raised in sympathy with ing the war is 800,000, or about connection. It any subscriber is in made drugs through neutral a difficulty, he can, of course, call countries.

took up with Government the position their Committee waited tion the exchange, just as he could

serious inconvenience which was under the old system, for the

being caused by the delays which exchange will bare a number

were at one time taking place. which may be dialled "like that

The position seemed to be that of an ordinary subscriber.

the Eastern Extension cables had The initial Stockport plant

been very heavily laden with provides for 950 subscribers, with

traffic due to the Indo-European an ultimate capacity for 2,260.

line still being out of operation

On

This example of what can be done in the matter of special JAPANESE HONOUR. articles of a comparatively rare

Mr. D. H. Blake, of Yokohama, character by an intelligently a prominent foreign resident for managed department gives not years, was decorated on Septem- the slightest ground for theber 19, with the Fourth Order of popular belief that & Government the Rising Sun, on the eve of his can regulate prices at will in the departure for London.

in

10, Des Vœux Road Central, Opposite

King Edward Hotel.

BREVITIES.

Leprosy is less infectious than Rice is the principal diet of one- on to the Colonial Secretary on American experts have perfect-third of the human race, Friday last and as they would ed the highest grade of photo In Arabia the borse is a favourite have seen from themorning paper, graphic, paper, which formerly article of fresh food. prompt action had been taken was imported from Europe.

In Toronto no funeral was ever and the Secretary of State had The fastest trip around the complete without me, for I was given assurance that no change world was made by John Henry the only man in the country who in the value of the dollar was or Mears in 1913-25 days, 11 hours possessed a tall hat. Sir Hamar had been contemplated.

and 36 minutes.

Greenwood.

MUSTARD & CO.

PYREN

KILLS FIRE SAVES MONEY

PROTECTS

TEL. NO. 1186

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