
NATURE 
385 


SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1923. 
CONTENTS. 
Labour and Science in Industry. By F. S. M. 
An Antarctic Saga. By Dr. Hugh Robert Mill 
Indian Irrigation. By Dr. Brysson Cunningham 
Scientific Societies in the British Isles 
Aluminium and its Alloys. By C. H. D.. 2 
Our Bookshelf ‘ “ A : - . 
Letters to the Editor :— 
The ‘a, ap Hypothesis of Continental Drift.—Dr. 
John W. Evans, F.R.S. F 3 : = 
The Function of Mendelian Genes. Prof. E. W. 
MacBride, F.R.S. 
Definitions and Laws of Motion in | the Principia.” 
Prof. W. Peddie; Prof. F. E. Hackett . 
The Resonance Theory of Hearing. Sir James W. 
Barrett, K.B.E. ; George Wilkinson - 
Stirling’s Theorem. "James Strachan . 
Echinoderm Larve and their Bearing on Classifica 
tion.—Dr. F. A. Bather, F.R.S. . 
Constitution of Black Maketu Sand. — C. J. 
Smithells and F. S. Goucher . s 
Scientific Periodicals for Czech Students. — Mrs. 
B. O. Tufnell 
The Egyptian World in the Time of ‘Titeekhamen. 
By Dr. H. R. Hall F 
Recent Advances in Photographic ‘Theory. (tu. 
trated.) By Dr.C. E. K. Mees . : 
Obituary :— 
Dr. James Gow. By T. L. H. 
Rev. William Wilks . 
Sir Ernest Clarke. By Dr. J. A Voelcker 
Current Topics and Events . . A E 
Research Items F : 5 
The Indian Science Bongrse by Prof c. v. 
Raman 3 
The Exploitation of. the Sen. By i I 
Solar Radiation 
Botulism in Scotland b 
Building Construction Research : : 
Diseases of Plants in Eee in 1920-21. By Dr. 
E. J. Butler, C.I.E. % 3 - 
Wave-Power Transmission : 
University and Educational telicelaae 
Societies and Academies . < : - d s 
Official Publications Received . ‘ . 2 2 
Diary of Societies . F 5 : 3 + 


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Labour and Science in Industry. 
HE statement issued by the Trade Union Congress 
on February 19 entitled ‘‘ The Attack on Labour 
Standards ” calls for notice from those interested in 
the scientific organisation of industry. It is stated 
quite truly that “ During the last 150 years industrial 
conditions have been revolutionised. Labour-saving 
devices have been introduced: steam and electric 
power have been developed, and the increased pro- 
ductive capacity of industry following innumerable 
inventions and scientific discoveries has enabled those 
who work by hand and brain to increase enormously 
their output.” But if this increase in mechanical 
power is to be labour-saving, it must not, they go on 
to say, be at the expense of those who labour, and they 
have some fear that an attempt is being made “ to 
utilise the present ‘slump’ for the purpose of degrad- 
ing conditions of employment to the lowest possible 
point.” In particular it is claimed that a reduction in 
the hours of labour is the only means of enabling the 
workers to share in the triumphs of civilisation and 
industrial peace, and that a firm front must be main- 
tained on that point. 
It would be impossible in a short article, and un- 
suitable in these columns, to enter on a discussion of 
the detailed questions involved in various industries 
at the present day; but the general question is one 
of the highest moment. Seeing that the application 
of science to industry has transformed society in the 
period referred to, and has indirectly affected politics, 
art, education—in fact every side of Western life—it 
behoves us to consider with the utmost care how far 
the mass of the workers has benefited by the change. 
By this it must ultimately be judged, for whatever 
may be the eternal value or eternal permanence of 
knowledge in itself, as soon as we apply it to the 
conditions of our life, it must be judged by the effects 
on the whole people and not on the few. As a human 
being, enjoying the products of industry, the happiness 
of the manual worker has an absolutely equal claim 
to moral or legal consideration with that of those who 
direct or organise his work. 
This will scarcely be questioned nowadays on the 
employing side. Are not the “ workers ” on their side 
now ready to agree that, so far as we can judge in 
so difficult a matter, since the Trade Union action 
and legislation of the last three-quarters of a century, 
the conditions of the working-class are both happier, 
more intelligent, and more humane than they were 
before Watt invented the steam-engine ? 
But, it will be said, is not the betterment, if real, 
due not to science, but to legislation and other 
action necessitated by the evils which the industrial 
