16 THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



some of the interest and enthusiasm which springs from the understanding 

 of purposes and methods. It is to be remembered always that personal 

 contact has, on the whole, thanks to the better qualities in human nature, 

 a marvellous effect in smoothing out differences. I do not think it is 

 unduly optimistic to welcome the growth of this new type of industrial 

 worker because it can, being in personal intercourse with both capital 

 and labour, supply to each a new outlook on their whole enterprise, 

 especially as that outlook is naturally illuminating and suggestive. For, 

 after all, this is but going back to first conditions. The primitive craftsman 

 has been replaced by separate persons or groups of persons who have slipped 

 away from each other almost without our realising the fact. In the most 

 recent times the separation has become more obvious and more dangerous, 

 and that is why in so many directions efforts are being made to stem it. 

 Can it be good that the workman has a part demanding little intelligence, 

 merely the capacity to repeat ? Can it be expedient that mere manipula- 

 tion should be left in the shop, while design and imagination have gone 

 into the drawing office and shut the door behind them ? Can it be right 

 that the factory directorate should not be in immediate contact with the 

 vast body of scientific knowledge ? 



The present number of industrial research workers is relatively small ; 

 it seems likely to increase, however, in proportion to the extent to which 

 the province of science is better understood. The better understanding 

 I think of as manifesting in the first place in industry itself. I am sure 

 that here it is happily on the increase. There is also a broader view to 

 be taken. There is a pubUc estimation of the value of any calling which 

 affects the numbers and the quality of those who respond. 



I doubt if there is in the first place sufficient appreciation of the interests 

 and rewards in the life of a student of industrial research. The pioneers 

 have suffered unnecessary restrictions and discouragements, but their 

 followers will be in better case. Surely it does not need much imagination 

 to realise the splendid side of such work ? The succession of fresh 

 difficulties to be overcome, and of new and interesting views into the nature 

 of things and ways of the world ; the unforeseen value of results, some- 

 times an immediate prize, sometimes the clearing of an obstacle in a 

 manufacturing process, never less than the discovery of facts which may 

 some day be of use ; the personal association with a living enterprise and 

 with the human spirit behind it. And when it is realised that this kind 

 of work is wanted badly, that it is really serviceable to the community, 

 that there is opportunity for devotion, that it is in touch at once with 



