EDITORIAL. 
without increasing their tasks. In order to obtain the fullest possible 
‘information on the subject, letters were sent to about 100 firms, com- . 
panies, and individual employers, as well as to Chambers of Commerce, 
Chambers of Manufactures, the Bankers’ Institute, associations of 
employers, manufacturers, retailers, &. The response was very satis- 
factory. Some difficulty was experienced in compiling and classifying 
the replies, for many of the schemes-differ so materially that it was 
impossible to group them under general headings. It is hoped that in 
making this information available the Institute may be able to render 
some service to those who are seeking a solution of the complex problems 
which modern industrial organization is giving rise to. In Bulletin 15, 
the principles underlying the welfare movement generally were dis- 
cussed. Bulletin 17 is, in a sense, complementary to the former, but 
it confines itself to descriptions of schemes actually in operation, the 
results of which are being followed with very wide interest. 
WOOLLEN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. 
Of the many Research Associations approved by the Department 
of Scientific and Industrial Research in Great Britain, one of the 
largest is the Association for the Woollen and Worsted Industries. In 
a recent report of the council of that Association reference is made to 
the difficulty. of obtaining first-rate research men, especially those men 
with experience in textiles. Owing to the small number of scientific men 
of high standing working for the advancement of the wool textile 
industry, it-soon became clear that the Association would have to make 
its own experts. A similar difficulty is being experienced by practically 
all the Research Associations which have been formed, and this’ fact, 
perhaps more than any other, serves to emphasize the imperative neces- 
sity for industrial research. Industrial research was so neglected that 
suitable men are not available... The thoroughness with which the work 
has been commenced now that its importance has been realized augurs 
well for success. Preparations are being made, not with the frenzied 
zeal of the reformer, but deliberately and comprehensively, indicating 
that there is stability and permanence behind the movement. A final 
agreement has been entered into with the Government for the payment 
to the Association of £25,000 in respect of a period of five years, dating 
from September, 1918, provided that the Association raises at least 
£5,000 in each of these years. That amount has already been exceeded 
by subscriptions due from members. The Government have further 
agreed that for each additional £1 over and above £5,000, and not over 
£8,000, raised by the Association in any one year of the period, a sum 
of 10s. will be payable. For a sum over £8,000 a subsidy of 5s. will 
be payable; and, when the combined income from private and Govern- 
ment sources reaches £50,000, the rate of any further grant will be the 
subject of special negotiation. This amount may appear large to firms, 
that have spent nothing on research work in the past; but, having 
regard to the magnitude of the industry, it is trifling. The- Association 
points out that the large chemical firm of E. I. du Pont de Nemours 
Company, of Delaware, United States of America, estimated their 
expenditure upon research for the current year at £400,000, and stated 
that 866 chemists would be employed. 
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