INDUSTRY IN GERMANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3366, 4 November 1911, Page 9

INDUSTRY IN GERMANY.

EDISON SAYS TECHNICAL METHODS. NOT SO ADVANCED Ab 1 AMERICAN.

A scientifically trained observer, Edison invites more than ordinary attention by his comments upon tilings European. Although a candid he is also an impartial critic, noting as freely these directions in which America, in his opinion, lags behind as those others in which he considers we have an unmistakable lead.

We have been informed that in tho matter of roads and highways the Unit-'-ed States has much to learn from certain European countries, and that our bread does not begin to compare with the staff of life as prepared for the table in France.

Various other comments might be cited to show that the great inventor is not abroad for the purpose of disparaging foreign motliods, nor of boosting those of America, but solely to observe in order that he might be enabled to form an enlightened opinion. These facts, coupled with his exceptional qualifications, both as an inventor and a man who for a lifetime lias been closely associated with many and various of the largest manufacturing enterprises of this country, make his criticism of German industrial methods all the more interesting. His contention that “with all their industrial growth the Germans’ technical methods and appliances are far inferior to ours” reverses not only the verdict of German writers, but of nuinv thinkers in this country.

Whenever a plea is made for technical education the orator invariably points to Germany as the country in which such training has reached l its highest development and its Largest extent, and as the nation whose commercial and industrial expansion is due to the application of that training. As to the number of technological institutes in Germany, there is no question but that, in proportion to population, it exceeds that of any other country. It may also be admitted, that Germany leads in the extent of purely scientific research- having for its object the improvement of industrial methods. Science is there subsidised directly by manufacturing concerns to a greater degree than elsewhere. And yet, if Edison be correct, and it is certainly a question upon which he is entitled to speak with the voice of authority, either that science is not so fruitful of practical results or these l'esults are not so readily adopted as in this country.—San Francisco “Chronicle.”