BRITISH ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURERS' AS SOCIATION. In administration two main principles have governed the development of the electrical industry in Great Britain--large-scale production and co-operation of manufac turers within a central trade association. Both principles are closely related, since effective co-operation can only take place in an industry when a certain degree of concentration has been effected between manufacturers. Thus, in British electrical en gineering proper, four large firms with an annual output exceeding 128 millions, and, in cable manufacture, six firms with an annual output exceeding 115 millions, have dominated the course of expansion and, in a great measure, determined the organization of the entire electrical industry. ten firms are responsible for 6o% of the British production.
In electrical and allied engineering, which includes steam turbines, boilers, condensing plant and other mechanical engineer ing products required for the equipment of generating stations, the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association represents the producers, while the Cable Makers' Association deals with cables and the Electric Lamp Manufacturers' Associa tion with lamps.
Of these associations, the first named is much the most im portant, since it includes practically all the members of the other two and generally acts on behalf of the entire industry. It was formed in 1911 and now covers through its 184 members about 85% of the national production in all lines of electrical manu facture. It was formed with a view to creating: (I) A central organization for the discussion and treatment of all questions affecting the electrical industries ; a medium of communication between the manufacturers and the Government and local author ities; (3) an organ for promoting trade in oversea markets; and (4) an economic and technical intelligence service.
In all these directions its work has been of distinct value to the industry as in connection with the Electricity Supply Act of 1926. It finances research carried out by the British Electrical and Allied Industries Research Association, and electrical propa ganda and educative work carried out by the British Electrical Development Association, and has promoted standardization through the British Engineering Standards Association and the International Electro-Technical Commission.
Recent developments of significance have lain in the formation of the World Power Conference International Committee, arising out of the First World Power Conference of 1924. This organiza tion, carried out in the international field functions similar to those already performed by the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association.
The Association has extended its economic and statistical serv ices, issues quarterly a trade survey giving essential statistics for the leading industrial countries, and from time to time special studies of electrical development, including "Combines and Trusts in the Electrical Industry," "The Electrical Industry in Germany," "The Electrical Industry in France," and the "Mono graph on the Electrical Industry" submitted to the International Economic Conference.
Within the Association itself a number of groups deal with special lines of manufacture, such as steam turbines, generating plant, electric motors, transformers, switchgear, meters and in struments and domestic apparatus. Within them, the manufac turers are able to discuss conditions and co-ordinate policy with out, however, exerting direct control over production on the German model. They are largely advisory in nature and co operate to eliminate uneconomic conditions of contract and of price. (H. Q.)