SIR,—Mr. Barber makes a vast mistake in his letter when
he declares that the success of a business " depends entirely on the workers." The workers (that false cognomen) hate simply but cagefully to carry out the orders from the head or manager. It needs a man of brains and ability to make a successful business.
The Yorkshire village of Saltaire is a striking proof of that for the whole village (schools, chapel, mechanics' institute, &c.) was practically built by the founder of those mills where Sir Titus Salt made his fortune by the invention of _alpaca, so fashionable in the 'after half of the nineteenth century. Buson his death the business went down. The men were still making good alpaca but it was no longer. fashionable. The mills were sold cheap to another man of genius, who invented a fine thin wool for .ladies' dresses, and another fortune was made.
Good workers are invaluable when they work to order and often from among them is found a man of brains and initiative who can rise to the position of mill-owner, for it is they who make the fortunes.—Yours
faithfully, A. SOMMERVILLE.
Braeburn House, CurrieMidlothian.
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