17 APRIL 1926, Page 11

American industrial efficiency is the theme of many articles in

the Press, and the " new industrial gospel " of high wages and payment by results is making many con- verts. In these articles I have not noticed any reference to one important aspect of the problem—namely, the sobriety of the average American artisan. Whatever the evil effects of Prohibition may be in the large cities among the well-to-do and professional classes, there is no doubt about the increased efficiency of the great American manufacturing concerns owing to the sobriety of their workers. This fact has not received enough attention on this side of the Atlantic.