"Keep Cool'

Addressing the Federation of British Industries at London in his Presidential capacity, Sir Eric Geddes, brother of Sir Auckland, the retiring British Ambassador to the U. S., advised the panic-mongers to calm themselves. "This," said he, "is not the time for panic mongering or wild talk. Undoubtedly the advent of a new party--a most inexperienced party--of which certain extremists make proposals which shock us, has caused uneasiness, but there has been no panic, nor anything that can be described as such. The sky is not black with pound notes winging their way across the Atlantic, but doubtless much investment is being done abroad. However, world trade and British prosperity are balanced on a knife edge, and very little might turn the balance either way. Indiscreet speech by prominent members of the Government or failure of the Government to disavow extremist speeches might check the recovery of trade and confidence." Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, Kt, G.C.B., G.B.E., P.C., LL.D., aged 49, was born in India. He was educated at the Oxford Military School and at Edinburgh, but, although he is an honorary Major General in the Army, most of his life has been bound up in railways. His widely recognized administrative talents made him indispensible to war politics and his services were used throughout the War in a number of different capacities: Deputy Director-General Munitions Supply, Director-General of Military Railways and Inspector-General of Transportation, Member of the Imperial War Cabinet, First Lord of the Admiralty.

He is best remembered in England for his application of the "axe," with which he pared down the budget of 1920-21.