| Description | Letter, dated 12 January, in which Chamberlain, Elliott's Metal Company, Selly Oak Works, Birmingham, writes as a director of the company, to Dr Tilden [1842-1926]. The company dealt chiefly in copper and brass, with the Selly Oak works employing around seven hundred men. He has clearly been in correspondence with Tilden, then Professor of Chemistry at Royal College of Science, London, (previously Professor of Chemistry, Mason College, Birmingham) for help in filling a position in his company.
He suggests that Tilden's 'technical expert' might be suitable for the post of Works Inspector. He would have to be 'a man of real ability, which I should certainly stipulate for'. He asks Tilden's advice about the salary to be offered, explaining that he had 'offered 2 men, who were fresh from college & who seemed otherwise suitable, £75 for the 1st year to be increased to £150 the 2nd year if they proved satisfactory. They declined.' Chamberlain thought that this offer was reasonable, since the applicant would have 'to learn a great deal' in the post 'before they could be of any value'. However, he goes on to say that 'if academic distinction has really a higher value in the market than this I suppose I must modify my ideas. What do your young men generally begin on?'
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