OATH ON A COFFIN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11770, 18 October 1932, Page 4

OATH ON A COFFIN

WILL OF A ‘ ; SBOE KING.” THOMAS BATA’S SUCCESSOR. STEP-BR OTHER'S OBLIG ATIONS. In spite of the death .of AI. Thomas Bata, the Czeclio-Slovokian “shoe Icing," in an air crash at Zlin, Aloravia. o.u July 12, his vast organisation is being carried on with a scarcely .perceptible break exactly on.tjie lines he had laid down. He took unusual precautions in his will, which was made last year, to ensure this. According to (he provision of Air. Bata’s will. Air. John Bata, his stepbrother, succeeds him as proprietor of the firm with complete control over the share capital. The will provided that Air. John Bata must swear publicly on his step-brother’s coffin, that he will never desert the firm, and will always give the public cheap shoes, and the workers the highest possible wages. The dead man’s son, Thomas, who is 19, was also required to take a sim ilar oaih on his father’s coffin. The “shoo king” made adequate provision for members of his family in liis will. His widow receives a villa, a block of shares in the company of the nominal value of £208,000, and three forest estates. He also left to his son Thomas, shares of the nominal value of £183,000. The widow and son may sell their shares to Mr. John Bata should they wish to quit, the firm. Among Air. .Bata’s other legacies were one of £IO,OOO to a widowed sister who worked with him in childhood, and a gift, to the Zlip Municipality of £25,000, He left £175,000 to the firm’s Workers’ Benefit Fund, and a. mansion and park which he bought for £40,000 and made into a clubhouse becomes the property of the town oji condition that alcoholic drinks arc never sold there, and no other building is erected or trees felled. Air. John Bata, the new bead of tjie vast. Bata concern, is 32. In view of tho world crisis lie is faced with an anxious time and is preparing for a diminished output. Staff reduction is being simplified by .suspending the recruitment of boys and girls for a few months. Tariffs, also, have had serious effects on the firm’s markets. No department of the 33 Bata factories is allowed to continue working at. a loss for more than one week, and there must be the most elaborate system of book-keeping checks ever known. Last year £666.000 was paid in .taxes. The firm has large resources. Freehold properties alone are estimated to be worth £4,1.66,600, and stocks £2,500,000. Tho assets are reputed to he £7,000,000 apart from goodwill.