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the nationalistic atmosphere of war the Company had found that American
control, though not American technology, was a severe handicap; British
Westinghouse was even refused admission to the Federation of British Industries.
Moreover the future of international economic relations was very uncertain.
In the
autumn of 1916 Lange went to America to start negotiations, and by
the following
May a British holding company had been formed to buy the American
shareholdings. Funds were provided by the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and
Finance
Company Limited, whose chairman, F. Dudley Docker, was considering
the formation of a large electrical combine like those existing in Germany.
He was instrumental in finding £1,000,000 to enable the Company to carry on
its business and keep up
with modern developments, and in 1918 the authorized capital of £1,395,000
was
increased by £5,000,000.
 The
B.W. Company was now British in fact as well as name, and early
in 1918 Lange and Blunt, already shorn of a good deal of executive
responsibility since Magdeburg and even Maryland had become undesirable
as birthplaces, resigned from the Board.
Lange
was one of the corner-stones on which the success of the Company
was built. He had progressive views on the function of management;
he was an early advocate of high wages and payment by results, and
he started the first foremen's bonus scheme. Personally he was firm,
sometimes ruthless but always just. His office was always open to
anyone with a genuine grievance, and at heart he was human and sympathetic.
He had a commanding presence, owing little to his well-groomed figure
with four-in-hand tie and pin, and an artistic temperament which
found expression in music and painting. He was retained for some
years as technical adviser, and it is said that on his entering
the 'upper dining room' after a long absence the managers present
rose spontaneously to their feet as a mark of respect and affection.
As late as 1937, just before his death at the age of 81, a mention
of his name at the annual gathering of long service members was
greeted with loud and prolonged applause.
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