Correspondence.
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A Motor "Growler" Wanted.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir -I observe, in the correspondence columns of the issue of your journal for last week, that my letter, published in the previous issue, has been used as a peg upon which to hang both arguments for and against the construction of a motorcab to take up the duties of the present-day " growler." It is with much satisfaction that I have read of Mr. Stephen A. Marples' design for this work, but, with regard to the letter of Mr. Arthur E. A. M. Turner, I think it is unnecessary for me to suggest that, had I not known of the " troubles which beset the present users of two-seated cabs," I should not have felt constrained to write my first letter ! Mr. Turner, I am sure, is perfectly correct when he says that 25 per cent, of the cabs carry four passengers crowded into the accommodation for two; in fact, I, myself, have seen seven individuals, in addition to the driver, confined within the narrow limits of one of these vehicles.
I am not prepared to deal with his remarks regarding the new cab of the London Improved Cab Company, as I do not profess to be an expert in matters of construction. I am perfectly certain, however, that such a commodious vehicle cannot be other than a great boon to the travelling public. His remarks regarding upkeep surely cannot hold good in practice, as it should be obvious that, even if the four-seated cab, were introduced, it would not at all times carry four passengers. The point is, that accommodation should be provided for that number when required, and for the carriage of luggage. In many other cases than for station work, viz., for theatres and for country trips, a vehicle to carry more than two is an absolute necessity.
I differ, also, from him in his statement that the motorcab will net be used for entirely the same work as the horse cab. He cites, as an instance, the use of the motorcab for pleasure excursions on fine afternoons, which he states were made formerly in horse carriages hired from jobmasters and 71-0t in horse cabs from the ranks. I think I am perfectly correct in stating that on fine afternoons, for many years, a very regular trade has been done by drivers of open and hansom cabs in taking passengers for pleasure excursions of one or two hours' duration through our many parks. The only difference the advent of the motorcab has made in this work is that these excursions, naturally curtailed in extent by the limitations of old methods of locomotion, have been extended to the suburbs, which the more rapid means of transit bring within the time allotted for the afternoon's outing. For this work, a four-seated cab could well replace the horse cabs which have done duty so far. Does Mr. Turner wish to state that nothing other than the lightest of vehicles can ever be used for public-service work, and is it his desire that the station work and carriage of luggage, which makes up such an immense proportion of the cab work of the Metropolis, is to be carried out indefinitely by means of the " growler " as we know it? Surely, now that the disappearance of the horse bus is gradually comingabren, the " growler," an unsightlydooking vehicle in all conscience, will also become less conspicuous in our streets. The provision of something more commodious than a two-seated cab is certainly, to my mind, something which will be seen on an extended sole at a very early date, I am very much inclined to doubt Mr. Turner's figure of TO miles to the gallon of petrol, and, as a practical user of motors, I do not think that the little extra weight involved in the building of such a vehicle will put up the cost of running to any appreciable amount ; the more robust construction of the vehicle should keep down the maintenance charges. Mr. Turner's letter suggests that he writes merely in a spirit of contention, and I am sure he would alter his opinion if he knew something of the progress of the motor for utility purposes in this country.—
Yours faithfully, " LEC.AL." The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—Mr. A. E. A. M. Turner's letter in your last issue
seems to call for some reply. He wonders " if ' Legal ' knows the troubles that beset the present users (owners ?) of. two-seated cabs; whether he is acquainted with the cost of operating these machines, and whether he has noticed that about 25 per cent. of these two-seaters, as it is, carry four passengers—three crushed on the back seat, and one on the jury seat." This passage (the "text " of his discourse) appears to nte to point at once to the desirability of putting vehicles on the streets of such strength and durability, and with such accommodation, that they shall cost less to operate or maintain than heretofore, and carry four passengers without " crushing three "! If the pioneers of the motorcab were " beset with troubles," it was entirely because they bought vehicles unsuitable in type, and totally inadequate in strength (often, indeed, the cheapest that could be purchased) and specially constructed only in so far as they were altered to pass the police inspection. Messrs. Sturmey Motors very truly say that a vehicle specially constructed for the purpose cannot be produced in a few weeks, or even ig weeks. Indeed, until one has been engaged on such a vehicle one is apt considerably to under-rate the amount of time required, especially when no single standard drawing or fitting is found to be suitable. The drawings alone of the Marples chassis cover over 70 large sheets, crammed with detail. Mr. Turner seems to be under the impression that a four-seating cab is a sort of omnibus in miniature. This it cannot be, owing to the police restrictions as to length, width, and turning circle. No, it must be about the san-le size as an ordinary two-seater, about twice the strength of a touring chassis, and so arranged as to give at least a foot more space for the body, top-room for baggage, and a folding-down back for fair weather. I assert that such a vehicle will not only (if soundly constructed) be cheaper to maintain than the present lightly-built two-seaters, and this in spite of a very slight extra cost for petrol and tires, but that its earning capacity will be much greater in proportion, in fact, to its general utility. It will do the work of the hansom, the town lanclaulette, and the doctor's or commercial traveller's brougham; for all of these purposes it may be hired out by its exploiting company. Now, Sir, the public have always wanted, and still want, all the accommodation they can obtain for their money, and is it to be expected that they will use any existing type of cab, whether horse growler or light motor, when they can get a. cheap and comfortable carriage for their "parties carrees". to restaurant or theatre, or into the country on a fine afternoon or quick conveyance for those who arrive at the rail
way after noon, whence they may travel direct to their homes within a twenty mile radius, without the tiring changes into cabs, tubes or railways and into cabs again, with the constant worry of looking after 'their luggage? In the matter of baggage the four-seater design lends itself very happily. Luggage goes upon the forward portion of the landaulette body, with six sturdy uprights to support it; there it is accessible to the driver without leaving his seat. Baggage on the seat, by his side, is in danger of being tilted off, it is in the driver's way, and nothing bulky can be accommodated; whereas, if it be on a canopy directly over his head, it is quite inaccessible. There should be room for 5,000 fourseaters in London alone, and double that number when the public discover their possibilities. This question of whether such general utility cabs are wanted or not finds (for me) a sufficient answer in the fact that the directorate of the premier cab company in the Metropolis, with expert knowledge of the requirements of a city like London in the way of public vehicles, gained from over 20 years' experience, made it a sine cod non of any motorcab they took up that it should seat four and carry a reasonable amount of baggage. I claim, personally, to be unprejudiced in the expression of my views in the matter of accommodation, as the chassis which bears nay name is designed for use as a two-seater as well as a four-seater.—Yours faithfully, STF.PIIEN A. MARPLES.
Staple Inn Buildings, Holborn, London, W.C., 8th July, 1907.
The Attitude of Local Papers.
The Editor, " THE COMMRRCLAL MOTOR."
Sir :—As a constant reader of "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR," enclose a cutting from to-day's ----which I am sure you will be pleased to read, and which I hope you will comment upon in next Thursday's paper (11th). I am very much surprised at the Editor of the ---writing such an article, and praising up the motorbus, when he makes such comments on very smali accidents which take place in his district, and fills almost a column with the tale, and makes people shudder at the " terrible monsters."
Speaking for myself, I am a supporter of the motorbus, and shall be glad to reach the day when there will be no horse buses left. I am not a shareholder in any bus com?any, so am not praising up the motorbus for my own penefit, but I believe in letting every dog have its day and very motorbus its run.—Yours faithfully,
London. W. V. PAR SLO W . [Editorial reference is made to the subject of this letter.--End
Bad Roads.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I feel that I must fully endorse " Adsum's " statenent, in your issue of the 27th instant, regarding the state if the roads between Hammersmith and Barnes, and, as far as the Fulham Palace Road is concerned, it is a matter of very common comment that it is nothing more nor less than a perfect disgrace to the borough.
During the course of the week, I have occasion in the nirsuit of my business to make use of that very convenient
vehicle, the motorbus, and in the above-mentioned road there is a part, directly in front of the Fulham Cemetery, where it is absolutely impossible for one to keep seated, and I am rather afraid that this will end in someone being seriously injured, if such a state of things is allowed to continue. It is a wonder to me that some of the residents of Fulham do not cry out about it, as there must be many who are users of the motor in one way or another. Cannot the Borough Council be compelled to attend to the repairing of this road?. Surely there must be a remedy ! Are the users of the commercial vehicle, or of the private. one either, to stand idly by, and see thc industry in danger of being commercially unworkable, on account of the heavy expense incurred owing to the continual breaking of springs. and axles, not to speak of the danger of serious damage to the engine itself ? I wonder if the Mayor or the Councillors ever make use of this piece of road? Surely not, or there would soon, I am inclined to think, be an alteration. May I make the suggestion that the Mayor and Councillors of the borough should make an application to the motorbus company, for the private hire of one of their vehicles,. for the express purpose of demonstrating the very useful purpose they serve? To show how it is a medium for making the passengers as uncomfortable as it is possible to be, not to mention the anxiety they are in as to whether the vehicle is safe or not, a run over that bad stretch of road should prove convincing.
trust that this protest will have the desired effect. —Yours faithfully, " SNOWBALL."
London, 8th June, 1907.