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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

11th July 1918, Page 4
11th July 1918
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever _points arising;• as a carriage as by the roughness of the roads over which it rUns."—trohn, Beattie Crozier,

London Buses on Gas.

We understand that Sir Edward Henry, Chief Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, has approved the grant of a licence to the London General Omnibus Co. for 20 motartmses to run on CCMpressed coal-gas. These licences will become effective in &Injunction with the general supervision of the Gas Traction Committee, whilst the Board of Trade has approved the necessary supply of gas. It is to be hoped that facilities will be extended for a trial to be made with a similar number of commercial vehicles.

Work of Motor Volunteers. .

Proceedings before the Matlock Military Tribunal at its last meeting illustrated a misconception, which is unfortunately not limited to the Derbyshire district, as to the value of the work performed by Motor Volunteers. It was suggested by an officer of one of these eminently useful units, attending the sitting, that motor drivers and mechanics who came before the Tribunal should bepermitted to join the Motor Volunteers in preference to Volunteer infantry. Some members, however, expressed themselves strongly regarding the fact that Grade 1 men, exempted for a short period, had been enrolled and the chairman enunciated the ill-founded view that Motor Volunteer work is regarded as a soft job. At the same time he promised that the corps should be borne m mind when men possessing the necessary technical knowledge cams before

them. It is desira-ble that it should be so. Few outside the sphere of the actual work appear to have any conception of the multifarious responsibilities devolving upon members of this branch of the national service, which, in file, direction of efficiency, has been the subject recently of some far-reaching extension of arrangements and arduous War Office regulations, to which members in various parts of the country have responded with unflagging energy to the great advantage of defensive plans.

Sentinel Polmadie Works.

We understand that the directors of the Sentinel Wagon Works, Ltd. (formerly Alley and MacLellan, Ltd.), have sold their works at Pulmadie, Glasgow, to Messrs. William. Beardmore and Co.

From the Institute of Metals.

The Council of the Institute of Metals has issued a membership booklet known under the initial "C," which contains a list of the officers, membership application form, an appeal for increased membership, and a list of the Institute's publications—the latter, by theway, covering over seven pages of closelyprinted matter. The booklet is illustrated with excellent portraits of the president and past president, and a copy of it will be sent past free to applicants writing to Mr. G. Shaw Scott, Secretary and Editor, Institute of Metals, 36, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1..

Exit No. 2 Spirit.

We -understand that No. 2 motor spirit is no longer being issued, and will therefore; as soon as the present stock in garages is sold, be no longer on the market.

A Gas Traction Exhibition.

There will be a gas traction secti)m organized by the Gas Traction Committee, at the British Scientific Products Exhibition, which will be held at King's College, Strand, London, 'W., under the auspices of the British Science Guild,' from the 12th August next until early in September. We believe that the ex. . hibit wilt contain now productions of , interest to those concerned with gas traction.

Applying the New Starter.

In our last, issue we described the Jenkinson starting device to facilitate thestarting of theengine from the driver's seat in place of the starting. handle. Mr. W. R. Jenkinson now informs Us that the device can be supplied in a form which merely requires the taking out of the starting handle and the •bolting of the apparatus enclosed in an aluminium cover in place at. the forward end of the • engine. The starting handle can he shortened and used in ease of necessity, as, of coarse, it is never impossible for a spring to break or chafing to occur with tiftwire ropes. We understand that any oW can be fitted by a competent, mechanic in a few hours

New York Registrations.

Motorcar -registration in New York this year has exceeded all former records. On 20th May there had been registered 76064 more cars than at the corresponding time one. year ago, the total being 392,951 care, as against 316,887 in 1917.

These figures are significant in view of the fact that 411,567 ears constituted the total registration for last year. About /900 cars are now being registered each day. The receipts are now about £20,000 over the mark, while the total receipts for 1917 were £856,000. The authorities predict that the registration of cars and the licensing of chauffeurs and operators...will this year bring to the State £1,000,000 or more.

. Priority Certificates.

We are reminded that repairs to motor vehicles may be made promptly to lorlies at a cost not exceeding £20, and to motorvans, cars and motorcycles not exceeding £10, without priority certificates, provided the orders be accompanied by declarations as to the uses to which the vehicles are put. In this way the delays incidental to certificates may be avoided, with 'manifest advantage to the cornmunity. Where the costs exceed these figures applications for permission to order repairs should -be sent to the Ministry of Munitions, Priority Branch, Caxton House, Westminster. S.W. I.

Briefly, the classifications are :— Class 1: Cars or rnotoreyeles used by doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons for professional purposes. Class 2 : Cars or motoecycles used by officers of H.M. Forces exclusively for carrying out their naval au& military dutieS.. Class 3: Motor vehicle's need solely for the con

veyanee of goods. Class 4: Motor vehicles licensed to ply for hire. Class 5:

foter vehicles used for fire brigade pnr, poses, motor .fire-engines, motor ambulances, and public works departments' services,

Liberty Lorry Contracts.

From the latest American exchanges to band it would appear that the idea of the standardised Liberty truck is far from dead. Under date of 25th May, 1918, contracts for 8000 -Class B three-ton lorries have been approved and placed by the Motor Tran.sport'Service. The names of the following companies appear among those who have-already signed contracts —Packard, .Garford, Kelly-Springfield, Velfe, Republic, Selden, and 10 others. The svetent is for each of the concerns to assemble the various units which they, will receive, the price for assembly being a shade over £100. It may be mentioned that 10,000 of these three-ton lorries have already been ordered, of which 2500 have been delivered and deliveries of the remainder are being made at the rate of 75 lorries per day. The new price for assem.bly is £411 less than the first contract.

While we are unable to refute the information that 'recently appeared it is significant that Ch'7Istian Girl, director of the Standardized Truck Production, has resigneel, but it may be mentioned that the resignation was filed last January.

Whether the actual Liberty truck is an approved success is entirely one phase of the very complex question, 'yet we are bound to state that the idea of a war service vehicle that was standardized in every particular would be an asset from the point of view of replaeetnent of parts, especially when,the source of supply is so far away as in the case of A1110TiCa.

Algeria and Tractors.

. It is reported that the demand for motor ploughs •at the present time in Algeria is extensive. lee Government has offered subventions in order to encourage tillage of the land. In. October of last year, the General Council of Con

., stunting voted 10,000 francs in order to assist the movement in that department. It is stated that sonic 20,000,000 acres of land-could profitably be turned to account by motor tractors.

Tractors on the Prairie.

The shortage of labour is making itself

felt in .Northern Alberta. In order to overcome the -difficulty farmers in this State are purchasing tractors in numbers. It is reported that one nia,nufaesurer alone has staid as many as 200 machines in one district. This state of affairs has a two-fold advantage. It not onlysatisfies the farming element, but is resulting in a _gratifying. increase in the acreage of land placed under-the plough.

Lorry Quicker than the Train.

Fuller mid Sons Manufacturing Co. (manufacturers of automobile tiarts), of

Kalamazoo, are operating their five-ton motor lorry between their plant and principal sources of supplies of various kinds of materials, bringing in capaelty loads, Railroad shipments are so exceedingly slow that this method is being resorted to. Several long distant trips have been made and the lorry has brought through loads of material atpractically the same cost as by express train. If a trailer had been attached, the cost per ton-mile ceuld -have been reduced. This is -being contemplated. Bus and Tram .Competition.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr. Gilbert asked the President of the Board of Trade if any motor omnibuses have been withdrawn from service in the Croydon and Ilford districts on Sundays; how many omnibuses have been withdrawn ; and if general instructions have been issued by his Department to the unnibus companies that they are not to increase their services when the muMcipal tramway services have been reduced in the interests of war economy and coal saving ?—Sir A. Stanley : Four omnibuses have been withdrawn from the Sunday service in the Croydon district, and nine in the Ilford district. The omnibus companies have been requested not to increase their services on tramway routes, • where, to secure .aconomies in the consumption of fuel, tramway services are reduced.

Tractor Chains.

The name of Hans Renold, Ltd., of "Burnage Works, Didsbury, Manchester, as a maker of roller chains of all types and sizes for varying requirements, needs no introduction from us. The'company's. products are established in the commercial vehicle world and can be found fitted to many of the prominent makes of vehicles to-day. The company has recently issued a pamphlet dealing explicitly with methods of maintaining the efficiency of its chains as used on farm tractors.

Such points as the following are well worth remembering :—If you take care of the chain it will save you considerable expense. Clean and lubricate it every time the tractor is put away for a few weeks or months. If it is never lying idle for a week or so, then make a habit of cleaning and oiling the chain at .least every month. The best way to clean the chain is to take it off the wheels. Brush off all the dirt possible. Dip it in a tin of paraffin. Take it out and scrub it well. After this it must be lubricated as follows :—Heat a bath of tallow, or other heavy lubricant, sold for the purpose, until quite fluid. Place the chain in the liquid and allow it to cool and solidify. Then warm up again, take out the chain, and let it drain, It may appear a long process, but it is necessary to get the lubricant into the inner parts of the chain. This is the best method of

• B28 lubrication. If, however, circumstances do not permit of this treatment, it is better periodically to remove all dirt from the chain and brush oil over it, than to neglect it altogether.

A chain wears just as any other piece of machinery. it wears in the joints, and the result is that it lengthens ar "stretches." This is noticed by the chain becoming slack on the wheels.

When the slackness becomes troublesome, shorten the chain, which can be easily carried out. A copy of the _pamphlet will be posted to inquirers.

Official Reports.

We have referred editorially to the report of the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of Trade to consider the .position nf the engineering trades after the war. This report can be purchased through the usual official channels at sixpence per copy, and we may add that we can always obtain and send a copy of this or any report referred to in our columns to any reader who may not be able conveniently to secure one in any other manner—provided the cost of the report and of the postage be remitted.

Workmen's Tickets on Buses.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr. • Gilbert asked the Minister of Munitions if any conditions as' to cheap fares being charged to workpeople travelling on the various routes were made with or imposed on the London General Omnibus Co. when grants were given for motor omnibuses by his Department; and can he state whether the omnibus company allow any passengers to travel on any of these subsidized routes at, workmen's fares at the same prices as municipal tramway services allow workpeople to travel on their systems!--Sir L. Worthington-Evans: The answer to the first part of the 'question is in the negative; but sheap return fares have been instituted by the London General Omnibus Co. at the request of the Ministry ; these cheap fates are restricted 'to the employees of the Royal Ars,enal. The London General Omnibus Co. have never issued workmen's tickets. The fares charged by the company are in some cases the same as thote charged by the competing tramway service. ..In some cases they are higher than the tramway charge; in no cases are they lower.

Preference for Ford son Tractors.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr_ Ii Lambert asked if any preference is given in terms of conditions to the importation for private use of any make • of foreign motor tractor plough?—The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (Mr. Kellaway); No preference is given in teems or conditions for importation for private use of any make of foreign motor tractor ploughs.—Mr. Lambert Is, it not a fact that the Ford tractor is allowed special privileges for importation?—Mr. Kellaway : I said that no preference is given.

Buses and Grants.

In reply to a question by Mr. Gilbert

in House of Commons last week, Sir Worthington-Evans said that the amouinL claimed by the London General Omnibus Co. for the year 1917-18 will be larger than that paid for the year 1916-17. The negotiations at present proceeding are for a revision of the existing arrangement with the company, including the provision of additional services on existing routes.

A Magistrate's Experience.

There have been innumerable corn.plaints lately in the Notts and Derbyshire districts of the annoyance needlessly occasioned by motor lorry drivers to drivers of motorcars, and action has been taken by the -police in several instances, the 'Deputy-Chief. Constable of Nottinghamshire (MT.• W. Harrept

recently the prosecutor in a case in which a Derby man was fined for :an offence of th.ia nature in the Birmingham district, defendant adding to his delinquency by roundly abusing and threatening to set about " Mr, Harrop after the latter's car had been held up by wanton obstruction. A case which arose on the 'Markheaton Road was brought before the magistrates at Derby on Saturday, when Alfred Murphy, of Reddish Lane, Gorton, Manchester, was fined 20s. for a similar offenee, the complainant in this instance being Mr. G. W. Peach, of Langley Mill, a Derbyshire Justice of the Peace, whose chauffeur stated that de • fendant monopolised the Toad for a distance of half a mile, paying no heed to the sound of the hooter. Defendant's excuso was that, the lorry weighing nine tons-and the engine being 50 hp., the noise which they made prevented him from hearing the hooter.

Lubricate Your Valves:

The lubrication of a petrol engine is a feature which requires careful attention: The harmful effects of an insufficient supply -of oil to moving parts are now. well recognized. Deficiency cif lubrication to the valves oftenresults in friotinn and wear, thus tending to cause .. premature repair billswhich are made more 'costly because in many instances the 'valves become choked in their guides arid carat he dislodged without ri-alc of' • damage, which naturally involves delay. Most modern-day petrol engines are for some little time after they are manufactured comparativ.ely silent when running, but unless due' consideration is given to the ail-important feature 'of lubricatien this Smoothness and ease of ruinning will soon be adVersely affected.

So far as the valve stems and guides . are concerned; these details of construction are left totalLY unprovided for in'the matter Of self'-lubrication. In the case of alone-cylinder engine with eight valve's, each with a lift of in. per ievoffition . of each cam, the normal speed of the cam

, shaft being 500 r.p.m. the result expressed in terms lineal is a total. traverse of 2000 ins. per mil-late (representing a continuous 'sliding movement of 166i ft. per minute) in continuo-us contabt with an enclosed circular surface which is nor

mealy left unlubricated. Compare this

lack of peevision with the care beItotvecl in effectively lubricating the cylinder walls, and it, will readily be understood that the Duro valve-stem. lubricator, as marketed by Brown Bros., Ltd., 22-34, Great Eastern Street, E.C. 2, supplies a long-felt need. The function of this accessory is to supply a very .thin film of lubricant to the valve. so that it works freely in.it guide. -

This device consists of tubular wicks kept inposition by a very" light coil spring. When in use the device is pushed up the valve stems, inside the valve spring, and forms a close fit. The wicks which are soaked in thin oil respond, it is claimed, to the up and-down working of the valves; and the oil in this manner finds its way up the stem and guide on the capillary principle. (Our illustration will explain this more clearly.) After the first soaking before fitting the device' to the valve stem, all that is required is to squirt occasionally a little oil on to the wick between the coils of the valve spring by means of an oilcan or syringe. It will, thus be seen that th.e device is very simple and effective in its Method of working.

The London address of Commercial Cars, Ltd., of. Luton, is now at 112a, Junction Road, Upper Holloway, N. 19, and the new telephone number is Hornmay 2212.

Local Proceedings.

• Halifax,. which runs a tramcar kitchen, now proposes to equip a railless car as a travelling kitchen at a cost of £250.

Cheltenham Council's Electricity Ccominittee. reports that the final trial of the new electric vehicle was satisfa&ory.

. In view of the difficulty of getting. horses, the Manchester Watch Committee. is to 'use Money .vnted.for the purchase of. horses to' by two now or second-hand

motor chassis for the purpose of bailditag two hose carriages. "

The Road Board draws the attention oflocal authorities to the necessity for the utmost economy in the use of tar on roads, and states that tar must-,not he used except on roads which am subjected to traffic of military or commercial importance, and 'not merely for the amenities of dustlessness.

Keeping Wheels of Industry

The re-creationGoiofnftctured -or worn metal parts by' means ofkwhich 30,000 British machines have been restored to use on Work of -great national.' urgency, represents an enormous saving in manpower, material, money—and time! Consider for a moment what it means, Vital parts im,30,000 ships, military and commercial motors, munition, municipal and industrial workshops or food production conic to a dead" stop. The cest of supplying new parts varies from S, few shil

• Hugs to a thousand pounds, and the work May take a few days or a few months. Sometimes, indeed, the part is unprocurable at any. price. "But the machinery haa to be .got into motion somehow. By modern methods of metal fusion if is possible to effectively re-create broken metals of every description if you are familiar with the characteristics of each.

A London company which specialises in this work has restored to use, siriCe war began, 30,000 derelict machines at an average cost of R5 each, or a total of £150,000. Careful computation shows that by Barimar system of metal fusion owners of machines have been saved hundreds of thousands of 'pounds in the aggregate, and hundreds of thousands of tons of idle machinery have been brought back into use for produCtive prirptises. Thus the saving in man-power, material, and time, to the nation, is Simply incalculable.. Those who are interested hi the details of this important work should write for an illustrated booklet to Barimar, Ltd., 10, Poland Street, London, W. 1.


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