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NEWS of the WEEK

REVOLT AGAINST BIASED ARTICLES.

We have referred, in our leading article, to the publication in the Sunday Express, the Daily Express and the Evening Standard of vindictive attacks against road transport. These have aroused intense indignation in road-transport circles throughout the country, and, in consequence, the Editor of the Daily Express received, ..on Tuesday, some 300 telegrams of protest. The Commercial Motor also drew the attention of the three Editors concerned to the unfairness of the articles in question.

We learn that, as a result, the Editor of the Daily Express met yesterday representatives of Associated Road Operators to discuss the matter.

C.A.V.-Bosch Purely British.

C.A.V.-Bosch, Ltd., is suffering from ill-informed and harmful propaganda suggesting that the company is partly foreign.

Some time ago, the famous Bosch concern had a certain share-holding. The whole of-this has been re-acquired, and the company is now completely British, hut has the exclusive rights here for Bosch patents, as applied to its products.

Container-weighing Case Upheld.

Judgment has been given by the Justiciary Appeal Court, Edinburgh, in an appeal by Mr. William Paterson. haulier, Haddington, who was convicted, in Haddington Sheriff Court, of using a heavy lorry which had been altered so as to increase the unladen weight at which it was licensed, without the extra duty being paid. The point at issue was whether, in calculating the unladen weight of the lorry, the unladen weight of the container should be reckoned. Sheriff-Substitute Jameson, in the original case, held that the container should be weighed with the lorry and appellant was fined £1. with £3 expenses. The Appeal Court holds that the Sheriff-Substitute was correct in his decision.

London C.M.U.A. Banquet.

The annual dinner and dance of the C.M.U.A.;-. London and Home Counties Division, held on November 2, was a most representative gathering.

Earl•Howe, P.C., C.B.E. , Chairman of the B.R.F., who gave the toast of the Association, said that road transport was of extraordinary importance to the nation, an insight into which was gained at the time of the national emergency. The 1933 Act was to do away with unrestricted competition, but had reduced haulage vehicles and increased railway fleets. It disregarded the consumer, and affected the pocket of the trader and the business of the haulier. At the next election, probably in a year, candidates would n16 be asked interesting questions regarding the Five Years' Road Plan.

In reply, Mr, Frank F. Fowler said that the problems of road transport would have to be tackled on the floor of the House, As much as possible was done through the Parliamentary Road Group, but why should not the industry put forward men to sit in the House of Commons?

Responding to Mr. W. A. Winson, Mr. Gleeson E. Robinson thanked the industry for its loyal assistance during the crisis. The transport scheme was heard of at the last moment and had to be carried out in a hurry.

New Zealand Spending £250,000 on Mechanization.

Orders for military equipment, to the value of £250,000, have been placed in Great Britain by the New Zealand Government. This equipment is required to facilitate the mechanization of the New Zealand Army, says the Dominion Minister of Defence.

Correspondence Courses in Salesmanship.

Mr. H. Scott Hall, M.I.A.E., M.I.T.A. (S.T.R., costs expert of The Commercial Motor) has developed, in conjunction •with Mr. L. W. J. Hancock, who is an expert in salesmanship and advertising, correspondence courses in commercial-vehicle salesmanship.

In the training of staff for this purpose, a special technique is required, as the knowledge must cover a wide field ; in fact, the salesman should be an expert in transport law and economics, and acquainted with details of transport accountancy. He must also be able to guide the potential buyer in technical details of chassis and the selection of bodywork.

Only the two principals will deal with students, and each salesman under tuition should end his course by being not only able to advise buyers, but, if necessary, be qualified to run a customer's transport department. The syllabus is comprehensive and adequately covers the range of knowledge required.

Full particulars can be obtained from Mr. H. Scott Hall, Transport Correspondence Courses, 6, Tudor Chambers, Station Road, London, N.22. NEXT WEEK'S ISSUE AND WHAT IT WILL CONTAIN.

On November 18, we shall publish our second Special Scottish Show Issue. This will take the form of a review of the exhibits, in which the technicalities of the chassis and the construction and leading features of the bodywork will be dealt with by experts. In addition, there will be included a report of those exhibits at the Public Health Exhibition in London which are in our sphere.

In this issue, we shall also deal comprehensively with a local-transport scheme of a novel but practicable nature, which should arouse widespread attention.

New Maker of Brake Fabric.

A new company, British Eagle Brake Linings, Ltd., Eagle Works, Duke Street, Birmingham, 4, has opened a factory for the production of all classes of friction facing. The policy is to supply, on demand, correct grades to stilt any braking requirement, to support accessory dealers and maintain strict price control, and to give a modern shoe-refacing service.

What a Solex Expert Said.

Mr. R. J. O'Clarey, sales and service manager of Solex, Ltd., asks us to correct a statement appearing in our issue for last week, on a lecture that he gave at Manchester a few days go. What he said was that "Certain manufacturers of commercial vehicles advocated the use of some type of governor, since it was realized that even otherwise good drivers can knock a vehicle to pieces , owing to excessive speeds." He went on to mention that bad roads and excessive loads contributed largely to rapid deterioration of the ungoverned vehicle, not that they reduced the efficacy of governors.

Definition of Overhang.

In a footnote to a letter, "Limits on Length of Load," published last week, we stated that the overhang of a vehicle must not exceed 50 per cent, of the overall length. Instead of " overall length," we should have said " wheelbase " in the case of a four-wheeler. With a vehicle having three axles, the basic wheelbase is taken to be the distance from the centre of the front wheels to a point 4 ins, to the rear of the centre of a straight line joining the centres of the rear and middle axles. As we pointed out, the 7-24ths overhang applies to vehicles registered before October 1 of this year.

The regulation does not apply to heavy motorcars or motorcars used by, or on behalf of, a local authority solely in connection with street cleansing, refuse disposal, etc.

In a motorcar not exceeding 20 ft. overall, the overhang may be increased by not more than 9 ins., but must not exceed 7-24ths of the overall length, DENNIS FALCONS AT THE SHOW.

We are asked to correct a statement made, last week, in connection with the new Falcon passenger chassis just introduced by Dennis Bros., • Ltd., Guildford.

The Duple-bodied model, referred to in our announcement of the Falcon, will not be exhibited at the Scottish Show; it is for Coaches and Components, Ltd. Both the complete vehicles that will be at the Kelvin Hall

—the 32-seater bus on the Dennis company's stand, and the 26-seater coach being demonstrated outside the building--have bodies built in the Dennis work&

Municipal Interest in Producer-gas.

Pembroke County Council has received a letter from the National Industrial Development Council of Wales and Monmouthshire, stating that the question of the possible industrial benefit to be obtained through increasing the use of vehicles driven by producer-gas has been under investigation for some time. At a recent executive committee meeting it was unanimously decided that every effort should he made to stimulate the manelecture and use of this type of vehicle. The council agreed to support the project.

Goods-vehicle Concession Available.

We learn of an excellent opportunity for taking over the concession for Great Britain and Northern Ireland of a range of American commercial chassis, with an established reputation in this country. These vehicles can be sold at a competitive price, particularly in the 50-cwt. class. Models are atrailable in pay-load capacities of 30 cwt. to 5 tons, also in both petrol and oil-driven types, whilst stocks of spare parts are available. A sound organization has already been instituted, and many vehicles of the make concerned are successfully operating in all parts of the country.

Only a principal who can provide full service • facilities will be considered.Letters should be addressed " Concession," care of the Editor.

Motors to Travel 14,000 Miles for New Business, When, early next year, the British Trade Expedition to Africa leaves this country on the start of its 20 months' 14,000-mile •tour, one of the most aggressive efforts to develop new markets and to recapture lost British trade will be set in train. The expedition, which has called for careful organization to ensure its smooth running, will consist of a large fleet of British motor vehicles carrying merchandise and samples from leading British manufacturers.

The expedition leaves Harwich for Antwerp, then proceeds through Europe to Istanbul, Asia Minor, Palestine, Egypt, down by a devious route to Capetown. At over 60 important towns and commercial centres en route it will halt for periods of from three to 10 days for exhibitions of the pro ducts carried. The staff is composed of men with an intimate knowledge of the trade requirements and conditions of the countries through which the expedition will pass.

Leicestershire Haulier's Death.

The death has taken place, after a brief illness, of Mr. Fred Smith, head of Smith and Co., haulage contractor, of Asfordby, near Melton Mowbray. A CALL FOR STEAM WAGONS.

• Johannesburg City Council, Stores Department, is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in the city by November 19, for the supply of six steam wagons, or, alternatively. vehicles powered by oil engines. Further details may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference TY 28451/38 being quoted.