Fred Karno's Show
Page 73
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AS usual, this year's Paris Salon was a journalist's nightmare, particularly for those concerned with the commercial-vehicle exhibits at the Porte de Versailles, 43miles from the centre of the city. A Press day, such as is held at Earls Court, is unknown in Paris, and even on the opening day this year few stands were staffed with technical men. Two had no vehicles at all. . .
Some manufacturers are always loth to give details of their exhibits, particularly to British Pressmen, but, on the credit side, a few are most helpful. It is not unknown for a stand to be staffed solely by the agents' representatives, who have .no knowledge of the exhibits they are meant to sell.
Still, the restaurant is good. . . .
Son et Lum,iere
ERLIET have provided their own brand of Son et Lumiere at the Show. The fabulous T.100 vehicle for the Sahara is displayed on sand to the accompaniment of Oriental music (but, alas! no dancing girls, says John Moon). In the first sequence the main hall lights are extinguished and a dramatic voice declaims the exploits of Columbus.
Then night falls and the T.100 is bathed in blue light, followed by a red sunrise and the recorded sound of a heavy vehicle approaching. White spot lights brighten slowly until, as the vehicle pulls up with hissing brakes, the sun beats down. Not only mad dogs and Englishmen, but also the French commentator goes out in the midday sun to give a technical description of the monster.
As the cars are assailed by the roar of a departing vehicle, the tights dim, the sun sets redly and all is peace.
Why go to the Folies-Bergeres when all the magic of stagecraft can be seen at the Paris Salon? I could ,tell you.
Benefit of the Doubt
A TOLERANT attitude is being adopted by the Metro politan Police towards those who transgress the regulations governing the parking of unlighted vehicles in the street. " As far as possible," says a notice from New Scotland Yard, "police action in the Metropolitan Police district will be by way of advice and the use of printed slips, which will be attached to vehicles in the absence of drivers, but more stringent action may be necessary in serious cases, or if the advice given is unheeded." Unfortunately, the concession is of no great Value to commerciar-vehicle owners, because it applies only to goods vehicles up to 2 tons unladen. Why this' limit should have been imposed I cannot think, because it seems reasonable to suppose that the larger the object, the more clearly visible it is either by night or day.
Lost !
NEWSPAPER readers are apparently expected to be able to swallow anything. A photographic-agency picture shows Mr. W. A. Billington and Mr. R. E. W. Holmes, of the newly formed A.C.V. Central Africa (Pvt.), Ltd., and their families, with two well-laden cars, lost in contemplation of a map on Westminster Bridge. The caption reads: "In the shadow of Big Ben, two of the executives selected to run the new A.C.V. company in Africa study their map before beginning their long journey to Umtali,
• via Dover, Veince, Beira." Apparently the constable on point duty outside the Houses of Parliament was unable to tell them the way.
Out for Blood
THE railways have given hauliers something, to think about. On Monday the Eastern Region introduced a new East Anglian overnight express freight service between Norwich and London. Standard 900-cu.-ft. covered vans of 12-ton capacity can be hired by traders for the journey of 110 miles for £5, or £4 Is. if there is regular two-way traffic. A rate of 8s. 4d. a ton for 110 miles will take some beating.
This England
AM fascinated by a series of lectures on "Law and I Opinion in England in the Twentieth Century," to be given at the London School of Economics. Among the names of 17 speakers I detect two which are unmistakably English. Six have a Scottish ring, three might be Welsh and the rest have a Continental flavour. Oh! to be in England. . .
Things to Come
WHEN satellites capable of 18,000 m.p.h. become VI' commonplace, transport unions will claim a 40-second working week.