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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

12th April 1921, Page 4
12th April 1921
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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 is by

the roughness of the roads over which it rums."—John Beattie Crozier.

Loss on Lincoln Buses.

In spite of the recent optimism of the Lincoln City Council with regard to the running of the new motorbuses, the ratepayers are now faced with a .3d. rate owing to the fact that the buses are running at a loss. At a meeting of the City Council one day last week, Aid. White, Chairman of the Electricity and Tramways Committee, said that they had now in their possesSion nine buses, which had been coming at fairly regular periods since the beginning of November last. Since that time there had been a

loss of 21,200 on the undertaking. . Several opinions on the matter wore expressed, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee, in dealing with next year's estimates, said that they were expecting to run the service at a further loss during the coming year, and to meet this an estimate of 227,000 had been considered necessary.

In order to pay for the 11 buses, the last two of which w1l be delivered shortly, the Council had to gain sanction to borrow 218,150, and this had to be

paid back within five years. The interest on the sinking fund for the bus service is £60 per month, and an annual charge of £3,630 is involved for repayment of the loan.

Ald. White said that he felt sure that if the Council had known that the buses were going to run at a loss before they adopted the scheme they would have still done so. The vehicles were greatly needed, and, to judge by the number of passengers carried, were much appreciated. The comfort, of the people was far more important than the loss to the rates.

In discussing this loss, the action of a self-appointed sub-committee of three who overrode the decision of the Council and rescinded the resolution of that body, thus allowing motor vehicles from other towns to eater for the traffic at. the Lincoln Races was severely criticised.

Many members were of the opinion that if outside vehicles had been excluded from the city part of that 21,200 loss would have been avoided.

Institute of Metals Visit to Birmingham.

For the first time since its formation, in 1908, the Institute of Metals will be paying, ' in the autumn, a return visit to a ProVincial city. This meeting. will be held in Birmingham on September 21st to 23rd, the first auttimn meeting of the Institute having also been held in that city in Novernber, 1908. Since then the membership of the Institute has grown from 200 to over 1,350: The arrangements for the September meeting are in the hands of the committee of the Birmingham section of the Institute, of which

C8 Dr. H. W. Brownsdon, M.Sc. (member of council) iz chairman.

Those desirous of attending the Birmingham meeting as members should obtain application forms from the secretary, Mr. G. Shaw Scott, M.Sc., The Institute of Metals, 36, Victoria, Street, London, S.W. 1, before April 20th, when a ballot for the election of members will take place.

In addition to being able to attend the Birmingham meeting, members elected as a result of the ballot on April 20th will also have the privilege of being eligible to be present at the forthcoming eleventh annual May lecture.

An Important New Company.

Many of our readers will be interested to know that Mr. Albert E. Newton, so long associated with the Vacuum Oil Co., and a welcome figure at every motor gathering for 15 years past, has formed a company to take over the B.M.T. oils and Sbaler vulcanizers. Mr. Newton is massaging director, and Colonel Hamilton Gordon, C.M.G., D.S.O., will join the board. The new company will be named A. E. Newton Ltd., their address being 50, Pall Mali, London,. S.W.

Liverpool Transport Employers.

At a meeting of Liverpool commercial motor users it was decided trt continue the local branch of the Motor Transport Employers. Mr. B.. H. Hall was appointed chairman, Mr. W. J. Cornea vice-chairman, and Messrs. Fowler, Barnett, and Birch executtve committoe. The subscription was increased to

is. per member per year.

Trolleybuses for Glasgow?

Glasgow Corporation has now issued the report of the tramways manager as to tramway extension. In regard to the introduction of motorbuses, he says a good deal will depend on the trial of the trackless trolley system, should, it be decided to equip a short section with this system of traction. So far as he can gather, the trankiese trolley vehicle is the cheapest form of passenger traction, and, of course5 this is a very important point, which must be considered now more seriously than it has been hitherto. It would be well to delay consideration of the omnibus question meantime. Looking at the present high cost of tramway extension, he thinks it would be wise to equip, as an experiment, a route with the trackless trolley system.

One important point, to be considered in connection with the rail-less systesn is the condition of the roadway. It is absolutely necessary that there should be a good surface and one which will stand the, traffic. In some instances the system has been a failure, chiefly on account of the bad condition of the roads.

F.W.D. Service.

Owners and others interested 4n F.W.D. vehicles will be glad to learn that a cempany known as the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., 44-46, Ringsway, London, W.C.2, has been formed with the full sanction of the parent company in America, and under the guidance of Mr. Nyberg, a representative of that company, to look after the F. W,D. interests.

It will be the policy of the company to build up goodwill amongst users and agents and the management w*Ao all in their power to assist users in every way pcssible. They own 2140,000 worth of American parts and some 2100,000 worth of British F.W.D. parts. As there are over 1,000 of these ' machines, chiefly American, running in England, these parts should certainly prove extremely useful.. Users of F.W.D. vehicles should send their names, addresses, and particulars of their lorries to the company for a free copy of a very helpful F.W.D. instruction book and a copy of the service parts hook.

Shell-Mex Receive the "C.M." Cup.

At the annual luncheon of the Commercial Motor Users Association The Commercial Motor Challenge Cup and the Association's silver medal won in the annual parade held in London on April 2nd, were preSentecl to Sheil-Mex, Ltd., represented by Mr. C. M. V. Ambler, the engineer in charge' of the company's fleet of motor vehicles. Mr. Ambler also received the engineer's prize in the shape of a handsome

Railways and Roads.

The reports of the special committee that considered this matter have now been issued. The representatives of road transport make a separate report and put up a strong case against giving the railway companies the powers asked foe_ These latter are of the opinion that railway companies can, if they charge reasonable rates, compete with road hauliers for certain distances, and would still retain the heavy trader and the long-distance traffic. Competition between road transport and rail transport is, they say, healthy in the interest of the public. The full report is published and obtainable at H.M. Stationery Offices in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Dublin. The number of the paper is Cmd. 1228, the price being twopence, and it is well worth the while of any person interested, in motor road transport to obtain a copy and study it in its complete form.

Price Reduction.

The prices of commercial vehicle chassis continue to show a downward trend, the latest being the chassis made by the Ster Engineering Co., Ltd., of Frederick Street, Wolverhampton. The old and new prices for these are as follow ;— Previous To-day's price. price. 30 cwt. chassie £800 £675

50 cwt. chaszis £900 £775.

3 ton chassis ... £1,050 .£900

Baico Agents.

Smith Bros (Motors), Ltd., Nelson Street, and Lothair Street, Manchester, inform us that they have been appointed wholesale distributing agents for the 30 cwt. Baico-Ford conversion sets for the county of Lancashire, excluding Barrow and that territory in Cheshire within 17 miles radius of Manchester. In a few days the company will be in possession of a large quantity of spare parts, from which they will be able to deliver ex-stock any replacement required. They will be able to .fit complete conversion sets.

C.M.U.A. Report.

The 17th annual report of the Commercial Motor Users Association has just been issued. It shows that the Association has continued to give serious consideration to the encouragement of the development of horne-produeed fuels and has interested' itself in many directions with this objeCt. in view. In particular, the Association has taken a leading part in the work of the Empire Motor Fuels Committee, which was foamed during the past year by the Imperial Motor Transport Council.

The Association has continued to provide the necessary funds to fight. the test action for alleged extraordinary traffic damage to roads, raised in. February, 1917, by the Weston-euper-Mare against Henry Butt end Co., Ltd., who are members of the Association. We have dealt with the vorious phases of this case; Itwill be recalled that it was heard in the House of Lords in June, 1920, after having been heard in the Court of Chancery and the Court of Appeal, and their Lordships made the order that the appeal should stand over sine die. Mr. Upjohn, K.C., and Mr. Maegban, are to lead in the re-trial, which will be heard shortly. Other important matters dealt with in the report include the running by rail way companies of road services for goods traffic, the closing of roads to motor chars-e-bance, commercial neuter parades, and drivers' examinations and other matters in which users of gooda.and passenger vehicles are largely interested. The membership has increased by 2,374, and is now over 6,000.

"The Imperturbable."

Capt. F. G. Bristow, "The Imperturbable," as he is being described, carried out the arrangements for the parade of the C.M.U.A. and the lunch of the Association with a completeness and a finish that called for genuine admiration. It is a proof of good organization if an event seems "to happen" to work itself—it shows that the wheels are carefully silenced and concealed. When the wheels are obvious, their obtrusiveness introduced a note of worry, and the result is never so geed. Capt. Bristow is a power in the land of commercial inotardom.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR Personal Pars.

Mr. R. H. Hall, chairman of the Liverpool C.M.U.A. for the ensuing year, was one of the five original members of the Liverpool and District Commercial Motor Owners Association. He has specialized in motor engineering and has had experience irt bath the construction and operation of read vehicles. He is managing director of the Liverpool Saccharine and Vesta Oil and Cake Mills, Ltd., a company whieh.he joined M 1907 ; is chairman of the Motor 'Trans port Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. ; and a director of the LiverpoolMotor Haniage'Clearing House Co., Ltd. At the last meeting of the Liverpool branch of the Motor Transport Employers' Federation, held recently, he was elected chairman f or the coming year.

Mr. J. L. Clewes, the eubiect of an illu.stratiolinen this page, is the wellknown transport manager to Lipton, Ltd. Although he is an advocate of transport by road, he is primarily a railway man, having had 2/0 years' railway service eervice in the goods department of the MidlandeRailway, for-the east two years of which perioehe was general inspector on. the personal staff of the chief goods manager. From 1912 to 1916 he was general manager of light railways in Englaed and Ireland, but for nearly five years he has been solely responsible for the movement of incoming bulk supplies and distribution to the 600 or soedepots owned by Lipton, Ltd., throughout the British Isles. Mr. Chores is what would be known in America. as a "live wire," and it is due to his capacity for organization that the Lipton fleet is an efficient.

Mr. C. M. V. Ambler, A.M.I.Mech.E., was the recipient, at the C.M.U.A. luncheon on Wednesday, April 6th, on behalf of Shell-Mex. Ltd., of ithe cup presented. by The -Commercial Motor and won jointly by teams of Leyland and Thornycroft vehicles entered. by that company. Incidentally, a third team of Albion vehicles, also belonging to the company; obtained a "highly commended" eertificate. The winning -of the cap and of this certificate shows the very high-class condition in which the Shell-Mex fleet is maintained, and this condition is primarily due to the energy and ability of the subject of this

paragraph. Mr. Ambler, served his a.pprentieeship at the Great Northern Railway Works at Doneaster. He then entered the Navy, and remained in that branch of the Service for 12,years, and 'certainly some of the .cruptilous attention which is paid to the eleanlinessiof the fleet under his control can be traced to his experiences in this connection. After leaving the Navy, he spent two yeans in the experimental department of Wolseley, Motors, Ltd., followed by some 18 months to ewe years with Vineys, of Preston, and then-three years with the London General_ Orrinibus.Co., Ltd. He has been chief motor engineer to the Shell-Mex Co. fer the last . five years,' during which time, as is well known, the company have vastly ex tended their system of delivery by road, and something like 1,000.rootor vehicles of various types are now under his direct control so far as upkeep and maintenance are -eoncerned.

The number af motor lorries imported into Bombay from Aprileto January, 1980-1921, was 937, as compared with 259 in the equivalent period of 1919-1920.

Rate Cutting.

The depression in the main trades of Laneashire has been manifest in the falling off of much of the haulage work that was being done at this seasoU of last year. Not only are there many more Lorries observable in the streets of the cotton towns running light,but a. serious cutting below the scheduled rates of the associations is being reported. This may serve for a. while, but when depreciation is reckoned up later there will be some serious losses to record, and this warning by a Commercial Motor correspondent who has had opportunity of getting close into the position should prove useful to some who have been more anxious to keep their vehicles upon the road than to look to the financial result, although the latter is the ultimate test.

Jaya Transport.

It is reported from. Bombay that 31 ton lorries are found to be much too heavy for use upon the roads in Java, and that it appears that I_ ton vehicles woeld prove to be much morepuitable. Thera are eonsiderable4openings for enterprising British heavy vehicle manufacturers to obtain a foothold in supplying the Government of Java and Sumatra with vehicles for transport purposes. The Government has a number of services in operation, in which the motor vehicle could, without question, be usefully and economically employed.

Ploughing Open Spaces m London..

A few days ago the Ancona Motor Co., Ltd., commenced ploughing and cultivating a large portion of Parliament Hill Fields, London, N.W. These operations follow on the work carried out for the London County Council at Ruskin Park, Camberwell; at Highbury Fields ; and at Marble Hill, Twickenham. This company have just concluded ploughing part of Primrose Hill for H.M. Office

of Works. • Anyone interested in tractors and wishing to see them at work during the week should communicate with the Secretary, Ancona Motor Co., Ltd.., 75-82, Brompton Road, London, S.W.3, who will be pleased to forward illustrations and literature of the British Wallis tractor, which is manufactured for them by Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd.,.of It will be remembered that the British Wallis tractor was awarded the firstprize gold medal in the three-furrow class at the International Trials held at Lincoln in October lag. We are also advised_ that the price is now reduced to 495, which includes a special-type adjustable drawbar and mudguards to rear wheels.

The Rural Light Railway Schemes.

There is, apparently, at the moment no hope of developing rural districts by means of light railways, as proposed by the late Ministry of Reconstruction. .

Recently the Essex County Council scheduled a series of *desirable schemes, but the Ministry of Transport intimated that only those deemed urgent should be prepared.

The Ministry of Transport has now notified the Essex County Council that, by reason of a Cabinet decision, it is precluded, for the time being, from making representations for grants or loans for the construction of light railways. Hence the Essex proposals cannot even be considered until after March 31st, '1922.

Saurer Spare Parts.

A considerable number of Saurer come rnercial vehicles has been put into service in this country since the war, and there has been a certain amount of diffi•eulty in some eases in obtaining suitable spare parts for these machines. In order to make provision for the supply of these parts, the Satires Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., of 64, Mortimer Street, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, have accumulated considerable stocks in this country, and will be glad to send a copy of the catalogue of these to any owner of Saurer chassis who sends his chassis and engine numbers to the company.

The catalogue is so arranged that additions to stock, which Will be notified by the company, can he filed along-with the other particulars. The catalogue is well arranged, and practically every past of the chassis is illustrated and numbered.

An Overseas Inquiry.

H.M. Trade Commissioner in Port of Spain, Trinidad, writing to the Department of Overseas Trade, 36, Old Queen Street, Loudon, S.W., gates that the manager of a motor garage' in that city has approached him with a view to being put into tench with British manufacturers of all kinds of motor and cycle a c cess oil es.

The garage in question is owned by an influential concern possessing large stores in Trinidad, Barbados, and the Leeward and Windward Islands. The manager is apparently well acquainted with the motor trade and is anxious to replace the many American accessories now stocked by the garage by Britishmade goods. He asks to be furnished with catalogues, etc., but emphasizes the fact that catalogues without prices are of no use. The name and address of the inquirer may be obtained by British manufacturers upon application to the Department of Overseas Trade.

, A Yorkshire Bus Service.

The motor service between Pickering and Scarborough, instituted a year ago by Messrs. Abraham and Stevens, has proved a great boon to residents of Pickering and the various villages enrout e.

A new 26 seater bus, fitted with a well. designed body painted in blue, has rocently been put into service, and runs twice daily, leaving Pickering at 9.30 a.m. and 4.50 p.m., and Scarborough at 2 pen. and 6 p.m., a special late service having been, instituted for Saturdays. The fare has been reduced to fis. 6d. return, and many people are availing themselves .of Pre bdslitional facilities which have been provided by this new vehicle.

Standing Room for Buses.

Northampton Watch Committee has had an application from the Midland Motor Bus Co. for permission to use Cattle Market Road as.a stand for their buses runuing between Northampton and Newport Pagnell, and recommends that the application he granted and a standing for motorbuses be provided in this road in a r osition to be indicated by the chief constable.

Liverpool Motor Parade.

The Liverpool Commercial Motor Users Association has appointed a committee to make arrangements for another parade of commercial motor vehicles. The following have been elected, with powers to co-opt :--Major-General Long and Messrs. T... Lawrenson, A. C. Bloomer, G. Haigh, R. H. Hall, H. D. Greene, R. IV. G. Barnett, J. R. Alexander, J. G. Birch, W. J. Cornea.

The chairman for the ensuing year is Mr. If. H. Hall, and the vice-chairman Mr. E. W. G. Barnett.

Correspondence has been passing between Viney and Co., Ltd., of Preston, and the Liverpool water engineer regarding water charges for motor vehicles, and the secretary of the C.M.U.A. has been instructed to refer this matter, and also the question of a uniform' water supply from underground tanks throughout the division to the divisional committee.

Chinese Communications.

A cable from Shanghai, dated several weeks ago, states that the motor road which is being constructed north and .south of Taiyuan by the military authorities has made great strides towards completion, the northern part of the road near Taturigfu being already in working order.

What is most obvious it is stated, is that Shanshi's great need is a railway trunk line running from north to south. The motor road, uscfn though it undoubtedlywill prove t be, can by no means be considered as a substitute for the railway, which wojild render possible the opening up of I Shaeshi's great • mineral resources. The rejected AngloChinese oo-operative col mining enterprise in the north of the province should aid in drawing attention to the need of linking up the industrial district's with the railway system • of China. Before the war the constructier of a north and south line was freely dis us.sed, but little is heard of it nowadays.

Char-a-banes Trahic Control..

The Highways Consuni.tee of the Essex County Council 'recalls Laat, some months ago it communicated w th the Ministry of Transport with a viejv to evidence as to the nuisances causedi to residents by the conduct of person travelling on motor char-f-basics being submitted to the Departmental Cornmittee on. the Regulation of Read Vehicles.

• The Ministry of Tra sport, however, referred the matter to t,lieHome Office for attention, and as thel Home Office has not replied the Highway Committee proposes . that the County Council's 'assistance shall be asked -t4 take into consideration the question f the nuisances arising from motor ch -a-banes traffic, and to urge the prober Government department to deal with the subject

• without delay by legi lation, or the framing of model by-1ws as may be found necessary.

The Crystal Pal ee Second' hand .Sh w.

We recently paid a kisit to the Exhibition of. secand.-hati vehicles staged at the Crystal Palace aad organized by .Mr. William Glass, A. :I.A.E., A.M.I. Aern.E., of Waltetr fouso, Bedford Street, Strand, tsondonl W.G.

We found 22 002111118 cial vehicles on exhibition, and amongst these were some really fine specimens, including a Leyland. 33-seater char-l-banes, with body detachable in two parts. This machine was in excellent condition, and appeared to have seen but little service. It was priced at 21,700, but it must be reMembered that this is not the reserve price. If vehicles are unsold, prices will gradually be reduced to the reserve during the last few days of the Show,

but as bargains will undoubtedlybe snapped up before that time, it is dangerous to follow a waiting policy. A 19113 Peerless four ton covered lorry, apparently in good order, was priced at 2720, whilst a 1917 four ton Kamer lorry with a slight knock in the engine, bore the very moderate price of 2375. The lighter vehicles seem to be the more expensive in proportion. Amongst these were a 1918 Dodge van at 2325 and a 1920 Oldsmobile one ton lorry at 2425. What seemed to be is sound bargain was a 1918 four ton Eallford lorry ati2550.

Other vehicles. on show included several Fiat vans, a Crossley tender, a Studebaker van, and Daimler, Dennis, Packard, Austin, Karrier, and BritishBerna lorries.

Bolton Coach Doings.

At a meeting of the Bolton Licensing Committee a letter was read from the secretary of the Bolton, Bury, Radcliffe, and District Motor Char--a-basics Owners Association, stating that it is proposed to run a daily coach service from May 15th next urail further notice from Victoria Square to popular places of interea,-and asking for approval, and inquiring whether permission will, be granted to members of the association from districts outside Bolton to join.

A further letter intimated that the proposed service has now been thrown open to all members of the association in: the Bolton, Bury, and Radcliffe districts to join.

The consideration of the matter was deferred The silk merchants in Mysore, finding that their present mode of transporting goods by carts is unsatisfactory, have formed a, Motor Union. The Union, it is started in a cable from Bombay, will purchase a great number of lorries.

Compulsory Splashguards.

At a meeting of the Glasgow Corporation Magistrates Committee a letter was submitted from the Chief Constable with regard to complaints made as to damage caused to persons and property by the splashing of mud and water by heavr

motor vehicles. The Chief Constable stated that he had received from the Commissioner of Police, Belfast, a letter stating that in terms of an order made by the Local Government Board of Ireland in May, 1919, every motor vehicle is required to be "fitted with a device so contrived and fixed and of such a character as will prevent mud or water being thrown by such heavy

motorcar upon any person or property or upon any other vehicle."

The committee asked the town clerk to get in communication with the Secretary of Scotland on the subject.

Back to the Act of 1847.

The Corporation of Cheater has had new motor char-A-banes regulations under consideration. The draft regula

bens, which were referred back to the Watch Committee for reconsideration, have since been revised, but the Committee has decided that the new draft regulations be not approved and that the Council be recommended to make regulations pursuant to the provisions of Section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847.

Decelerating Road Traffic.

The Southport Middle Class Union, after drawing the attentien of the local Watch Committee to the "ill-effects on health, damage to property, and the danger to users of the road generally,"

due to motor coach traffic, suggested. that a speed limit of seven miles per hour be enforced and that new chassis be prohibited from indulging in trial runs within the borough boundary. The Southport Watch Committee has now made application to the Ministry of Transport for an order to regulate the speed of motor coach and heavy road

traffic in the borough. .

Local. Proceedings.

Abersychan U.D.C. proposes to purchase two electric vehicles, to cost 21,000 `each.

Ilford Council proposes the erectiou of garage for electric vehicles at a cost of £1,257.

Carnarvon Town Council Works Committee recommends the purchase of a one ton motor at a coat of £308.

Consideration is being given by Skipton Joint Hospital Committee to the question of purchasing a motor ambulance.

Greenwich Borough Council Health Committee recommends the purchase of a motor disinfecting van at a cost of about £538.

Bridlington Town Council has empowered the borough engineer to purchase a steam wagon and trailer at a cost not exceeding 21,500.

Ilkeston Gas. Committee has adjourned the question of the purchase of a motor lorry, pending the decision of the Corporation as to the use of motors for house refuse collection.

East Ham Corporation has asked a committee to report on the question of the -establishment of a department for the running and repair of the corpora tion motor vehicles. , Glasgow Corporation alas Committee has asked a sub-committee to deal with the advisability of purchasing motor lorries to meet the transport requirements of the four chemical works.

Having considered the question of the conveyance of the steam engine to city fires, the York Watch Committee has arranged that a Corporation motor lorry shall be used when occasion requires.

• Having had a week's trial of a. secondhand All-chain steam wagon, the works committee of the Greenwich Council recommends its purchase from the North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Co. at the Price of £420.

The sum of 21,000 is to be spent by Newport (Salop) R.D.C. on the purchase of a motor chassis, fitted with Merryweather appliances and a Hatfield pump, subject to the two adjoining district councils contributing towards the cost.

Considering the roads quite unsuited for motorbus traffic, the Highways Committee of the Essex County Council recommends refusing consent to a service proposed by the L.G.O. Co. from Ilford via Green Lane, Becontree Heath, Rush Green and Hornchurch to Upminster.


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