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NEWS of the WEEK

125 PRODUCER-GAS VEHICLES RUNNING I N the House of Commons Sir Stanley Reed inquired from the Secretary of Mines how many transport vehicles had been converted from the use of petroleum products to producer gas and what steps were being taken to quicken the process. Mr. Lloyd regretted that exact figures were not available, but said that at least 125 vehicles were now running.

According to figures recently supplied by the manufacturers of producer-gas equipment, however, some 75 plants for transport had been constructed, or were in course of construction. Regarding the latter part of the question he referred to a reply he gave on March 20.

Road Transport is Being Sacrificed

REPRESENTATIVES from Nottingham and other parts of the Midlands were present at a luncheon and conference at Leicester, on April 4, of the East Midlands Area of A.R.O.

" Road transport is being sacrificed, not on the altar of the unknown god, but on the altar of vested interests in other forms of transport, which are influencing Government policy," said Mr. J. A. Kirby, the East Midlands Area chairman_ " The question of fuel has not been dealt with fairly and justly as regards road transport." He added that road operators would be happy if the Ministry of Transport would give them 75 per cent, of their pre-war supply, which, it had been stated, was available for road services.

Rates Fixed for Heavy Woollens

SCHEDULES of minimum road haulage rates were brought into operation on April 1 by the Heavy Woollen District Transport Association, an organization which was formed, not long ago, by hauliers in that part of the Yorkshire textile area where the manufacture of heavy woollens is the staple industry.

The rates, which are stated to have met with a generally satisfactory reception from haulage users in the area, are basic figures; the scheme provides that they may be varied on a percentage basis, from time to time, if that be considered necessary to meet any change in conditions, such as further increases in costs.

The schedule has two sections—rates by weight and rates per hour. In the former section, there is a general rate of'3d. per cwt. for the same-town traffic in the various places which form the heavy woollen district, and the following particular rates per cwt. are laid down for traffic between central Dewsbury and the localities, named, or vice versa:—

Ravengtherpe and Bailey, 3d.; Earlsheaten, Chickenley, Stianvitfle, White Lee and Heckmondwike,4d.• Cleckheaton, Mirfield, Ossett (including Fleal4) and 'Brasil, 5d.; Morley, 6d.

For longer distances, extending beyond the heavy woollen district, the following rates per ton apply for traffic between central Dewsbury and the places named, or vice versa, with proportional modifications in the case of longer or shorter journeys, according to that part of the heavy woollen district with which the journey is concerned:—

Wakeneld, 10s.; Leeds, Brighouse, Huddersfield, Pudsey and Farsley, 11s. Bd.; Elland, Halifax. Longwood, oolcar, Milnebridge, SlaiUsWaite, Marsden, Holmfirth, Meltham, Gunder. Yeadott end Bowdon, 14e. 2d.• Bradford, import(l wool in original packimi, 10s. 4d.; other wool, 15s. 9d.; rags, us. Bd.

The time rates per hour. based on carrying capacity ate :—T_Tp to 30 cwt., 5e.i up to 3 tons, 6s. 65.; up to 5 tons, Zs. 9c1..; over 5 tons, 9s. 6d.

Scottish Fusion Plan Rejected

APROPOSAL to amalgamate with the Transport and General Workers' Union was rejected by delegates from 70 districts at the annual conference of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, at Cardross, on April 6.

Oil-engine Representative Available

AMAN with a valuable connection amongst garages, fleet owners, councils, bus operators, etc., covering 25 years, wishes to obtain a position as travelling representative, preferably for a concern manufacturing or marketing oil engines. Letters should be addressed " Travelling Represents-. tive," care of the Editor.

Steel for Producer-gas Plants

AANUFACTURERS requiring steel alfor the production of producer-gas plants for use on road vehicles in this country should now apply to the Ministry of Transport for the necessary forms of application'. All communications should be addressed to the secretary, Ministry of Transport (Room 349), Metropole Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2.

FUEL RATIONING HINDERING TRADE

HAVING admitted in Parliament that complaints were received from time to time from firms as to the effect on their businesses of the fuel rationing of goods vehicles, Mr. Bernays said last week that every complaint was fully investigated through the Regional organization, and he had no reason to believe that fuel rations were refused if it could be shown that other reasonable traffic facilities were not available.

No reply, however, was forthcoming to a remark by Mr. A. Edwards to the effect that there was, in Middlesbrough, a concern which had built up stocks of coal (the only one in the district that had done so) which was brought in entirely by road, and the concern had been told, at a few days' notice, that it would have no more petrol.

Will Wages Board Chairman Resign?

A RESOLUTION that Sir Richard

Redmayne be asked to resign from the chairmanship of the Road Haulage Central Wages Board was adopted at a meeting of the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers in Leeds on Tuesday last. This move follows the Federation's resolution of last month, when the attitude of Sir Richard was criticized, • A meeting of the full Central Beiard is to be held to consider the wages position.

S.T.R.'s Competition Results

ALITTLE competition was initiated by S.T.R., our costs expert, in his article, " How to Decide What Are Establishment Costs," published in our issue dated March 9. The prize for each of the first 12 correct answers was to be a set of The Commercial Motor e costs publications, comprising (a) Tables of Operating Costs, (b) Operating Costs Record, (c) Wages Schedule.

Out of the many entries received, only two gave the correct answer, the carrier's licence under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

The winners are:—Mr. R. Hodge, of Hodge and Son (Hauliers), Ltd., Snettisham, King's Lynn, and Mr. A.

Gostelow, Markfield, Leicester. Consolation prizes, in the form of Tables of Operating Colts, will be sent to the other entrants.

ROAD MAINTENANCE MUST BE KEPT GOING

CUTTING down of estimates for the ...maintenance of trunk and classified roads was, in reality, unsound finance, was the view expressed by the Earl of Leven and Melville, when he presided at a meeting of Moray and Nairn Road Board. Whilst agreeing that improvement work should be deferred, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Transport, he thought that maintenance should continue as formerly. If they were not careful -it would be found that the roads would be in the same distressing condition as they were at the end of the 1914-18 war. Approval of the estimates was deferred until June.

Committee On Retail Problems Gets Busy

THE first meeting of the joint committee of manufacturers and retailers, set up by Mi. W. E. Rootes, president of the S.M.M. and T., for the purpose of further investigating the Problems facing the retail section of the industry under war conditions, was held in London a few days ago. It was decided to strengthen the retail representation on the committee by inviting Mr. S. G. Davies, of Nortons (Cardiff), Ltd., to become a member.

The discussion covered many items of urgent interest to the retail trade, and complete unanimity was arrived at as to the procedure of further investigations required. A second meeting of the committee is to be held on May 7, when reports of progress made will be considered.

Mistaken Fuel Policy Affects Produce Diltribution

ARESOLUTION passed by Cumberland branch of the National Farmers' Union concerning petrol supplies to hauliers is endorsed by the Northern Area of A.R.O. Mr, F. Milton, secretary, said he did not think that the public realized the extent to which the haulage industry had been

hit by restricted petrol supplies. It was agreed that there should be no waste of petrol, but to check the movement of goods in agricultural areas was not economy. The Cumberland branch of the N.F.U. complained that because of the shortage of haulage facilities members' could not dispose of their produce.

Lucas Head-lamp-mask Cover

AN effective protector for fitting over the " top-hat " portion of the • head-lamp mask has been produced by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Great King Street, Birmingham, 19, with the object of preventing the entry of rain, mud, etc., which may rust the interior and dim the light.

The device consists of a broad metal rim with a clear front glass, and a fixing clamp at each side. It fits closely over the mask and is held securely by the clamps, which turn into the centre light slot, no piercing or drilling being required. An important advantage of the cover is that it cannot be removed without the use of a screwdriver.

Made of rust-proof steel, well finished in ebony black, it is neat and unobtrusive, and is sold at the moderate price of 2s. 6d. PEDESTRIAN CONTROL URGED TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS " IF the appalling increase in fatal accidents is to be substantially reduced, the introduction of some form of pedestrian control is imperative," states the Chief Constable of Glasgow (Mr. P. J. Sillitoe) in his annual report foi, 1939, issued on April 4. He states that there was an increase of 100 in the number of persons fatally injured in Glasgow street accidents compared with the previous year, most of them occurring during the last four months of the year. The black-out, of course, was responsible for the biggest proportion of the accidents in those months.

Commenting on this increase, Mr. Sillitoe states that, in his opinion, the onus of preventing road accidents during the black-out lies, to a much greater extent than hitherto, on the pedestrian, against whom, in this respect, the police are powerless to proceed.

• Under black-out conditions the vision of the driver of a vehicle is limited, and he is compelled to rely more on the intelligence and care exercised by the pedestrian.

The first essential for the reduction of road accidents, Mr. Sillitoe adds, is a full appreciation on the part of all • road users of their individual responsibilities.

Change in A.E.C.'s Northern Distributorship WE are advised by the Associated W Equipment Co., Ltd., that, as from April 1, Oswald Tillotson, Ltd„ of 13urnley, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool, ceased to be a distributor for its products. Pending alternative arrangements, Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., will continue as an official repairer and spare-part stockist at the depots named. All inquiries, other than those concerning repairs and spare parts, should he addressed to the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd„ Southall, Middlesex.

Plans for Glasgow's Transport Pageant

I LLUSTRATING the history of trans

port in Glasgow a pageant is to be held on a Saturday in August in aid of the City of Glasgow Central War Relief Fund. This decision was reached at a conference on April 4, when Mr. P. J. DoBan, Lord Provost of Glasgow, discussed plans for the event with representatives of all sections of the transport industry, the municipal departments, and officials of trade unions.

More than $00 motor and horsedrawn vehicles will parade through the main streets and collections will be taken along the route. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated vehicle and the "most mirth-provoking turnout."

A.R.O. Sub-area Meetings

'THE annual meeting of the Southern I (Metropolitan) Subarea of A.R.O. will be held on April 16, at the Amersham Hotel, New Cross, London, S.E.14.

The annual meeting of the Western (Metropolitan) Sub-area will be held on Monday, April 22, at the Star and Garter Hqtel, Kew Bridge, London, W., at 7.90 p.m.

• The Association's national director, Mr. R. W. Sewill, will speak at each meeting, at which the yearly election of the sub-area sectional boards will also take place.

The Northern (Metropolitan) Subarea meets on April 24 at the Beech Hill Club, Leagrave Road, Luton, when the chairman of the Association, Lt.-Comdr. J. Havers, will address the meeting. In this case, too, the yearly election of the sub-area board will also take place. FILM CARRIERS WANT STANDARDIZED CHARGES.

MEGOTIATIONS are to be reopened 1. It between the Manchester and Salford branch of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association and the local branch of Associated Film Carriers on film transport charges. Deadlock was reached when the exhibitors, who were willing to pay a percentage increase on the old rates, declined to accept a minimum charge of 75. per week for theatres within two miles of the Manchester film exhibitors, rising in wages to 15s. for theatres 12 miles away. The objections to standardized charges, put forward by exhibitors, have been replied to by A.F.C.

Questionnaire on Producer-gas Fuel A QUESTIONNAIRE has been issued 1--1 to road-transport operators on both the passenger and goods sides by the British Coal Utilization Research Association, Experimental Station, Rickett Street, West Brompton, London, S.W.6.

The object is to ascertain the likely requirements and lo keep the price to the lowest possible figure by economy in distribution and quick turnover.

It is considered, however, that the retail price will probably be £6 per ton for normal fuels, with an extra charge of Is. 6d. for those specially dried.

The questionnaire will be issued through Associated Road Operators and other trade organizations, and is most comprehensive.

Foden Sales in London WE are asked by Fodens, Ltd., of W Sandbach, to mention that the address of Mr. J. Holroyd, one of its sales representatives in the London area, is 36, Lankaster Gardens, East Finchley, N.2. CAN " " VEHICLES CLAIM PRIORITY? TORPO1NT ferry, that vital link 1 between the counties of Devon and Cornwall, is always a vexed question with road users, and the complaints of delay obviously call for greater attention in war-time, when such a large volume of sea-borne supplies is landed at Cornish ports. The ferry service has been under the consideration of the emergency committee of Port of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, which decided to urge the Cornwall County Council, in the interests of commerce generally, to restore the 15 minutes' service between Torpoint and Devonport ; this was done on April 6.

It is also to approach the Ministry of Transport in the matter of priority for the use of the ferry. It is to be pointed out that business motors are frequently subjected to tedious delay through preference being given to any vehicle, even if unloaded, that bears the magic letters " 0.11.M.S."

Obituary FLYING OFFICER NIGEL STUART GRAEME, who had been assistant sales representative in Scotland for British Timken, Ltd., from September, 1938, until the outbreak of war, has been killed in an aircraft actident in France. He joined British Timken, Ltd., in 1937 and passed through the works and the technical department before taking up his position in Scotland.

Practical Advice on Town Gas

AN invitation is extended by Hyde Park Garage, Ltd., 67. Bayswater Road, London, W.2, to engineers in the commercial-motor industry who seek practical information and advice on the use of low-pressure town gas as

fuel for road vehicles. The companyhas had considerable experience in this field and asks us to state that its shops are open to those desirous of benefiting from this experience. Help will gladly be extended in the development of this home-produced fuel.

Reduced Fuel Rations for Mediumcapacity Vehicles

LIVERPOOL operators are troubled I--Aby an instructidn of the District Transport Officer that vehicles of 2-3 tons unladen will have the fuel ration reduced unless they limit their work to local or semi-local journeys. That means there will he a cut in the supplementary ration. No definition is given of the radius of local or semi-local journeys, it being understood that each case will be dealt with on its merits, according to the volume of business, the traffic, alternative means of transport. etc.

The Road Transport Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce which has called for a meeting of the Ministry of Transport District Advisory Committee to discuss the matter, considers it a dangerous precedent to single out one type of vehicle for special treatment. It is feared that vehicles from neighbouring districts, where there are not similar restrictions, might come into the Liverpool district and take business which local operators had been forced to abandon. MORE FUEL NEEDED FOR POTATO TRANSPORT

THAT the potato industry was being 1 handicapped through haulage contractors not being allowed sufficient petrol was a statement made at a recent meeting of Blairgowrie (Perthshire) Farmers' Union. The branch agreed to urge that hauliers should get a larger ration of petrol for agricultural haulage.

War-time Transport Policy Criticized

ARESOLUTION criticizing the Government's war-time transport policy was passed at a meeting of the Road Transport Section of the Leeds Incorporated Chamber of Commerce last week. It suggested that there is a tendency for the Government to

restrict commercial road transport and to encourage the transfer of traffic to rail, without due regard to the interests of industry. This is particularly to be regretted in view of the possibility of dislocation of the railways by enemy action. The Section's views will come before the next meeting of the Council on April _30.

Gully-emptier Required in Egypt 'TENDERS for the supply of a gully 1 cleanser are required by the Ministry of Public Works, Tanzim Department, Cairo, the closing date being May 8. Local representation is essential. Fuller details may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade. Great George Street, London, S.W.1, reference T.18055 /40 being quoted. STATISTICS FOR BLACK-OUT SPEED-LIMIT OFFENCES

THE Home Secretary, Sir J. Anderson, states that during the month of February 55 summonses for exceeding the 20 m.p.h. limit in the black-out were disposed of by courts in the

Metropolitan Police District. In 51 cases the defendant was convicted and in one case the charge was found proved but was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act.

Car Mart Tyre Service WE learn that the tyre-service departVW ment of the Car Mart, Ltd., has removed to 72-73, Warren Street, London, W.1. Mr. Cameron remains in charge and Messrs. Ruggles and Gait represent the company as district managers.