Out and Home.—By "The Extractor."
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Bockemuhl not a Benedict.
I hope to settle down to one caricature each week, now that the Manchester Show is relegated to the "limbo of forgotten things:' This week is presented a recent sketch of Mr. Richard Bockeinuhl, of the Peter Union Tyre Co., Ltd. A few years ago, I gave a brief account of his business career. It only remains now to be said that he seems to have adopted England for his home, and has quite dropped into English habits. Ile likes the country life, and lives a short way out of London, but he remains a bachelor.
The Essence of Showmanship.
One of our leading articles in a. recent issue, entitled "1,Vieted Opportunities at Show Times," has been sinking into the recesses of my mind, and with the July Shoelooming ahead it appears to me that too much thought cannot be exercised over this question of attractive display. One or two good ideas filtered through to the Manchester Show. The illuminated transparencies on the Commer-Car exhibit were quite good. So also was the utilizing of one corner of the Maudslay stand for the display of some well-arranged and carefully-selected components. Then again, the method of showing the Renard-Latil power plant was quite good, in my opinion ; that, too, was a brain-wave of Leo Swain's to pick out the word " Polack " on the tires of that make on various exhibits—it was noticed that other tire-makers promptly followed the lead.
But more than this must be done in July, more than simply the displaying of testimonials must. be attempted. I suggest something in the way of demonstrations would he good. If a maker has a back axle that can be dismounted (easily, why not have a workman:constantly doing thii, to show its simplicity and get-at-able-ness. This example is only one thing. A number of others were suggested in the editorial to which I refer. Its mention may suggest other ideas to exhibitors, and may thus serve its purpose. Graphic Methods Wanted. The detachable-rim demonstration at the pleasure car shows always interests a large number, so why should not other roadside dismantling attract attention. I have in mind an exhibit of the Acetylene Illuminating Co., Ltd., where their particular form
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of welding was shown n process, and it made a tremendous impression. A similar effect was produced by the Napier exhibit at one of the pleasure-oar shows. It had occurred to them to show an actual built up portion of a Colonial roadway, with its ruts, etc., and this gave Napiers a fine opportunity to show their clearance. Vehicles should certainly be loaded. It is an easy matter to get a real load from the various manufacturers, and it intensifies the attraction. This subject has, I know. already aroused quite a lot of interest, and I anticipate that it -will have due effect in July at Olympia.
The Dry Humour of our Cartoon.
"Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink." These famous lines were satirically quoted by a trade friend in reference to the group sketch at the Midland, Manchester, in our issue of 427th Feb. So many people think that a body of men could not sit round listening to a etory without the customary accompaniments. One corresp ondent blames the artist, .and says we must get another whose impressions are more " true to nature." Another, who was in the hotel, suggests that the artist has spirited the glasses away, probably having " taken lessons from the card manipulator so much in evidence during Show week." Another suggests that the tumblers "had gone to be refilled." and still another helpful person writes 11)(' that the sketch must have been made "at that dismal hour whe,n they refuae to serve any more." Anyhow, and without offering any elucidation, I am glad to see such a friendly air of interest in these coramunieations. When the occasion arises again, perhapsour artist will secure some group brighter, better,. and, maybe. even nobler.