WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
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 runs."—John Beattie Crozier,
Motor Workers and Unemployment Benefits.
A point of considerable impostance to motor workers , and others in Midland districts has been raised by Mr. Will Thome, M.P., seeretaew of the National Union of General \Toilers. In a letter to Mx. Arthur Heyday, M.P. for West Nottingham, the divisional secretary of the organization, he explains that he has' put a question to the responsible Government Department in regard to unemploymeait benefit being paid in cases in which firms close down for as long as a fortnight at, a time at Christmas, and has been inforMed that benefit is not payable under the Unemployment Ineurance Act in respect of recognised holidays, but where the holidays are extended by the employer, for his convenience, the period of extension is.eegascltd as uneanployartene for the purpose of benefit. Cases of doubt, it is intimated, will he settled in the usual way by court of referees and an_ umpire.
Coach Traffic in Perthshire.
Motor coach °wings in West Perthshire wilt have to look out for themselves next year, as the County Council have given considerable 'thought to damags clone to the Ina& by-this class of traffic. As in the case of many otherdistricts, the complaints of ordinary road users are not limited:to the bad state of the
roads. The county road surveyor, Of Dunblane, who has .kept -careful ,statistics during the past year, states that 15;359 motor coach journeys were made, with a total, weight of 7800 tons, compared with 370,737 tons of ordinary traffic. He is of opinion that .the damage done to the roads by chars-h-bancs ie largely due to the pace at which them areedriven. The county surveyor has -also. estimetOd that rather more than half of the damage done to the highways is due to motor coach traffiTe:
To Control Caledon Scottish Sales.
Many men in the commercial-vehicle industry will be interested to learn that Mr. D. McNeil Sheen has recently been appointed the Scottish sales manager to Caledon Motors, Ltd.
Many of those who have been associated with the industry fee a long time will know that•Mr. Shaffi-.has,for many years past-14 years to be precise—held the position of sales manager to Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd:, of Yoker: He was with them when this company was buildine the old Halley•steam Wagons at Crown Point Road, Glasgow. His long experience, coupled with enterprising_ ability, has given him a wonderful grip of not only the points that matter in the vehicle built for' itiodern-day requirements, but also of the manifold problems with which the user of a motor vehicle has been, and is now, confronted. We wish Mr. Sharp every success in his new post.
Transport improvements.
Sir E. Geddes, in reply to Captain Tudor-Rees -who asked for specific in• stances of improvement in the transport
ni0 services, said, in the House of Commons a few days ago, that, in spite of the war, vastly greater goods and passenger traffic had been carried than ever before in the history of the railways, and the increase in tharge to the public was far below the ratio of increase Of commodi
ties and labour, and al OW the . crease of rail charges in other European
countries. Great and progressive im
provement in the roads of the country had been accomplished, to the advantage of road transport. Marked improvement had also been effected in the etorage accommodation. ateehe ports. As regards (raffle congestion in London, the Govern:. meat, proposed to introduce a Bill to deal withetheermatter, endin the meareiime the temporary measures that had been taken had effected material improvement.
The address of the registered offices of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., is now 20, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. 1.
An .exhibition of agricultural machinery is to be held in the Tunis district during March next year. A trial will also he condueted for agricultural motors.
The Union Petroleum Products Co. inform us that they have removed into their new offices at Murdoch Chambers, Corporation Street, Birmingham.
Where to Obtain Licence Holders.
There is no doubt that almost all the accessory manufacturers are preparing to cope with the inevitable demand for suit. able holders in various styles for the new licences; in fact, eevefal are already so far advanced as to lie.able to quote prices and, in one or two eases, to give immediate delivery. The prices range from is. 9d. to 10s. 6d., depending .upon the finish, material employed,. and 'whether or not the holder is provided with a clip or bracket.
We understand that the following accessory manufacturers are in a position to supply the holders:— A. J. Dew and Co., Ltd., 21-23eEndell Street, London, WSJ., citeular pattern, brass. 7s. 6d., nickel 8.e.; rectangular pattern, brass -8s. 6d., nickel 9s.; deliveries commence December 18th. Taw Manufacturing Co.' Ltd., Campbouree Works, High Street, Ifornsey, London, "N., circular pattern in aluminium or brass 4s. Ii Cadisch and Sons, 171, Great Portland Street., Lendon, W. 1, commercial pattern in brass 4s. 60.; with clip fitting 5s. 6d.; extra heavy model 7s_ 6d. Wright and Son, Edgware, Middlesex, circular pattern in aluminium, pedestal type 2s. id.; flat or dash type is. 9d. Walker and Co., Ltd., 160, Angelina street, Birmingham, circular pattern in nickel, ebinnzed lacquer, braes or aluminium finish 7s. post free. Liberty Engineering Co., Regency House, Warwick Street, London, W., circular pattern 6s. 90. post free; deliveries commence December 27th. S. Sinith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., Great .Portland Street, London, W. 1, circular type with clip fitting, provisional
price 10s.. 60 Rejax, Ltd., 3 and 4, Percy Street, Lender', W. 1, circular pattern in black, brass, or nickel, with or without clip ; square pattern in black, brass or aluminium, prices from 2s. to 5s. 60. Car Fitments, Ltd., 6, Hanover Square, Landon, W., special pattern in brass to fit into socket of side lemp, 10s. 6d.
Other manufacturers who are prepared to manufacture, but particulars of whose holders we have not yet received are Brown and Co. (Loton), Ltd.. '56-58, Renshaw Street, Liverpool; Beckett, Leycock and Watkinson, Ltd., Acton Lane, London, W. 10 • and R. W. Coati, 219, Goswell Road, London, E.C. 1.
The duties on complete motor lorry chassis and-spare parts for same exported from Germany, which, -until re. cently, stood at 6 per cent., has now been cancelled.
Wallington, Weston and Co., Ltd., of Feome, Somerset, inform us that they have appointed Mr. Beebe e agent for Birmingham and district for their tyres.
In our short article dealing with the postal service organized by -Messrs. J. Blake and Co., in Liverpool, which was published in. our issue for November 30th, we stated that on the electric vehicles the current consumed was 41 unite in 13 hours for each vehicle. This should have read 17 unite.
Midland Traffic.
The great growth of motor traffic for commercial and other purposes in Midland areas is incliated by the provision which is being made for the opening of many new offices to deal with the issue of licences under the revieed aerangemanta applicable to mechanically-propelled vehicles. The developments of road traction have been enormous in these districts within the last two years, and whilst the increase has been general in all categories representing commercial utility, it, has been particularly notable in colliery districts. These means are being rapidly extended for transporting coal direct from the pits into the large industrial centres, thereby obviating the old and uneconomical method by which double processes were involved in the consignment of trucks to railway sidings and transference of supplies into carts for delivery at factories or elsewhere.
The same. greater convenience of manipulation is also generally coming into application in relation to the domestic supplies. In no quarter have the developments of mining enterprise been greater in recent years than in. Nottinghamshire, where some of the largest of the new Midland pits have been opened up, and to meet requirements in connection with the issue of licences, under the altered arrangements new offices are to be opened at Newark, Mansfield, and Be tford.
Motor Coaches and Lincoln Races.
Councillor Hague, addressing the Lincoln City Claimed on Tuesday last asked that outside firms with charsek-bancs and other motor vehicles should be excluded from the city on the occasion of the coming spring races. By that time the whole of the 11 new buses would be on service, and he thought it only right that they, and, of course, local motor coach owners, should have exclusive opportunity of transport. They were expecting to run the buses at a lose, but it was their duty to the ratepayers to make the deficiency as small as poselale, and "cornering" the transports ton of people on the occasion of the races I would be a great step in the right.direction.
Alderman White (chairman of fhe Electricity and Tramways Committee) mentioned that the matter would be viewed in a favourable light at the next, meeting of the committee. •
Thornycroft Report.
The report of the directors of John I. Thornyeroft and Cu,, Ltd. for the year ended July 31st, 1920, shOws a profit of £134,547 after deduction of debenture interest and interim dividends.
This profit is to be allocated as follows: by the payment of a final dividend of 3 per cent, on the preference shares, making a total of 6 per cent. for the year, which will alsomb £5,940; by the payment of a final dividend of 8 per cent. on the ordinary shareal making 13 per cent. for the yeas, which will amount to £24,000 ; and by a payment of 10.98d. per share on the participating preferred ordinary shares, making' with the interim dividend of 5.d. per share, a dividend of 9 per cent, for the year, which will absorb £11,437. After transferring £35,000 to the reserve account and contributing £5,000 to the benevolent fund, a balance of £53,170 is left.to be carried forward.
More Coaches for Bournemouth,
Bournemouth Corporation Licensing Committee promises to grant extra chara-banes licences as follows, providing the vehicles pass the usual inspection :—Wm. Whitelock 1, Elliott Bros. 6, R. W. Symes Sons 1, Henry Herbert Bates 1, Ransoms and Menckton 2, Logan and Courtier 1, Edward Percy Gates 1, -CAWliam Henry Rattew 1, Henry George Sam 1, Joseph Capocci 1, David G. Jenkins 2, Albert Edward Lavis 2, and 'Maurice Angel 1.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR Personal Pars. ,
We offer our belated but none the less hearty eungestulat.iOns to. Mr. Jackson Millar, Jam., and his wife. Mr. Jackson Millar was married on November 10th to Miss Noreen Winifred Glyn, of Criceieth, North Wales. The happy pair have just returned from an extended honeymoon on the Continent.
Mr. Jackson Millar is well known as. the energetic commercial manager of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd.
Mr. Vernon A. Trier A.C.G.I., has joined the directors of T. B. Andre and Co., Ltd. of 5, Doing Street, New Bond Street, London, W. Mr. Trier was, until recently,. chief electrical engineer to S. Smith and Sons, Ltd., and manager of their electrical department. In the early days he was responsible for the prodneAkin of the T. and M. dynamo, and he was also the designer of the original Waverley light car in 1909. Mr. Trier will take a,n active part in the management of the electrical department of the company he has (recently joined.
S.M.M. and T. Benevolence.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has devoted a very substantial portion a its total funds to benevolent purposes. £25,000 has been voted to the formation of a fund to be known as the " S.M.M.T. Trust Fund," for the
purpose of granting relief to persons considered eligible by the tiesteee (the pre sent officers and the past presidents and hon. treasurers of the society), as having contributed to the encouragement, proMotion, or protection of the motor trade. In addition, the Society has voted £5,009 to the Cycle and Motor Trades Benevolent Fund, making the total donations of the society to that fund to date nearly £14,000.
Lincolnshire Roads.
It is admitted that there is room,gemerally, especially in the interest, of commercial motor traffic, for considerable improvement in 'regard to the state of many of the Line°Inehire roads, administrative responsibility for which devolves upon the three authorities representing the Lindsey, Kesteven and Holland areas. Strong opposition is being raised, however, in the Lindsey part of the county to the scheme under which it is proposed by the Council to assume direct control and repair of the district roads classified under the plan i3f the Ministry. of Trans
port. • • It is suggested that the Work may with greater advantage be left, as at present, to the District Coencils, and that, in addition to entailing an expenditure of thousands of Pounds in acquiring rolling stock, the Council's scheme will involve an outlay of £8,200 upon salaries alone, a project which, in view of Other bureau .
erotic experiences, is not regarded as likely to prove remunerative.
The Grimsby Rural District Council has embarked upon a protest against the project, which is growing in other parts of the county, but whatever the ultimate solution may be, it is clear that many of the highways cannot be allowed to remain in their present unsatisfactory state.
Origin of the Hackney Carriage.
The origin of the Hackney carriage is described in the annual report of the Hackney medical officer of health, who says that during the last century the district used to be a good residential suburb of London. Large numbers of City merchants and business people used to reside there, and were driven daily to and from the City in their own carriages or in hired carriages, which came to be known as Hackney carriages. Hired vehicles for passengers are new known by that title in all districts throughout the country where by-laws are in force with respect to public vehicles plying for hire. --Se also with respect to Hackney horses, a term
cI2 now abbreviated to '.hacks," this term tie doubt having arisen in comeection with horses let out on hire in Hackney. Lapse of time and easier facilities for travel have brought about a great change, for the district has now become more industrial than residential.
Number Plate Prosecutions.
The Automobile Association directs -attention to the need for the exercise of greater care regarding number plates. A large number of prosecutions is taking prams every day, and the technical allences committed include incorrect dimensions of letters and figures, insufficient spaces between them, the inadequacy oI the margin between the registration mark and the top, bottom or ends of the plate; allowing the letters. or figures to become faint, obscuring by mud, dust, etc-, or, in the case of motorcycles, by the clothing of persons riding on the carrier. Any motor vehicle User who is in
doubt, as to the accuracy of his number plate can verify. his position by communi.. 'eating with the -Automobile Association. Fanum House, Whitcomb Street, London, W.C. 2.
Judicious Expenditure in Road Improvements.
During the past year there has been much talk regarding the narrow reads' of Westmoreland and their unsuitability for ohae-aebance traffic. At a recent meeting of the Westmoreland County. Council; the suggestion to widen the road between Windermere and Lyth was vetoed. It was pointed out that the ex. penditure of between £50,000 and £70,000 would be a) waste of money, especially in view of the fact that there. am already two good roads between Kendal and Windermere.
The Austrian, Daimler Mcitoven the Auetria,a. Fiat Co., and the PukaWerke A.G. have amalgamated at Grate. The capital of the new coneern will. be 120 million crowns.
Sheffield Results.
The Tramways and Motors Committee of the Sheffield Corporation has now prepared a detailed estimate of income and expenditure for the year ended March 25th, 1921, in connectionwith the motorbus service, the figures shceeinga credit balance of £119. The total receipts are computed at £100,277, and the estimated expenditure as follows :- Traffic expenses, £39,400; general -exp-enses, £3,506e repairs, £25,125' power expenses, £20,744; road maintenance, £795; interest and sinking funde£5,994; income tax, £142; depreciation on btr.es, £4,654.
Lorry Insurance.
Most conimereial vehicle users fully realize the importance of insurance, and on this account -the Reel Star Motor Policy at Lloyd's, issued by the Red Sear Insurance Association, Ltd., of Friar's House, New Broad Street, E.C. 2, will be of considerable interest.
The benefits are particularly comprehelisive, and for this reason it is quite impoesible to do justice to them. in the space at our dieposel. Summarized, they are as follow .--(1.) Claims by the public; (2) damage to vehicle; (3) fire; (4) burglary and theft; (5) loading and unloading, and goods falling off vehicle ;. (6) free legal defence; (7) bonus, which entitles the User to a reduction of 10 per cent, on renewal at pretnimn for each vehicle free of claims clueing the year; (8) agreed value, which is accepted as The replacement value in theevent of total lees.
These benefits apply alike to goodscarrying and passenger-carrying vehicles,
Municipal and Other Buses.
Attention was drawn at 'the Birkenhead Town Council to the fact that delicate negotiations were proceeding with 'regard to motor omnibuses running i's and out Of the borough. The Watch .Committee was asked if, before licensirg any more motorbuses, theywould sub. mit the applications to the Tramwa3s Committee, in order to have their advice and guidance, in view of the services which the Tramways Committee were themselves running., The request touches a point of principle which might well be borne in mind, for if the Watch Committee had agreed to consult with -thee Tramway.% Committee, who are running -their own buses, it is too 'Much to expect that outside bus proprietors would receive that consideration when applying for fieencee to which they are righteously entitled. There would be a bias always in favour of the municipal service, and one ventures fo think, often at the expense of the community.. As it was, however, the Town Celle said he was bound FO advise that the Watch Committee had no business whatever to consult the Tramways Committee in regard to the matter. It was entirely outside the province a the Tramways
Committee and rightly so.
Municipal Parcel's Delivery.
Leeds Corporation, which runs a parcels department in connection, with the tramways service, has decided to increase the charge for the carriage of parcels from 6d. to 7d. for parcels exceeding 14 lb., but not exceeding 28 lb., and from 8d. to 9d. far parcels over 28 lb., but net 6X:eroding 56 lb.
Halifax Bus Statistics.
The report of the Halifax -Corporation motorbus service for the year ended March 31st last shows a total income of £4,332 or 19,94d. per Mile run a.,S compared with £3,503 fir 16,48d. per mile the previous year, the increase thus being £879 or 3.46d. per mile.
The expenditure was £5,938 or 27.02d. per mile as compared with £3,444 or I6.2d. per mile for the previous year. The increase was therefore as much as £3,494. or 10.82d. per mile. Consequently there has been a loss of £1,556 as against a surplus of £59 the previous year.
Appended are statistics showing the variation of mileage income and costs since the inception of the motor omnibus service:
Lambeth Borough Council has prepared the subjoined estimate of the animal cost of running a Ford for the purpose of disinfecting work, the estimate being based (a) on the consumption of petrol, as stated by the makers, viz., one gallon for 15 miles; and (b) on the weekly mileage which would be run by the motors, estimated by the disinfecting superintendent at 90 miles per week : Depreciation (10 per cent. per annum on £363) .. .:. £36 6 0 Interest on capital (7 per cent,.) 25 8 2 Insurance, say ... ... 11 0 0 Tyres, estimated at ... ... 15 0 0 Renewals. and repairs, esti
mated at ... ... 40 0 0 Wages of driver (k.4 16s. Bd.
p.er week) ,.. 6 8 Petrol (350 gallons at 3s. 5d.
net) ... 59 15 10 Lubricating nil, grease, waste, • etc., estimated at 13 0 0 Garage attendant, -one-half of weekly wage (£4 is. 100,) ...• 106. 7 8
Thus, the total is £558, 4s. 4d., or £10 14s. °'8d. per week.
It is assumed that the garage attendant's time would_ be equally divided between the two motors, i.e., the one already in use and that proposed to be purchased. _ It will be noticed that the estimated' mileage per week of the motors, viz., 90. miles, is a low one. This is due to the fact that the disinfecting vans are standing still for a considerable part of each working day, whilst the infected and disinfected bedding, etc., is being collected from, or delivered to, the various premises visited.
Loads that Do Not Pay.
Often it is noted that heavy motor vehicles employed on distance work by wholesale grocery and food distribution concerns return to their home base loaded with empty boxes, packing cases and crates, the value of which renst in many instances be less than the cost of petrol consul-4d by the engine.
Is it worth while? Is it a sound economic proposition? many will ask. True, on the surface, it. does appear to be a waste of valuable transport, but on the other hand, when return loads are not to be had wagons might as well bring back a load; of empty-boxes to be sold at their market value, 'rather than return absolutely light. The merchant-haulier question is a very ticklish one, because, as has already been peinted out, transport is a charge upon the business, and consequently is a factor in determining the costs of the retailed commodity. So infinitesimal is it when spread over a load of four tons or so that the consumer buying in a single pound or so is, in many cases, ignorant of the fact, when he sees a lorry running light, that he is footing the bill::
Transport Co-operation:
A certain measure of co-operation exists amongst, the Liverpool transport associations, since the conferences that took place at the time of the threatened strike of motormen and carters, and in the future it is hoped to have regular
meetings to establish a more or less permanent _programme and to secure 'ts Lobservance, The day of ridiculous rates is not et past, and one of the recent aeeeptan 6 we have heard of is 22s. 6d. per t n from Liverpool to Birmingham.
Long Life of a Steam Tractor.
Sixteen Aveling and Porter ate tractors have been in use by the K County Council for over 15 years. e county surveyor now reports that th cannot be expected to last much iron so that at no distant data it will necessary to purchase additional haul ..e vehicles, In our issue for November 23rd,
n page 509, we referred to an intervi w which a. representative of this journal h with Mr. J. S. -Howarth, seeretary to t Manchester and Counties Motor Tra sport Association, on the question of 111(1 It coaches inXanehester, and in the con e of the article it was stated that. t e charges far motor coaches worked out t about 10. per passenger mile. Ti is should have read a minimum of 1.1,d, mile.
Local Proceedings.
West Riding County .Council is to .boryow £1,300 fer the purchase of a motor ambulance, Newburn U.D.C. is desirous of taking up a loan of £2,100 to cover the cost tif a motor-fire-engine.
The Manchester Corporation Repairs Department requires a motor lorry at a cost ofabout £300.
York Health Committee recommends the purchase of a motor fe1'01 ambulance at a cost of £596 10s.
Sanction to borrow £1,800 for the purchase of a motor are-engine has been granted Chertsey . Dundee Corporation has arranged to experiment with motorbuses and chars:a-banes on various routes.
Gosport Town Council is considering a proposal to borrow ELMO for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Edinburgh Corporation is now considering a •proposal to substitute motorbuses for the cable tramways on the northern ratites.
Mansfield Corporation has obtained permission from the Ministry -of Health to borrow £1,800 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
South Shields " Corporation Parliamentary :Bill includes a clause seeking further powers with regard to miming motor omnibuses.
Having had a report from the chief constable as to the left-hand drive, the Sheffield Watch Committee. recommends that vehicles with such left-hand drive should not be licensed.
Perthshire County Council Finance Committee is considering the question of spending £3,784 on the purchase of it tractor, two wagons, and a roller, with full powers to act upon any decision arrived at.
. In conneetion with the re-organization of the "fire brigade, the Coventry City Council has decided to purchase two motel fire engines at an estimated cost of £3,500, and a motor ambulance at a cost of 21,150.