WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheels 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.
Buiford Lorries.
In our issue of August 1st we inserted a paeagra.ph on the authority of North Western Motors, Ltd.' stating that the entire stock of Burford lorries in this country had been acquired by North Western Motors, Ltd.
North Western Motors, Ltd., subsequently informed us that this statement supplied by them to us was not correct.
We, therefore' express our sincere regret to Messrs. H. G. Burford and Co., Ltd., for having inserted the statement in question and for any inconvenience or annoyance caused to them. . Their address is 16, Regent Street, London, S.W.1, but it is doubtless already known to our readers.
Messrs. Burford remind us that the -" Bin-ford" vehicles are owned by H. G. Burford and Co., Ltd., and are built in London.
Lancashire Road Schemes.
The Lancashire ,County Council has, in addition to the Schemes in the annual estimates, sanctioned further road improvements to cost 2209,190, of which sum the Ministry of Transport has offered to pay about half. It was stated that replacing with stronger surfaces will he much more economical than spending almost as much as the annual cost of loan repayments and interests in patching up road surfaces.
An alderman pointed out that motorbus services were now in operation on 90 miles of water-bound macadam roads, and that this type of surface was unsuitable for such traffic. Roughly estimated at 26,000 per mile for reconstruction, he added that something like half a million pounds would have to be spent to provide for such traffic and the increase in the use of other types of mechanically propelled vehicles.
Unemployment, relief on the road schemes being carried out by the county conned and'local authorities represents about R1,000;000, and provides work for 2,000 men.
The City Corporation and London Transport.
In the course of its evidence before the Royal Commission on the Government of Greater London, the City Corporalion submitted the following statement with regard to transport :— "The corporation has considered the proposals of the Kennedy Jones Committee, and is opposed to the control of transport being placed in the hands of the London County Council or any other central authority which. may be set up for the general government of London. So long as the London County Council, or any other central authority to be constituted, is financially interested as the. owner of a transport service • in pits own area, it it is obviously undesirable that it should also have the control of traffic which extends to its competitors. "The corporation considers that, the question of traffic is so important and far-reaching in its effects as to require the undivided attention of a special authority, whose powers and duties should extend to a much larger area than B2.9
could be contemplated for adoption for the general purposes of local government. The corporation, therefore, is in favour of an ad hoe authority for this purpose generally on the lines recommended in that report, though with reservations.
"Another reservation is that relative to the abolition of the veto of local authorities as regards the construction of tramways. Whatever question there may be as regards other areas; the corporation, as the authority responsible for the regulation of traffic within the city, has found this power not only use ful, but absolutely necessary. Every additional year's experience confirms the corporation in its long-standing conviction that the unrestricted construction of tramways in the city would be fatal to convenient and rapid transit, and would, in certain contingencies, create intolerable confusion and difficulty. "
The corporation desires, also, to make an important reservation in regard to the proposal that the traffic authority should have power to control the breaking up of streets. The corporation feels strongly that this question should be entirely under the control of the local authorities; who alone know the traffic conditions prevailing from day to day-in their respective areas, and who alone can adequately appreciate the urgency or otherwise of the needs of other public see-Vices which involve the breaking up of streets.
"The corporation considers that the traffic authority should have such power of direction of housing and street improvements as is necessary to secure proper co-relation to the common traffic needs of the whole area administered by the traffic authority."
A Big Amalgamation.
Important negotiations are proceeding for an amalgamation of interests between the best of the road transport clearing-houses and one of the largest motor haulage concerns in London.
Licences for "Toast-racks." •
The Scarborough Watch Committee, having refused to licence the type of motor omnibus which is popularly styled " toast-rack," on the ground of its size and the narrowness of some af the thoroughfares, the Ministry of Transport, which was appealed to, has requested the committee to reverse its decision pending the result of an official inquiry.
Ospers, Ltd., inform us that the radiator shown in our illustrations of their new chassis, which we described last week, was a temporary one only, pending the arrival of a new pattern giving increased water capacity for general and Colonial use.
The English Insurance Co. announce that, at the invitation of the directors, Me. Charles Diamond has accepted the position of chairman vice the Earl of Erroll resigned. The company also announce that, owing to the lengthy absence abroad and pressure of private busines.s, Sir Ernest W. Moir, Bt., has vacated his seat on the board.
London's Rival Bus.
Something in the nature of a surprise has been created within the past few days by the appearance on the London streets of a large chocolate-coloured motor omnibus, on the side panels of which are insribed in yellow letters the word " Express."
This vehicle has been seen plying for hire on different routes already served by the buses-run by the Loijacion General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and it is said that it has been in service on two different routes on the same day.
The vehicle has been bought by three ex-soldiers, and they each take turns at driving and conducting. This is not the first time that such enterprise has been shown by organizers of bus sarvices which are intended to compete for at least a portion of London's passenger traffic; and although past ventures have pot, perhaps, met with the success which they may have merited, we see no reason why such services should not meet with some success, provided they are run on thoroughly sound and efficient lines, although one must not forget that in America the jitney,which is a name given to a vehicle run on irregular service, has, after a period of some years, been superseded by vehicles running on regular services. If a motorbus service is to pay, the convenience of the public must be studied.
Karrier Trading.
Karrier Motors, Ltd., record a debit balance of 2249,800 on the year's trading for the period to December 31st last, and no dividend is to be paid on the 8 per cent. cumulative participating preference shares. Stocks which, it is said, had been written down to current market prices figure in the balance sheet at 2257,800 as against 2388,300 for the previous year, whilst the hank overdraft has, in the course of the 12 months, been increased from 2116,400 to 2173,300.
Proposed Tractor Conversions.
It was pointed out at a recent meeting of the executive of the Northamptonshire Farmers' Union that the recent Agricultural Tractor Order with regard to the fitting of smooth bands and brakes Would be a very serious matter or local farmers. The proposed 'regulations would be a serious matter for the owners of Fordsons if the conversions were enforced. It is pointed out that the fitting of brakes had been deferred until after the present harvest, but this did not remove the difficulties under the Order.
Instruction by Motor Coach Tour.
Two hundred and thirty farmers, members of the Kidderminster branch of the National Farmers' Union, with friends, set out from Stourport, Worcestershire, recently in five motor coaches for a tour .7of instruction. They visited Messes. T. and M. Dixon's fruit farm at Tardebigge, and then the Off church Research Station near Leamington. After spending some time at this station, the homeward journey was undertaken.
Sufficient Buses for Bristors Needs.
At a recent meeting, the Bristol Watch Committee had under consideration the number of motorbuses which are licensed to ply for hire within the city, and its members unanimously came to the conclusion that the number of vehicles of this description already licensed is totally adequate to meet the needs of the travelling -public. The committee has accordingly decided not to grant licences for additional buses at present.
The districts in and around Bristol owe much of their development to the motorbus and if an urgent need is expresed for further reasonable travelling facilities official interference should not be allowed to hamper the expansion of the bus services.
Lincoln's Motor Fire Appliances.
Consequent upon the demands of districts contiguous to Lincoln for help from the corporation fire brigade in case of emergencies, the necessity has been forced upon the city council of providing another motor engine: The matter has been brought to a head upon a consideration of terms upon which agreements with the Branton and Welton Rural District Councils for the services of the fire brigade shoola be renewed, a subcommittee of the watch committee presenting a report at the last meeting of the council recommending that it was essential for the fire protection needs of the city that at least two motor fireengines should always be available for service in the city. It was stated that if the services of the brigade in the rural districts are to be continued, an additional motor engine will he required, and the watch committee authorized the subcommittee to negotiate terms with the district councils for the services of the brigades within their areas upon that basis.
Barnstaple Rural Roads.
Barnstaple Rural Council has decided to recommend the Devon County Council to close the road from Bradiford to Iloore Down via Prixford to motor coach traffic. A recommendation to take the same course with regard to the
Smythen Road through Steerage Valley was defeated. It was decided to ask the county council to close the short piece of road at the entrance to the , new road opposite Park Road at Braunton to all vehicular traffic.
1,000 Miles a Week for Nine Months.
A record which it will be difficult to beat is that accomplished by the 4-ton reconditioned Leyland vehicle, of which we publish an illustration on this page. This vehicle, which is in the service of Messrs. Bridges, carriers, of Leyland, was put into service in September of last year, and during a period of nine months it has covered 1,000 miles a week, Since it was brought into use it has been engaged in carrying loads of rubber articles to London and returning with a full consignment of raw rubber.
In the period of nine months it has made two journeys per week to London and back, two drivers having been employed, who alternately relieve each other at the wheel through day and night.
The mileage of the journey to and from London, including delivery and collecting, is 440. The two journeys to London occupy four days of the week, and the remaining days the machine carried goods to Manchester and Liverpool, both of which are 60 miles distant, thus bringing its total mileage for the week up to 1,000.
The vehicle always carries a maximum load and often several cwts, in addition. The petrol consumption of the vehicle during the nine months period has worked out at 8 m.p.g., and 2 quarts of oil have been used for the week's work.
Motormen's Wages. Halifax Corporation proposes to revise wages as follow
Per week. s. d. Drivers of light motors under 219 0 Drivers of heavy motors 1 ton and over ... 3 6 0 Mates and trailermen 2 14 0 Steam wagon drivers ... 3 8 0 Steam wagon steerers 2 l9 0
More about the StronachDuiton Loco-Tractor.
The July issue of "The South African Railways and Harbours Magazine?' contains an illustrated article on the subject of " Cheap Transport," from the pee. of Major Frank Dutton, A.M.I.
aleeh.E., Superintendent of Motor Transport and Signals, Union of South Africa Railways, who claims that the loco-tractor system, as experimented with at Canada Junction, Johannesburg, some time ago (and fully described in The Commerctal Motor) is the only practical solution of the cheap transport problem, as it provides the missing link between road motor service and standard railways. Major Dutton gives chapter and verse for his. contention, and says :—" The loco-tractor system only requires 12-lb. or 16-lb. rails with 6-lb. steel sleepers; can operate on grades of 1 in 20, and can use 50-ft. radius curves if required. These are the first essentials to cheap construction, and consequently cheap working, as the two preponderant items in railway lists (interest on loan and maintenance of track) are reduced to a minimum. Add to the above-mentioned advantages the flexibility of the system whereby every farm is practically a station and can have its own siding, we get the nearest approach to the real meaning of ' cheap transport,' and the real characteristics of what a development railway in agricultural districts should be; and, briefly stated, it should ' be cheap to build, cheap to work, and have the necessary flexibility to pick up and develop traffic, either in bulk or in small parcels, all along the route."
Major Dutton adds that the trial at Canada Junction was obviously merely intended to demonstrate, at the smallest expense, the fundamental principle of the system—namely, that the high tractive effect of driving wheels fitted with rubber tyres running on a roadway could be successfully applied as the motive power on light railways. The Canada tractor could not reverse more than a few feet, which feature its critics did not fail to make the most of, and they expressed the opinion that a rail bogie at each end of the tractor would prevent it from taking sharp curves. As tractors of the " reversible" type are being built in England for use in Uganda, Spain, Palestine and Morocco, he has made, he says, an electrically driven working model to scale (1 in. to the foot) to show those in South Africa who are interested in the pioneer transport problem that a reversible tractor is thoroughly practicable.
The Market for Tyres in Java.
There is an extensive market for motor tyres in the Netherlands East Indies, 669,718 tyres having been imported into Java during the last three years. Imports have remained fairly constant, the• total in 1921 being 221,119. Of the total for the last three years, imports from Great Britain were only 21,699, the figures being 5,667 in 1919, 10,649 in 1920. and 5.383 in 1921.
Cmports from France increased from 30,953 in 1920 to 69,524 in 1921, and those from the United States dropped from 86,534 in 1920 to 32,810 in 1921. Imports from Japan—mostly Kobe Dunlops—are fairly steady, the total during the last' three years being 230,912.
Pontypridd Road Schemes.
The Pontypridd District Council is ascertaining the views of the Llantrisant Rural Council on the subject of co-operation in the construction of a new road from Maesycoed through Gelliwion to Tonyrefail, a scheme in which the Pontypridd Board of Guardians will also join. The council is also to develop roads in the district and join important colliery and residential areas by mainroad routes.
The schemes already decided upon include :—(a) Improvement of road leading from the Llantwit Road through the Park Estate to Wood Road, Pontypridd; (b) improvement of Graigwen-Pantygraigwen Road ; (c) construction of a new road from Clifynydd to Howell Street, (d) improvement of Ynysybwl Road as far as Glyncoch; (e) widening of lastnamed road from Clydach Court to Daranddu Colliery; and (f) improvement of Dines approach road to Upper Boat, on the main Cardiff-Pontypridd Road. Four district-linking roads are under consideration, but a start upon these has been deferred for the present.
Rail Motor Vehicles in Switzerland.
Experiments are now being conducted between Zurich and R,omanshorn in connection with a new system of motor vehicles running on rails. The vehicles are driven by internal-combustion engines of 250 14. and attain a speed of 70 kilometres an hour. The passenger cars seat 70, and one or two cars 'can be connected up according to the gradients. The cost in combustibles is estimated at 50 per cent, less than in steam-engines. The trials have taken place in the presence of engineers and the director of the Swiss railways.
Newport Road Schemes. •
The Newport Town Council is to convene a meeting with representatives of the Monmouthshire County Council and other local governing bodies in respect of an elaborate roadway construction scheme that has been put before it. The Ministry of Transport, the Treesury and Ministry of Health are being canvassed for grants towards the scheme, which aims at better communications with outlying districts and near towns and villages from Newport, in addition to constructing roadways across the borough. These roads will enable motor vehicles to make from one part to another by direct routes, particularly with regard to business centres, instead of traversing roundabout ways such as are necessitated at present.
The suggestions are of importance to transport users from the mileage reduction point of view.
Amongst other roposals are a new roadway from the Cardiff Road to Newport Ducks, a roadway from a point near Pontymister to Cardiff Road near the Ebbw Bridge, and construction of good roadways on the Tredegar Estate in connection' with the development of the Dos district.
A number of road widenings, dangerous corner modifications, and interlinking of main roads by cross-town routes are included in the scheme.
New Canadian Plant.
Messrs. Dodge Bros., of Detroit, have purchased a 7i-acre factory site in Windsor, Ontario, with a view to erecting a large'plant to look after Canadian trade. The precise plans of the company are not known.
Permitting Kerbside Pumps.
The Bridgend Council has decided, after many months' hesitancy, to allow kerbside petrol pumps outside garages. There was strong opposition to the granting of the permits, the chairman failing to see why special* grants should be allowed garage proprietors when the council had disallowed grocers' vehicles to load at the kerb outside the shops. The council, in deciding to allow pumps, arranged to make an annual charge for the licence.
Why British Sales Are Low.
Imports of motor lorries into the Netherlands East Indies from Germany increased from 55 in 1920 to 169 in 1921. Imports from America decreased from 1,044 to 759, and imports from Canada increased from 92 to 477—all Canadian Fords.
Although the imports in 1921 totalled 1,635 and in -1920 1,372, imports from Great Britain were negligible. No British manufacturer has a 'local selling organization. Agencies are held by various general importers, to whom snch an agency is simply one of many sidelines, and no serious effort is made to push every agency they hold. The result is that British lorries are not sold, and never will be sold, until manufacturers realize the fact that they must open up their own establishments in the country.
Lincolnshire Roads.
Some interesting figures relative to the expenditure upon Lincolnshire roads, in areas in which commercial motor traffic is exceptionally heavy, were forthcoming at the last meeting of the Kesteven Council, which deals with the administrative work of that part of the Fen county of which Grantham is the centre. There had been a total expenditure during the year of £83,984, of which £3,293 represented an outlay upon improvements to provide work for the unemployed. The returns as to the relative cost of rural and urban roads were also instructive, indicating that the cost per mile per annum had been _£259 for roads under 'dint, control, £256 for rural roads, and £535 for urban roads.
Those who have had experiences of inconveniences resulting from the present unsatisfactory condition of some of the highways will be interested to learn that the Ministry of Transport has approved the estimate of £22,745 for reconstruction work on the Lincoln, Sleaford and Great North Roads, and intimated that a grant of 50 per cent, will be allocated fur the purpose.
Alternative Taxation Scheme.
The Urban District Councils' Association has had a letter from the Ministry of Transport stating that the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles would be prepared to consider a suggested alternative scheme for the taxation of mechanically propelled road vehicles. The Association, however, has decided that it is not entirely practicable for it to collect the information necessary to permit of the preparation of an alternative taxation scheme, but that it would be glad to consider any alternative schente which may be proposed, and considers it desirable that, in the preparation of any such scheme, regard should be had to the necessity for the burden of taxation being more equitably adjusted between the different classes of road vehicles, having regard to the user and the weight and speed of vehicles.
Motors in America.
The total number of motor vehicles registered in the United States on July 1st was 10,863,744, according to the Akron Chamber of Commerce, an increase of 1,428,773 over the registration statistics for July 1st, 1921. The New York State registrations were 843,631, compared with 658,439 a year ago.
Miners' Buses.
The difficulties of bus service management in an industrial area are many, but sections of the public in the Welsh mining areas are pressing a point, through the Press, that adds to the usual considerations. • It appears, from correspondence in several journals, that the use of buses for conveying miners to and from work, and the subsequent use of the buses with alleged inadequate cleaning-out, has caused inconvenience to other passengers.
Suggestions are made that separate buses altogether should be retained for workmen's services, and that the upholstery should be removed when ordinary buses are used, and replaced on the transfer of the machines to ordinary services, but if the miners were served with an inferior type of vehicle they would demand much reduced fares.
An Offer of Petrol.
. Westminster City cleansing surveyor has obtained an offer from the British Motor Spirit Distributing Co., Ltd., to enter into a contract to supply the council with approximately 40,000 gallons of No. 2 quality petrol during the period of one year ending July 13th, 1923, on the following terms :
(1) The petrel is to be delivered in weekly quantities of 800 gallons.
(2) The price is to be fixed at Is. 71c1. per gallon and is to be subject to the variations stated below should the market. price of petrol rise or fall during the period of the contract.
ing below 19.5d. per gallon, the price charged by the company shall not exceed 21.3d. nor fall below 17.7d. per gallon as the case may be.
(3) The price to include delivery to the council in bulk by road tank wagons of not less than 300 gallons and not more than 1,000 gallons at a time in each wagon.
(4) If any duty or tax is imposed by the Government upon petrol, the cows oil to pay such duty or tax and expenses (if any) when they take delTvery of and pay for the petrol itself. (5) The specification of the spirit is to
Specific gravity. 735_737
I.B.P. ... 130-5 F. =about 56 C.
End point ... 392 F. = about 200 C.
(6) Should the company 'failto carry out the terms of this contract through entering into any arrangements with any combine, company or individual, it is agreed they will pay to the council the sum of £1,000.
The Cleansing Committee recommends acceptance of the offer.
Experimental Services.
Halifax. Corporation Tramways Committee has arranged for a bus service to Wheatley on Wednesdays for an ex
perimental period of three months. •
. Local Proceedings.
The East Ham Corporation propose to purchase a motor vehicle at a cost not exceeding £650.
Ilkley Urban District Council is raising a loan of 21,800 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
The Billing° Urban District Council has under consideration the purchase of a two-ton motor lorry.
Glasgow Corporation Parks Committee has authorized the purchase of a motor lawn mower at a cost of £20.
The Christchurch Town Council has received sanction from the Ministry of Health to borrow £285 for the provision of a motor chassis for fire brigade purposes.
The islanelly Borough Council has completed negotiations for the acquisition of land to make a traffic park. The council will pay a small rent fur the site and will reimburse itself by a low charge on every motor vehicle using the stands.
Leeds Watch Committee has decided that a proposal that motor chars-&-bancs which have conveyed passengers to Roundhay Park be allowed to stand on the easterly side of Park Avenue be deferred for a report by the chief constable.
South Shields Watch Committee has agreed to the application of the South Shields Omnibus Co.; 50, Erskine Road, to stand their omnibuses in Bath Street, which is to be used as a terminus for the purpose of taking up and setting down passengers. This company's buses run to Cleadon and Sunderland, and the chief constable recommended that their application should be granted.
A Useful Ford Accessory.
Well-known as a Ford specialist, Mr. S. J. Frost, of Pra,ed Street, London, W., has recently placed on the market the accessory which is shown in our illustration of a Ford engine on this page. It is ingeniously contrived to serve the treble purpose of assisting in the replenishment of the crankcase with oil, and at the same time lubricating the commutator ; further, there is an inverted conical gauze inside the funnel, which traps the oil vapour from the breather, returning it to the crankcase. A double economy in oil is thus achieved, and, at the same time, the lubrication of the commutator-so often neglected, and so fruitful a source of trouble-is virtually automatic. Due provision is made, however, for " cutting out " the commutator when desired. The device can be fitted, without alteration, to any existing Ford engine, and its retail price Is 12s. 6d.
An Efficient Recorder.
The ordinary type of mileage recorder carried on a commercial vehicle is usually fitted on the hub cap or some other convenient part, but in the " Imspecs " recorder, whichis made and sold by G_ Davenport and Co., Ltd., 99-105, Clerkenwell Road. London E.C. 1, a novel, but certainly accessible, position has been chosen, in that the device is fitted at the tail end of the worm shaft housing. The hub cap instrument is always in a vulnerable position, as it is so prone to damage by collision or grating, and in cases of instruments fitted to other parts, there are other disadvantages, chzef amongst which are inaccessibility, and, except in those cases where positive drive is obtained, accuracy is not always ensured. With the Davenport instrument these disadvantages are totally eliminated.
The general construction of the instrument can be seen from the drawing which we publish on this page. The recording portion is similar in design to a huh cap odometer, and it is fitted to the tail shaft cover cap, the adapter being welded to the cap. The instrument gearcase is then pinned to the adapter, the instrument itself being
fitted to the gearca.se by means of strong bolts and nuts. The necessary gear reduction is effected by means of a worm and worm wheel, and the driving pia is fitted to the end of the tailshaft. The instrument, which is of sturdy construction, can be adapted for use on A.E.C., Thornycroft, Dennis, Daimler, Ford term era and other types of worm-driven lorries. The instrument itself is positive in action, and it can be sealed, thus rendering it absolutely fool-proof.
Bolton Coach Stands.
At a meeting of the Bolton Watch Committee a deputation from the Bolton and District Char-à-banes Owners' Association, consisting of Messrs. J. H. Bromilow, W. Pilling, J. R. Tognarelli, W. H. Gregory and R. J. Entwistle (secretary), attended with reference to the resolution passed by the committee approving of stands for motor chars-abanes on Victoria Square. The consideration of the matter was deferred for three months.
Messrs. Dentons, of 63, Newland, Northampton, have just reopened their business and are in a position to supply cast-iron soldering fluid, cast-iron brazing flux and standard soldering fluid in three grades.
A Saurer Test.
A test was recently made with a 5-5ton Saurer chassis and trailer for Crosse and Blackwell, Ltd., on two separate days, and a summary of the results of the tests are given below. On the outward journey, which was accomplished on July 26th, the trailer and lorry car,ried a total load of nearly Ili tons, and the petrol consumption was 5.2 m.p.g. over a distance of 128 miles— a figure which would be recorded as satisfactory with many of the vehicles carrying their rated loads of 5 tons. The average speed on the outward journey was 12 m.p.h., and the net tonmiles per gallon of petrol consumed 60.
On the return journey the trailer was empty, and a load of 4 tons 6 cwt. was carried at an average speed of 14 m.p.h. The average petrol consumption throughout the whole distance of 256 miles was 5.9 m.p.g., and the average load carried was 7 tons 17 cwt. The average net ton-miles per gallon were 46, and the average oil consumption 516 m.p.g.
'Ware Road Closing.'
The executive of the Northamptonshire Farmers' Union has had under consideration the possibility of the application of the regulations enabling some roads to be closed having an adverse effect upon the farming industry. The question is one which farmers should watch very closely, because heavy traffic would include thrashing tackle, and it is needless to emphasize the effect that the closing of some districts' roads against this traffic would have on the agriculturist.
Bolton to Blackpool by Coach.
The International Motor Co., Bolton, have asked the Blackpool Watch Committee if it will issue licences-to ply for hire at Blackpool in respect of motor chars-5.-bancs running between Bolton and Blackpool in the event of the company securing a garage in the borough. The matter is to be considered later.