The fortunes and the future of commercial vehicles are so
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commingled with our old friend the horse that I think it will be of interest to repeat an election story which reaches me, from Ripon, in Yorkshire. A farmer's horse had died, and the Vicar's wife, meeting the farmer one day, sympathized greatly with him, and said what a had job it was, to which the farmer responded that it was what he should call " only a middling bad job." The parson's lady was greatly mystified, and asked for an explanation " Well you see, mum," says John, " ah only giv a paand for t'hoss, I insured him for five paand and I get thirty ehillin' for t'earcase—soa its nobbut a middling bad job."
The names of some newcomers into the trade will be interesting. It may be a few months before they are ready. but readers may take it that amongst conimercial-vehicle makers may shortly be reckoned the Rover Co., Ltd., of Coventry, and Pluenix Motors, Ltd., for which latter company a new factory is being rapidly built at the Garden City, Letchworth. I hear, also, of a yew solid-tire which Ni ill shortly be marketed; it is to be made hy Redclaway's, and has some quite-special features.
A walk round the Smithfield Show, last week, and a gossip with the leading steam people was a welcome change. Burrell's were even more fully occupied Than ever, and it was noticeable that Mr. Herbert Burrell luirl shaved off his moustache. AT Clayton arid ShutrIeworth's stand I fot:nd that Mr. P. W. Robson is now in iliarge of the selling, and Mr. A. E. Jaekson, who fertnerly covered an extensive country district, including Ireland, is now made manager of the Iondon Depot, at 91, Queen Victoria Street, E.C. A good talk with Mr. Theckeray, at the stand of John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd., revealed the filet that that Yorkshire builder is bringing out an improved tractor which should be ready in the spring or early summer. I then passed on to Garrett's, of Leiston, to become involved in an earnest talk with Mr. Stephen Garrett about their superheated-steam tractor, and the new steam wagon which should take a prominent place among the heavy vehicles of the future. Then I ran into Mr. Charles Davies, of Fodens, Ltd. ; his company was not exhibiting, but he
was passing through on his way to the Paris Show, to look after the Foden interests there.
Mr. W. A. Tritton, of Foster's, Ltd., was in close attendance at Lslington; he was as bland as ever, and persuasive withal. Brown and May had no space to show their motor tractor. AT the next stand of interest to us Marshall's agricultural motor attracted tremendous attention, so did the Rancomes small tractor and the new wagon on .Aveling and Porter's stand, although the last-named vehicle was relegated to the " bark blocks " of the exhibit. I heard of a new Colonial type of wagon at Allehin's. although they had no room to show it. This makes quite an array of new steam wagons; fortunately, the demand is growing rapidly, so there should be room for all. Other visits I made were to Tasker's, in the annexe ; to Sanederson mid Gifkins„ who are very full up with work ; then up to the gallery, to see Barford and Perkins's new motor roller (they seem to be getting the Milk of this roller trade), and lastly, before leaving the gallery, to hear all the latest news from Mr. A. Hoffmann, of the Ivel.
It was a happy conceit on the part of Mr. Patten to propose that Mr. Fritz Peppe be crowned King Poppe, of Para, and, with universal acclaim, the handiest substitute for laurel lffilVf soon decked his brow. This and other festive Occurrences happened at the recent complimentary dinner, given by Mr. Poppe. of the Polack Tyre and
Rubber Co., Ltd., to Mr. H. Kerr Thomas, on the latter gentleman's visit from the United States, and a unique gathering it was. It will be clearly remembered that Mr. H. Kerr Thomas, mail a short while ago, was manager for J. and E. Hall, Ltd., of Dartford. He proceeded to the U.S.A., and quickly became concerned in the management of the Pierce-Arrow motor factory at Buffalo, and hens were gathered to meet him the heads of the following leading British commercial-vehicle concerns:Comtner Car, F. B. Goodehild, Halley's, Leyland's, and Milne.s-Daimler. Mr. Frank Churchill, of J. and E. Hall's, unfortunately was unable to attend. Amongst others present were Mr. F. C. A. Coventry, of the Great Western Railway Co., Mr. Clarence b'reeland, Mr. Frank Brown, of Huddersfield, Mr. Melling, of Jessop's, and Mr. Ken Willmot (McNamara's). The speeches, mercifully, were few, but full of interest. Everyone was absorbed in Thomas's impressions of the States, and the motoring incongruities to he found there. Mr. Fritz Poppe's eye sparkled when Thomas explained that the reads were so bad that the average life of a tire was 3,000 miles. It was of interest to know that the Pierce-Arrow will scan have its own commercial vehicles. I have said it was a unique gathering. I cannot think of anyone else at the moment, but Mr. Fritz Poppe, who could bring together, in such perfect amity, opposing business elements such as those mentioned; it was an evidence of the high esteem in which Poppe and Kerr Thomas are held.