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Loose Leaves.
Page 120
Page 121
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Ts country is sadly deficient in fine halls suitable for exhibitions on a grand scale. One thinks of such cities as Ecliuburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol and York, in considering possible venues for the motor shows, and the fact is forced upon one that Macaulay's New Zealander, after inspecting his London in ruins and being appointed Exhibition Manager to the S.M.M. and T., could point to none of the places named as offering the needed facilities. The destruction of the old Kelvin Hall was a blessing in disguise, for Glasgow has now made excellent use of the site and has built a hall worthy of its traditions. We judged the ground floor area of the hall to be materially larger than that of Olympia, but, of course, the enormous gallery space which Olympia possesses is lacking. Had we been the Corporation of Britain's second city, we would have made one alteration in the design. In the nave extending from the wide and adequate entrance we would have built a dome: it would have broken the monotonous line of ferro-conerete roof joists which now make the building look somewhat like a railway station or a factory. We are afraid it is too late to make the change. The only other criticism we have to make concerns the inadequacy of the exits from the conference hall. We were ten minutes reaching the doorway from our seat next to the platform after the Prince of Wales had declared the exhibition open. For light and airiness, however, give us Kelvin Hall before Olympia.
WE think that makers are giving too wme an appli cation to the low platform level, which was first introduced to suit such work as the transport of milk churns, which are so often manually loaded from ground level. It fills a definite purpose in lowering the centre of gravity of such vehicles as double-deck buses, where the load is apt to he placed at a high level. Then it was introduced into coach design because it gave that long, low, rakish appearance which had always seemed to popular fancy to be one of the enchantments of the pirate's schooner! The :Tow seat, at little more than 3 ft. 8 ins, off the ground, is, however, not suitable for all districts or for every class of coach traveller. In a flat country it is hopeless, because the scenery is blotted out beyond the hedges and the fences. Yet, if the coach be destined to tour constantly in Scotland, where a hedge is a rarity and the gaze of the tourist is constantly directed upwards to the mountain sides or across the lochs and glens, a low level is not only permissible, but is desirable, for the wind resistance is less and a feeling of greater safety would be engendered on some of the awkward roads to be found north of the Clyde and Forth. If we were operating coaches from Blackpool, on the x14 other hand, we should plump for a seat-level at least five feet high. The bus traveller is, invariably, not a seeker after scenic delights, so that a low level is correct even for single-deck buses.
CHATTING the other day with Mr. Martin McGrath, the despatch manager of the Film Transport Co., Ltd., we found ourselves extremely interested in his views upon the traffic conditions of certain of our main roads, particularly that running from London through Northampton and onwards.
This is becoming known amongst drivers as "Suicide Road," owing to the large number of fatal accidents. which have recently occurred on it. Mr. McGrath -puts many of these accidents down to rivalry amongst. the drivers, there being far too much cutting-in -and lack of thought for the other fellow, and he suggests that if only clubs could be.started where drivers could meet in a more friendly fashion and compare notes, there would be a rapid diminution of the existing perils.
WE have often heard of instances where employer and employed in the motor industry keep in touch when their ways have parted. We happened to say something on this subject when we were recently talklug to the managing director of a well-known concern in the north, and he told us that it is the regular practice of his company to place upon their mailing list any ex-apprentice or mechanic who leaves the works and takes up a position overseas. He himself and
other members of the administrative staff will occasionally write to the man, who will regularly receive any printed matter which is prepared for, public circulation. This serves to keep the ex-employees posted in the developments of the company and in the new models and the changes in the old ones. Reprints of articles on the company's products, such as appear in The Commercial Motor directly a new model is ready for description, are sent out, and as a consequence of these attentions the men feel that their links with the homeland are strong and secure, and when they vialte or return home they are not hesitant in showing their appreciation.
THE development of the great arterial roads, even in country which at the outset does not seem immediately to call for it, is a matter that is of great concern to all users of transport and to all engaged in the transport industry. We know the Western Highlands rather well, but mainly from the point of view of the tourist, and we cannot say to what extent industries can be developed there, but agriculture must benefit and, with so much water-power available, there should be many opportunities for new activities if only transport facilities can be provided. This involves new highways, and in the Road Fund there is now the wherewithal to provide them. The proposal to spend half a million sterling on the road from Tyndrum to Ballachulish, through the Pass of Glencoe, at first struck us as wasteful and regrettable, but we have recently had the opportunityPof discussing it with Mr. Inglis Ker, of Edinburgh, and confess to being converted to his views. With the opening in 1924 of the road through Glen Falloch, a direct route from Glasgow to Crianlarich was provided and, if the road through Glencoe were made practicable and a bridge built over the River Leven at Ballachulish, distances to the west and north-west would be considerably shortened and the coach industry for one would materially benefit. We had imagined Glencoe spoiled, its wonderful gloomy scenery scarred by the new road projected by the Minister of Transport, but we are assured by Mr.,Ker. thatoione of the beauty or gran deurof the Pass will be lost, and if that be the case, the new road will enable many to experience the curious awe of the glen, which few are able to do to-day. We have tried on more than one occasion, but could never succeed in penetrating far into the glen from either end, because of the loose state of the road, which generally resembles a deep moraine.