WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads ooer which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Ford Trading in 1932, Shows Loss.
During 1932 the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., incurred a trading loss of 1109,250, as compared with a trading profit of £412,142 for 1931. The loss is increased by charges amounting to £287,223 for depreciation, obsolescence, etc., whilst the reserve for the lose on exchange on foreign currency debts (1106,828) and losses arising on trading operations outside the British Isles and of certain foreign subsidiaries (£127,527)::heve to be taken into account. The adding together of these amounts gives a total loss of £681V.9 for the year, as against a profit
of £82.927 a year earlier. An appropriation of £44,088 for income tax has also to be considered, with a result that the credit balance of £371,871 brought in is converted into a debit balance of £354,046 to be carried foeward.
R.H.A. and Taxation on " Heavies."
Speaking at a meeting of the Road Haulage Association, at St. Austell, on June 9, over which, Captain Jones (chairman of the western regional area) presided, Mr. R. Sewill, vice-chairman of the national council of the Association and representative of the British Road Federation, declared that the additional taxation on heavy vehicles, proposed under the Finance Act, was unfair.
The LELA. was pressing for a maximum of £120 per annum on the heaviest of vehicles, instead of the scale proposed to be levied.
Mr. Smart, vice-chairman of the western regional area, urged all hauliers in Cornwall to unite with the R.R.A. Captain Jones intimated that the Association was fully alive to the necessity of bringing in some scheme for the stabilization of rates.
Railway Statistics for March.
The Ministry of Transport has recently issued railway statistics for the calendar month of March and for the four weeks ended March 25, 1933. The comparisons with the previous year's figures are effected by the incidence of Easter, which fell in March, 1932, and in April this year.
The, total number of passenger journeys (excluding those made by season-ticket holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain in March, 1933. was 90,925,519, a decrease of 1,062,137 compared with March, 1932. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares increased by 430,520, lint those at standard or ordinary fares decreased by 1,492,657. For all companies the receipts from passenger-train traffic were £622,033 lower than in March of last year.
For the four weeks ended March 25. 1933, the coaching train miles showed an increase of 817,043, compared with the fOur weeks ended March 26, 1932.
The total tonnage of freight conveyed 320 (excluding free-hauled traffic) decreased by 2.7 per cent. Freight-train receipts amounted to £6,446,686, a reduction of 3.6 per cent. The freight-train miles run were 133,765 higher than the figure for 1932, an increase of 1.4 per cent.
Oil Engines for Light Vans.
A Paris concern, the Etablissements Leon Max et Cie, has placed on the French market two models of delivery van, for loads up to a ton, equipped with Peugeot-Junkers oil engines of, respectively, 5 h.p. and 7 h.p. (French rating).
Road-rail Agreement in Switzerland.
Rather protracted negotiations between the Swiss Federal Railways, the private railways and road-transport companies concerning the distribution of traffic and the co-ordination of rail and road services have ended in an agreement, states a message from Berne.
Co-operation between these interests will be established by Government legislation involving a system of concessions, whereby transport over short distances will be carried out by the motor companies and over long distances by the railways. A company will be formed in which the railways will hold half the shares, the motor companies a quarter and industrial groups a quarter
Brush Electrical Engineering Co.'s Activities.
The Right Hon. Lord Vtinx of Harrowden presided at the 44th general meeting of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., held, in London, a few days ago. He reviewed trading conditions during the past year, and, after making a reference to the accounts, went on to say that the Salter Report had an unfortunate effect upon the rolling-stock busiuess.
He mentioned that, realizing the tendency towards all-metal construction, the company has produced bodies of this type which enables it to undertake either the building of composite or all-metal bodies. He referred to the fact that consideration has been given to the manufacture of new products. A Beck and Pollitzer Enterprise.
The well-known haulage and removal' contractors and w-harfingers, Messrs. Beck and Pollitzer, have crystallized their constructive efforts in evolving Universal House, Southwark Bridge; London, S.E. which is of special interest, not only ireettese it is a Most modern example of architeeture, but because it constitutes en important centre for what may be referred to as a terminal service. Importers and merchants are now in a position to have their offices and showrooms in a.fine modern building, centrally situated, and with adjacent facilitiee for the lending, Storage
'and distribution of their goods.. Tho idea of a terminal service has become popular in America, but this is, we believe, the first time that" it has been introduced on a large scale in London.
The building is on the south side of Southwark Bridge, almost within a stone's throw of the City, and its occupants will have at their command the' exceptional resources of the Beck end Pollitzer service. The partnership was brought into existence in 1863, and they now command a river frontage of nearly a quarter of a mile, comprising five acres of dry-storage accommodation, a fleet of vehicles which totals over 100, including special low-loaders for machinery, motor horseboxes, 6-ton petrol-electric mobile cranes, and, at Bridge Garage, Lambeth Road, S.E.1, a service station and extensive garage, where heavy repairs of all kinds can be promptly executed. whilst adjacent to these are coachhuilding shops. In addition to their other activities, the firm have an exhibition department dealing with the design and erection of stands and the transport of exhibits both at home and abroad, whilst a staff of experts has charge of customs procedure. Other branches of the business are devoted to decorating and office fitting, and general contracting and building.
Universal House is 'built On the site of an old iron foundry, and it has been designed to provide the maximum amount of open floor space with adequate natural lighting, and a continuous row of windows is carried around the whole of the floors. To counteract heat losses involved by this large area, the 4i-in. reinforced-concrete wall is faced on the inside with 1e: in, of cork, which gives better insulation than a normal
14-in, brick wall. The outer face is encased in common rough-cast glass, which is impervious to the weather, and is fixed with non-corrosive metal.
Trading of Charles Roberts and Co.
After providing .£56,279 for depreciation, -Charles Roberts and Co., , Ltd., Horhury Junction, which has body building as well as other interests, Made a net profit of £3,571. in the year ended March 31 last, as against £4,267 a year earlier. The profit has been added to the amount carried forward, increasing it to £10,371. Laystairs New Activities.
In order to deal with the repair of chassis springs for commercial vehicles, the Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., Ewer Street, Southwark, London, S.E.1, has opened a new department for this class of work.
In addition to the replacement of broken leaves, setting up or otherwise modifying existing springs, a feature will be the re-tempering of springs, for which purpose special furnaces, testing equipment and other plant have been installed. To ensure rapid completion of the work, the company stocks over 15 tons of high-grade spring steel, supplied by Thomas Firth and John Brown, Ltd., Sheffield.
A Haulage Agency.
A. firm of hauliers in Wales require the services of a representative to work on a commission basis in obtaining loads from London to South Wales from merchants and manufacturers. Letters should be addressed "Commission," care of the Editor.
Hants and Dorset" Results.
During the year ended March 31 last Rants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., made a net profit of £37,583, which, when added to the amount brought forward (112,047) gives a total of £49,630. A final dividend of 6 per cent, is recommended for payment on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent. for the year, plus a bonus of 21 per cent. The general reserve receives £2,500, and £1,250 constitutes a bonus to employees. The balance to be carried forward is £11,130.
A Special Garner for Dock Work.
In view of the fact that smalldiameter solid tyres must not now be fitted to new vehicles, excepting for certain specified purposes, such as refuse collection, the Garner low-loading pneumatic-tyro:1 RW3 chassis, with a rating of 41 tons, including pay-load and body, is finding increasing favour where low loading coupled with small turning circle and large body space are required'. An excellent example is illustrated on .this page, the vehicle shown being a repeat order from Hay's Wharf Certage
td.
Co.,The chassis is of the same type as developed by Garner Motors, Ltd., Tyseley, Birmingham, for municipal work, particularly for refuse collection, and is fitted with a four-cylindered engine, 90 mm. bore and 130 mm. stroke, four-speed gearbox, and fully floating
rear axle. The driver's position being alongside the engine, with the engine forward of the front axle, gives a loading space behind the cab to the 7-24ths limit of 20 ft. on a 12-ft. 6-in, wheelbase chassis, whilst the turning cirele is only 35 ft., outside diameter.
The cab and bodywork in this case were carried out by Pickfords, Ltd., and despite the carrying forward of the body alongside the cab on the near side, with the cab off-set on the centre line, of the chassis, the Garner patented feature of accessibility to the power unit is preserved by the near-side door being quickly removable, together with the floorboards of the lorry deck adjacent to the dash and the engine.
The body dimensions are 20 ft. behind the cab, 23 ft. 7 ins, to the front of the body on the near side, width 7 ft. 1 in.
This vehicle was specially selected for work in the restricted areas of the docks, which calls for a high degree cf manceuvra.bility in a lorry, in order to ensure that its maximum earning capacity may be used.
Chemical Society's Annual Meeting.
The 52nd annual meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry takes place at Newcastle-on-Tyne from July 10-14. On July 12 the president will present the medal of the Society to Prof. W. A. Bone, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S., who 'willCleliver an address entitled "Forty Years of Combustion Research."
On the following day, amongst the Visits which will be made, is one to the works of A rmstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., at Scotswood, Newcastleon-Tyne.
I.F.S. Imports Still Low.
During the four months ended April last the Irish Free State imported 17 commercial vehicles, valued at 12,600, as contrasted with 482 and 184,817 respectively a year earlier.
Personal Pars.
Warrington Corporation has appointed Mr. J. Newton as acting manager of the transport department.
During the conference of the Institute of Public Cleansing, which opened at Edinburgh on Monday last, Mr. R. Beveridge, inspector of lighting and cleansing, Edinburgh, was elected president.
Mr. H. W. Mills, of Llandudno Junction, has been appointed divisional manager for Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., in the Bangor district, in succession to Capt. Roberts, who is now in charge of the Wrexham district for the same company.
Mr. Joseph Hepworth, M.P. for Bradford East, and of the concern of Hcp
Some of the special features of this Garner low-loader, built for a well-known cartage concern, are referred to in a paragraph on this page.
worth and Grandage, Ltd., the wellknown piston-ring manufacturer, Bradford, is in the Duke of York's Nursing Home, Bradford, where he has undergone an operation for appendicitis. He is progressing favourably.
Inspector Joseph OTtiordan has been appointed the new traffic inspector for the Dublin Metropolitan Area. The position is a responsible one, and Inspector O'Riordan brings to it a wealth of experience and knowledge of police duties obtained during 28 years' service.
Mr. C. R. Pengelly, whose portrait appears on this page, has recently joined the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., as special sales representative, and will concentrate his activities on the sale of the company's new Zeus double-deck bus chassis (road-tested by us and dealt with fully in our issue dated April 28) and coach chassis. He has had a lengthy experience in the commercial-vehicle industry, and, during a period of 20 years, has been associated with a number of the leading British makers.
At its meeting on June 9, Halifax Tramways Committee reduced to three the short list of candidates for the vacant post of tramways manager. The applicants are now Mr. John Atherton, general manager, Leigh Corporation bus department ; Mr. Francis F. Burrows, works manager, Ralifax Corporation tramways, and Mr. Frank Lythgoe, general manager and engineer, Rawtenstall Corporation transport.
1932 Profit of M.R.S., Ltd.
During 1932 M.R.S., Ltd., the wellknown Liverpool haulage concern, made a net profit of £7,679, to which has to be added 13,387 brought forward from the previous year. After taking into account depreciation, loan and debenture interests, etc., amounting to £9,592, a balance of £1,475 remains to be carried forward. Stabilizing the Haulage Industry.
The view that the Road and Rail Traffic Bill will eliminate undesirable elements of the haulage industry was expressed by Mr. A. K. Butterwick, chairman of the West Riding branch of the Road Haulage Association, at a meeting in Bradford last Tuesday.
The Bill, said Mr. Butterwick, would bring them many troubles and diffi
culties. There would be a struggle with railway interests when licences came up for renewal. There would be numerous restrictions and regulations, but the upshot would be that road haulage would become an organized, recognized and protected industry, it was, however, essential that hauliers should unite, and he suggested that the R.H.A. provided the best means for achieving this end.
Mr. Butterwick quoted some remarkable examples of rate-cutting in the West Riding. Ten years ago, the roadhaulage rate from Liverpool to the West Riding was about 36s. to 42s. per ton, but the present rate was only about 10s. or 12s. per ton. Again, the rate for a certain type of work for Leeds Corporation had dropped from Sc. to Is. 7d. per ton.
New Scheme of I.A.E.
The Irnstitution of Automobile Enginsers has altered its articles of association to admit of operators of motor vehicles becoming affiliated operators of the Institution upon payment of an annual subscription of £10. This entitles the operators to receive all reports issued by the research and standardization committee.
Cardiff Corporation is applying for enrolment as an affiliated operator of the Institution.
Leaving White and Poppe, Ltd.
We understand that Mr. H. E. Johnson, who for 24 years has been associated with White and Poppe, Ltd., the old-established •concern of motor engineers, being its local director and secretary, and is now liquidating the company, IS severing connection with it. It will be remembered that White and Poppe, -Ltd., recently went into voluntary liquidation (members winding up), as it had discontinued the manufacture of engines, Dennis Brothers, Ltd., for which it made engines in the past and with which it has been associated for a number of years, having decided to manufacture power units at its Guildford works.
Big Railway Order for Bedfords.
The Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., Edinburgh, advises us that, after carrying out tests over a period of six months, the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. has placed an order with the company for the supply of 65 Bedford commercial vehicles.
Development of Well-known Fireappliance Concern.
We understand that the Nuswift range of fire appliances is now manufactured solely by the Nuswift Engineering Co., Ltd., Protector Works, Elland, Yorkshire, which concern also controls sales and administration. A new company has been formed for the purpose, because J. Blakeborough and Sons, Ltd., Brighouse, which formerly made the Nuswift devices, found that it required the works space in connection with its own trade in valves.
MY. H. C. Leech is managing director of the new concern and has been with the Blakeborough organization for five years. It may he mentioned that the Nuswift concern makes and sells Harvey's Paraffin Attachment, described in our issue dated May 19.
Important Buyers of Thornyerofts.
Some interesting repeat orders have recently been placed with John I. Thornycroft and CO., Ltd., for vehicles of various types. One of the largest has been received from the London and North-Eastern Railway Co., and is for 31 2-ton platform lorries, whilst the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., is buying 11 4-tonners and five 6,1--ton chassis. Another fuel company, Redline-Glico, Ltd., has ordered three 4-ton and two 64-ton chassis. Weymann's Motor Bodies Trading.
Weyinann's Motor Bodies (1925), Ltd., made a loss of £12,598 in 1932, which increases the debit balance carried forward. to £31,795. The Order of the Court confirming the reduction of the share capital was not made until January 16, 1933, so that the balance. sheet, as at December 31, 1932, does not Show the changes in the capital structure of the company, or the writing-off of losses up to October 31, 1932.
Railways Buying Aibions.
Where direct delivery work from goods depots is concerned, railway companies find the lighter types of machine to be the most suitable, as is borne out by orders recently placed. The London and North Eastern Railway Co. has lately given a repeat order for eight Albion 30-35-cwt. forward-control vehicles, whilst the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. is purchasing five 2-2i-ten normal-control models.
A number of 4-tanners with forward control has -recently been added to the fleet of Albions operated by the L.N.E.R., whilst nine bonnet-type 5tonners with oil engines have been ordered by the L.M.S.
Many railway companies abroad also use Albion vehicles, and one of them, the East Indian Railway, has recently placed a repeat order for a 3-tonner.
Japan Prefers Imported Parts.
According to a report from Japan, the Tokyo municipal bus undertaking recently made comparative tests of Japanese and imported motor parts. It was found that, so far as certain essential components were concerned, such as valves, connecting rods, crankshafts, gears, steering knuckles and propeller shafts, it was cheaper to use imported parts, even at the present high prices, than Japanese units.
Dunlop's New Cardiff Depot.
The Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., has opened a tyre-service depot at Park Street, Cardiff, under the management of Mr. Randall.