As Fast as a Fire-engine—The Drivers' Weekly Prize—Appointments Filled and Vacant.
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The clang of the fire-bell and the clearing of the street traffic sends a thrill which is rarely equalled through one. But when fast London traffic is wildly scattered at th3 instance of a horse-drawn fire-engine, the whole proceeding seems grotesque. I saw this happening in London last Sunday evening, and the rate of progress, now that we are so accustomed to taxicabs and motorbuses, looked, as I say, groterlque. It was in Southampton Row, and here was all the excitement and the clatter, and the engine and its fiery quadrupeds unable to overtake the taxicabs. "They want something different to that now, sir," said an adjacent policeman to me. "I should say the fire will be out by the time they get there," and by this time the life-saving ladders were being ambled along at about six miles an hour. Horse-drawn engines and fire-escapes may look all right in a Lord Mayor's Show, but at this time of day, when life and property are in jeopardy, horse transport is hopelessly, hideously inadequate.
To my mind one of the most interesting features of a motor jour. nal is the space devoted to the contributions from drivers, amateur or professional, in which details are given of some temporary repair which has been instrumental in getting the vehicle home. I have been in at so many incidents when it seemed a, hopeless case, perhaps because of an absence of spare parts. Then an inspiration has come to oneself or to someone else in the party. The job has been merrily proceeded with and a fresh start for home has been effected, perhaps gingerly at first, but followed up with confidence. The record of these incidents in the motor Press cannot fail to be of service to others. No wonder then that the "Drivers' and Mechanics'" page in this journal is so eagerly scanned week by week. I have noticed in it some of the cleverest contrivances of temporary and other repairs. It was interesting to me, therefore, to learn a. short while ago, when visiting one of the most prominent works engaged in the making of motor lorries, that one of their young employees was a frequent winner of the ten-shilling prize given weekly by this journal in con nection with the "Drivers' and Mechanics' " pages. It is pleasing to see employees encouraged to send in their ideas and their solutions of immediate difficulties ; it indicates a broad-minded policy which can do concerns no harm individually and is to a large degree helpful to the commercial motoring community.
A former colleague. Mr. W. Anrung, is proceeding. I understand, early next month to Australia, principally in connection with the sale of a special sparking plug. He is open to sell one or two other motor accessories. He is not looking for salary or expenses. He expects remuneration only from the goods actually sold, but he does not want anything absolutely unknown out there. It often happens that orders are sent home for special articles for small quantities, just as they are ordered, the shippers in London having little or no discretion to increase. Mr. Anning will be calling on the motor people in the principal cities, and I feel sure, from what I know of him, if he is convinced that a certain accessory is first-class, he has the power to convince others. Letters will find him addressed to The Motor Club.
There is just now an opening for a live man to take entire charge of the commercial-vehicle department of a prominent and prosperous motor concern. He must be capable of organizing and selling, and he must already have good business experience and some knowledge of the advantages and possibilities of motor transport. To such a man. good remuneration and opport no ties will be given. Replies should be sent to me in confidence ad dressed " Competent," care of " The Extractor," to the address of this office.
It is a good many years since I first met Mr. C. W. Schafer, and I am quite glad to learn that he has fixed up with Mann and Overtons to sell Unic cabs arid vans in Lancashire. He takes charge in fact of Mann and Overton's Manchester depot. Schafer is thus practically on his native heath. He was ever a popular clubman, coming up front the cycle side, and his many friends in Lancashire will prove of assistance to him. I have come across so many instances before me where the racing cyclist and motorist, has developed into the successful salesman. Schafer has already proved he is no exception to this rule.
To show or not to show that is the question. I hold no brief for either London or Manchester as the possible venue for a show, but I am inclined to the opinion, as I expressed in these columns some weeks ago, that a building should he secured within a 1s. cab fare, or a bus ride from Olympia, and that the show should be held contemporaneously with the pleasure car
show. I give below a letter received from Manchester, which deals with the subject from the northern point of view, and I shall be interested to receive others.
"Re ' Extractor's ' notes on page 117, advocating a Commercial Vehicle Exhibition in London, but not in Manchester. Says he :— " You only require to get away from Manchester to almost any point of the compass, and the vote goes in favour of London.'
" May I say that you only need to get away from London, and inquire of the manufacturers and agents of commercial motors, to find that a Commercial Vehicle Exhibition in Manchester is indispensable, if one is to be held at all? We spent a few years of defiance, teaching the S.M.M.T. that Cottonopolis was the place to sell motorcars ; and surely there would not be the same need to spend time arguing which is the finest commercial-motor centre in England."—Yours