Out and Horne.
Page 7
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By "The Extractor."
"Wherever the British flag flies," is the way Mr. Tarwood describes to me his territory for the sale of original l3erna. motors ; so that confusion may be avoided it will be well to state that J. Yarwood and Co., Ltd., has secured the selling rights of all present and future productions of the Berna factory in Switzerland. Mr. Yarwood has already made a very good start and has every reason to be hopeful for future support.
I have noticed," said Mr. S. F. Edge who took the chair at the benevolent banquet the other evening "that those who occupy the best positions in the motor trade to-day are those who have in the past taken upon themselves a good share of honorary work." Tho truth of this was very apparent as one glanced around the tables at the Connaught Rooms on Thursday last. Here were leading lights who had devoted priceless time to the work of helping those who had fallen by the way, here were scores of men whom one has met in various clubs, who have not failed to take their share in honorary work that was often arduous but at any rate not uninteresting. It will be remembered in connection with this Motor Trades Benevolent Fund that some one in an inspired moment struck the idea of setting apart one day for enrolling batches of helpers and calling it Benevolent Day. I am a busy man, but along with a colleague on "The Motor," I gave up a day to the work, and as a result of many successful appeals we have each been elected Honorary Governors of the Fund, whatever that may signify. Anyhow I was glad to afford some help and gratified to find how readily the business side were ready and willing to contribute to such an excellent cause. It was one of the Greek philosophers, I think, who wrote "It is a kingly action, believe me, to come to the help of those who are fallen," Roai users are entitled to every possible consideration by drivers of heavy and noisy commercial vehicles. The letter from Waring and Gillow, Ltd., in last week's issue, opens up a phase which deserves, to my mind, much publicity in these columns. It will be remembered that a motorist was obstructed for some miles by a Waring van, although the motorist used his horn incessantly. The fact is that the rattle and noise of many a loaded van makes it impossible for a driver to hear. A side mirror is a great help, and should be fitted on every commercial vehicle. It hap pens that in the course of my business journeys and other jaunts en automobile I cover several thousand miles each year, and I have been compelled to fix on my silent Rover an ear-piercing mechanical horn, with a loud, sustained note, which would rouse the Seven Sleepers. It certainly wakes up even steam-tractor drivers, but I do not think it is fair that I should. have to go to this expense, or that the extra noise of this should be necessary. The real remedy is that, except where there is a most unusual camber on the road,, the heavy vehicle should always keep well to the left.. Now, I saw a striking example of this only recently. I had occasion to go through the " war " country during the recent Manceuvres and up the main road between Waeford and Tring I passed alongside a complete Army column with the least possible inconvenience. Here were the three-ton transport wagons, with regular Army drivers, keeping up a steady fifteen, and never leaving their proper side of the road. On the other hand, the wagons hired from contractors were on the crown of the road at every opportunity, thus slowing up materially the ordinary fast road traffic. Fix mirrors on heavy vehicles certainly, but, in addition, keep to the left side of the road. I appeal to the C.M.U.A.