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M.O.W.T. CONDITIONS OF . PAYMENT FOR HIRE I N respect of the terms of pay merit for the hire of long-distance . vehicles by the M.O.W.T,, which we published In our issue dated April 16 last, additional rates have now been issued in connection with vehicles of carrying capacities ranging from 10 cwt, to 2-i tons. In giving these, we adopt the following abbreviations for convenience: A—Weekly Payment for Working Vehicles; B—Weekly Payment for Laid-up Vehicles (Part Fleet); • C—Weekly. Payment for Laid-up Vehicles (Whole Fleet); D—Mileage Payment for Wcirking Vehicles, ' 10-cwt.:—A: £2 I8s. 8d.; B:
£2 5s. 7d.; C: £2 Is. 9d.; D: .95d. 1-ton:—A: gs 75. id.; B: £2 12s. 8d,;
C: £2 5s. ld.; D7 1.15d, li-ton:—A: £3 14s, 5d.; B: £2 18s, 6.:L; C: £2 13s. D: 1,37c1. 2-ton:—A: • £3 19s. 8d.; B: £3 Ss. lid.; C: £2 18s. 2d.; D: 1,97d, 2f-ton:—A; £4 6s.; B7 £3 8s. 8d.; C: £3 2s. 6d.; D: 1,56d. .
• COMMITTEE ON ROAD . TRANSPORT EDUCATION I N • connection with road-transport education, the composition of the special committee appointed by the Institute of Transport Conference on this subject will be as follows:—Messrs. R. Stuart Pilcher • (chairman), R. Beveridge, R. Birch, W. Bradley, J. G. Docherty, S. R; Geary, T. Gray, C. F. King, J. W. Ramsbottom, R. W. Sewill, H. Scholfield, B. G. Turner, G. S. Vickary, F. W. Crews (hon. secretary), and Major R. A. B. Smith.
This committee was set up to consider and report back to the Conference upon the development of education and practical training, also other related matters concerning the improvement of the standard of efficiency of the employees, to supplement the existing facilities. The first meeting was due to be held yesterday.
REASONS FOR ROAD TRANSPORT'S GROWTH
THE President of A.R.O., Major I 1 H. E, Crawfurd, ARC., is having a busy time lecturing to the Rotarians.
Last Monday he was at the Coventry Rotary Club. There, he said that the qualities necessary to provide efficient transport service, i.e., adaptability, local knowledge, constant attention to individual requirements, and the power to make quick decisions, are precisely those which no form of .highly centralized-control can give.
Between 1919 and 1938, he continued, the number of goods vehicles in this country increased from 62,000 ,to just under 500,000—an eight-fold increase in less than 20 years. This Is a measure of the service rendered by goods road transport to British industry and commerce. No haulier runs his vehicles for fun—they lire always serving somebody. The only people who can afford to keep vehicles on the road empty are Government Departments.
The reason for the great increase is. that manufacturers and merchants found road service to be cheap, convenient, punctual, available at all hours of the day and night, and, above all, adaptable to meet their needs.The secret of the service rendered was the individual attention given by the haulier to the requirements of his clients. If that service is to be retained and its efficiency increased the industry must be left free.
In the replanning of Coventry and other cities similarly situated, the chief factor to be considered is transport.
OFFICIAL VIEW ON RETURN , FARES
THERE have been certain complaints in the Northern Region regarding the abolition of bus return fares above 10d. The official explanation is that: (I) fares generally in that Region have been very low for a long period; (2) not all return fares above 10d. have been abolished—for example, they have remained in the case of services which provide means for people obtaining access to their nearest main shopping centres; multiple-journey tickets are 'available for regular travellers, and this facility will be extended to furthe't routes if a good case be made out; some of the return fares abolished were for very long distances of 30-40 miles.
PROGRESS OF GOVERNMENT HAULAGE
AT September 10, the total number
• units in the Mb.W.T. Haulage Scheme was 351;_those planned in addition are six, • As regards the vehicles in the
organization, those hired n umber 4,846, whilst controlled undertakings have, on long-distance work, 5,729, and on short-distance work, 5,455, totalling 16,026.
Further hirings have been definitely
arranged in respect of 1,618 vehicles. Of the remaining 5,000 offered for hire, a certain number has been 'rejected as ineligible, but these amount to only some 500. In certain cases, queries concerning carrying capacity have,beld up the completion of the arrangements. • It has been found that the Ministry, is' not able to hire vehicles more rapidly than they can be abSorbed into the units. .
A particularly interesting point to note is that the number of shortdistance vehicles in the controlled undertakings closely approximates to the number on long-distance work.
The official view on the Scheme is that it can now be regarded as in regular working order, No question has yet arisen regarding C-licensed vehicles. When the Scheme . was first announced last November, Itwas stated that should it be considered necessary to keep a C-licensed vehicle in reserve, the Ministry would consider payment to the owner on the basis of interest on capital and overheads. No question of payment is, however, entertained if a vehicle in this category • becomes redundant as a result of the Scheme. INSURANCE OF VEHICLES FOR HOME GUARD TRAINING
THE M.O.T. has announced that agreement has been arrived at with the War Office concerning the insurance Of civilian goodsand passengercarrying vehicles used for Home Guard training purposes.
The War Department has undertaken to accept liability for all insurance risks during the periodical use of such vehicles for this purpose, other than those which fall to be dealt with under the War Damage Acts, but only in the following circumstances:—(a) when the owner's existing insurance policy becomes invalidated by use of a vehicle for the training of Home 'Guard M.T. units; (b) when the owner carries his own insurance or insures his vehicles under • block policies; (c) when the owner's policy is not invalidated but an excess clause operates, or comprehensive insurance has not been effected by.the owner, the War Department will pay the balance of any claim not met in full by the insurers, or will accept. liability in respect _ of the risks not covered by the policy.
In view, of this undertaking, however, the War Department has decided to reduce the rates payable for the use of vehicles when such full or part lia
bility is . accepted. In the following list of vehicles of the stated load capacities, the normal rates (which include an element of insurance) when owner's policy is applicable are given first, and the reduced rates second:—Up to 30-cwt., 81,1., 7d.; over 30-cwt. and up to 5-ton, ls., 10d.; over 5-ton and up to 10-ton, or p.s. vehicle up to 20 seats, Is. 3d., is. Id.; over 10-ton or p.s. vehicle over 20 seats, Is. 6d., is. 3c1. Some doubt concerning the so-called " normal " rates has, however, been expressed by the Public Transport Association, Accordinac' to that body, there are no fixed rates for such work, although local rates have been arranged in some areas.
NO ATTENDANT ON SERVICE VEHICLE WITH TRAILER
THE carrying of an attendant with a motor vehicle drawing a trailer will no longer apply in the case of a Service vehicle used for Service purposes if the trailer be equipped with brakes which can be applied by the driver from the drawing vehicle. This comes under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulationg 1943.
PROGRAMME OF THE INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT
T"presidential address to the Insti. tute -of Transport will be delivered by Sir William Wood at a meeting to be held at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, W.C.2, on October 12, at 5 p.m.
It has been proposed to arrange luncheons to be followed by addresses on the following dates:—November 12 and December 3, 1943; February 4 and March 3,1944. Informal lunch-hour meetings are projected for November 23, 1943, and January 18, February 22, and March 28, 1944.
TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITION FOR CARDIFF
ON October 7 a Tyre Economy Exhibition is to open at the National
Museum of Wales, Cardiff. At the opening ceremony Mr. P. S. King, Deputy Director of Tyres, will speak on behalf of the Ministry of Supply.
The sessions of the Exhibition have been arranged as follow': —Monday to Friday, 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.M.; 3 p.m, to 4 p.m.; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturdays there will be morning and afternoon sessions, as on the other days, but an evening session will be by special arrangement only. Th6 Exhibition will close on October 23, The Exhibition is open only to drivers and operators of goods and publicservice yehicles. Tickets may be obtained on application to the Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, Ministry. of War Transport, Graham House, Newpoft Road, Cardiff.
BUS WOMEN SEEK FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK
AFIVE-DAY week is suggested for women drivers and conductors on Glasgow Corporation bus and tram services. The Transport and General Workers' Union states that experience has proved that the work is too heavy, especially for married women, who are unable to maintain the regular duties because of the long spread-over which involves early starts and late finishes.
A five-day week, would ensure better attendances and give the women one day off for shopping and domestic duties. Women are paid the same
wages as the men after six months' service, but this does not seem a sufficient inducement to warrant a Igo per cent. attendance.
The women's application I is now being discussed with the management in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour. The management is of the opinion that it will be possible to grant the request only if sufficient part-time women workers come forward to cope with the duties on the two off-days.
MEMORANDUM ON BUS DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
A MEMORANDUM is to be sub
mitted to the M.0.1,V.T. concerning the over-all length, width, height and weight of p.s. vehicles. It has been prepared by the Public Transport Association, but will be submitted next week to the appropriate technical committee ofoperators and manufacturers covering the Municipal Passenger Transport Association, the C.M.U.A., A.R.O., and the S.M.M.T.
S.M.M.T. CHANGES ITS ADDRESS
PrilE new address of the Society of 1 Motor Manufacturers and Traders is 67, Portland Place, London, W.1. Telephone: Welbeck 3364/8. .
" C.M." INDEX FOR VOLUME 77 'THE index for Volume 77 of "The. .I. Commercial Motor," covering the issues from February 5 to July 30, 1943, is now available, and copies are obtainable from Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.1, at the price of 7d. per copy, postage included.
P.S.V. PERMITS FOR OVER WEIGHT BUSES
THE Minister of War Transport has written to all road-transport associations pointing out that Daimler double-deck buses (Type d.W.A.6) with six-cylindered oil engines contravene the provisions of Regulation 6 of the Conditions of Fitness Regulations in that they exceed the permitted maximum laden weight by up to 7 cwt. according to the type of body. Despite this, however, the Minister has requested the R.T.C.s not to withhold p.s.v. permits for these vehicles on account of this excess weight.
NO APPOINTMENTS TO PROJECTED ASSOCIATIONS
OUR recent paragraph entitled " Who Will Be Who in the Road Transport Associations? " has evidently caused some fluttering in the dovecotes, and the shadow -subcommittee of the shadow National Road Transport Federation has stated that the references made have apparently given rise to some suspicion in the industry that these posts are being filled, without proper consultation in the industry. It points out that up to the time the paragraph appeared, the officers in cluestion had not been discussed, officially or unofficially, by any of the organizations concerned', nor , had any approach been made by anybody with a view to the fillhag of any particular post. It appears, therefore, that all those interested must continue to chase shadows.
" TECHNICAL " FUEL OFFENCE RESULTS IN FINES
DURING police-court proceedings at Bradford, last week,in which a concern of builders and contractors was fined for unlawfully acquiring petrol, obtained on coupons issued in respect of a private car, the prosecution stated that two gallons were placed in a tin container and three were put into the tank of a lorry. The company and other defendants involved pleaded guilty, but the defending solicitor suggested that if ever there was 'a technical offence then this was one. The concern, he said, had not drawn any petrol to which it was not entitled, and had not used any petrol for an unauthorized purpose. The petrol placed In the container was for working the concrete mixer, and the lorry in question was being used in substitution for one which had broken down.
The defendant company, John Gurigin and Son, Ltd., Upper Green, Great Horton, was fined 40s., whilst Joseph Arthur Gudgin, a director of the concern, was fined 40s. for aiding and abetting; a similar summons against an employee was dismissed under the Probation Act. Ernest Wright, garage proprietor, was fined 20s. for unlawfully supplying.
FODENS DIVIDEND PAYMENT MAINTAINED fisT respect of the year ended May 31, 1 1943, Podens, Ltd., has declared a dividend of 8 per cent., less tax, which is the same as for the previous year. The net profit fbethe period is stated to be £32,116, compared with £30,182 in the preceding year.
SCOTTISH COUNCIL KEEPS AN EYE ON TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT is among the war-time 1 activities and post-war questions to be considered by the Scottish Council On Industry, and these are described in a pamphlet which has been circulated to all the organizations which are represented on the Council.
A committee has been appointed to consider the transport facilities generally available in Scotland, by road, rail, water and air; the possibility of .further development and co-ordination of these services: and the advisability, or otherwise, of a system of equalization of freight rates. In this connection the Council has already made recomrd'endations to the Secretary of State for Scotland for the establishment in Scotland after the war of an international airport.
The Council has also bad under consideration the possibilities of reconditioning Service vehicles after the war and the expansion of the motor trade.
M.C.W. DIARIES FOR 1944
OWING to war-time restrictions, Metropolitan Gammen Wcymann Motor Bodies, Ltd., is not issuing a separate diary for 1944, but as the company is desirous of maintaining contact with transport friends and users of this diary, it has arranged for a limited number of next year's diaries of one of its parent companies Metropolitan
Camme1I-Carriage and Wagon Co., Ltd, —to be available later in the year. To conform with recent Government Orders, requests for diaries must be accompanied by the payment of id. per copy. Inquiries should be addressed to Metropolitan Caramel! Weymann Motor BodieS, Ltd.; care of Weymann's Works, Addlestone, Surrey.
" HARDSHIP " CAUSED BY RETURN-FARE LIMITATIONS
AT a conference of Durhamand Northumberland local authorities at Newcastle-on-Tyne, the Northern Regional Transport Commissioner, Sir John Maxwell, gave an undertaking to .investigate cases of hardship caused by the limitation to 10d. of return fares on the buses. He added, however, that the restriction was based on instructions issued by the M.O.W.T. and that there could be no discussion on the scheme generally.
At a meeting of Consett (Durham) Urban Council it was alleged that the north-east was the only part of the country where return fares were restricted to. I0d. It was complained that there was no equality of sacrifice and only one area was being penalized.
PERSONAL PARS
MR. HAROLD ELEY, advertising manager of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., has been elected to the Council of the Roadfarers' Club.
Ma. A. E. MASHEDER has been elected vice-chairman of the T.R.T.A. Shadow Council, whilst MR. 3. J, GRANTER has been elected vice-chairman of the P.V.O.A. Shadow Council, MR. ALONZO LIMB has recently been appointed a joint managing director of C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd. He started with the cornpaily in 1916 as sales representative in Lancashire and in 1921 became manager of the manufactures section. Ile was elected to the newly formed Board in 1933.
MR. W. T. JAMES has been elected to the Boards of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., Hebble Motor Services, Ltd., and the 'Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., and has been appointed managing director of the two first-mentioned companies and deputy-chairman of the last-named company. MR. j. S. Wir..r.s is chairman of the companies, each of ivhich is a member of the B.E.T. group.
MAJOR J. GEOFFREY APPLEYARD
M.C. and Bar, a member of Appleyard of Leeds, Ltd., the Yorkshire motor-vehicle trading concern, is officially reported missing on active service. There has been no news of him since he took part in an operation by airborne commando troops on the night of the first landing in Sicily. He is the elder son of Mr. J. E. Appleyard, governing director of the company. Before he entered the motor trade he took a first-class engineering degree at Cambridge University. THE LABOUR PROBLEM IN PASSENGER ROAD TRANSPORT
T"question of retaining labour and of obtaining more assistance in this direction is exercising the minds of transport operators, particularly those in the p.s.v. field. The losses Of workers on buses; in the Maintenance of these vehicles, and especially in the management staffs, are considerable, • and applications have been made to the M.O.W.T. and M.O.S. for the respective Ministers to receive deputations from the Public Transport Association on this subject.
There has been a revision of the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, and in some cases the lowest age for deferment has been raised, also the age is now computed from the year of birth. The Association, however, believes that special arrangements ought to he made in the case of passenger road transport, and these should apply not only to direct operatives, but also to employees. such as fitters.
CONCESSION CONCERNING ENGINES USING PRODUCER GAS
UNDER the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1943, the engine of a. motor vehicle propelled by producer gas need not be stopped when the vehicle is left unattended.,
DICTIONARY OF AERONAUTICAL TERMS
ABOOKLET entitled "Glossary of Flying," which comprises a dictionary of aeronautical terms, covering 128 pages, reprinted from " The Aeroplane Spotter," has been published by Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.I, at is. 6d. net, or is, 3d, including postage. It will be available next Monday from all booksellers and newsagents,
OPERATOR'S OIL-ENGINE CONVERSIONS I N the story which appeared in our issue for last week, dealing with the transport business of Lloyd Bros. (Haulage), Ltd., of Blackburn, it was said that the concern's own staff was responsible for installing an oil engine in a petrol chassis, to provide the first oiler for the company.
We are now informed that the work of converting the first two chassis was -carried out by the Pelican Engineering Co., of Leeds, the engines being supplied by Major W. H. Goddard, Jesamine Avenue, Beeston, Leeds, and
that, thereafter, Lloyd Bros. (Haulage), Ltd., carded out its own work.
The first machine was converted in September,1932.1
OBITUARY
We regret to record the death of MR. GEORGE F. Hoamt, Dunlop representative for the North and Midland areas, at the age of 44 years„ He had been with the company for more than 22 years and was recently attached to the
Regional Panel handling service complaints.
FARMERS SAY MILK HAULIERS WASTE PETROL A LLEGATIONS of petrol wasting by flbauliers engaged in the collection of milk under the rationalization scheme were made at a recent meeting of the South Notts branch of the National Farmers' Union. Several members complained that farmers had not been consulted in the matter, and the result had been that hauliers went out of their way to collect milk.
The contractors, it was alleged, also decided upon their own time of collection, and called early at one arm before making a 20-mile outward journey, when it would be possible and more convenient to the farmer, for a call to be made on the return journey.
The chairman, Mr. T. A. Pugh, commented that there had been a certain amount of friction in connection with the rationalization system, mainly because insufficient consideration had been given to the farmers.
GLASGOW TRANSPORT SERVICES HARD HIT BY ABSENTEEISM
ASHARP rise has been experienced recently in the incidence of sickness and absenteeism among employees of Glasgow Corporation Transport Department, and the resulting shortage in the operating staff has imposed large curtailments in services. At a meeting of the transport committee, Mr. E. R. L. Fitzpayne, manager of the department, submitted a statement disclosing the seriousness of the position. During the third week in August there was an average week-day shortage in staff of 490 employees, and the effect was to immobilize a considerable number of• buses and trams. Both sickness and absenteeism have been much worse this year than in the corresponding periods of 1942. During July the number of productive hours lost by the 'absence of staff was 135,481.
BIG MILEAGE BY B.E.T. PRODUCER-GAS BUSES
BUSES run by the companies in the B.E.T. group operated more than 250,000 vehicle miles on producer gas during the month of July. Still more producer-gas units are being put into operation by the group under the M.O.W.T. scheme for economy in the use of imported fuel.
LORRY DRIVER'S QUANDARY
BEFORE taking a lorry on a journey from Huddersfield to Oxford, the driver went in it to spend a few hours at his home in Halifax. In resultant police court proceedings at Halifax, under the motor4ue1 regulations, it was stated on his behalf that on the night in question he had the choice of staying in Huddersfield, where there was no suitable accommodation, or of starting his journey immediately, thereby breaking the regulations concerning drivers' rest periods. Two days after this offence, he was given permission to take his lorry to Halifax before going to South Wales.
Defendant was fined 10s. with 6d. costs. LATEST LIST OF GOVERNMENT HAULAGE UNITS .publish another list of longVV distance haulage units included in the Government Scheme, details being set out in the usual order, viz.:Area, unit number, unit controller and address. Communications to Unit Controller should be addressed: Unit Controller, Road Haulage Unit No. ----, Ministry of War Trarsport, care of the address given.
EXETER: 711, H. Lank, ?ye Transport, Ltd., Haven. Road, Exeter.
Gr..Aseow: 11Q24, K Mitelheal, William Mitchell (Strome), Ltd.. Strone Pier, ArgyiL Gnorausexiti 7R1, A. J. Hubbard, Pye 'Frame port, Ltd., Dndbridge, Stroud,
HORSHAM: 1286, W. Dallas, A. H. Price, Thamesfield Farm, Terrace Road, Waltonor-Tioemee.
LEICESTER: 3914, H. Lee, Bradford Leicester Transport, Ltd., Greenhithe Road, A3rlestone, Leicester.
LONDON: 5R4, D. Faires, Pya Transport, Ltd., 73-77, Cranham Road, 6.E.16; 51t15_, J. Gee, T. M. Fairclangh and Sons, Ltd. (Dew-sons), 3, Southwark Street, S.E.1; 5811, J. G. Read, T. M. Fairelengh and Bons, Ltd., 10, Christian Street, Si.
Nonwacee: 4S4, E. C. Crabtree, E. R. pH, Ltd., 39, Mountergate, Norwich.
NOTTINGHAM: 3Q7, C. J. Parker, Bente Tillotaon Transport, Ltd., New Street, Carrington, Nottingham. SA.LISBCRY: 781, '8. Streeter, •Pye Transport. Ltd., Spa Road, Melksham.
SHREWSBURY: 9V6, S. J. R. Atkins, S. J. R. Atkins and Son, Broadway Garage, ShOnal, Salop, Sir. ALBANS: 4V6, H. W. Suederlaud, Sunder/and and Sons (Kings Langley), Ltd., 1, Alexandra Road, Kings Langley, Herts. TUNBRIDGE WELLS: 12Q2, E. L. Ronth, Routh and Stevens, Ltd., The Garage. East, Heathly, Sussex.
WAP.RINGTON: 10314, N. R. Garrow, A. B. Sutton and Sons, 7, Lea Green Road, St. Helens, Lancs.
Note should be made of the following amendments to previous lists:-Leeds: 2Q5, N. 0. PedleY, unit controrler. Newcastle: 1Q3, address should read Transport Depot, Demo Buiidengs, High Street East, WaSsend-on-Tyne: