Farewell Dinner to Mr. Julian A. Halford.
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Departure for the U.S.A. " Commer,-Car " Factory.
In the Committee Room of the Royal Automobile Club, on Wednesday night of last week, as farewell dinner was offered to Mr. Julian. A. Halford by the Editor of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. The scheme of table decoration included the English and the American flags.
After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured,
Mr. SHRAPNELL SMITH submitted the health of Mr. Raiford. He referred to that gentleman's long and pioneer connection with the heavy side of the petrol-motor industry in England, and to his thorough knowledge of both the factory and sales branches. His transfer to the United States, where he had become identified with the manufacture of his old love, the " Commer Car," was in some senses a matter for widespread regret; all present were genuinely sorry to lose so active and forceful a character from their midst. In the ease of Mr. Halford, they had a Mall who was leaving the country for his country's good in no bad sense; all his old colleagues and associates were benefiting under the contract which he had concluded at New York in June last. There were to be pur. chases from the other side of the Atlantic on a scale which was likely to make other constructors really envious. He desired once more tu congratulate the guest of the evening upon the conspicuous ability with which he had handled delicate and protracted negotiations; they had, he felt satisfied from a detailed relation of the circumstances which he had much enjoyed in private, been far from easy of control and guidance. Now, everything was in order, the deal closed, the programme for the American works well advanced, and Mr. Halford left with only some 60 odd hours in London. All present, he knew, were experiencing an inward duel between two principal emotions—those of sympathetic happiness in another man's success, and those of personal regrets that their severance from a friend was involved. He wished Mr. Raiford health and prosperity in his new surroundings.
Ths toast was warmly received, full musical honours being accorded, with an extra cheer for Mrs. Halford, to whom a telegram of good wishes was dispatched.
Mr. HseFonn, in responding, acknowledged the personal references of the proposer (many of which are not reported) in cordial terms. His visit to America, from March to June last, had greatly impressed him, and he had every confidence in his friends out there. The Wood automobile factory, at Kingston. N.Y., was going to turn out " Commertar " trucks to some effect, as soon as it was ready for the change in production. Until then, and perhaps even afterwards. Luton would have to help. He had always tackled work entrusted to him to the best of ids ability, and he was naturally gratified that a mutually-satisfactory deal had been arranged. He used the word "mutually " with consideration and advisedly, for on no other basis was continued success to be achieved. The English and American factories were to be in close touch, and he was taking out several good men with him. It might interest others to know that the foremen at many U.S.A. factories were from Scotland and England. 'They went out in the belief that. they would find more oppor
tunity and wider scope they were seldom disappointed. lie was proud to find that so large a gathering of friends had remained in London at a time of the year when nobody stayed by choice, and he appreciated their having done so as much as, he felt, did their host.
Mr PERCY F. Stmsma, in a racy speech, proposed the toast of " The United States of America." he had never been there, but. he esteemed not a few Americans as his friends. That was natural, and it was helped by the fact that. the two nations spoke a common language. Mr. Raiford, he thought, would hardly realize that he was not in his own country, unless by reason of the large scale upon which every. thing was done. Mr. GILBERT EuSENTHISCH, who replied, gave instructive comparative facts in respect of various engineering industries. He quoted some earlier remarks by Mr. Raiford, and c.ommerited upon the big outputs of individual motorcar factories in the States. His remarks were followed with close interest, whilst his lighter touches were immensely enjoyed. Mr. A. S. NIONTEFIORE was entrusted by the Chairman with an abstract toast—" Hands Across the Sea." Ho confessed that he did not know how to take it.. Did it refer to a certain company's trade mark, into the design of which a big C entered, with Julian Halford's hands across it? Did it mean that people should be very glad when that gentleman's hands did get across the sea, or that they should be watched when there? He thought it probably meant that they would all be holding out their hands to him, that he would live in their memories and their hearts, although so far awayi and he raised his glass to the abstract in that conception of it.
Mr. EDWARD AlastvrtiE, in proposing "Success to Commercial Cars, Ltd.." said he did not know whether he was supposed to he speaking as Chairman of the Daimler Co., or as President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He was there to do honour to Mr. Raiford, who Was to leave them so soon, and in doing that it went almost without saying that he was delighted to give this toast. He had known Mr. Underdown, the chairman of Commercial Cars, Ltd., when that gentleman was a baby, and now he found him at the head of a powerful and leading commercialmotor undertaking.
Mr. H. C. B. thenassoowis, who was received with musical honours, acknowledged the toast on behalf of his company. He stated that Mr. Halford would never have gone to the U.S.A. but for the advice and influence of their host. He was glad to see that his colleagues Mr. Egerton and Mr. Montefiore were present ; he would certainly have come from "the other end of the world" -rather than have missed the send-off party. He concluded by giving the toast of " Our Host," to which Mr. Shrapnell Smith replied.
Mr. and Mrs. Raiford, Masters Bryan and Wilfred Raiford (and nurse), with Messrs. Cleaver, Coibourne, and Humphreys, sailed from Tilbury, on Saturday last, aboard the s.s. " Mesaba " for New York.