WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over Which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Gas Firing of Steam Boilers.
With reference to the article on this subject in the last issue of THE COMMER(nAL MOTOR), we have now had a better opportunity of studying l■riolesworth's figures on the evaporative performance of coal, and we think that the rough calculations given in that article will require amendment. It seems to us, on further consideration, that Molesworth's figures, whilst concerning the evaporative a performances of a givers weight of raw coal burnt as such under a boiler also concern the same weight of coal wholly converted to gas in a producer plant and burnt as gas under the 'boiler. The samet evaporative efficiency therefore, cannot,be expected from coal used as gas from gas retorts—the ordinary town gas. For all that, as we said in our last issue, the 'subject is well worth studying by those who are likely to be affected by increasing stringency in coal supplies.
Manufacturers to Meet.
A conference of manufacturers convened under the auspices of the National Union of Manufacturers (Incorporated), whose, administrative offices ,are at 6, Holborn Viaduct, London, E.G., is to be held at Central Hall, Westminster, S.W., on Tuesday, 23rd July, at 2.30
p.m. The chair will be occupied by Mr: George Terrell, M.P., President of
the Union, and he will be supported by Sir Edward Carson and other eminent men. It is expected that there will be a large attendance of British manufacturers to consider important resolutions. Manufacturers who are desirous of attending and have not yet received an invittition should communicate with the Secretary at the above address.
' Sheffield Buses.
The report of the Sheffield Corporation for the year ended 25th March, 1918, is to hand. We observe in the motorbus section that the total income is ..£47,640, of which £46,991 comprises traffic revenue. The total expenditure amounted to L40,56, 'thus leaving a gross profit of £7084, on which the following charges are made; Literest and sinking fund, 21500; income tax on profit, £1106 ; earnings of Yrenewals and special • reserve fund " transferred, 436--to1a1 £3042, thus leaving a net balance on the year's working, which is transferred to • a special reserve fund, of. £4042. It is stated that requests to provide new services and of extending existing services have been received, but the department concerned has been ,unable to comply with these requests owing to its inability to obtain the necessary petrol vehicles and drivers for them. The report also shows some illuminating statistics concerning the running of the Corporation's tramcars.
A Tractor Group at Ross.
`The illustration which we publish' on this page depicts eleven Fordson tractors which have just been delivered by James Fryer, Ltd., of Hereford, the tractor representatives for the county, to Passey and Hall, Ltd., of Ross, Herefordshire. The ancient building in the front of which they are grouped is the famous Ross Market Hall. The street to be seen on the right has a gradient of 1-in-8 at its steepest point. The date of the Market House is about the end of the 16th or early 17th century. On the left end, between the two windows to be seen in the picture, will be noticed the bust of Charles the Second, and immediately behind is the house of the famous "Man of Ross," who was greatly praised by his friend Pope in his ode on "the use of riches. The open space between the worn old pillars is now used as a butter and praduce market, and for auction sales; the room above is used for the magistrate's court.
Mr. Legros to Give Evidence.
Mr. L. A. Legros, who was the engineer of the Gas Traction Co., Ltd., 20 years ago, and was largely responsible for the installation of the gas-driven tramcars at Lytham, Sc. Anne's-on-Sea, Blackpool, Neath and other places, has been invited to give evidence before the Gas Traction Cobrunittee.
Co-operation in Transport.
An important circalar bas been issued by the Local Government Board to all tribunals saying that measures which are being undertaken by the Road Transport BOard, touch closely the work of tribunals, hi order to•secure the fullest economy in the use of petrol, horses and horse fodder, step t are being taken by the Road Transport.Board to bring about schemes of co-operation in delivery, and the tribunals are being urged to do all they can to encourage this movement: It is asserted that the tribunals would clo well to ascertain from the Divisional/ Road Transport Officers particulars of schemes in contemplation, which might be of material assistance to the tribunals In deciding cases a:nd in furthering alrangements for general co-operation, whilst tribunals would, it is clamied, do well to urge on traders, in appropriate cases which come before them, the advisability of establishing sehernes for preventing overlapping and waste in de:
• livery. iS1'neh schemes if not now adopted voluntarily may have to be compulsorily established under the powers vested in the Road Transport I3oard.
L.C.C. and Bus Subsidies.
According to a statement made at a meeting of the L.C.C. with reference to Government subsidies to motorbus companies, a meeting of representatives of municipal tramways in the Metropolitan area had been held, and had appointed a committee to make investigations.
Steel or Rubber Tyres.
An illuminating comparison is afforded by some coats which have been kept by a Reading _firm as showing the value of running heavy steam wagons on rubber tyres. The machine in question is a h-tonner. and for the first ten years of its life the wagon ran on steel tyres' with is coal consumption: of 14.9 lb. for every ton of material transported. The substitution of rubber tyres resulted in a decided economy, only 10.5 lb. of coal being required to transport a like amount of goods.
Morecambe Bus Bill.
The Morecambe Corporation 1301 to enable the .corporation to run motor omnibuses within the borough, to pawchase lands, erect buildings, etc., cattle before the Chairman_ of Ways and Means In the House of Commons a-s an unopposed measure. The Parliamentary Agent stated that the Lancashire County Council had withdrawn their opposition oh the insertion of a clause not to run buses outside the borough. The Local Government Beard were also satisfied with the amendments. There had been some question as to the period for repayment. The promoters asked for ten
years, but the laG.B. suggested six, although eventually they agreed to eight years. The Chairman said any period beyond six years was without precedent so far as he knew, and the Committee could not grant more than six years. The Committee passed the Bill, wad ordered it to be reported to the House for consideration.
Buses Without Petrol.
At Worthing Town Council a petition. was presented, signed by it large number of. residents, of Broadwater, complaining of the inconvenience and • inadequacy of the present hourly service plying between Broadwater and West Worthing, and the menace to health through the overcrowded state of the buses, urging that a half-hourly service Should he provided, and suggesting that if the present management make any further delay in the matter the town authorities should take control cf the service, and if necessary lay the facts before the Petrol Control Department, with a view to obtaining a fair and pro per allowance of gas or petrol. The Town Clerk reported that an application had already been made by Mr. Town, who Inas the bus .service, to the Petrol.
Control Department for increased supply of petrol, and that the apPlieation had been supported by a, letter on behalf of the Council.
Subsequently a letter was submitted froni the Petro/ Control Department stating that it was unable to entertain the application of the Council for an additional supply of petrol to Mr. Town to enable him to run a half-hourly service.
The Council now suggests approaching the Southdown Motor Services Co., Ltd., with a view to ascertaining whether they are ia a position to supple-. nrient Mr. Town's service.
Petrol Used by the Departments.
In the House of Commons last week, Sir H. Nield asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any Control is exercised by his department over the. licences or permits for petrol used in connectionwith other Govermnent departments; and whether any accountn ot particulars are furnished by any department issuing such licences or permits of the persons to whom the same have been issued, the quantity authorized, and the pueposea for which petrol is required. Sir A. Stanley replied to the effect-that the Petrol Coetrol .Department of the Board of Trade controls all the licences or permits for petrol used in connection 'with other Government departments if that petrol is obtained from civilian sources, and full acconnts are kept of the persons to whom, and the processes for which, the licences and permits are issued, and the quantities authorized for purchase or use. The Petrol Control Department exercise no ebnirol over petrol obtained from army or rtavy'ssopplies.
Virtue in Economy.
At the annual mestint tif the Automobile Association and NI.teor Union, on the 10thrinst., the cliaiornan. Mr. W.
Joynson-Hicks, read a letter from Sir John Cadman conveying a statement that Mr. Walter Long, M.P., -`desired that the opportunity should be taken of thanking the motoring cOmmunity for tho sacrifices which they have so willingly made in the national emergency. It may be stated that during the past year the total economies effected represent a; volume of petrolwhich is capable of keeping the Army in France supplied for a period of approximately four months.
Steel Stringency in the States.
In a letter from Mr. David Beeeroft, directing editor of the prominent American motor papers, written recentlyto the editor of "The Motor," he stated that he did not know essetly what would • .haimen to the automobile. industry. • " We are now," he goes on to ,say, " hay;Mg difficulty in' .getting steel, and with the allotment 41coal-for each industry, as the amount is going to Ea cut down to 25 per cent. of 'what it was last year.This applies to the production of passen: ger cars only, and not to lorries or War apparatus."
A meeting was held at'Cardiff n Mon. day last for the porpose of forming a South Wales centre of the Commercial Motor Users Association. The local secretary to the new centre is Mr. R. Butt.Eli'ins, 7, Bank Buildings, St. MaeyStreet, Cardiff.
New Companies. R. Harrison and Son. Ltd., private company. Registered. 29th dune. Capital £,10,000 in V. shares. To take over the business of traitor body builders .carried on by a company of the same name at 1, Stanhope .;tre'et, Easton Road,.
West, Suburban Tool and Engineering Works, -Ltd. Privatecompany. Registered 28th June, Cle,pital 23000 in £1
shares,. Engineers, machinists, fitters, _
Transporting the Caterpillar.
Caterpillar tractors are largely used in the Allied Armies on the Western Front for the transport of heavy guns. But they suffered at first from the defect of being slow in moving, so that much time was cut to waste when they were running light. To overcome the difficulty, special motor lorries were devised to carry them about quickly from place to place, a platform being carried on either side of the frame, -the rear wheels being strongly bridged and ramps being provided from the roadway to the wheel bridges. This bridging is clearly shown in the fourth photograph of the group on the next page. The third photograph (also on the next page). shows the contents of the body of the caterpillar tractor. As these-sire apt to be confusing, it may he explained that the rear portion of the load is.a drawbar and front axle mounted on a pair of double-tyred wheels. Apart from the saving of time effected by the use of a earrymg lorry, there is a substantial 'saving in chain track. wear.
High Prices for Lorries.
At a sale held by Messrs. W. and Stewart Freeman, Aldridge's, of Sb. Martin's Lane, W.C. 2, at Sittingbourno recently, of Messrs. Goodhew's commercial stock, some high prices were realized, notably 1.914 5&-ton Commer ear, . £918; 1912 ,5-ton Commercar, £693; 1915 Lacre 5-tonner, £808.
Yorkshire Road Transport.
The local organization of the Road transpart Board for the North-Eastern Division (County of York) is now com plete. The country has been divided into nine areas, which are controlled by the Area Road Transport Committees sitting at the following among other centres :--York, Mr. Claude W. Thornpson, Chairman; and Sheffield, Mr. J. Dixon, Chairman.
The whole work of the Division is Under the control hf the Divisional Road Transport Board. The Board is assisted in its work by an Advisory Committee, who advise them on technical and local questions comprised of the following:— Mr. G. T. Tulsa, Chairman. President of
lie Yorkshire Federation of Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners; Mr. Joseph Gibbons, President of the National Union of Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners; Mr. T. Pratt, President of the National Chamber of Trades ; Mr. J. W. Dyson, North-Eastern Federation of Produce Merchants; Mr. E. H. Mann, Secretary,' Amalgamated Association of Carters and Motormen ; and Mr. S. Ledgard, Chairman of the Leeds and District Motor Haulage Contractors and Char-a
banes Proprietors' Association. Regis.
tration forms can be obtained at the nearest police station. Area Road Transport Committees are now engaged in consultation with various trade associations in considering schemes for .the reduction of overlapping the elimination of empty journeys, and, generally, the more economic use of the available transport energy.
C.M.U.A. Progress in Notts.
It is interesting to learn that, although much remains to be accomplished, a fair amount of progress has been made since the branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association was first started in the East Midlands, thanks to the convincing address as to the utility of the Association's operations which was then delivered by the_General Secretary, Mr. F. G. Bristow, following a similarly anccessful effort at Birmingham, Where an
auxiliary for the West Midlands was launched.
The departure contemplated from existing arrangement as to he conduct of legal work has also been welcomed by prospective members in Nottinghamshire and adjoining counties as affording the probability of greater concentration upon matters affecting exclusively the users. Of commercial motor vehicles, who are, it goes almost without saying, no more MI311111)0 in this part of the country than else-where from occasiontil irritating experiences. It is quite in accordance with the fitness of things also that the Work should be taken up energetically in Nottinghamshire which witnessed some of the earliest official efforts to cope with the dust trouble by means of tar spraying of roads'which in many cases had -been woefully neglected. In that respect, the late County Surveyor, Mr. E: P. Hooley, was a pioneer •of methods, which have since spread to districts throughout the country. Under his surveyorship, Nottinghamshire roads, particularly in the northern part of the county trending towards the Yorkshire border, underwent. a • metamorphosis, and although there were some parsimonious critics who at times cavilled at the expenditure, there was the satisfaction of knowing that the work was then thoroughly done, to the great advantage of all road users.
• At the annual meeting of the shareholders of C. Binks, Ltd., Phenix Works, Eccles, Manchester, a dividend of 15 per cent, for the current year, free of income tax, wa,s declared.
Tramway Transport.
• The engineer of thb, Bradford Corporation tramWays .reports on an interview which he has . had with . the Secretary of the Road Trail:sport Department of the Board of Trade • re goods traffic on tramways, from which it appeared that the Department viewed with favour the possibility of Mier utiligation, of tramway systems for general goods traffic. He further reported that in the Sheffield Corporation "Tramways Bill now before Parliame•nt unrestricted powersfor the conveyance of 'goods traffic on the Sheffield tramways
had been granted. • Old Tyres from the Front.
A question was asked in the House. c-f Commons a• fev., days ago concerning the salvage of • old tyres. It appears that. whilst some of the'-tyres me returned from the Front from time to time, gild to tyre people and rendered available for use by repair and retreading, others are deliberately wasted,•it being asserted that there are at least 200 men engaged atvarious depots cutting them up. Attentim of the Ministry of Munitions has been' called tothis matter during the past 12-. mouths without alteration. Sir L. Wor-' thington Evans;. replying, Said he was aware orthe eirchmstances. At the.tiine' these were bought tyres realized as good prices as those net mutilated. The Ministry is prepared to consider the question of the sale of old tyres for re-treading if the price obtaiiied.justifieg the eXpense of sorting.
• -Bridge Clearances.
There is a railway bridge acroks brai Read. Brixton, which has a •head way of 12ft. ins. on one side and only 10 -ft. 9 ma. on the other,and accidents occur at times when drivers get beneath the high side and cannot get their vehicles through because of the ,diminished headway the other side. The LB. and S.C. Railway suggested that the Lambeth Borough Council should lower the roadway. but as this will cost £1000 the Council does not think it would at pre sent be justified in incurring such an expense, and proposes to fix a timber screen so that driers can gauge at a glance the possibility of passing beneath the bridge or choosing an alternative route:
Sheffield Motorbuses. •
The Local Legislation Committee of the House of Commons has passed clauses in a Consolidation Bill enabling the Sheffield Corporation to run motorbuses to Catclifft*and Treeton ; a continuation of the present Ecelesfiekl service to Cligpeltawn, High Green and Grenoside and a continuation of the present Mesborougii service to Eckington. Opposition by the Rotherham' Corporation was withdrawn. but clauges were inserted for the protection nf'tbe West Riding County Council, the Derbyshire County Council, etc. '
Local Proceedings. •
. StocktonR.D.C. has received permission to purchase a Steam wagon. .
Walsall Corporation is increasing the charges of electricity "for .vehicles by 20
per cent. •
Maidenhead areto •spend Up to. £500 in'the purchase of a chassis for the 'fireeengine.
-The Sheffield Corporation HealthtemMittee has authorized Si, arrangement with the Edison Accumulators, Ltd,, for the supply of two British-built chassis instead of American chassis on order, subject to Suitable terms being arranged, the necessary bodies being built by the
Corporation. •
Hove Sanitary Committee has ,accepted an offer by-Messrs. Tilling, Ltd.,--to make o,new contract for the .supply of four steam wagons for £4293 Gs. .8d., for one
y
ear : . The price is an increase, of 15 per cent:, and is due to increased cost of .steam coal, spare parts, engineers' and fitters' wages, • shortage oflabour, and length of time taken for repairs.
Shanghai Prospects:
According to a communication from an authoritative and influential sotuazeirk Shanghai, the demand for motor vehicles at the present time is. very considerable, The local fire,. brigade is completely' motorized, and itis said that there are_ between two and three thmigand motor. cars in the city alone, which are, however, principally,of American make.
R. M.Vright Scores High.
The ploughing results in the Lindsay Division of. Lincolnshire-from January to June, 1916, inclusive, under the Food ProduCtion Department, have been most satisfactory. Over 7000 acres have been. ploughed,. and 20,000 acres cultivated, making total of over 27,000 acres for the said
six months. .
. Mr. R. M. Wright, tractor representative for the division, is is fully confident that an increased acreage o'ver these figures will result &lying the ensuing six. months.