Motorcab Topics,
Page 12
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Several amazing so-called prospectuses are in circulation : we cannot afford the space to deal with propositions which arc self-condemnatory.
An effort to put Darracq cabs on the streets of Vienna is reported, but it is not yet certain that the transfer of 30 licenses has been effected. The vehicles have four-cylinder engines.
To facilitate dealings on the French market where many of its shares arc bought and sold, the General Motorcab Co., Ltd., is about to consolidate its preferred ordinary shares, so that every four shall constitute one share of ..;4 (too francs).
Cabs at Reading.
Mr. William Vincent, of Castle Street, Reading, has put into service six four-cylinder Unic cabs. All have special landaulet bodies of his own excellent manufacture and finish, and they are privileged to stand on the private ranks adjoining the tv o stations. So many people arrive at Reading for drives of from three to ten miles, that the number of hiring's should keep the six cabs very busy, and shortly induce patronage which will call for additions to the fleet. Front-wheel Taximeter Drive.
The Fiat Motorcab Co., Ltd., has had all its zoo cabs, from the start of its operations, fitted in accordance with Regulation No. 7 of the 4th June, 191)7. Other companies regret that they did not equip their cabs the same way.
Berlin Cab Fares Again.
After having induced the Commissioner of Police to raise the fares, jobmasters are now urging him to lower them. Cabowners thought that higher fares would produce better financial results, but in this expectation they reckoned without a possible decrease of patronage as a consequence of the increased fares. Night hiring of horsedrawn cabs has fallen off considerably, since the new tariff placed both petrol and horse-cabs on the same level, and, of course, the public, finding the two categories equally dear, gave the former the preference. For i to 5 persons, at night, the fare is 70 pfennigs for the first goo metres, and to pfennigs for every additional zoo metres or fraction thereof. Reckoning 1,600 metres to the mile, the fare for this distance is 1.4o marks, or is. 5d. In the day-time, the hire of a horse-cab costs a mark, or is. a mile, night hiring thus involving a difference of licarly gz per cent.
Proprietors of the horse-cabs suggest that the maximum should hold good f< petrol cabs only at night, and day-fan be applied in the case of horse-draw vehicles. And, touching motorcab: Herr B. von Lengerke, a well-know writer on automobile affairs, contributt to a Berlin daily an article sharp] criticising the petrol-driven cabs worke by some of the Berlin jobmasters. Vo Lengerke stigmatises them as " Kit
motten " (crazy vehicles) whic 'laboriously and with ear-splitting di bring their passengers along." Say he : "Loud knocking of the machine rattling of the steering wheels, groan ings of the change-gear, harsh-buzzinj chains, axles considerably out of truth rickety bodies, and tires with anti-skid hanging down in rags are, unfortu nately, too often seen." Added to this many a chauffeur's way of handling hi vehicle shows that he either has no learnt his business, or, if he has learn it, does not trouble to apply his know ledge. Von Lengerke strongly advo cates .State or Municipal chauffeut schools, and, in conclusion, commend: the London system of exercising super. vision over automobiles in the public service. Motorcabs are frequently ex. amined on the ranks in Berlin, but the examination is limited almost exclusively to the carosserie. Berlin wants the London " l'uhlic Carriage Office."