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 Crosier.
L.G.O.C. Promotions.
On Thursday last the Underground group met at a series of gatherings, commencing at 10 o'clock in the morning, and continuing well into the afternoon, when the' directors • placed before the shareholders an account of their various stewardships. One of the pleasing features oeach meeting was the approval given to the proposal to. confirm the election of Mr. H. E. Blain, C.B.E., and Mr. Frank Pick to the posts of assistant managing directors of the London General Omnibus Co., the London Electric Railway Co., the Metropolitan District Railway Co., the Central London Railway Co. and the City and South London Railway Co. Their selection from amongst the staff shows that there is often no need to go outside to fill • vacancies on the directorate, but that the right men can be found amongst those who, by the zeal and energy and their grasp of the detail and working of a business, have shown that they are quailfied'to fill the highest posts. Mr. Blain's promotion leaves a vacancy in the important post of operating manager of • the L.G.O.C. and here again the directors have made a sound move, considering the man, for they have appointed Mr. George J. Shave to fill it, reporting to Mr. Blain, in addition to his position-of chief engineer, in respect of which he reports direct to the chairman and managing director, Lord Ashfield. There is great good fellowship and, a 'perfect understanding throughout the staff of the L.G.O.C., ancetthus a feeling of pride permeates all ranks at the knowledge that two of their number have e risen to such high office and the best of good wishes go with dr. Blain and Mr. Pick in their new honours.
Ford Co. Reduces Price of Tractors.
Mr. Edsel B. Ford, president of the Ford Motor Co., announce a reduction of 165 dollars in the price of Fordaon tractors., The list price was 790 dollars ; it is now 625 dollars.. Mr. Ford stated that this change had been rendered. possible by the lower cost of materials and the fact that the company is now located in their new tractor plant, and thus possess greatly increased manufacturing facilities. There is no 'change in the Fond ,car and, lorry prices, which, said. Mr. Ford;-'are already at the lowest possible figure and now, with the rockbottom reached in the tractor price, a further reduction in the price of cars, lorries, or tractors is out of the question. In feet, the big reductions have been made in anticipation of continuous maximum producticm, and increases may be necessary before long if a large volume of new business is not obtained.
. A New Institution.
With a view to obtaining increased efficiency in engineering manufacture, the establishment of an institution or association of production engineers is contemplated, and the movement has the enthusiastic support of a large number of prominent members of the industry. /316
A meeting has been arranged for Saturday, February 26th, at 6.30 p.m., at the Cannon StreetHotel, London, E.G., when all interested. in' the subject are invited to attend and put forward their views. The convener of the meet-. lug is Mr.. H. E. Honer, of 273, New Croas‘Roarel, S.E.14, from whom further particular. ean.,be .eabtained.
In vieie of` the importance, particularly at the moment, of obtaining lower prices, which are only rendered possible by employing modern labour-saving methods in our factories, the proposal would appear particularly opportune,
Nottingham Transport Workers' Agitation.
Despite the recent declaration of the Nottingham Corporation that as much as can beereasonshIy expected has been conceded in the way of extra pay -to transport workers in the Health Department of the municipal service, including a large proportion of drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles, an irreconcilable attitude has been maintained by the men, who have unsuccessfully endeavoured to involve other sections of the city's workers in the trouble, including tramwaymen.
A mass meeting was held a few days ago, at which he contention was put forward upon the part of the disaffected hands that the authorities had hot properly interpreted the terms of the decision of theeaoint Industrial Council, which has had the matter for some time under consideration ; but in regard to this there is distinct cleavage of view, the • official opinion being that the Corporation has done all that was required. The demand has been for a flat rate increase of 4s. per week, and the contention is that it has been proposed to give some of the workers higher rates than those fixed by the Industrial Council itself. Failing in their more militant attitude, the men decided to leave the matter in the hands of their executive te take such further actien as they might deem necessary, the view entertained being that in the present state of the labour market they will not rashly precipitate the threatened strike, which would result in.vacandies there would be no difficulty in filling.
With this issue The Commercial Motor enters upon the seventeenth year of its existence.
Haulage Rates.
The Joint Committees of the Transport Associations of Liverpool and Manchester have each been considering the question of haulage rates between the two centres and we understand that, whilst a certain measure of agreement have been reached at both cities the decisions have not yet been confirmed jointly: Amongst the associations whose representatives have heen engaged in these negotiations at Manchester are the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners' Association, Manchester Cartowners' Association and the Conference of Carriers and Liverpool's Cart and Motor Owners' Association, Short Cartowners' Association, Haulage Contractors' Association, Birkenhead Road Transport Association, and the Commercial Motor Users Association.
Liverpool Buses : Report Called For.
The Liverpool City Treasurer and Controller and the General Manager of the • tramways undertaking have been instructed by the Tramways Committee to report on the receipts and the general expenditure of the running of the motor omnibuses by the end of March. The returns for the fortnight ending
• January 15th are as follow se–
*Receipts. Passengers. Mileage.
21,602 10Is, lid. 146,364 21,661 Corresponding period last year.—
Receipts. Passengers. Mileage. 21,559 18s. 8d. 221,476 26,474'The receipts per car mile are thus is.
London's Buses.
Al, the first of the IK type Lo.o.c. buses, has now been on service for 18 months, having undergone its first reconditioning-on the surrender of its first year's licence in September last. No fewer than 850 ref the K type are on the road, and there are now over a dozen of the 54 seater S type running on the Barnes-Liverpool Street (No. 9) and Shepherd's Bush-Liverpool Street (No. 11) services. The S type buses are proving a greater success than even had been anticipated. They are economical in their running, the petrol consumption being little different from that of the K type; they negotiate traffic easily and comfortably, and they attract little attention from the pedestrian because of their nice proportions. Only when the passenger boards an S type does he commence to look and wonder, for then the roominess and comfort of the bus force themeelves on his notice. It almost looks as if the leading London bus type will be the S, or rather its successor, which will incorporate certain chassis improvements, and will not be in service for some months.
Chamber of Transport.
We are informed that the title of the Manchester Chamber of Transport (of which Mr. J. S. Howarth is secretary) has been changed to the Lancashire Chamber of Transport, the address being Corn-Exchange Buildings, Manchester.
• Leyland Report.
The report of tile directors of Leyland Motors, Ltd., has just been published, and in it the directors state that they closed the accounts on September 30th last, as at that time they were of the opinion that it might have been desirable to recommend the shareholders to approve _a further issue of capital, but, on further consideration, they decided not to proceed with any further issue at present. In future, theitceunts will be made up to September 30th.
The working account for the nine months shows a gross profit at the rate of £286,779 per annum as against £233,081 for the whole of the year 1919. After making full provision for all ascertained liabilities and providing for the dividends on 6 per cent. and 7i• per cent. preference shares, the result does not permit of the payment of any dividend on the ordinary shares. The net trading profit for the period was £215,085, and after allowing for various 'outgoings, including interest on loans, in all totalling £141,869, and allowing for dividends received, the net profit is £75,614. With the amount brought forward the total available is £82,132. Dividends on preferenee shares absorb £23,888, leaving a balance of £58,245, from which must be deducted the dividends on preference shares for the half-year ended December 31st, amounting to £23„ leaving £34,357 to be carried forward, subject to excess profits duty, if any, and corporation profits tax. The stock has been increased approximately by £1,300,000, and there has been added to capital account £321,877.
The meeting of the shareholders was at the Ham Works yesterday (Monday).
Epsom Race Traffic.
One of the results of conferences that have taken place recently between the police, the Epsom Urban District Council, the R.A.C., and A.A. and M.U., with the object of facilitating the passage of the road traffic to and from Epsom Races, is that improvements are now being undertaken on the roads approaching Epsom Downs. It is estimated that the cost of the work will be about £18,000, one half of which is being contributed by the Ministry of Transport, £500 by the Epsom Grand Stand Association, and the remainder by the Urban District Council. The R.A.C. is giving 1,340 yards of road flint from the Country Club Estate at Woodcote Park towards these much needed improvements.
Satisfaction from TillingStevens.
During the Scottish Show, which was recently held at Glasgow, Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., received a very interesting communication from the Scottish General Omnibus Co., Ltd., who are operating a total fleet of 40 petrol-elec. triobuses made by this concern, and who at the Show favoured them with an order for two additional machines.
We have not the space to devote to the publication of the letter in full, but we gather that the fleet has done exceptionally well. 13uses Nos. 1 and 2 were purchased about seven years ago, and at the end of 1920 had covered a mileage of 463,074 and 449,036 respectively. These machines have never been off the road as the result of any electrical defect. The company's fleet at the end of 1920 numbered 28 vehicles, the mileage run by all the vehicles during the year being 68,666,564, the petrol consumption being 1-22,252 gallons, this
giving a m.p.g. of 5.61. The Dunlop tyres fitted to the fleet have averaged 23,000 miles apiece. For six months of the year the roads in the district in which the company operate are exceptionally heavy, and the returns for petrol consumption and tyre mileage are considered excellent records for passenger service vehicles.
The Rotax Liquidation.
In order to correct any erroneous impressions that might be gathered from the voluntary liquidation of the Rotax Motor Accessories Co., Ltd., of Rotax Works, Willesden Junction, London, NW., the company ask us to state that this liquidation is merely a formal and statutory matter, which is being undertaken in pursuance of the requirements of the Companies Acts in connection With the amalgamation of the company with Newtons, Ltd., of Taunton, and the 'increase of capital arranged some time ago.
Safety First.
The fourth annual general meeting of the London "Safety First" Council will be held at the Mansion House to-morrow (Wednesday) at 3 p.m., when H.R.H. the Duke of York will preside, and will present a number of medals for gallant conduct in the prevention of street accidents, and many prizes and badges to many of the drivers who have earned them by the exercise of caution in difficult circumstances.
The well-known French concern, Chenard et Walcker, are in future to manufacture a light vehicle for commercial purposes.
S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., 179185, Great Portland Street, London, W., have inaugurated a novel prize competition, which has been planned to introduce the new " Cr " series of K.L.G. plugs, and also further to popularize other K.L.G. models. Further particulars can be obtained from the company.
Blackpool Coach Stations.
We have already mentioned in our pages dealing with motor coach progress the fact that at Blackpool special arrangements are being made for the accommodation of chars-a-banes leaving and visiting the town. There have been many objections to the use of the streets and promenade where the Charsa-bancs in former years were accustomed to pick up and set down their passengers. The practice was regarded as not conducive to the general convenience of the public, whilst, at the same time, it could not be held that the coach passengers were receiving the greatest amount of consideration. From inquiries which we have made on the spot two schemes for the erection of motor coach stations in Blackpool appear to have been planned, one by private enterprise, the other by the municipality. No details of the corporation's scheme are available, beyond that it i5 of an ambitious nature, and if carried througra would give one the idea of a racecourse. We are informed that this scheme is at, present only in the committee stage. Shaw's Depository, Ltd., are responsible for the private station, which is to be located on the site occupied by last year's open-air park in Central Drive and Rigby Read. It will occupy a central position, and although building operations hav-a a...t yet commenced, it is stated that 't will be ready in time for Easter traffic. The plans provide for parking about 100 vehicles along the bounda-y of the station in such a way that a vehicle can reach or leave its berth without disturbing any other vehicle. There will be a loading and unloading position under cover, and waiting rooms, café, and cloak-rooms are to be provided for the passengers. We hope in our next issue to be able to give fuller detailed plans of the scheme.
The Late Mr. H. H. Copnalt,
The death of Mr. Henry Hampton Copnall, clerk to the Nottinghamshire County Council, which occurred with tragic suddenness a few days ago, at his residence at Collingham, near Newark, removes one who, in the course of a long administrative career passed in western and Midland counties, had exercised a potent influence in regard to arrangements affecting the control of highways, especially in their bearing upon motor traffic.
Like Viscount Galway, the chairman of the Notts. Council, who has himself contributed several practical speeches to debates on the subject in the House of Lords, he took a very broad view in relation to the reasonable use of the highways for motor purposes against any unnecessarily irritating limitations as to which he was strongly opposed. Ile had been responsible for a notable addition to the legal literature on the matter by his book upon "The Law Relating to Locomotives on Highways.".
As is the case with the present Notts. county surveyor (Mr. Hellas), who read an eminently practical paper upon the question at the recent Manchester conference, Mr. Copnall strongly favoured the elaboration of motorbus traffic in rural districts in preference to the extension of tramway services from the larger neighbouring towns. Mr. Copnall, who was fifty-nine, had occupied the chief official county position for 17 years.
Bus Mileage Charges.
Circularizing local authorities upon mileageocharge.s, the Ministry of Transport explains that the Roads Act, 1920, authorises the Minister to suspend, modify, or determine the liability to make the payment of a mileage charge. Where applications are made under this Section of the Act, the Ministry would be disposed to accede to such applications unless them:, were exceptional cireumstances which would justify the con tinuance of the payments. The Ministry also points out that with regard to appeals under the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916, for permission to commence new routes, the provision of which Act expires in August, 1921, it would adopt a similar procedure as indicated in the case of mileage charges.
N.K.A. Ball Bearings.
An attractively-produced catalogue and compendiurn devoted to N.K.A: ball bearings has been issued by Northern Ball Bearings, Ltd. Its pages contain an interesting survey of ball bearing requirements and give a description of the principles of N.K.A. ball bearings, theirpatented features and manufacture. The calculations forming the basis of the design of N.K.A. ball bearings are also very thoroughly described, and a special chapter its devoted to the method of selfalignment of this make of ball bearings. A load speedograph accompanies each of the many types of bearings dealt with, whilst full, details are also included regarding dimensions and maximum loads.
This compendium consists of over 100 folly-illustrated pages, and forms a most useful and valuable work of reference to the engineer.
Leicestershire Pot-holes.
Drivers of commercial and other motor vehicles will learn with satisfaction that a very vigorous protest was entered at the last meeting of the Leicestershire County Council against the woefully defective condition of many of the main
roads, with the result that SO1110 improvement was promised. Paucity of supplies of necessary materials can be no longer regarded as a valid excuse for delay in carrying out works which are requisite not merely upon the score of convenience, hut absolute public safety.
The old plea as to the need for economy was, however, again forthcoming, and some weight was attachable upon this score to the serious representations of the responsible committee, which disclosed that in the tenders for the repair of one of the highways as much as £13,000 a mile had been asked for.
It was stated that on one of the roads, that between Glen and Oadby, there, were pot-holes big enough to drop a sheep into, whilst, in illustration of the appalling state of the main avenue of traffie between Leicester and Hinckley, a practical motorist member of the Council declared that to traverse it was like going over the waves of the sea.
The Austin Tractor Does Well.
In the Bidston and Mortem ploughing competition, held on February 10th at Woodchurch, Cheshire, seven tractors of the leading makes took part. The ground was heavy and in poor condition, making the test senores. First prize was taken by an Austin tractor of last year's mode', which has not so powerful a drawbar pull as that of the machines now being produced.
Leyland Price Reductions.
The prices of a number of commercial vehicle chassis show a downward trend, and the latest addition to the lists which we have already published is that of Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, Lance., who, as a result of a scrutiny of their production costs,, have found it possible to effect considerable reductions in the prices of Leyland petrol and steam ve hicles, excluding fire-engines. These reductions date from February 7th, and particulars of specific reductions can be obtained on application to the company or to any of their authorized agents.
Statistics from Malaya;
• The total value of motorcars, motorcycles, parts and accessories imported by the Straits Settlements in 1919 amounted to £595,591, to which the United States contributed £473,990, compared with the United Kingdom's .£33,742. The import of rubber tyres was valued at £433,545, and the United States' share of this was £154,872, Italy's £100,546, Japan's £77,693 (against .£63,810 in 1918), and the United Kingdom's £21,864. ' It would appear from these figures that British motor, cycle, and tyre manufacturers might make more of the market in the Malay Peninsula.
Commercial Aviation.
The value of imports and exports by air during 1920 exceeded the million pounds, mark, the respective amounts being £677,047 and £339,108, and the grand total £1,016,155. For the last quarter of the year (October-December), the value of imparts and exports conveyed by aircraft was approximately four times greater than for the same period of 1919, although there was a reduction in traffic for the month of December as compared with
the preceding months. •
French Tractor Show.
The French Agricultural Motor Show was opened at. Vincennes cm the 19th of this month. M. Lefebvre du Prey, the Minister of Agriculture, officially inaugurated the Show, and made an inspection of the exhibits. The show closed a few days ago. A good range eff agricultural machines, were on view, including the following makes e—De Dion, Renault, Cirna, Titan, Mogul, International, Tourand Leta, Frage, Amanco Agrophile. and the Cesar.
Mr. Harvey, the Mayor of Helborn, has been appointed by the Metropolitan Boroughs Joint Committee to act as one of the judges at the mudguard demonstration being organized by the Camber* well Borough Council.
Industrial Research.
The secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research anflounces that the Research Aeseciation for the Cast Iron and Allied Industries has been approved by the department as complying with the conditions laid down be the Government scheme for the encouragement of industrial research. As the association is to he registered as a. non-profit sharing company, the promoters have applied to the Board of Trade for the issue of a licence under Section 20 of the Companies (Consolicla.tion) Act of 1908.
The secretary of the committee en. gaged in the establishment of this association is Mr. Thomas Vickers, 174, Corporation Street, Birmingham.
Burford Prices.
When the new Burford lorries were placed on the market, we understood that it was intended to advance the price by 10 per cent. in consequence of many improvements embodied and as a eeeule of the rise in wages and maleriels, but in view of the present conditions, Bur ford and Co., Ltd., of 16, Regent Street, S.W., have decided that the prices for the new models for the next six menthe will rule as heretofore. The 50 cwt".. chassis will be obtainable at £585 and the 2i ten chae,sfe. at, £725.
Ford Users Will be Interested 1LTsers, of Ford vehicles will be interested in the special offer which e being made of 30.in. by 3 in. and 30 in. by 3; in rubber non-skid covers or various American makes by the enterprising northern firm, Leo Swain and. Co., Ltd., of 237-9, Deansgate, Manchester. They have purchased some thou sands of these not W.D. or other clearance lines, but in their original wrappers RS delivered from the factories. The consignment also includes a quantity of 815 mm. by 105 mm, and 28 in. by 3 in. covers.
A Unique Demonstration.
By arrangement with their dealere, Messrs. S. 'Jennings, Iikorpeth, Northumberland, Davideon (Trafford Park), Ltd., last week placed on the road in that county a travelling exhibition of their commercial bodywork for Ford erne. ton chassis.
This unique exhibition will tour to time-table iler two weeks, visiting farmers, markets, and fishing districts along the coast and all industrial centres.
Representatives of both firms will join forum to beat up business generally along the Tyne, where things have already begun to pick up and where the of repeat orders for Davidson bodies are now secured.
Some More Licence Holders.
Two of the most eubstantial and well. finished licence holders which we have yet seen are these manufactured by J. and R. Oldfield, Ltd., Warwick Street, Birmingham, who are well known as manufacturers of Dependence lamps and accessories. One of these is designed for attachment to the woodwork of the careen or dash, and the other for direct fixing, by means of a. patent adjustable clip., to either the edge of the screen or of the support..
The patent clip is of particular interest and of remarkably stout construction. It consists of two jaws held apart by a • light spring and closed on to the object which has to be gripped by means of a eliding cone forced over the coned oShanks of the jaws by tightening a nut. A locking nut is also provided for positioning the pillar carrying the actual holder, which itself can be turned on this pillar. Another handsome holder, constructed with aecast-braee outer case, thoroughly polished, and a screwed cast-brass centre portion, has been brought to our notice by The Home Engineering Co., of Whetstone. This can also be supplied in nickel-plate or black finish.
A holder known as the Beelawat, complete with a neat and powerful adjustable fitting for attaching the holder to the windscreen bracket or any other convenient part, has been received from Beckett, Layeeek, and Watkinson, Ltd., Acton Lane, London, N.W. 10.
An Unwarranted Proposal.
The L.C.C. has refused to acquiesce in a proposal of the Kensington Borough Council for e 10 miles? speed limit in King Street, Young Street, Kensington Square,. Thackemy Street, Kensington Court Place, St. Alba,n's Read, and Victoria Grove. This is because the Commissioner of Felice declared the limitation to be unwarranted. During the past 13 menthe only eix slight accidents, none of which involved personal injury, were known to the police to have occurred in the streets mentioned, and although somewhat extensively used by traffic, no fast or dangerous driving has been observed.
Lorries Preferred to Horses.
Speaking on February 16th at Manchester, at the annual meeting of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Mr. EdwardB. Fielden, chairman of the company, said Our fleet of motor lorries has been considerably increased during the past year, and we are satisfied that, speaking generally, it is an advantage to use them in the place of horses, end we intend to continue to develop this method."
Local Proceedings.
£1,345 is tohe. spent by Whiston R.D.C. on the purchase of a Foclen wagon.
Lymm U.D.C. is making application to borrow £900 for the purchase of a motor lorry.
Ashton-under-Lyne Council is raising a lean of £1,750 for the puechase of a motor fire-engine.
The purchase of electrically-driven vehicles for refuse collection is ,being considered by Epsom IJ.D.C.
Greenwich Borough Council, which lately decided to purchase a new Allehin steam wagon, now proposes to secure a second-hand Allcthin wagon which has laeen'offered at £500.
The purchase of a 36 in. motor lawn mower to cost £405 has been recommended to the Chichester City Council.
Sooner than spend £1,000 on a new motor fire-engine, Ramsbury P.C. has decided to overhaul the one now in service.
Walsall Watch Committee refuses to grant applications for permission to place petrol pumps in certain of the public highways.
Aberdeen's -tramways manager is having three motor bodies built at the tramways workshops. The cost, is put at about £593.
The Metropolitan Asyliims Board has completed arrangements with the Lambert Motor Co., Ltd., to supply a one ton omnibus chassis, fitted with pneumatic tyres, for £232.
The Daimler 2-3 ton " C.J." chassis with,tipping body, required by Stanley is being obtained from Gr1111, shave Leather and Co., Ltd., at a total cost of £950, plus delivery charges on chassis.
The Ministry of Health has sanctioned the applications of (1) Anglesey County Council' to borrow £1,313 for a motor tipping wagon; and (2) Southampton Town Council to borrow ,£312 for a motor wagon.