Opinions from Others.
Page 28
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How the C.M.U.A. Parade Might Be Made of Greater Benefit to Owners.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
,1,170] Sir,—The fourth annual parade of the Commercial Motor Users' Association has now been held, and, by common consent of those interested in the development of motor haulage for commercial purposes, has proved a great success. The opinion exists, however, among some owners of commercial vehieles that the parade does not benefit them to any great extent, but does more good to the manufacturers, and still more to the drivers.
Now, if the judges, after their usual examination of the vehicles, were to prepare, and subsequently circulate among the drivers of the vehicles paraded, a short report setting forth the most-commonly occurring abuses and faults which their examination had revealed to them, it would, I think, tend to make the drivers more careful of their vehicles in the future, and the report would then, to a certain extent, benefit the owners.
To avoid further burdening the judges, and to ensure the report's being studied, I suggest that it should be brief and simple, and be based on examinations no more were done, the only extra expense incurred would be that of reproducing and distributing the copies of the report. I understand that the judges committee has now been dissolved, so 1. have no means of advancing the suggestion other than through your journal.—Yours faithfully, JAMES F. Rosixa. 22, Deanville Road, Clapham Common, S.W.,
13th June, 1910.
Commercial-vehicle Design.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,171] Sir,—I think that, in discussing this subject, your correspondent, Mr. Arthur E. A. M. Turner, is too much inclined to regard " past experience " as necessarily final. With regard to the statement that "experience has taught designers long ago that the horizontal engine must be ruled out of court," I agree that, "long ago," the horizontal engine was out of the question, but to-day the conditions are quite different. What is "the best, simplest and most-suitable machine " depends to a great extent on the individual requirements of a user, and I would ask Mr. Turner if he can imagine anything simpler than a horizontal, opposed, two-stroke engine:. The horizontal engine, in many early designs, suffered from inaccessibility—a serious drawback in the days when even the best of petrol engines was somewhat unreliable. That latter defect, however, has practically disappeared, and the former can easily be overcome.
I admit that the design of two-stroke engines requires further development, but in theory there can hardly be a simpler engine. Strict adherence to conventional design has retarded development of the pleasure vehicle, and, if Mr. Turner had his way. the commercial vehicle would be equally bound by fashions derived from " past experience.° The makers of pleasure cars have to give the public what they wantnot what they ought to want --but the builders of commercial chassis will only injure their own trade if they allow buyers to determine the designs to which vehicles are to be built. Users have certain requirements as to speed, weight and bulk of loads, etc., but builders should be allowed a free hand to meet these requirements in the cheapest and most convenient way.
That " past experience " is not conclusive is proved by the case of chain-drive gearboxes. These after having dropped out for close upon eight years. should, in the light of " past experience." be dead and buried. but to-day we see them in use once again, in an improved form, and attracting a considerable amount of interest among practical men. There are numerous examples of this kind, all of which tend to show that there is a very real danger ef stagnation of design if we depend wholly upon results
obtained in the past, when knowledge of design was less and both materials and methods of manufacture were inferior to those of the present day.—Iours faithfully,
GEO. H. CUTBUSH.
Broomhill, Glasgow, 14th June, 1910.
M. A. B. Motor-Ambulance Bodies.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
P...1721 Sir,—In reference to " The Extractor's" note, in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR of the 2nd inst., relating to the motor ambulances, designed and built for the M.A.B. by Thos. Robson Ltd., of Clerkenwell, I would like to point out that " The Extractor " has been misinformed. The motor body was designed, and the first one built, by myself at the M.A.B. works, at New Cross. The body was also patented by me (No. 12,149).
Trusting you will publish this letter.—Yours faithfully,
J. GEORGE.
2,5, Snead Street, New Cross, SE.,
13th June, 1910.
User's Experiences; the Street Lamp that "Lost Its Head"; Prospects of Success for MotorCarrying Companies.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,173] Sir,—While astronomers are worrying their heads about sunspots, my own attention, as a motor-wagon carrier, is directed somewhat rudely towards the subject of sunblinds. There is, I presume, some law under which the position of these articles, in relation to their proximity to the roadway, should be regulated, but either the Jaw is disregarded, or it reqaires amending. If the driver of a wagon attempted to steer his machine close to the kerb along many streets when sunblinds were down, he would leave a trail of wreckage in the vehicle's wake which would most certainly cause a boom in the sunblind industry. I invite you, Mr. Editor, to throw some light upon the responsibilities of carriers in this matter. The cause of my ignorance on the subject is due to the fact that, for several years, the use of a sunscreen of any form has been unheard of in these parts. A case of interest has recently arisen, in a certain street in which the distance between the tramrail and the pavement is approximately only 9 ft. One of my machines was recently passing a tram on the street in question when the back wheels skidded against the kerb, causing the hind portion of the load to embrace the top of a lamp, and, unfortunately, the lamp lost its head! The point now arises, who is responsible for the decapitation?
To turn from details to more general topics. I have been closely examined, lately, by gentlemen who have money to invest, as to the returns to be expected from my calling, and, as this number of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR will he widely read by many who are interested in the subject, I think my reply may be of interest. To the mere company promoter I think that all carrying concerns, and motor-carrying businesses in particular, are dangerous subjects to handle, for there are few undertakings which depend so directly upon continuous daily effort for their success, and, so far as motor carrying is concerned, such effort is absolutely essential. But, on the other hand, my experience leads me to believe that there is a tremendous field waiting to be developed by those who are willing to take up the subject in the spirit of earnest perseverance, and, undoubtedly, the rewards to be attained will warrant the time spent, the trouble taken, and the inveitment of the necessary capital.
Our log sheet for the week is :—Earnings, elm; mileage, 1.026; tonnage, 230; percentage of work done, 95: coke used, 12 tons 10 cwt. ; gear oil, 20 gallons, and cylinder 10 gallons.—Yours faithfully, " MoTon-wsoosr CARRIER."