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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

" The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever paints arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which if runs."—John Beattie Crozier,

Section 19 Under Review.

The Minister of Transport has received a joint application from the Transport and General Workers Union, on the one hand, and the Commercial Motor Users Association, the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association, the Omnibus Owners Association and the Tramways. Light Railways and Transport Association, on the other, for an Order varying, in certain. circumstances, the periods of time laid down in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act for the employment a drivers of vehicles of certain types. A previous Order, made on March 30, 1931, by the Minister, is due to expire on March 3/.

As is provided in sub-section (3) of the section mentioned, the Minister has referred the matter to the Industrial Court for advice. The Court will hear the parties to the application when it meets at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesdsiy, March 28, at 5, Old Palace Yard, Westminster, S.W.1.

Copies of the proposals contained in the joint application can be obtained from the secretary of the Industrial Court, at the address given. Any person representing organizations of employers or workpeople in the industry, who may desire to make representations to the Court in this matter, should submit them, in writing, to the secretary.

U.S. Exports Drop Nearly £20,000,000 in Four Years.

During the past year, America exported 24,833 commercial vehicles and chassis, valued ($5 to the X) at .£2,328,173, as contrasted with 47,927 and £4,995,574 respectively in 1931. The slump has now lasted for four years, and Some idea of its extent may be gathered from the fact that, as compared with the figures for 1929, the number of vehicles shows a decline of 171,925, or over 87 per cent., and in value a drop of .Z19,958,852, or nearly 90 per cent.

The hulk of the vehicles exported last year, that is 19,745, were of the 20-30cwt. type ; 2,226 had carrying capacities of under a ton, 2,086 were between 30 cwt. and 23e tons, 758 vvero over 24 tons, whilst 18, valued at £130,060, were bus chassis. In order of their importance, the principal markets for American vehicles were Belgium, Japan and the Philippine Islands.

Ups and Downs in Licensing.

in au article on the commercial motor industry, in a recent issue of The Statist, attention ie drawn to the fact that its expansion has not kept 'nice with that of the private-car industry owing to the restrictions on new passenger services imposed by the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and the uncertainty r"igarding the outcome of the Salter Report.

The decline in the registrations of goods vehicles has, however, not been, so great as that in the registrations of hackneys, the reason being that the urgency of the need for replacement has been much greater in the case of goods vehicles than in that of passengercarrying vehicles.

When the provisions of the forthcoming Budget are made known, manufacturers of passenger vehicles may reasonably expect a welcome increase in the demand from passenger-vehicle operators who have been holding up their replacement orders pending PublicatiOn of the Government's taxation proposals: Dennis Machines Now Built Entirely at Guildford.

Every Dennis vehicle will, in future, be completely built in the concern's Guildford factory, for we understand that the Coventry works are to he closed down finally in about a week from to-day, and that already the move is nearly completed. All the machinery and equipment is being transported by road at an average rate of 40 tons per day by John Morton and Son, Ltd., Coventry, and the entire work, including installing the machines, etc., at Guildford, will have taken little more than six weeks.

Inst. of T. Summer Meeting.

The Secretary of the Institute of Transport announces that, in view of the international situation which has developed, it has been deemed advisable not to proceed with the suggested Austrian tour. Instead, the summer meeting this year will take the form of a 14-day cruise on the White Star liner " Homeric," to the Canary Islands, Morocco and Gibraltar, commencing June 3. During the voyage at least four meetings will be arranged for the discussion of papers.

Carrimore Trailers Overseas.

Recently the South Africa Railways purchased 20 more Carrimore 5-ton four-wheeled trailers, thus bringing their total of trailers of this make up to 200. The Beira and Mashonaland and Rhodesia Railways, Bulawayo, have recently purchased 41. Carrimore trailers, including 32 5-tonners, eight 2-tormers and one small 15-cwt. unit. A Thornycroft operating with three such trailers is shown in the accompanying illustration.

It is interesting to note that the United Africa Corporation, Ltd., at present operates 131 Carrimore semitrailers, these being fitted to Albion and Reo motive units; the trailers were shipped to the Gold Coast.

We learn that A. G. Pruden and Co., Buenos Aires, has sent two repeat orders, following its purchase some time ago of a Carrimore 5-6-ton trailer for operation with a Leyland lorry, the outfits in this ease being supplied to a well-known Argentine brewery.

Indian Imports Position.

Despite a slight improvement in November last, only 1,760 commercial vehicles and chassis, valued at £210,668, were imported into India during the April-November period of last year, as compared with 3,128 vehicles and £325,538 in 1931. Of the total, 1,148 vehicles are credited to the United States, as against 349 to Great Britain, 228 to Canada, and 25 to "other countries."

Avon Tyre Capital Increase.

At an extraordinary general meeting of the Avon.. India Rubber Co., Ltd., held a few days ago, it was decided (a; to alter the existing 6 per cent. cumulative preference shares and the existing ordinary shares from 15 denomination to .11 denomination, (b) to increase the capital of the company by the creation of 100,000 additional ordinary shares of 11, (e) to capitalize 184,692, being part of the reserve fund (and to apply this special capital bonus, free of income tax,

in payment in full for the corresponding number of new ordinary £1 shares in the proportion of two such new shares to every five ordinary shares now held, equivalent to a 40 per cent. distribution), and (d) to form the concern into a public limited company.

The Rootes Show at Maidstone.

On Monday last we visited the 13th annual exhibition of commercial vehicles and private cars held by Rootes, Ltd., at the company's extensive premises at Maidstone, where we were welcomed by Mr. R. C. Rootes and Mr. W. E. Rootes, whilst Mr. T. B. Keep, of Commer Cars, Ltd., accompanied us around the commercial-vehicle section. He is justly proud of the latest Commer models, which are described in full elsewhere in this issue, Mr. Keep referred to the increasing business which is being done abroad in Commer vehicles, which have proved themselves fully capable of standing up to the most arduous con ditions of service. Another proof of

the success of the products for which he is responsible is that the Luton works have for some time 'bast been running double shifts in an endeavour to keep level with the demand.

More Oil Engines for Railcars.

We are informed that the Maybach concern, of Friedrichshafen, has just received an order from the Netherlands State Railways for 80 410 h.p. Maybaeh compression-ignition engines for railcars. The vehicles will be articulated and about 180 ,ft. in length. Equipped with two power units each, they are to be built for a speed of 75 m.p.h.

qualified Engineer Available.

An engineer-designer, who has had 25 years' experience in the commercialvehicle industry, both at home and abroad, in the design of all types of passenger, and heavy and light goods vehicles, desires a responsible position. He has had a university education, is a A.M.I,Mech.E. and M.S.A.E., and has held works administrative appointments, as well as that of chief engineer controlling design. We have been in touch with him on many occasions and have been impressed by his abilities. Letters addressed to "Engineer-designer," care of the Editor, will be forwarded

Personal Pars.

Mr. G. N. Guest, late managing director of Hollings and Guest, Ltd., and John Hands and Sons, Ltd., with many of the staff of these concerns, has joined Tangyes, Ltd., Birmingham, and this company is now in a position. to quote for all types of hydraulic machinery and power presses.

Mr. B. D. Martin, a director of Germ Lubricants, Ltd., recently left England on an extensive tour of the company's overseas agents, and having left Colombo, will continue his trip through Australia, New Zealand, Dutch East Indies, the Federated Malay States, and, probably, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Kobe.

No one has worked harder or more unselfishly in the interests of the haulage industry than Mr. E. C. Marston, chairman of the Road Haulage Associa tion. He has devoted to its cause

monthsof work which he could ill spare from the conduct of the business of which he is managing director. His year of office as chairman ends in a month's time, and he could wish for no higher reward than a great rally of members to the Association, which we hope will take place.

In our article dealing with refusecollection difficulties at Stoke-on-Trent, which appeared in our Special Municipal Number for last week, we should have referred to Mr. R. G. Totty as the cleansing superintendent ; Mr. A. Burton, M.Inst.C.E., is the city engineer.

Clayton Dewsualre Trading.

During 1932 the Clayton Dewandre Co., Ltd., made a profit of £7,382, as against 122,231 for 1931. The directors have allocated 14,699 to depreciation and £3,359 to writing-down development expenditure, leaving £1,420 to be carried forward, as against 16,672 brought into the accounts.

HE Lubricating Equipment.

We are reminded by a recent pamphlet issued by Harvey Frost and Co., Ltd., that its popular National high-pressure lubricating plant is only one model in a range of equipments which includes an industrial type for carrying on the back, a gear-oil lubricating plant, an oil spray pump, and a grease bucket pump, each item of equipment being of British make. A copy of the pamphlet can be obtained from the company at 148-150, Great Portland Street, London, W.1.

Commercial Section Combined with Paris Motor Show.

The organizing committee of the Salon de l'Automobile, in Paris, issued last week an important statement with regard to arrangements for the allow next autumn. For the first time on record, the industrial-vehicla section, or Salon de Poids Lourd, is to be combined with the private-car exhibition.

A factor that has made this possible is the decline of the French luxurycoachbuilding business. This has freed a large area of floor space in the Grand Pa leis building for other exhibits. At the same time, American car manufacturers are occupying much less stand space than in former years.

Owiug, however, to the great size of certain industrial-vehicle exhibits, it is possible that the " heavies " may have an overflow exhibition in the open air, on the Esplanade des Invalides.

A Chance for British Boadmakers?

British roadmakers may have the opportunity for tendering for the _construction of a new asphalt highway, about 300 miles long, which the Yugoslav Government has decided to construct between Belgrade and Zagreb. The building of the road is urgently needed in order to facilitate motor traffic.

Whilst Yugoslav labour must be employed, foreign capital will be necessary for the undertaking. For this reason it is understood that the task will be entrusted to a foreign concern of specialists in road construction, and that tenders will be solicited.

Armstrong-Sewer Works Equipment.

In keeping with its policy of installing modern machine equipment, some interesting tools have recently been installed at the Scotswood works of Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., amongst them being nerbert chucking automatics, a hlaag geargrinding machine, Saurer bevel-gear cutting machines and Saurer spur-gear testing machines. The equipment is of the latest type and enables the various machining operations to be greatly simplified, apart from resulting in an improvement in the general chassis finish.

Engine Starting from the Mains.

A device designated the Mainud Starter, which, as its name implies, enables current from the main electricity simply to be utilized for starting up an engine in the garage, is now made by Mainud Starter, Ltd., 461a, Caledonian Road, Loudon, N.7.

The invention depends upon the recognized principle that a directcurrent motor of the type employed on commercial-vehicle engiqes will function equally well on alternfiting current of the frequency generally employed for house lighting, etc., provided that the field magnets as well as the armature are of laminated construction.

A transformer is the main, item of the Mainud Starter apparatus ; it ia compact unit capable of being housed in a container, measuring 9 ins. by 8 ins. by 5 ins., so that it can easily be accommodated on the vehicle, or if required for a fleet, carried from one to another. The primacy circuit of the transformer is connected to the main supply, whilst the leads from the secondary cir • B18 cult are plugged in to a socket on the vehicle. This is connected, through a separate push-button switch, with the starter-motor. Thus the engine may be started from the mains or from the battery at the will of the driver.

We understand that a 20-amp. fuse will carry the initial discharge of current, whilst the consumption drops to 4 amps. when the armature. has gained speed.

Further particulars and details regarding the cost of modifying existing starter motors can be obtained from the maker.

An All-steel Two-wheeled Trailer.

Messrs. P. and IV., 57, Partridge Street, Bolton, are marketing an allsteel two-wheeled trailer, which, it is claimed, will carry a load of 6 cwt and can easily be towed by a small car. The axle is a steel tube of 11 in. diameter and 4 in. gauge, and the semielliptic springs have five leaves. The -wheels are of the wire type and carry 26-in. by 3.25-in, pneumatic tyres. The all-steel body is 5 ft. long, 3 ft. wide, and has sides and ends 1 ft. 1 in. deep. Equipment includes deep D-section wings, tow-bar, rear light and flex, and the price is £16.

Up 1 in 3 with a 2-tanner.

A demonstration of a Morris-Commercial six-wheeled 2-ton lorry was recently arranged in Canton, for the benefit of the Chinese military authorities. Equipped with easily removable tracks at the rear, the vehicle successfully negotiated a loose, sandy-surfaced gradient of 1 in 3, ruts some 18 ins. deep proving to be no hindrance to its progress.

Searching Test of New Chassis.

Among the tests to which the first new Commer 20-25-cwt. chassis was subjected was a protracted series of climbs of Bwlch-y-Groes. For a month it was driven up and down this notorious North Wales test hill, carrying a 30-cwt. lead and averaging about 130 miles daily. Readers will recall that the concern carried out a similar test of certain of its products not long ago.

C.M.U.A President and the Railways.

Alderman Prank U. Wort, president of the Commercial Motor Users Association, delivered a strong attack on the Salter Report and the attitude of the railway companies towards road trans-, port when speaking at the recently held annual dinner of the north-eastern division of that association, which was held at Leeds under the chairmanship of Mr. J. France.

Dealing with the passenger side of the industry, he said that roan transport had been treated in a very hard way. He complained of persecution by the railways, and commented adversely on the recent decision of the railways to reduce their rates in the summer.

He said that an analysis of goodstraffic figures would show that the railways were not in a prosperous condition to-day because they had not bad the goods to carry as a result of general trade depression.

Referring to the Salter Report, he said that the C.M.U.A. was not bound in any way by the decisious of the committee which issued it, but were fighting them tooth and nail.

Mr. James Milner, M.P., in responding to the past of "The Guests," proposed by Mr. F. G. Bristow (the general secretary of the C.M.U.A.), said that he certainly did not think that the right way to regulate the relations between the railways and road transport was by using--the weapon of taxation.

A Gasket Guide.

Payen,. Ltd., Church Wharf, Chiswick, London, W.4, has sent us a copy of its 1933 gasket guide, in which is given much informative matter relating to gaskets for all types of motor vehicle. It is divided into four sections, one of which deals with all types of road vehicle and tractor. A copy can be obtained from the address given above.

I.F.S. Tractor Exports Dwindle,

Six tractors, valued at £603, were exported fromthe Irish Free State during January last, as compared with 40 machines and £4,138 a year ago. Exports of tractor parts dropped from £5,808 to £3,857.

Road Representation in Parliament.

The strong efforts which are being made to develop in the House of Commons a group of Members who will uphold the cause of road transport, are meeting with considerable success, and already this group is some 30 strong, whilst a further increase may justifiably be looked for in the near future.

"West Yorkshire" Profits.

During the year 1932 the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £44,286. It is recommended that a final dividend of 5 per cent. should be paid on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent. for the year (subject to tax), leaving £12,360 to be carried forward, as against .£11,074 a year earlier.

Death of Sir Edward Manville.

We regret to record the death. of Sir Edward Manville, who, for many years, was one of the leaders of the British motor industry. He was chairman of the Daimler Co., Ltd., and for a number of years was president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He was Conservative M.P. for Coventry from 1918 until 1928, receiving the honour of knighthood in the latter year. He was 72 years of age.

Formation of Southern Area Centre of Die first steps towards the inauguration of a southern area centre of the Road Haulage Association were taken at a meeting held on Monday last in Southampton. Messrs. H. Janes (Slough) and T. R. Sanders (Windsor), members of the council, and Mr. George A. Hotter, the secretary of the Association, spoke of the need for extending the organization to protect the interests of haulage contractors.

Hauliers from several parts of the district agreed unanimously with the suggestion to inaugurate a southern area section, and appointed the following as a nucleus of the committee :— Messrs. P. J. Downer, L, Baker and Plascott (Southampton), A. C. Hutton (Basingstoke), A. Roxburgh (Botley), H. Newland (Bournemouth), J. Allen and A. J. Wright '(Poole). Mr. A. J. Wright occupied the chair. Mr. Sanders said that, had it not been for the Association which had a membership of nearly 2:000, the position of the average road haulier would present a much graver aspect. Speaking of the forthcoming Transport Bill, embodying certain provisions laid down in the Salter Report, he said the Association thought that, mainly through its efforts, the Rill would eventually be of a much more moderate character than seemed, the case a month ago.

Mr. H. Janes said that the railways have been over-capitalized, over-stocked and over-staffed, and to-day they are receiving some nasty jolts from the operators of road transport all over the country.

The organization of the Association was fully explained by Mr. Hotter.

B.T.41. Profit in 1932.

The net profit of the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd., for 1932, after deducting debenture interest and depreciation, was £150,620, compared with £186,870 a year earlier. A sum of 15,341 is written off patents, licences and goodwill, whilst the preference dividend absorbs £78,749. A 4 per cent, dividend on the ordinary shares is recommended and, after these disbursements, the balance forward will amount to £227,795.

, Auction of a Garage and Showrooms.

On April 6, ,blessrs. Goddard and Smith are offering for sale by auction in their Estate Auction Hall, 22, King Street, London, S.W.1, extensive garage and showroom premises at 49 and 50, High Street, IVIarylebone. The sale is interesting, because it is rarely that an extensive West-End garage conies into the market. The premises are handy for the coach stations north of the river. Further particulars of the sale can be obtained from the firm at 70, Seymour Place, London, W.1.

The Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., Falcon Works, Loughborough, has received an order for six lightweight single-deck front-entrance 20-seater bus bodies from the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.

Mr. 0. C. Power on the Traffic Act.

Before the Rotary Club in Birmingham, on March 20, Mr. 0. C. Power, J.P., M.Inst.T., traffic manager of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., read a paper dealing with the effects of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. Owing to pressure of space in this issue we are unable to deal fully with Mr. Power's address, but we propose to summarize it next week.

Laystall Brake Liners in Scotland.

For the convenience of motor-vehicle owners in Scotland, the Islirrlees Watson Co., Ltd., 45, Scotland Street, Glasgow, has been granted a licence for the manufacture of Laystall brake-drum liners in Scotland. The company will be in a position to fit any required size, and the special plant which is being installed will be ready shortly. These hardened steel liners have been success,fully developed by the Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., Ewer Street, London, S.E.1.

Yorkshire Transport Pioneer Dead.

A pioneer of mechanical transport in West Yorkshire, Mr. Joseph Keighley, of Stoneyeroft Lane, Utley, Keighley, died on March 15, aged 77. Before the war, he founded the firm of Keighley Brothers, beginning in motor haulage, and later organizing coach tours. Ultimately, the passenger services were taken over by the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd.

Edison Swan Results.

The Edison Swan Electric Co., Ltd., reports a net profit of £19,094 for the year 1932, which compares with £2,227 a year earlier. After providing for the preference payments, a dividend of 6 per cent, on the ordinary shares is recommended; £10,886 is carried forward.

An IA.E. Paper.

The last meeting of the session of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will. be held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, on Tuesday, April 4, at 7.45 p.m., when Dr, Leslie Aitchison will read a paper entitled "Strong Light Alloys of To-day."

• G.W.R. Seeks Support.

Newport (Mon) Corporation has been asked by the Great Western Railway Co. to give consideration in its acceptance of tenders to traders who use rail transport, or that reasonable influence be brought to bear by the council on contractors to ensure that their goods are rail-borne.

Road Widening for Trolley-buses.

The highways committee of Paigeton Urban District Council has authorized the surveyor to prepare plans of the road widenings and improvements that would be necessitated by reason of the operation by the Torquay -Tramways Co.. Ltd., of trolleybuses on proposed new routes.

A Yarmouth Bridge to be Barred ?

The highways committee of Yarmouth Corporation has again considered the question of the stability of the Vauxhall Suspension Bridge. In view of the borough engineer's report upon the matter, the town clerk is to apply for an Order prohibitieg the use of the bridge by vehicular traffic.

_ Uniform Date for Renewing Drivers' • Licences ?

Notts County Council's licensing committee expresses the opinion that it would be a convenience to licence holders if the existing practice whereby drivers' licences are renewable on the anniversary of the date of issue were abolished, a uniform date being fixed for the expiry of all such licences. It is accordingly proposed to make representations to the Ministry of Transport.

Filling-station Owners Help C.C.

The roads committee of Warwick County Council reports that 254 petrolfilling stations in the county have now been inspected, and that, in the majority of cases, the infringements of the by-laws which previously existed have been removed.

In this connection, the committee records its appreciation of the manner

in which the proprietors of the filling. stations Concerned, and the petroleum and oil companies, have co-operated with the council. During the past quarter, 69 specific cases have been submitted for special attention. Of these, 67 have since been brought into conformity with the by-laws. Dearer Fares Unopposed.

Tynernouth Corporation is not opposing the applications to the Northeeir Traffic Commissioners by various bus proprietors for _slight increases in• certain fares. Similar increaseshave been permitted in recent applications.