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 bl the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
M.O.M. Stocks of Metals.
In order that the trade may know the position in regard to stocks of the im= portant metals, the following particulars are published of the stocks (esclusive of old metal and Acrap) in this country in the possession of the Minister of Munitions on 1st December, 1918, viz. :— Copper, 27,530 tons; spelter, G.O.B., 18,768 tons; spelter, refined, 6544 tons; aluminium, 10,215 tons; soft pig lead, 49,111 tons ; nickel, 1735 tens; antimony regulus, 3303 tons.
it is intended to publish, at monthly intervals, the stocks held on the first day of each month. In addition to the above the Minister holds large quantities of scrap, mainly brase, of which it is impossible tolove any figures at present.
Albion Issue.
The prospectus of the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., in respect of an issue of 200,000 six per cent. first mortgage debenture stock, was circulated last week, the subscription list opening on the 17th DecemIter and closing on the 2,3rd December. The stock is issued at 971 per cent., and is to be redeemed at 102i per cent, not later than 31st December, 1963. The issued capital of the company is 133,866 six per cent. cumulative preference shares of £1 each, and 129,104ordire: ary shares of £1 each. The surplus of assets over liabilities, as shown by the balance sheet dated 31st December, 1917, was £395,557.
Road Improvements.
The Road Board has just issued a circular to county councils and other local -authorities outlining its programme of work on the roads iu the year 19191920, and it announces that grants in aid to an aggregate amount of £10,000,000 will be made, of which £1,750,000 will be provided out of the Road Improvement Fund towerds works of importance, whilst £8,250,030 will be drawn from the National Exchequer. The Board have recommended to the Government that the most useful work on the roads at the present time is the strengthening, reconstruction and resurfacing with improved materials all important roads and bridges, and that the lengths of roads to be first. dealt, with should be those on which there is, or is likely to be, a large volume of heavy motor traffic, keeping in view in the selection all roads carrying considerable traffic, whether main roads or district roads, which have suffered deterioration during the war. During :recent years, the ordinary renewal programmes 'of highway authorities have not been carried out on a large mileage of roads owing to lack of road materials, difficulties of transport, and the shortage of labour. The work of deferred renewal and maintenance will, therefore, .throw upon highway authorities a considerable amount of additional expenditure.
All local authorities are being asked to submit, at an early date, their propOsals for the work to be put in hand. The selection of roads and bridges in each area for repairs, reconstruction or improvement will be settled by the Board in consultation with the county and c24
other authorities. Bridges on important roads, especially this's° which have to carryheavy motor traffic, are to receive special consideration, but it is not considered expedient to appropriate any large proportion of the new :grants to bridge work, as the money for this can be borrowed for a long period of years. However, it is hoped that the reconstruction of about 200 bridges in various parts • of the country may he facilitated.
Scotland and Traction Engines.
In giving evidence before the Departmental Committee on Rnad Locomotives and Heavy Motor Cars, a number of Scottish witnesses laid considerable stress on the-fact that many roads in the Highland counties are quite unfit to carry heavy motor traffic, and cannot be expected to bear as much strain as the best class of highways to be found in the vicinity of populous centres. They further stated that it is financially impossible to have them reconstructed in -a manner that would make them suitable for the heavier class of motor vehicles. At the same time it was pointed out that it would be a great hardship to the public, and would militate against future development, if 'a definite veto were placed on every form of motor traffic to the north of the Highland line. The Committee reoommend that the use of the roads in the area mentioned should be restricted to the lighter type of traffic. They find that a strong body of opinion exists in Scotland that traction engines used on Scottish roads should be licensed and made to pay a licence fee, and they see no reason why this proposal should not be adopted. They approve of the suggestion that the use of the Boulton engitie should be legalized.
Power of Gas. /
The question of the most suitable quality and composition of gas for domestic and power purposes has been raised by various local authorities, and the Board of Trade has suggested to those authorities responsible that they refrain for the present from taking proceedings against any of the gas undertakings in respect of deficiencies of calorific power, so long as the power does not fall below 450 13.T.Us., and so long as the proportion of inert constituents in the gas is not excessive. This suggestion is put forward solely as an emergency measure to improve an abnormal situation likely to continue for the next few months.
Halleys Report.,
The report of the directors of Halleys Industrial Motors, Ltd., for the year ending 30th September last shows a profit for the year, after providing an estimated amount for income tux, for liabilities under the Finance Acts and other con
tingencies, of £48,660 After writing £7426 off for depreciation and carrying £10,000 to reserve and bringing in the sum carried forward last year, there remains a balance of £41,566 The interim dividend absorbed £7000. A final dividend of 5 per cent, absorbs a like amount, and a bonus of ls..per share also all, sorbed the same, leaving £20,566 to be carried forward, or just about double the
amount brought into the accounts. .
Who Originated the Tank ?
A dinner was given last week in London by the Designs Branch of the Mechanical (Tankel Department, and some interesting information in connection with the origin of the tank was revealed whilst the guests were shown a series of films of the latest types of tanks. Major Buddioornb was in the chair, and an illustrated souvenir card given to each guest set out the following questions and answers:—
Who "invented" the first Tank? No one.
' Who desiet'netI the first Tank? Major Wilson and Sir William Tritton.
Who originated the all-round track? Major Wilson in August,. 1915.
Who built the first Tank? Sir W. Tritton, at Fosters', Lincoln.
Who authorized the expenditure of public %money far the first Tank? Mr. Winston Churchill.
Who suggested the design of the "Gun Carrier "? Major Greg.
Who originally organized the M.W.D.? Sir A. Stern, M.B.E.
What firms produced Tanks in quasaities? Messrs. Fosters', Lincoln, and Metropolitan Co., Birmingham.
When did they first, go into action? 5th September, 1916.
Who led. them—getting 23 out of 28 "over the• top"'1 Lieutenant-Colonel Summers, D.S.O.
Lights on Vehicles.
The following notice is issued by the Home Office. By the new Lights (Vehicles) Order made by the Home Secretary on the 16th December, the reAxictione on lights on vehicles have been considerably relaxed. Under-the new Order, electric and acetylene lamps (whether side lamps or headlamps) may be used unobscured, if the front glass does not exceed 5 ins, in diameter, and the bulb or burner is within the prescribed limits-12 candlepower for electric bulbs and 14 litres (1 cubic ft.) for acetylene burners. If lamps are used exceeding the above limits of size or of power, the whole of the front glass must, be covered over with at least one thickness of ordinary white tissue paper or with paint, etc., giving a similar obscuring effect. The use of electric bulbs exceeding 24 candlepower and acetylene burners over 21 litres (I cubic ft.). is altogether pro hibited. All restrictions on oil lamps are removed. These provisions apply throughout England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London.
Copies of the Order (No. 1655) will be on sale at an early date, and may be purchased (price Id.) through any bookseller or direct from H.M. Stationery Office, Imperial House, Kingsway, WC. 2.
The •gove'rnors of the South-Eastern Agricultural College suggest -to the Kent County Council that the present is a suitable time for acquiring one of the Government tractors which are to be put out of commission so that demonstrations may be held to show students% the working of an internal-combustion engine and the causes and treatment of breakdowns
Qualification for Membership of C.M.U.A. Committees.
The following are the qualifications adopted by the C.M.U.A. National Council in respectof motor trade members of committees of the associations as from the tat January, 1919 .
(1) Only bona-fide commercial motor users shall be eligible fur election to the National Council, Divisional Committees or Area Committees of the Association.
(2) An individual, firm or company, being in business as a motor manufacturer or trader shall not be eligible for membership of the National Council, a Divisional or Area Committee, unless in the opinion of the electing Committee the candidate is also a bona fide user who conducts any one or more of the following branches of _general commercial motor services : (a) Haulage contracting with at least four vehicles.
(b) Public passenger carrying (other than private-hire cars) with at least four vehicles.
(c) Vehicle maintenance and running under contract for industrial owners not in the motor trade.
13 There shall he a, right of appeal to the Divisional Committee and/or National Council against any decision..
(4) Such motor-trade members 81101 at no time exceed one-fifth of the total membership for the time being of any Committee.
(5) Present members of Provincial Committees shall not be eligible for re-election as regards kcal committees (Area and Divisional).
Co-operation in Engineering and Allied Trades
During the period of transition from the manufacture of war material to ordinary trade, some difficulty may he experienced by firms having more Orders on their books than they can readily deal with, whilst there .will be .other firms having, manufacturing facilities without orders to execute. In the national interests, it is essential that firms in these twe categories should be brought 'into intimate touch as rapidly as possible. With this object in view, manufacturers in the engineering and allied trades who need the assistance of subcontractors and who meet with difficulty in finding suitable firms to undertake their subcontracts are requested to
communicate with the Superintendent Engineer of the Ministry of Munitions in the area concerned. Similarly, manufactiirers 'having capacity available with the necessary labour should notify the Superintendent Engineers of their area.
The Superintendent Engineers will give every possible assistance to mianufac-. timers in overcoming difficulties which may arise during the transition from war to peace manufacture.
The following is a list of the Superintendent Engineers and the addresses of the Area Offices: 1.—Mr. G. H. Clay, Pearl Buildings, Northumberland Street, Newcastle-onTyne.
2.—Mr. H. C. Buckmaster, 70, Spring Gardens, Manchester.
3.—Mr. H. C. M. Austen, Quebec Chambers, Quebec Street, Leeds.
4.—Mr. A. A. Rowse, 111, New Street, Birmingham. 4E.—Mr. G. S. Knocker, 91, Queen's Walk, Nottingham. 5 and 6.—Mr. Selwyn Grant, 3, Unity Street, College Green, Bristol.
7.—Lieut. Moberly, Room 14, Charing Cross Buildings, Embankment, W.C. 2. 8.—Mr. G. Davidson, 90, Princes Street, Edinburgh. 9.---Mr. W. D. Kirkwood, 39, Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow. 10.—Capt. C. Abiett, 32, Nassau Street, 11.—Mr. A. W. Brown, Coates Build' lags, Castle Street, Belfast.
Rolls-Royce Chassis Price.'
Our . attention has been drawn to a qualified statement which appeared in 'The Light Car and Cyclecar ' of 16th Inst. concerning the chassis price of the new Rolls-Royce. As Messrs. RollsRoyce have not yet announced the price of their new chassis, they consider that any unauthorized statements on the subject are highly prejudicial to their interests.
On the assurance of Messrs. RollsRoyce, LW., that the price has not yet been fixed, or even considered, we take the earliest opportunity of stating in THE COMMERCIAL. MOTOR that", there was no justification for the staternent. Owing to the holidays "'The Light Car and Cyclecar " had to close too early for a paragraph to appear in the current issue.
A new motor index mark, MD, is to be adopted by the Middlesex C.C. The present marks are H, MX and MC.
Non-ferrous Metals Suspension Order.
The Minister of Munitions has suspended until further notice the following' Orders : The Copper (Sale or Purchase) Order, 1916, . which prohibited dealings except by special permit.
The Copper (Use in Manufacture) Order, 1916, which prohibited use in manufacture except -for orders. within
class A or B priority. . .
The Copper (Control) Order, 1917, which took possession, with certain exceptions, of all unwrought copper, including copper scrap and swarf, and also required returns.
The Brass and Copper (Returns) Order,' 1916, which required returns of output of braes or copper rod, tubing, sheets, etc.
The Brass 1Swarf and Scrap) Control Order, 1917, which took possession of (a.) All yellow brass and cartridge metal swarf turnings and borings. • Oa) All yellow brass scrap res.ulting fromthe manufacture of war material, and also required returns. The Copro.Nickel Scrap (Dealings) Order, 1917, which prohibited dealings except under licence. The Spelter (Control) Order, 1917, and the Spelter Control (Amendment) Order, 1918, which prohibited dealing, etc., or use in manufacture excerit by licence and required returns of stoats, etc. The Lead Order, 1917, and the two Lead Control Amendment Orders 1918 , which took possession, with certain exceptions, of all pig lead, scrap lead and lead residues; prohibited purchase or sale. etc., or, use in manufackire except by licence;' required returns, and fixed maximum prices for such lead, manufactured lead, lead compounds, and used type metal. The Type Metal (Returns) Order, 1918, Which ,required return S of •stocks from persons having more than one cwt. The Tin (Dealings) Order, 1917, and the Tin (Dealings) Order,1910, which specified tin as war.imaterial and prohibited dealings, etc. or use in manufactime except by permit and required. returns.
The Chrome Ore Order, which prohibited dealings except under permit.• •
Middlesex C.C. suggests the usual pre. liminaries with a view to the construction of the Great West Road. Kintyre Light Railway.
The proposal to construct a light rail"way in South Argyll appears to be gathering support and strength. Should it. come to fruition, the line will extend from 'Arrochar to Campbeltown, and measure close Ion 100 mites. The latest proprietor to offer to give his land free of all charge is Mr. 3. N. M. MacDonald, of Larg,ie, through whose property the railway will run for a distance of six miles. This gentleman has further intimated that, he will take a substantial number of shares in the enterprise. The district to be opened up is mostly pastoral, but forming an integral part, of the scheme would he an elaborate system of motor transport, which would Lao the
country to a consiaerante distance. It is felt that, without an auxiliary fleet of motorbuses and motor lorries, the proposed railway could scarcely be expected to yield any appreciable profit.
"Extraordinary Traffic."
The following is a further list of guar; antors in connection with the appeal in the case of Henry Butt and Co., Ltd., versus the Weston-super-Mare Urban District Council the defence for which is being undertaken on behalf of commercial motor users by the C.M.U.A..
2250.—The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 225.—Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd. 221.—Brown .026
Bayleys Steel Works, Ltd. Ten guineas each,—Christopher Collins, Ltd., ; Maidstone and District Motor Service Southdown Motor Services, Ltd. ; St. Neots Paper Mills, Ltd. ; Pains and Co., Ltd. ; Crosse and Blackwell, Ltd. £10 each.— W. and C. McDonnell, Ltd. ; Greenall, Whitley Mid Co., Ltd. Five guineas each.—Calico Printers Association, Ltd. ; G. Pickin and Sons; Daniel Doncaster and Son: Ltd. ; Cartvale Chemical Co., Ltd. ; Rickett, Cockerell and Co., Ltd. ; Drakes, Ltd. ; H. Swift; Charles Openslaw, Ltd. ; James Howell and Co., Ltd. ; Smith Bros. £5 each.—Facer and Co., Ltd.; Davey and Co., Ltd.; Stokes and Co. ; Wallace Bros, Ltd. ; Alfred Hickman, Ltd. 23 5a.—Lane and Son. Three guineas each.—W. G. Thomas; Atkinsoits Brewery, Ltd. £2 12s. 6d.— Richard Pool. 22 108.—W. Elwortliv. Two guineas each.—C. Han ton; Goo`le Tillage Co., Ltd. : Huntley and Co., Ltd. ; S. Heaselden; M. A. French and Sons.; Blythes Parcel Delivery Co. ; A. E. Reed and Co.. Ltd. £2 each.—A. Cook and Sons ; Newport Pagnell Brewery Co., Ltd. One guinea each.—Brierley and Crowther; A. Mason and Son ; Neepsend Rolling Mills, Ltd. 21 each.— Geo. Lewis ; T. Griffin ; A. McKenzie, Ltd.; H. Harris • W. P. Williamson; Sadler Boos.; A. Gander; D. Cottingham.
Commercial motor owners might bear in mind that the fund is still open and that additional subscriptions to the list will be welcomed by Mr. F. G. Bristow, at 83, Pail Mall, London, S.W.
Highway Laws in Scotland.
For some time back the As.sociation of Scottish County Councils have been emphasizing the need for.. authority and. power to prohibit locomotive mid other heavy traffic • on unsuitable highways. They have brought the question before the Departmental Committee on Road Locomotives, and wo observe that their representations have been sympathetically considered. The Committee report that the existing Scottish law does not afford reasonable protection in the direction indicated, and they recommend that the English enactment of 1898 should be made applicable to Scotland. They are of opinion that local authorities should be able to permit the use of wagons carrying weights in excess of those generally allowed, and to impose a penalty for the unwarranted use of such wagons. It is suggested that any damage done by a traction engine drawing a wagon carrying a single article of more than 16 tons should be regarded as damage due to extraordinary traffic.
As complaints are often made concerning the large number of wagons drawn by one traction engine, the Committee consider that the number should he limited to three, unless the permission of the highway authority is obtained to the haulage of a greater number. Under the present law this matter may be dealt with by bye-laws, but only as regards certain highways. It
is highly. provision should that the provion should be of a general character applic able to all thoroughfares.
Efficiency Meeting.
The third meeting of the fourth year of operating department efficiency meetings was recently held at the L.G.0.0. Training School, Milman'a Street, Chelsea, Mr. II. E. Blaiu, operating manager, presiding over an attendance of over 350 members of the administrative and control staffs of the allies companies.
Papers on "Problems of my Offieial Life were read by a number of Employees.
The evening proved oife of the most interesting of the whole series, owing to the varied character of the papers. 'The underlying note of personal interest, in the work of transportation and the supreme desire to solve, in the most satisfactory manner, the daily problems it presented was an evidence of the spirit in which the efficiency of the whole-organization has been built up.
The next paper of the eeries will.be :— " A Day in a Controller's Office. (a) District Railway ; (b) Tubes, and (c) L.G.O.C."
The Institution of Automobile Engineers.
The fourth meeting of the session ef the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on Wednesday: 8th Jarraary, 1919,_at the Royal Society of Arts John Street, Adelphi, W.C. 2, at eight o'clock, when Mr. L. H. Pomeroy will read a paper on "Influence of Valve Lift and Combustion Chamber Design on Consumption."
Cards of invitation to the meeting may be Obtained on application to the Secretary of the institution, 28, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. 1.
The Gleniffer Motors, Ltd., are negotiating with the Glasgow Corporation for the purchase of ground at Strathcoua Road, Temple.
Perils of the Street.
At last there is a suggestion for a uniform and adequate system of indicating road obstructions—so bewildering by night to drivers, a, letter to the road authorities of the Metropolis the Commissioner of Police states that inconvenience and danger, resulting at times in fatal accidents, have been caused owing to the lack of any uniform system Of lighting road obstructions, drivers sometimes being unable toodetermine theiproper course to steer in order to avoid the obstruction. These risks would be avoided if a uniformasystem of lighting after dark were adopted, and the Commissioner asks the road authorities to give the matter consideration and furnish him with their observations at an early date, as if the problem can be satisfactorily dealt with by =Anal arrangement, the necessity for providing a scheme by legislation will be avoided.
The Commissioner refers to the London County Council method in connection with tramway works of marking obstructions by means of red lights, and states that, this procedure has been very helpful to drivers and the authority controlling the circulation of traffic.
The suggestion is put forward that by mutual agreement all road authorities in the Metropolitan Police Distrkt should mark, by means of red lights, all road works and other dangers, such as founderous places, newly-filled trenches, unrolled road metal, etc. •
Benzole Supplies.
How does it come .about that the Shefl Marketing Co. is offering benzole? Has the company secured supplies of this to mix with despirited spirit? The fact that it is offering benzold, as such, possibly indicates that. better Shell spirit, has already arrived from the East in large quantities, and that the reserves of benzole for mixing are no longer required. Anyhow, if Shell spirit of the good pre-war quality is coming along, as rumour tells us is the CAM, users generally will rejoice to,know it.
Liberty Engines.
The 5000th Liberty motor built by the Packard Co. was shipped on 21st November, a week after its final assembly in the Packard shop. This company has built to date more Liberty engines than any other manufacturer. When the armistice was signed 15,000 Liberty engines had in all been supplied to the U.S.A. Production of the engines still goes on, and Packard's original order for 6000 will shortly be completed.
Nottingham Agents.
Mr. H. Belcher informs us that he has severed his connection with A. R. Atkey and Co., Ltd., Nottingham. With his son and a friend they nave bought the establishment of R. Cripps and Co., Ltd., Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham,. The business will be run under this title for the present, and the same agencies are being retained. Mr. Belcher had 21 years' connection with Humber, Ltd., and has since had nine years experience of the retail trade in Nottingham.
It is of historical interest to mention that he is one of the oldest motorists in the country, his first, mount being a lip. tube ignition motorcycle. This was a machine sent over from Paris at a time when motoring had scarcely been heard of in England. Mr. Grippe is retiring from the active management of the business.
So far as heavy 'Vehicles are concerned, this company have the agency for Maudalay, Guy and Napier vehicles.
Increasing Steam Wagon Engine Power.
A method of temporarily increasing the power of the steam wagon engine is adopted by fitting a double high-pressure steam gear to the cylinders. The action of this is to admit high-pressure steam straight from the boiler into the lawpressure cylinder, and to divert the .exhaust from the high-pressure cylinder into the exhaust blast pipe. It is usually accomplished by a separate lever or rod to operate the 'high-pressure exhaust, and moving the stop valve lever to a special position for admitting boiler steam to both high and low-pressure cylinders. As previously stated, this gear must only be used in emergency ; it is very handy for starting and for ,shunting, or with this gear the engine will start in any position. When changing over from compound working to double high pressure, the lever divert her the high-pressure ex haust must be moved first, and then the stop-valve lever moved to the double high-pressure position.
The preceding is the sort ,of advice to be found in the pages of the." Steam Wagon Manual," published by Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue,
post free for 2s. 2id. This handbook contains a veritable host of information of immense value to the steam wagon driver. With demobilization plans rapidly going ahead many men will find their way into the ranks of the steam wagon industry, and it is to these men. many of whom will have been out of touch with more recent developments, that the text book will lie particularly beneficial.
Revised estimates prepared by the Sheffield Corporation Tramways and Motor Committee allow of a net deficit of 45545 on the motorbuses of the year ending 31st March, 1919. Receipts are estimated at 444,006 and expenditure at £49,551.
Local Proceedings.
Hull T.c, is to purchase a one-ton
electric dust van.
The West Riding Special Constabulary, is raising 41000 for a motor ambulance.
Melling R.D.C. is considering a pro. posal for the purchase of a tractor and trailer.
It is 'proposed that Lambeth B.C. should substitute motors for horses in all their services.
The Liverpool Municipal Tramways Department is to purchase at least 100 motor omnibuses with a view of improving the tramway service.
Glasgow Corporation Health Committee has purchased from the Peeblea Motor Co., Ltd., a, six-cylinder Sunbeam car for £500, for use as an ambulance.
The chairman of the Southend Corpora, tion Highways Committee and the actinri Borough Engineer have been asked tc inspect Some vehicles being used by fir1112 and which are, equipped with movable floors to expedite loading anti unloading.
Luton Borough Engineer has reported on mechanical vehicles for refuse collection and has been asked by the Corporation to report further, and, with the chairman of the Cleansing Committee, to inspect suitable motor vehicles in use in localities within a reasonable distance.
The 1919 edition of the " Wellcome " exposive record and diary issued by Burroughs, Welcome and Co., is as handy and useful a book as previous editions. The calculator contained in this new edition is better than ever. A complete but succinct chapter deals with the whole question of exposure and makes its principles elm The book contains a condensed exposition of the essential photographic operations, such as development, toning, intensification, reduction, etc. The diary portion remains as before. The book is a valuable help and guide and is certiinly worth many times the price asked—eighteen pence per copy.