Opinions from Others.
Page 15
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
The American W.D. Specification.
The Editor, THE s_,OXIMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1500] Sir,---I have derived considerable interest from the perusal of your article on the American specifications for War hepartment chassis. It appears to me that the American method of doing things, scorned as it is by us, has shown up well in this connection. I am particularly pleased at the thoroughness with which this specification has been drawn up, but more so at the manner in which, whilst definingessential limits, it leaves the maximum possible liberty of design.—Yours faithfully, Comm-manna The Agrintotor Programme.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1501] Sir,—I expect my experiences with regard to motor tractors since the scheme started early in . March, have been very similar to those of other district organizers, and they may be of interest your readers.
Wiltshire is one of the largest agricultural counties, and probably has more down land and a smaller population than any other county in proportion to its acreage ; consequently, great difficulties have occurred in billeting the various men operating machines. In one respect, however, I have been extrem.ely fortunate. At the very start I was supported in every passible manner by the Wiltshire War Executive, Committee, who right away did everything they possibly could to make the work easy, and also by the local military authorities, who helped me with regard to labour, so that although having had difficulties in training and billeting men, and satisfying certain people that we are all trying to do our best under somewhat difficult circumstances, I have no reason to regret. having taken up the work.
Of course, it is quite easy to criticise all schemes of this sort, but what on earth is the use of 'criticising? lt is much better to get on with the business. I could point out heaps of little mistakes which have been mad, not only by the Department, but by the various organizers, and everybody should do the best he possibly can to try and get oh with the work, get the soldiers properly trained, and the labour properly managed, especially with regard to the ploughing side of the business. A big effort should be made to satisfy each farmer that we are doing the best we can -to get his land ploughed as it should be ploughed, and not just played with and scratched.
The farmers themselves in this county have done a
• great deal to help the Department. There has, of course, been criticism, but, generally speaking, it has been clean and honest. We have done some very bad ploughing in some places, especially when teaching raw reeniits, but it. has been improved, and at the present moment we can certainly show hundreds and hundreds of acres really welt plotighed. For instance, only. last week I was watching a tractor at work operated by my agent, Mr. Rowlands. of Salisbury, in South Wilts, and the work it was doing was fit to win a prize in any ploughing competition.
With regard to the new programme, this, of course, is a very comprehensive one, and there are many points about it that show that the people who started the scheme have studied the matter carefully. Thercis no doubt that the running of tractors of all one make will conduce to general efficiency. This is perhaps the best point of the whole programme. I would, however, like to suggest that distinct orders with regard to military service ought to
be given, so that no doubt can exist as to the posttion of our staff. If men of a certain crass are really necessary for the food production work, they ought not to serve with the colours, but if the Government think they should do so, let them say so, then we should know where we were.
There wa.$ a certain amount of criticism in the early days with regard to the employment of motor engineers to operate tractors, etc., and it was suggested that Some of them had very little experience. As far as Wiltshire is concerned, I have the whole hearty support .of not only he motor, but also the agricultural engineers, and nothing but good fellowship exists everywhere.—Yours faithfully,
Swindon. E. C. SRURRAY.
L.C.C. Trams. Abuse of "Stopping Places."
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR [15021 Sir,—Now that the County Councils are' showing a desire to-. listen to thevoice of public opinion and reason, in the matter of adjusting fares, for the purpose of getting the different services into something like working order, I would, in order to faCilitate traffic in our streets, urge upon the officials the vital necessity of at once going into the matter of the numerous "stopping places" on the routes. These are commonly abused by the travelling public, which fact is one of the chief causes of blocks in the traffic and is likewise conducive to accident.
Some of these "stopping places are positively absurd in their location and frequency. It would occupy too much of your space to go into the matter
• in detail; but I would urge the L.C.C. drastically to revise the whole system and call special attention to many places where these "stopping places" are far too near one another. In some eases there is one on each side of the road both up and down, and rather than cross the road passengers will wait in the ear until it has crossed over and then stop it on the other side!
Nothing is more annoying to those passengers who do not take a liberty with the strong temptation to save a few yards walking exercise, and surely the drivers of motorbuses and other vehicular traffic are entitled to some consideration in their desire to get along quickly and with safety in their work. • The power of. the Press often works wonders, as we have.
already seen.—Yours faithfully, "FAT& PLAY." London.