WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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".The,teheels 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 Crozier.
Belsize Report.
The report of the directors of Belsize Motors, Ltd., for the 11 months ended August 31st, 1921, shows a loss on the trading account of £146,260, to which must be added the amount set aside for depreciation of land and buildings, machinery, plant and tools, etc., less agreed excess profits ditty deficiency to September 30th, 1919, amounting to £24,777, making a. total of £/71,037. A sum' of £100,000, standing to the credit ol the reserve account, is to be transferred, as well as a sum of 062,311, standing to the credit of profit and loss account, at September 30th, 1920, making £162,311, as a set-off to this loss, and leaving an amount of £8,726 to the debit of profit and leersaccount. The directors ascribe the whole of the loss to the depreciation of stock values.
Street Traffic Control.
Experiments continue to be conducted in Paris in order to secure control of street traffic. The latest attempt to effect this end was recently tried at the junction of the Boulevards.St. Denis and Sebastopol, when a new apparatus for controlling traffic by luminous signals was tested. Four discs connected by electric wires had previously been fixed to lamp standards in the centres of the boulevards. At the foot of 0110 standard a police agent sat with a metal disc, on which was a movable handle, Mid at a given signal from the Prefect of Police he moved the handle to the first position, when the discs facing east and west of the boulevards lighted up, reflecting the word " Halt,' Whilst the signals facing the two interseeting reads remained blank, thus indicating a. clear road for traffic across the 'boulevards. At the second turn of the handle indications were given that the side roads wore blocked and the boulevards' left open, and a third turn signalled the traffic in all directions to stop, whilst an alarm bell rang as the discs were lighted. It is said that the Prefect expressed himself as satisfied with, the experiment.
Valuable Informal Meetings.
, The Institution of Automobile Engineer's (intends to develop its informal meetings, which have, in the past, proved extremely popular amongst engineering students, and an interesting programme is announced for the present year. The next informal meeting will probably take the form of a discussion on lubricating oils, and manufacturers of these oils are being invited to attend and demonstrate their products. Those who wish to take part in the demonstration are asked to communicate with the secretary, at 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, and the date of the meeting will be announced so soon as the necessary arrangements are completed.
It might not be out of place to mention that the Institution holds its London meetings at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, S.W.1 ; its Coventry meetings at the Railway Hotel, Coventry; its Birtningham meetings at 018 the Chamber of Commerce, New Street; its North of England meetings at the Education Offices, Salford, and its Scottish meetings at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow. We deal editorially in this week's issue with the importance of these informal, meetings of the I.A.E. to all those who are interested iri the development and progress of the motoring industry.
Unsuitable Roads.
Wilts. County Council is asking highway authorities to schedule roads deemed unsuitable for heavy motor traffic, so that the county council can make application to the transport Ministry for an order to restrict each traffic.
A New By-pass Road.
The first completed section of the new Kent arterial road to the coast, which is known as the Eltham by-pass, • was opened to traffic on December 22nd. This section extends from Ethane Road (near Lee -Green) to Mottinghern Lane, and when the road is completed it will enable the large volume of traffic destined for the coast to avoid Eltham's congested streets.
Halley's Trading.
The report of the directors of Hallev's Industrial Motors, Ltd., for the year ended August 31st last shows that., after providing for interest.on the 10 per cent. notes„ said for depreciation, there is a lose of £38.294, which, with the sum of £31:442 loss brought forward from the preyious year. makes a total debit balance of £.69 736. This deficit is reduced to £45.635 by transferring, £24.101 from the reeerve fund. The directors attribute the loss on the year's trading to a. further depreciation in the value Of stocks and to the continued depression in trade, but point out that these are Maw indications of an improvement taking place.
A Memory of the Marne.
A few delve ago an historic ceremnny was held in Paris to honour the chauffeur heroes of the Battle of the Marne. and e taxicab, 2860-G7, which was one of the famous 1,210 cabs' collected in Paris by General Gallieni on the morning of September 7th, 1914. was driven Solemnly to the Military Museum. wheee it is to he kept. The vehicle is one of the 700 Renault taxicabs which were used to carry five regiments of. the 7th Division or French Infantry to the aid of General Martoury on Sentember 8th, 1914, and which enabled him to throw' back the right wing of the German Army. By playing their part well the brave drivel's and their robust Bennult cabs merit not a little mention in history.
The Model Engineering Exhibition, one of the most popular scientific shows of the year, opens for the sixth time at, the Royal 3 Hsarticultural Hall, Westminster; London, S.W., on January 5th, and will remain open for 'one week. As in past years, the exhibition will contain a large number of models of all description,
American Production.
Motor vehicle production repOrts presented at the monthly directors' meeting of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce in New York recently, show the total output for 11 months of 1922 to he 2,344,000 vehicles. This exceeds the record full year's business of 1920, which reached the mark of 2,205,C0) motor vehicles.
The November output of 232,000 commercial and private vehicles was within 5 per cent. of that for October, and was twice the volume of the total for the same month of 1921.
A. Big Stock of Tyres.
To-day (January 2nd) the General Motor and Tyre Co. take over their new premises at 7a, Caledonian Road, King's Cross, London, N., where they will hold what is said to be one of the largest stocks of tyres in London; the stock, we are informed, comprises over 200,000 solid tvree of all makes and sizes. Arrangements haere been made whereby commercial vehicle wheels can be shod with pneumatic or solid tyres with the minimum of delay. The company also undertake the manufacture of wheels of any type. The premises are well located and should certainly prove of considerable benefit to users of all classes of ceminercial vehicle.
East Kent Report.
The report of the directors of the East Kent Road-Car Co.. Ltd., for the year ended September 30th shows that, after deducting all items chargeable to revenue, including depreciation, there remains a profit of £11.678 on the year's working, to which must be added the balance of £15,240 brought forward from the previous year, making a total of £26.918. The directors recommend that of this sum £1,000 be allocated to general reserve' whilst a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum will absorb £19,425, leaving £6,493 to be carried forward.
As is the case with other passengervehicle companies who rely to a very large extent upon holiday traffic, the East Kent Road Cox Co., Ltd., have suffered from the had sunimer of the past year. Reductions in fares which were made during the early part of the financial year failed to attract any substantial extra traffic, and, in consequence, the company lost considerable revenue.
Changing Over from Horses to Motors. •
The old horsed parcel-collection and delivery vans owned by the London and North Western Railway are being replaced by one-ton motor vans-in order to speed up the express parcels service. As this change-over from horses to motor vehicles ha.s thrown a large number of horse-drawn vans out of commission, in order to avoid the complete scrapping of the vehicles the company are converting the old bodies for' use on the motor chassis.
Roans in Wales.
The question of the effect of heavy motor traffic on Carmarthenshire County roads was discussed at a recent meeting of the County Main Roads Committee, Complaints were received concerning the state of certain roads in the Lianelly area, in which it was pointed out that these roads cost £760 per mile per annum for upkeep, and a member remarked that it was due to heavy mechanical transport.
Col. Drummond complained that lorry speed was.,excessive and caused unneonssary wear and tear. It was decided to ask the Standing Joint Committee to instruct the police to pay • attention to this matter and to urge upon local authorities the importance of traffic control, Road Sweeper Advantages.
Siome of the advantages of the motor road-sweeping machine, as compared with the performance of street cleaning by manual labour, were given during a meeting of the Middlesbrough Streets Committee, at which it was decided to purchase a Lacre sweeper at a cost of S.)600. Against the contention that such a purchase would throw many men out of work, it was argued that the machine Would perform the work much more efficiently, and that the streets would be kept. cleaner, which would prove an asset to tradesmen. Some of the shop windows, it was stated, were present being constantly splashed with mud. .
Trade With Argentina.
Mr. H. 0, Clia.ficley, His Majesty's Comniercial Secretary at. Buenos Aires, will be in attendance at the Department of Overseas Trade for a few days from January 18th. 1923, and will be pleased to interview manufacturers and merchants interested in trade with Argentina. Applications for interviews should be made so soon as possible, and in any ease not later than January 17th. to the Comptroller-General. Department of Overseas Trade, 35. Old Queen Street, London, S.W. 1, the reference T.G. 4380 being quoted in all eases. Manufacturers of commercial _vehicles with an (ye on overseas trade can thus obtain reliable and first-hand knowledge of local oinditiens.
A New Northern Road. .
The construction of a direct road from Whitchaven to Millen,. Cumberland, which should prove of immense value to users of all classes of road vehicles has been decided upons following a conference of local authorities, at which it was resolved to take steps to obtain a grant from the Government under the unemployment scheme. The scheme will, it is estimated, cost ,abmit £235,000, and will necessitate the making of a new road at the Whitehaven end and also from ikfillom to Daddon.
Commonwealth Motor Trade.
Motor traders in Australia have been gravely concerned at a 'decision of the Commonwealth Customs authorities to impose an ad valorem duty en buying commission. The regulation immediately evoked strong protests from the trade, it being pointed out, apart from the contention that the duty was not in accordP.M° with the Customs Act, that the imposition of -duty on buying commission would constitute a burden on some importers, from which importers who had
their own offices in exporting countries were free, and was, therefore; an unfair and unequal advantage to such concerns. In consequence of the trade opposition, the authorities have agreed not to levy the duty.
Police and Petrol Pumps.
With reference to the installation of -petrol pumps with swing arms delivering over the pavement, the Walthamstow District Council has had a letter from the Commissioner of Police stating that he is not, in a position to say that he has no objection to the proposal, as there might be times when the presence of a vehicle at such point in the roadway necessary to take in spirit by means of th,g) swing arm might be an obstruction. Unless actual obstructiOn were caused, the police would have no occasion to interfere, but the Commissioner was not prepared to accept the responsibility of approving the presence of the suggested swine arms.
A Lancashire Turnpike Road.
Lancashire County Council is communicatingwith authorities concerned on its proposals to construct a new road at Freckleton, and to do away with the turnpike road across Freckleton Marsh.
A Taxicab's 90,000 Miles.
One can well understand that in the course of a year or two, the busy taxicab reaches a very high Mileage, and it is equally to be appreciated that, in the course of time, the average taxicab involves the proprietor in considerable bills for renewals and repairs.
Evidently, however, this is not the universal experience, for a cab proprietor in Oldham, who runs a fleet of Dodge Brothers' landaulet taxis, has just advised International Motors, Ltd. (concessionnaires for Dodge Brothers' vehicles), that one of his cars has completed 90,000 miles, his total expenses for renewals and repairs having come to less than £7.
The cab is said to be as good as new, that the t3rres of the rear wheels have done about 8.000 miles, and that the vehicle does 22 m.p.g.
Mexican Petroleum Exports.
Mexican petnoleum exports for October were approximately 13;900,000 barrels, or over 2.000,000 barrels in excess of the sjtipments fur September. As it is claimed that the October shipments were mostly tank stocks, November exports will probably show a decline.
Lincolnshire Tiaffic.
Striking developments have been witnessed during the past year in regard to commercial motor and char-aebanes traffic in Lincolnshire. • Much of the Fen territory remote from railway systems, or but indifferently served by them under existing arrangements, is now being catered for by road conveyances, both for pleasure and business purposes, and it is in keeping with increasing needs that a laudable spirit of enterprise has been manifested in relation to highway improvements by the three authorities into which the county is divided for administrative purposes. Further evidence of the determination in this direction was forthcoming at the last meeting of the Holland County Council, which has the centre of its operations at Boston, main-road estimates totalling £33,663 being approved for the year ending March 31st.
. The Benefit of Ownership.
At a recent meeting of the Ystradgyndais Rural District Council the surveyor was asked to report. on the advisability of acquiring petrol lorries for scavenging and general haulage instead of continuing the present system of dontracting out to horse haulage proprietors. An estimate was submitted placing the coat of the present system for scavenging alone at £500 per annum, whereas it was contended that. by acquiring lorries the work Could be done for appeoximately £400, including capital charges, petrol, grease and wages of drivers, a clear saving of £100 a year on the scavenging alone.
Goodyear Appointments.
Mr. T. Welburn has been appointed branch manager of the Birmingham section of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., upon the appointment of Mr. H. S. Jones as manager at Manchester. Since his return from America two years ago Mr. Welburn has been doing special ootdoor sales work for Goodyear, the supervision of which he will still continue, in so far as his increased responsibilities will permit. In taking over the reanage:ehip of the Manchester branch, Mr. Jones sueceeds Mr. W. Foggia, who has resigned, Mr. Jones has been with the Goodyear Co. since 1915, and previous to being appointed to Birmingham he held the position of branch manager of the company's Bristol depot.
A Level-crossing Nuisance.
Peterborough Town council is making further representations to the railway authorities to secure the bridgine of the level-crossing at Fletton. A conference of local authorities is to be convened to discuss the matter.
Of Public Advantage.
:* Being of opinion that a bus service from Mile End via Grove Road to Layton will be of advantage to the inhabitants of the borough, the highways committee of the Bethnal Green Borough Council is joining the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., in an appeal to the Ministry of Transport to classify Grove Road as a Class I road.
An F.W.D. Folder.
' The Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., have just issued an interesting folder in colour, in which some of the advantages of the F.W.D. lorry are set forth. This piece of advertising literature is certainly out cif the ordinary run, and copies of the folder can be obtained on application to the company at 44-46, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2. Many illustrations are given of the F.W.D. in various classes of employment.
Bradford's Trolley-bus Order.
The proposal of the Bradford Corporation to obtain an Order authorizing, it to run trolley-buses outside the city boundaries has already been dealt with in The Commercial Motor. Many authorities are opposing the scheme, amongst them being the Shipley Urban District Council, which resolved at a recent meeting to withhold its consent to the proposals of the corporation in so far as they affect the council's districts. The Shipley Council has authorized its law and parliamentary committee to take such action, and to incur such expense as it considers necessary in opposing the proposed Order.
Birmingham Cab Fares.
Just before Christmas the Ministry of Health received a deputation in connection with the reduced scale of taxicab fares proposed by the watch committee of Biimineham. Representatives of the Biimingharn motoreab owners and Mr. J. Cowan, president, and Mr. H. Bundy, parliamentary secretary of the National Federation of Hackney Carriage Proprietors were present. The owner-drivers stated that, in view -of the present level of prices, no reductions in fares were justified, and they put forward a reduced scale of their own, which includes•4s. an hour for waitingtime, when engaged, as against the 6e. an hour charged in London, and 3d. extra for each additional passenger over two, as compared with 9d. in London. The deputation put before the Ministry of Health the two proposed scales, and the .Ministry is getting into touch with the Birmingham Watch Committee.
Lighting on the Lancia.
The Curtis Automobile Co., Ltd., 18, Berkeley Street, London, W.,ask us to state that the electric lighting and starting installation on the 2i-ton pneumatic-tyred Lancia coach and commercial chassis has been reduced from £65 to £50, providing it is supplied on the chassis in the first instance. We are given to understand' that th:s chassis is greatly in demand for motor coaches
and buses. .
Motor Ship Building.
The progress inmotor ship building during the past year has been quite remarkable. Our associated journal The Motor Ship, which is the only journal of its kind published in Eueope, gives full details of all vessels completed and launched during 1922 in it-s January issue-e-which is now on sale, price is.— as well as other interesting articles dealing with the latest German standard motor shin, the largest motor yacht in the world, the relative advantages of two and four-cycle Diesel ,engines, new orders for passenger liners, 100,000 miles' operation of a motor _vessel, a submarine parent ship with Diesel electric drive and a new 14,000-ton ship.
Motor Vehicle Insurance.
As there appears to be quite a misconception in some directions as to the actual duties of an insurance broker, it is well to point, out that, insurances at Lloyd's can only be effected through one of their brokers. In the past Lloyd's concerned itself with marine insurance only, but in later years it has undertaken other classes of insurance. So far as motor vehicles are concerned, amongst the first insurance brokers in the field were Morris, Crawford and Co., Ltd., 4, Sackville Street, London, W. 1. If an insurance broker is to carry out his duties properly, ho must see that a client gets the type of policy which is best suited to his requirements, and in the event, of a claim arising, must see that there is a speedy and satisfactory settlement; and these have been the objects of the company which we mention. Lloyd's brokers are not confined to doing business at Lloyd's, but have acceunts with all insurance companies in regard to motor vehicles, fire, employers' liability, and other forms of insurance.
Vehicles for Road Work.
Reporting on the work on the new road between Gronant and Boinant Bridge, the Flint county surveyor mentions that ashes have been removed from the electric-light works, Rhylt to the end of Russell Road lay means of petrol lorries, and the council's own steam wagons. The work was first of all commenced with petrol lorries only, but seeing that the eouncil's own steam wagons were not busily engaged at Mold, he transferred two of the wagons to Rhyl. They were not able to do as many loads per day as the petrol lorries, because of not being able to travel as fast, but they were able to do between 10 to 11 loads each per day, as compared with 11 to 12 loads done by the petrol vehicle. The ashes were conveyed from the end iof Russell Road on to the new road by means of the Jubilee wagons and locomotive. The whole of the 'road from Russell Road end to Sandy Lane, Prestetyjn a dis
tance of miles, was completed under three weeks. The amount of clinkers conveyed was approximately 2,300 tons. He is hiring a 5-ton tandem steam roller from Messrs. Eddison and Co., steam roller proprietors, Dorchester, to roll the clinkers. The price is 37s. 6d. per day, including miler and driver.
New Service for Southend.
Southend Watch Committee now peornises to grant the requisite licences to enable the Westcliff Motm. Services, Ltd., to establish a bus service to Prittlewell.
Progress of the Desert Expedition.
It was reported on December 22nd that the French Expedition that is attempting to cross the Sahara Desert by Kegresse-Citroen creeper-track vehicles arrived at Insalah, the oasis of the centre of the desert-, after two long and very hard stages of over 450 kilometres. From HaSsiinifel the Expedition traversed the Tardenal upland, which. is covered with stones and cut with deep crevices, in the midst of a country of great desolation, afterwards descending by the sinister gorges of Ainguettara, towards the immense sandy plains of Tidikelt, the region of the Great Mirages. At the entrance to Bordj the party was met by Captain de Saint Martin, his officers, and the local Caids.
Oversize 'Pistons and Other Spares.
As announced in our advertisement, columns, Oversize Pistons and Spares, Ltd., have recently been registered to carryon the business which has hitherto been so successfully conducted by the Oversize Pistons Co. for the manufecture of standard and oversize pistons and
other spare omits. We are given to understand that the company are in a position to quote for cylinders, pistons and other spares for all the principal types of motor vehicles. The address of the company is at Parliament Mansions, Victoria Street. London, S.W.1.
Local Proceedings.
There was a loss of £4,542 on the bus services run by the Wigan Corporation last year.
Sir H Cuidiffe Owen has decided to present the Newmarket Council with a Sunbeam motor ambulance.
Meltham Urban District Council has appointed a committee to consider the purchase of a-motor ambulance.
Lanark Town Council has decided to consider the advisability of purchasing a motor lorry for refuse collection.
The Llanelly Borough Council has called for a detailed report of the working costs of the council's electric veh cies.
Walthamstow Urban District Council has asked the chief officer of the brigade to make inquiries as to the cost of a first-aid appliance.
Clevedon Urban District Council has decided to convene a special meeting to consider the question of purchasing a new muter fire-engine and escape.
Surbiton Urban District Council has asked a committee to consider whether a new vehicle should be purchased to replace a. damaged electric lorry.
A Dublin Corporation committee recommends the purchase of a streetwatering and washing machine at a cost of 21,600 to £1,800.
Bridlington Watch Committee has adjourned until its next meeting the consideration of the desirability or purchasing a motor fire-engine.
Surbiton Urban District Council is considering the desirability of purchasing an electric vehicle for refuse collection, at cost not exceeding £1,000.
It, is mentioned in a London County Council report that. the Stepney Borough Council has under consideration the provision of mechanical road transpert.
The _Edgware and Little Stanrnore Parish Councils have under consideratitan the borrowing of £2,250 for the provision of a motor fire-engine and fire brigade station.