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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

"The wheels 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.

ANOTHER GOOD YEAR FOR DENNIS BROTHERS.

The report of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., for the year ended September 30, 1934, shows a profit of £104,956, the amount available after adding the sum brought forward being £211,784. As was intimated in our issue for last week, the directors have transferred £1,000 to the employees' benevolent fund. The dividend distribution, which amounts to is. 4d. per share for the year, absorbs £100,165, so that the amount to be carried forward is £110,619.

The balance-sheet shows that the general reserve stands at £650,000, whilst the stock in hand and work in progress is shown at £355,659, as against £291,115 a year earlier.

10,000 Beacons in London.

It is officially stated that about 10,000 beacons have been erected in London, in connection with pedestriancrossing places. The cost, including erection, is approximately £15,000, but if the beacons were to be fitted with electric light, the cost of installation would be increased by about £100,000, whilst the annual cost of their maintenance would be increased by about £30,000 for current. In the case of many beacons which may not be reasociably visible at night., the Minister is prepared to consider proposals from local authorities.

Road-transport Policy of Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

It is anticipated that if Mr. Frank G. Bibbings, general secretary of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association, be put forward as a candidate for Parliament at the next general election, a national appeal for support—both financial and otherwise —from the road-transport industry will be made. Preliminary steps have been taken to obtain a constituency where Mr. Bibbings will have a good chance of success., If Mr. Bibbings be adopted as a candidate, he will not, of course, base his appeal to the electors purely on the subject of road transport. He will stress the present position of road transport and the heavy restrictions placed upon it, when voicing his support for a policy of freedom and equity of treatment for private enterprise, with a minimum of State interference.

In the general election of 1929, as Conservative candidate for the Penistone division, Mr. Bibbings polled record number of votes in the division for the Conservative party. He has had long and varied experience as a public speaker. He was a member of the old West Yorkshire Joint Omnibus Committee which existed before the passing of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, B20 andlater was on the panel of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners.

In an interview at Leeds with one of our representatives, Mr. Bibbings said: "On the passenger side the administration of the Road Traffic Act has been distinctly prejudicial and injurious to the interests of probably 95 per cent. of independent operators. Furthermore, the independent operator who has successfully weathered the storm has practically no chance of extending his services.

"Ills from which the industry is suffering can be traced to the mishandling of the industry's problems by politicians and civil servants who possess no practical knowledge of those problems. Our industry will continue to suffer from injustice until Parliament has the courage to reverse the administrative policy of the Ministry of Transport."

Urge for Fewer Restrictions.

The Road Transport Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has received a statement from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce advocating that only the gross weight of vehicles of the pre-1930 forward-s control type should be taken into consideration, instead of individual axle weights, so far as the Road and Rail Traffic Act is concerned.

It was suggested that representations should be made for the regulations to be altered so that the employer should not be jointly, or singly, liable if the employee was, at the time of an alleged offence, acting contrary to, or in disregard of, the instructions of the employer.

Latest Appeal Plans.

On December 4, at 10.45 a.m.. the Appeal Tribunal will hold a sitting at King's Buildings. Smith Square. London, S.W.( to inquire into the appeal of Mr. J. Charrnan, of Ockley, Surrey, against the Metropolitan Licensing Authority's refusal of a B licence in respect of one vehicle and his decision to attach conditions to a B licence. The objectors will be the Southern Railway Co., Mr. A. Worsfold and Mr. R. A. Matthews. BIG DECLINE IN RAILWAY FISH TRAFFIC.

Mr. Henry Riches, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, sitting at Aberdeen, last week, refused the application of Mr. James Fraser, Aberdeen, for an additional 7-ton vehicle, but offered to grant a B licence for a lorry not exceeding 21 tons unladen weight to replace any specified A-licence vehicle in his fleet, when it was withdrawn for overhaul or repair.

The vehicle in respect of which application was made was intended to be used for the transport of fish from Lossiemouth and Aberdeen to Glasgow. The hearing lasted for several days.

It was stated that the average tonnage of fish carried to Glasgow by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. by goods train was formerly 9,001)11,000 per annum, but the company was now carrying only one-tenth of the Aberdeen-Glasgow traffic handled in 1930. The decline was attributed to read transport.

Reports on Road Traffic Appeals.

Reports of the more important decisions of the Appeal Tribunal are being included in a series published by Sweet and Maxwell, Ltd., 3, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. The cases will be those decided under the Railway and Canal Traffic Acts, the Railway Act, and the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. The subscription is £1 10s. per volume, which will be issued in parts.

Exemptions from Carriers' Licences.

The Road and Rail Traffic Act (Exemption) (Amendment) Provisional Regulations, 1934, dated November 10, exempts from the licensing provisions of the Act the use of tower wagons and vehicles under the direction of H.M. Coastguard or the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the carriage of lifeboats and life-saving appliances or crew.

Minister's Plans for Tests for New Drivers.

An important organization is to be set up by the Minister of Transport for the purpose of subjecting new drivers of motor vehicles to tests. Although the cost of instituting this new procedure will be considerable, the Minister is empowered to make regulations, under which candidates for licences may be required to pay a fee not exceeding 10s. It is the Minister's intention to introduce the tests as from April 1, 1.935, but the form which they will take will not be made known until early next. year. Those drivers who have obtained their first licence since April 1, 1934, will be compelled to undergo the tests. as will those persons who make application for licences for the first time. CO-OPERATION AS SOLUTION OF TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

" Whilst recognizing that public control, to some degree, is bound to supersede individual liberty, I would state with every confidence that future transport problems can best be solved by voluntary co-operation between various transport agencies.'' This statement was made by Mr. C. le M. Gosselin at the annual dinner of the Manchester, Liverpool and District Section of the Institute of Transport at Liverpool last Friday.

Mr. Gosselin suggested that if the Institute could use its influence to promote co-operation between the different systems of transport, it could not fail to produce a better solution than could be hoped for from politicians. It seemed inevitable that those services which supplied the common want should, in some measure, pass under public control. Every year the business of transport became more complex, and it was, therefore, all to the good for the Institute to establish classes to provide instruction for young men who would have to deal with the transport problems of the future.

Conference on Thames Tunnel Scheme.

The proposed tunnel under the Thames, between Dartford and Punfleet, was the subject of a conference held in London on Tuesday last. The cost of the tunnel is estimated at £3,000,000, and the conference was held with the object of stimulating florts to get the scheme under way.

The chairman, Mr. E. Harford, of the Purfleet Urban District Council, said the position appeared to be that the Ministry of Transport considered that Kent and Essex County Councils should initiate any movement to put the scheme into operation. These councils could not, however, move without the assistance of the Ministry, and the London County Council would not move until the Kent and Essex County Councils did.

The conference carried a resolution that the need for construction of a tannel _was urgent, and a sub-committee. to 'investigate the matter was formed.

Another Appeal Withdrawn.

The appeal of Mr. W. R. Damian, Plymouth, against the refusal of an A licence by the Western Licensing Authority, which, as announced last week, was to be heard at Plymouth on November 27, has been abandoned.

The Latest L.N.E.R. Contracts.

Some important road-vehicle contracts have recently been placed by the London and North Eastern Railway Co. From Sca,mmell Lorries, Ltd., 30 3-ton mechanical-horse vehicles are being bought, in addition to 22 6-ton mechanical-horse trailers, and tractor and trailer coupling gear for both types. Another order placed with the Scanunell concern is for 35 platformbodied mechanical-horse trailers.

Rootes, Ltd., has received an order for 35 3-ton mechanical-horse vehicles and Cranes (Dereham), Ltd., an order for 30 6-ton mechanical-horse trailers, some with platform bodies and others with hinge-sided bodies. The M.C.W. concern is to supply 39 3-ton mechanical horse trailers with platform and hinge-sided bodies.

Good Hunting for the Cub.

In the financial year of Leyland Motors, Ltd., which ended on September 31, sales of the company were approxinaately 30 per cent, higher than those for the previous year. The figures for Cub goods models are particularly interesting and, if the sales figure for the year 1931-1932 be taken as 100, the figure for the following year is 172, and, for the year which has just closed. 236.

Owing to the expiration of the lease of its existing premises, the Hammersmith Lorry Co., a concern of commercial-vehicle specialists, is removing to Chiswick High Road (next to Gunnersbury Station), London, W.4.

RAILWAYS INTIMIDATING COAL HAULIERS?

Allegations of the intimidatory methods of railway companies, through colliery companies, were made by Mr. Frank G. Bibbings, general secretary of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators' Association (which has a. goods section), at a sitting of the Yorkshire _ Licensing Authority, at Sheffield, last Friday.

An application was made on behalf of Mrs,. Eva Walker, of Mexborough, for a licence for a lorry to carry coal within an eight-mile radius. Mr. Bibbings said that the applicant, who was a coal dealer, had been told by a colliery company that if coal was carried beyond a seven-mile radius, the supplies would be stopped.

The case of the London, Midland and Scottish and London and NorthEastern Railway Companies was that they bought large quantities of coal from various collieries, and they expected a quid pro quo. They asked, as a business arrangement, that coal from these collieries be sent by rail.

Permission was granted to carry furniture for a radius of 25 miles, and coal for a radius of eight miles.

Irish Railway Road Service Results.

The annual report on railway operations in the Irish Free State, issued, this week, by the Ministry for Industry and Commerce, states that during 1933 the working of the Great Southern Railway's road-motor services resulted in a profit of £15,003, and a loss of £27,828 in the case of the Great

Northern Railway. These figures compare with a profit of £2,799 and a loss of £38,625, respectively, in 1932.

The report estimates that the railway companies controlled 637 passenger road se,rvices during the year under review.

Protest Over Bus Contract.

The decision of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., to place a contract for 180 buses in England is the subject of a protest by the National Union of Vehicle Builders to Sir. Arthur Rose, the Commissioner for Scottish distressed areas. Bailie George Symington, the Scottish secretary of: the Union, states that more than 500 Scottish vehicle builders are unemployed and that 50 per cent, of these would have been absorbed if the contract had been placed in Scotland.

A.E.C. Sales Increase.

The 23rd ordinary general meeting of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., will be held on December 3, at Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, S.W.1. It is anticipated that the chairman's speech on the trading results of the post year will prove particularly interesting, because it has already been announced at a staff sales conference that the company's commercial-vehicle sales during 1934 were higher than they had been for five years. MORE R.H.A. SUB-AREAS FORMED.

The progress of ,,4:he Road Haulage Association is well reflected in the increasing demands that are being made for the formation of sub-areas. A new sub-committee has recently been formed at Ross-on-Wye, where a successful meeting was addressed by the organizing officer, Mr. G. A. Hotter, by Mr. J. Foley Egginton, the West Midla-ad Area secretary, and by Mr. E. G. Whitaker, a member of the council.

A new sub-committee has also recently been formed at Mansfield and, at a meeting held on November 17, several speakers attended from the East Midland Area Committee. Mr. J. E. Penney was appointed chairman, and Mr. J. Wakefield secretary.

Road-accident Returns.

The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured during the week ended November 17, 1934, show that in England 83 persons were killed and 3,400 injured, whilst 36 died as a result of previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were 12 killed and 352 injured, and for Wales five killed and 143 injured.

" Off the Stones."

"Off the Stones " is the title of an attractive brochure lately issued by Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, to describe a power-driven portable fire pump, designed expressly for those whose dwellings are remote from towns. The explanation of the title is that, a century ago, a:definition of the limits of the City of London Was the extent of the cobbled streets, and charges were made according to whether the vehicle —fire-engine, goods or passenger conveyance—was to run "on the stones" or "off the stones."

The pump can deliver water at SO100 g.p.m. and power is supplied by

a h.p. single-cylindered petrol engine. It can be carried, propelled by hand, or towed—if equipped with pneumatic-tyred wheels—by any road

vehicle. In the last-named form it costs £150.

Electric Braking on Trolleybuses: Important Experiments.

The Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd-, and the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd., are jointly engaged on some interesting experimental work in the development of electric braking on Sunbeam-B.T.H. trolleybuses. The standard electrical traction equipment on these vehicles comprises regenerative braking down to an approximate speed of 10.12 m.p.h., but this new development extends the range `of electric braking to much lower speeds.

When the current generated is insufficient to overcome line resistance, an automatic relay comes into operation, dissipating the current through the resistances and enabling a continuous rheostatic brake to be obtained down to the low road speed of 2 m.p.h.

With the co-operation of Mr. M. J.

Somerfield, Minst.T., the general manager of the transport de1322 partment of Walsall Corporation, the experiment has been conducted on one of the fleet of Sunbeam-B.T.H. trolleybuses run by the authority. The new equipment has been in use for some time on this vehicle and, we learn, has proved most successful.

America's Big Increase in Exports.

A marked upward tendency continues in the American commercialmotor export trade. During th'e eight months ended August last, 63,480 corn plete vehicles and chassis, valued at £5,969,222, were shipped from the United States, as contrasted with 23,699 units and £2,101,310 a year earlier.

The bulk of the exported vehicles (49,094) have carrying capacities of 20-30 cwt.; 6,256 up to 20 cwt.; 6,389 of 1k-2k tons; 1,216 over 2i tons, and 525 second-hand vehicles.

Strachans Bodies for Australia.

Strachans Successors, Ltd., North Acton, London, W.3, advises us that it has secured an order from Western Australia for saloon coach bodies, which are to be mounted on Leyland chassis. WORKSHOP OFFICERS WANTED FOR INDIA.

We learn on good authority that, within a fortnight, the India Office will issue details of vacancies for workshop officers, who are required owing to the rapid expansion of mechanization. Approximately four are required at present. They must be fully trained motor engineers, between 23 and 30 years of age, and k re required for a minimum of five years, which may be extended later. An excellent salary will he paid, and there will be yearly increments with other additions for good service.

A.E.C. Profit Higher.

In the year ended September 30, 1934, the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £102,007 (as against £62,384 for the previous nine months), after transferring £40,000 to income-tax reserve. A final dividend of 5i per cent. (less tax) is being paid on the capital of £1,500,000, making a total distribution of 811-6 per cent, for the year. The amount to be carried forward is £233,984, as against £225,727 brought into the accounts.

Dagenham as a Centre of Interest.

The Ford works at Dagenham is becoming quite a: popular venue. Amongst recent visitors were a party of Soviet engineers, officials of imperial Chemical Industries, managers of the London Co-operative Society, officials of the London Passenger Transport Board, and 80 members of the London and District Branch of the Institute of Cost Accountants. The factory is, of course, one of the largest and most up to date of its kind in Europe.

Fordsons for the Smithfield Show.

On the occasion of the Smithfield Show, which takes place at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, N., from December 10-14, the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., intends to display a range of its tractors and vehicles designed for agricultural uses. Included in the exhibits will be a double-dtlk cattle carrier and three types of tractor.

Expert Papers on Agricultural Tractors.

At the next general meeting in London of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, which will be held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, W.C.2, on December 4, at 7.30 p.m., papers on agricultural tractors will be read by Dr. B. A. Keen, assistant director of the Rothamsted Experimental Station, and by M. S. J. Wright, who is deputy director of the Institute for Research in Agricultural Engineering at Oxford. The former's paper will be entitled '-The Functions of Mechanical Power in Soil Cultivation" and the latter's "Some Features of Modern Tractor Design."

These papers will also be read before the north-eastern centre of the Institution at 's. meeting on December 19 at the Hotel Metropole, Leeds. SMART STREAMLINED TANKER.

A notable example of the modern tendency to employ streamline-effects to advantage in fuel tankers is shown in a picture reproduced on this page. It depicts one of three A.E.C. tank wagons built for the Texas Oil Co., Ltd. This particular vehicle is an oiler, in which the Ranger chassis with an A.R.C.-Ricardo engine IS employed, but the other machines are petrol. engined units.

Low-built, with sweeping lines and well-curved ends, the tanker, which is scarlet in colour, presents a striking appearance. Thompson Brothers (Bilston), Ltd., was responsible for the bodyWork and tank. The latter is of the 1,500-gallon elliptical pattern, divided into three compartments of equal size. Each section is fitted with a dome-shaped manhole cover, which completely encloses the valve-operating gear.

The driver's cab is of the saloon type and amongst its refinements is a sliding roof. From the cab the aluininium panelling sweeps back to the rear and conceals the hose tubes arranged alongside the tank. At each side, along the top of the panelling, is a platform having chromium-plated hand-rails.

Scottish Wages Agreement Reached.

A provisional agreement has been reached between the Scottish Co-operative Wages Board and the unions representing the transport employees. The agreement provides for all-round increases and is to be eonsidered by the unions and a conference of co-operative societies. The unions concerned are the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, the Transport and General Workers' Union and the N.U.D.A.W.

Changes in Inst. of T. Examination Regulations.

The council of the Institute of Transport announces that Clauses 8 and 14 (c) of the Institute examination regulations, permitting, in certain cases, election to studentship and graduate. ship without examination, will expire on September 30, 1935. The latter clause will not he renewed after that date, so that admission to graduateship

will be by examination only. .

In the case of the former clause, a person may be elected to studentship if he has attained an educational standard equivalent to that ordinarily required• of students and has had not

less than a year's service with one or more of the principal transport undertakings, or other organizations recognized by the council.

Official Orders in October.

During October last, the War Department ordered Yorkshire 5-ton tipping lorries, whilst the Crown Agents placed contracts for Ford lorries, Albion compression-ignition engines and a Ransomes and Rapier petrol-electric mobile crane.

Scotland's Contribution to the Motor Industry.

At the recent Scottish Show there was much talk of developing the manufacture of Scottish motor-vehicle products, and in this connection an investigation has been carried out by Mr. D. D. McLachlan, of the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd.

He points out that, apart from one of the principal makes of commercial vehicle being produced in Glasgow, the country supplies large quantities of high-quality materials and parts for vehicles built in England. Motherwell sends stainless and silicon-chrome steels ; all types of chassis castings, hubs, brake drums and brake shoes, ready machined, come from Leven ; Glasgow also supplies chassis frames ; Ayr sends forgings; Wishaw, axle shafts and gear wheels for repair work ; Edinburgh, Kinghorn and Bridge of Weir, hides for upholstery; whilst van and luxury-coach bodies are made in Glasgow and. Falkirk, trailers are produced in Stranraer, and the successful Beardmore oil engines in Dumbartonshire.

Armstrong-Saurer's New Sales H.Q.

As from December 1, the sales departments of Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., will be operated from the company's premises on the Great West Road, Brentford. The change will provide better contact between the sales and service departments of the company.

Mr. Leonard A. Mitchell, who for several years was general manager of Blue Belle Motors, Ltd., has, we learn, opened showrooms, offices and works at 1, Balhara High Road, London, S.W.12, from which address he is dealing with the sale of second-hand commercial vehicles of all descriptions, as well as the distributorship for the Dodge range of vehicles in the S.W.11, 12, 17 and, 18 districts. THE T.S. MOTORS POSITION.

The report of T.S. Motors, Ltd., shows that the year's trading to December 31, 1933, resulted in a loss of £19,006, to which must be added an amount written off stock, making a total of £38,394. By adding this sum to the balance of £107,916 brought forward, the debit balance is raised to £146,310. The business of the company was conducted by a receiver, on behalf of the debenture holders, from February 6, 1933, until the end of the year, and the results are mainly those of the receiver's trading. The receiver was discharged on March 22, 1934.

A circular issued with the report states that, since the present general manager took charge at the end of July, 1934, progress has been made, and the business in general engineering work has increased, whilst a number of Express-type chassis has been built.

Albion Works Visited.

Ninety, members of the Scottish National Development Council recently visited the Albion works at Scotstoun,' Glasgow. They were welcomed by the chairman of the company, Mr. N. 0.

The modern tendency for bodywork streamlining Is well reflected in this A.E.C. fuel tanker which is one of a trio of similar machines built for a prominent oil concern. Its features are referred to in a paragraph on this page.

Fulton. The concern has been in existence for 35 years, the original works covering 3,600 sq. ft. and having a staff of seven persons. Now the factory covers 10 acres and the employees number over 1,600. Mr. David McMillan, of Frederick Braby and Co., Ltd., expressed the thanks of the party.

A Useful Guide on Motor Law.

A handy booklet dealing with the general law of the road, as distinct from commercial-vehicle licensing, etc., has been issued at 1s. by British Data Service, 22, Walbrook, London, E.C.4. It is entitled " The Law of the Road," and is a useful guide written in simple language and well tabulated.

Drafting the Ulster Transport

Bill.

The Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs is making headway with the new transport Bill which is being drafted in accordance with the recommendations of Sir Felix Pole in his report to the Ulster Government, outlined in The Commercial Motor dated July 27. It is expected that the Bill, will be introduced early in the spring.

Although no further conferences have been held between the Ministry and Ulster transport concerns and organizations, Government officials have recently been in London to consult Sir Felix Pole and the British Ministry of Transport.

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