WHEELS of INDUSTRY
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
"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.
Overloading: Scottish Case and the Driver's Position.
At the Edinburgh Sheriff Court a few days ago, a matter of interest to motor users was decided by Sheriff Orr. Messrs. John Russell and Sons, contractors, West Calder, and one of their drivers were each charged with an offence in respect of one of that firm's vehicles being overloaded in contravention of the Construction and Use Regulations made wider the Road Traffic Act 1930.
On behalf of the accused, Mr. J. T. Middleton, instructed by the Scottish Commercial Motor Users Association, tendered a plea of " Guilty " on behalf of the owners. He, however, objected to the relevancy of the charge against the driver for the reason that the complaint disclosed that the driver had been using the vehicle for the purpose of his employers' business and was, accordingly, not to be regarded, in law, as the user of the vehicle. He further maintained that the Road Traffic Act, Section 3 (3) intended to penalize one person only, namely the true user—in this case the owners.
Sheriff Orr, in sustaining the °Weetion, stated that the section in question, which made a breach of the Construction and Use Regulations an offence, was not free from ambiguity. Nevertheless, be was of the opinion that the construe-tion for which the prosecutor sought extended the meaning of the section beyond what was intended by those framing the Act.
Industrial Court and Section 19.
In our issue for last week we intimated that the Minister of Transport had referred to the Industrial Court for advice a joint application from certain important transport organizations for an Order varying, in certain circumstances, the periods of time laid down in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act for the employment of drivers of vehicles of certain types. Evidence in support of the application was heard by the Industrial Court on Tuesday last, when it sat in private. Sir Harold Morris presided, and the other members of the Court were Mr. F. S. Button and Mr. J. McKie Bryce.
It may be called to mind that a previous Order, made on March 30, 1931, is due to expire to-day (March 31).
in a statement made by Mr. Ernest Bevin, of the Transport and General Workers Union, he said that the Union has not agreed to join with the goodstransport employers in applying for renewal of the Order for variation sofar as lorry drivers are concerned, and it is assumed, therefore, that the Order will lapse on April 1. He added that the application being made is to vary hours for passenger-transport workers operating under schedules subject to control by Traffic Commissioners. A variation is being asked for a limited period, pending new legislation. He mentioned that the case of goods-vehicle drivers is entirely different.
London Distributors Required for Oil Engines.
We would draw the attention of our readers to sm advertisement which appears elsewhere in this issue, in which a well-known concern of engineers in-: vites applications from firms of eound standing in the heavy-commercialvehicletrade to act as distributors for its -oil engines in exclusive territories within the London area.
. Decline in World Production Of Petroleum.
The' United States Bureau of Mines reckons that, in 1932, the world production of crude petroleum reached 1.305,563.000 barrels, a decline of nearly 67,000,000 barrels, or 5 per cent, on the 1,372,532,000 barrels for1931. The United States production dropped from 851,081,000 barrels in 1931 to 781,845,000 in 1032. Production in countries other than the United States rose • from 521,451,000 to 523,718,000 barrels.
Maybach Gearbox for Thornycroft Goods Carriers.
Mr. Ernst Schneider, Lincoln House, 18, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, who handles the Maybach super gearbox in this country, advises us that John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., has now decided to fit type 8G-215 (which 'is being made in Newcastle by the ArmstrongWhitworth concern) as au extra on its freight chassis of the Taurus, Iron Duke, Jumbo, Amazon, Mastiff and Dreadnought types; these are all oil-engined models. The Taurus is a 6-6/-tonner, -the Iron Duke being a short-wheelbase chassis of the same type for tipping. The Dreadnought is an 11-12-ton fourwheel-drive six-wheeler, the Jumbo, of the same capacity, being a trailing-axle sixwheeler. The Amazon is a 6-ton overseas-type four-wheel-drive six-wheeler, whilst theMastiff, which is of .similar design, has a trailing third axle.
Coal Council to Hold Demonstration of Steamers.
Mr. W. R. Gordon, director of the Coal Utilization Council, mentioned in an address that he gave at Liverpool, that the eouncil was arranging for a demonstration, in London, of some of the latest types of steam wagon. Steam wagons consumed over 1,000,000 tons of coal per annum, and if the recommendations of the Salter Report were carried into effect, the steam-wagon industry would be severely hit. Mr. Gordon said : "Many people -have the idea that the steam wagon is a hopelessly antiquated thing. That is far from being the truth. For heavy road transport, I have no hesitation in saying that the steam wagon is hard to beat, and one which the coal industry must do everything to encourage."
We learn that the demonstration will, by permission of the Lord Great Chamberlain and of the Speaker of the House of Commons, be carried out daily on April 4, 5 and 6, outside the Victoria Tower of the Houses of Parliament. Members of both Houses are being invited by the council to examine the wagons.
Improved Studebaker Pierce-Arrows.
• Ilenlys, Ltd., 385-387, •Ruston Road, London, N.W.1, announces improvements in the Studebaker Pierce-Arrow. 2i-tormer. It is available in three wheelbase lengths, namely, 11 ft. 9 ins., 12 ft. 9 ins. and 13 ft. 9 ins., the chassis prices being respectively £425, £425 and £450.
The six-cylindered 75 b.h.p, engine, which has a bore of 3i ins, and a stroke of 41 ins., has been improved by fitting a down-draught carburetter and is equipped with a governor.
The brake gear, having 14i-in. front drums and 16-in, rear drums, is improved by the standardization of the B.K. vacuum servo. Cast-spoke wheels (dual rear) are fitted and, of course, the rear axle is of the fully floating type.
Details of Albion's Trading. Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue dated March 17, dealing with the trading of Albion Motors, Ltd., for 1932, we have now received a copy of the company's report. This shows that the year's operations, after making provision for depreciation, directors' remuneration, interest on debenture stock and subsidiary company's trading loss, resulted in a loss of £11,902. After deducting the balance standing to the credit of profit and loss in the previous year, this amount is reduced to £1,945.
The directors have transferred £20,000 from the reserve fund. From the credit balance of £18,055 thus created, a sum of £4,016 has to be deducted in respect of the dividend on the preference shares for the half year, whilst a similar sum comprising the dividend on the same shares for the second half of the year, at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum (less tax), las to be met, leaving £10,023 to be carried forward. Official Orders in February.
During February last, the G.P,0 authorities divided a contract for motor bodies between W. Harold Perry, Ltd., Messrs. Express Body Works, Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., and Messrs. Bonallack and Sons. The War Department ordered a Wallis and "Steevens road roller and a number of MorrisCommercial six-wheelers.
A contract for Fordson tractors was given by the Admiralty to the Chaseside Engineering Co., Ltd. The Crown Agents for the Colonies ordered Dennis chassis and the Air Ministry gave a contract for trailers to the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., and for Commer chassis to Rootes, Ltd.
Railway Returns for 1932.
A preliminary statement containing summarized details of the financial accounts and statistical returns of the railways in Great Britain for the year 1932, compared with the returns for 1930 and 1931, has been published, and copies (price 6d.). can be obtained from His Majesty's Stationery Office. Par ticulars are given of the capital expenditure and receipts, the revenue receipts and expenditure, the total net receipts, the net revenue and appropriation and a summarized balance sheet. In addition, the number of passengers carried, the tonnage conveyed, the average receipts per ton and per ton-mile and the principal operating statistics are given. The complete railway returns will be issued later in the year.
McNamara' s Trading.
During 1932, McNamara and Co. (1921), Ltd., the well-known roadtransport-contracting concern, made a profit of £26,497. The directors are placing £6,000 to income-tax reserve, and recommend the payment of a dividend of 1s. 40. per share, free of tax (equivalent to a gross dividend of 151 per cent.), leaving £20,298 to carry forward.
Special Taxation for Cinema Vehicles.
Mobile cinemas in the Paris area are severely hit by a new scheme of taxation evolved by the Seine Council. All cinema electro-generating lorries must now pay 200 francs for each day or portion of a day that they are in employment. Film vans weighing under seven tons must pay 100 francs per day, whilst all vehicles carrying cinema material of any kind and weighing under .five tons will be required to pay 50 francs per day. Needless to say, the above taxes are supplementary to the State taxation of cinema vehicles, regarded as commercial motors. As we stated in our issue dated March 17, the taxation on road transport in France has been greatly increased.
Carrimore Opens Northern Office.
Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., High Road, North Finchley, London, N.12, advises us that it has opened a northern office, under the charge of Mr. J. S. Dunn, at Midland Bank Chambers, 77, King Street, Manchester.
New Distributor of Eagle Products.
The Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Eagle Works, Warwick, notifies us that it has appointed the Arlington Motor Co., High Road, Ponder's End, as its sole distributor in the London and South Wales areas for Eagle hydraulic and hand-operating tipping gears, tipping bodies and articulated six-wheeled vehicles.
The Arlington Motor Co. will carry a comprehensive range of all the Eagle equipment referred to, and will be in a position to carry out, at short notice, the fitting of tipping bodies or gears. The London office of the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., is at 1, Victoria Street, S.W.1.
International Chamber of Commerce and Road Transport.
At a meeting of the road-transport committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, held in Paris, last week, the enormous changes in national and international economic structure, brought about by the increasing development of road transport, were considered in their various aspects.
Methods of calculating running costs and production costs were examined in detail and the committee came to the conclusion that these did not constitute a suitable basis for the determination of taxation in the case of the road-trimsport industry.
Distinguished Guests at F.W.R.A. Annual Dinner.
The annual dinner of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Association will he held at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2, on May 18. Amongst the distinguished persons who have promised to attend are Lord Mount Temple, P.C.; Sir Henry P. Maybury, G.B.E., K.O.M.G. ; Sir Henry Jackson, M.P.; and Mr. P. J. H. Hannon, M.P. Personal Pars:,
Alderman Rowland Winn, the Leedg motor trader, who is an enthusiastic yachtsman. has been elected Rear-Coinanodore of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club.
Mr. H. Bell Thompson, managing director of Sternol, Ltd., has for the fifth year in succession, been elected to the Grand Council and Executive 'Committee of the Federation of British Industries, where he will represent the British oil manufacturers.
At the annual meeting of the Bradford Commercial Vehicle Owners Federation the following officers were elected for the forthcoming year Chairman, Mr. B. Galloway ; vice-chairmen, 'Meagre. Edward Smith and J. Terry ; honorary secretary, Mr. Fred Pickering ; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. W. Turner.
The new sales manager to the Bergougnan Tyre Co., Ltd., 95-100, White Lion Street, London, N.1, is Mr.
Leonard J. Evans, formerly with the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., and, later, with the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd. The Bergougnan concern is well known for its solid tyres, and has now available a complete range of British-made pneumatic covers and tubes.
At the recent 25th annual general meeting of the Institute of Metals the following officers were elected for the year 1933-1934 :—President, Sir Henry Fowler, K.B.E., LL.D., D.Sc.; vicepresidents, Mr. C. H. Desch, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Prof. R. S. Hutton, D.Sc., M.A.; members of council, Engineer Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Dixon, K.C.13., D.Eng., Messrs. Wesley Lambert, C.B.E., A.K.C., H. C. Lancaster' A. H. Mundey, A. J. G. Smout and
F. Tomlinson.
Mr. James France, who has been chosen as president-elect of the Commercial Motor Users Association, will be the first Yorkshire operator to occupy the chair. He has had a long association with the north-eastern division of the Association, having been chairman for the past seven years, and for six years he has represented Yorkshire on important committees in London. He has been vice-chairman of the National Council for a period of four years, and for 18 months has served as a member of the Standing Joint Committee on Mechanical Road Transport Associations.
I.A.E. Summer Visit.
The popularity of the I.A.E. visit That summer to both the Morrisand Pressed Steel works at Cowley, Oxford, has led the council of the Institution to decide to arrange this year a one-day works visit followed by a dinner, instead of the usual three-days' summer visit. The date will be Thursday, June 22, and the venue the works of the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd., at Rugby. London members will have accommodation reserved on the 8.30 a.m. train from Euston. The party will assemble at the company's works at 10.15 a.m., and will be entertained to lunch. At 3.30 p.m. coaches will be available for travelling to Stratford on Avon, with a break at Leamington Spa for tea. Dinner will be at the Welcombe Hotel, Stratford on Avon, at 7 p.m.
New Small Taxis for Paris.
The first 100 of the new Rosengart taxicabs (French Austin Sevens), described in our issue dated February 10, are due to make their appearance on the Paris streets next 'week. The existing cab drivers are petitioning the big taxicab concerns to reduce fares to meet the competition from the new taxis.
Big Addition to a Cardiff Owner's Fleet.
Thomas and Evans, Ltd., a wellknown concern of mineral-water manufacturers, of Porth (Rhondda), has placed with Messrs. Wellateed, City Motors, Cardiff, au order for 50 MorrisCommercial six-cylinder vehicles, to cost over .110,000. Thomas and Evans, Ltd., already owns 150 Morris-Commercials.
The New Mobiloils.
A particularly interesting announcement was made last Wednesday by the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., Caxton House, Westminster, London, &W.1. It concerned the remarkable results of tests which have been carried out by two independent authorities—the Royal Automobile Club, and the National Physical Laboratory, with various grades of the new Mobiloil, to demonstrate its quality and characteristics. They refer only to bench tests and trials carried out with private, cars, but as they were severe they can be regarded as applicable in many respects to conditions obtaining in commercialvehicle service.
The R.A.C. observed tests consisted of running an M.G. car at Brooklands 10,000 miles on Mobiloil D at a cruising speed of between 50 m.p.h. and 60 m.p.h., and a Ford TS car for 10,000 miles at the same cruising speed, using Mobiloil A.P.
The N.P.L. tests involved a series of 100-hour continuous runs of Austin 10 h.p., four-cylindered engines, using Mobiloil B.B., with the oil-sump temperature maintained at 80 degrees Ci and the sumps not drained; also a 300hour bench test with the same grade in a Standard 16 h.p. six-cylindered engine at 3,000 r.p.m. and a load of 26 b.h.p., the sump being drained after every 60 hours. Friction and coldstarting tests were also carried out.
The reports of the tests are far too long and comprehensive to be dealt with In detail. We have, however, examined the most important, and the results indicate that the new lubricant is highly satisfactory. In the case of the vehicle B20 trials, the combustion chambers were cleaner, the carbon less in quantity and of a flaky character and, therefore, easily removable. The oil removed after severe tests of long duration Was in a satisfactory condition.
Effective oil films were maintained under heavy loads and high temperatures, for the R.A.C. reports show that there were no indications of underlubrication, whilst the wear on engine parts proved to be remarkably small.
Cold-starting tests were carried out at 0 degrees C., and the results prove that all the grades of Mobiloil tested required comparatively low breakaway torque, whilst the horse-power necessary to motor the engines at various speeds from 30 r.p.m. to 120 r.p.m. was unusually small, varying from 0.15 b.h.p. for oil A at 30 r.p.m. to a maximum figure of 1.16 b.h.p. for oil D at 120 r.p.m.
A New A.C. Plug Cleaner.
A time-saving item of maintenance equipment is the sparking-plug-cleaning machine recently introduced by the A.C.-Sphinx Sparking Plug Co.; Ltd., Birmingham. Employing the air-blast principle, the plug is provided with a specially designed, hardened-steel nozzle which directs the jet in such a manner that the whole length of the insulator, besides the points, is thoroughly cleansed, whilst the compound supplied is expressly prepared to remove the oxide film, carbon and oil coating from the plug without in any way harming the insulator, whether it be of porcelain or mica.
After the first cleaning process, a jet of pure air is discharged, to remove dust, etc., from within the plug. A feature of the A.C. device is that used compound and foreign matter are kept. separate from the new compound.
With every refill package of compound a new jet nozzle is supplied. The price of the machine is 25s., whilst refills, containing enough compound to clean from 200 to 300 plugs, cost is. 6d.
Poland Bans Import of Lorries.
A decree prohibiting the import into Poland of a variety of manufactured goods, including motor lorries, came into force on March 24. These restrictiona are to remain in force until October 10, 1933.
Canadian Production in January.
According to the Dominion Bureau of Statistics at Ottawa, 3,358 motor vehicles were manufactured in Canada in January, 1933, as compared with 3,731 in January, 1932, and 2,129 in December, 1932. Although there was an appreciable increase in private cars, there was a decline in the number of commercial vehicles from 578 to 437.