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NEWS of the WEEK.

"Ties wheels of wealth will he 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.

C.M.U.A. BRIGHTON CONFERENCE PROGRAMME.

The headquarters of the National Road Transport Conference, which has been organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association, will be at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, but the business sessions will be held in the Royal Pavilion. The following programme has been arranged:—

Saturday, September 19: 11 a.m., Conference office opens; 8.30 p.m., dance, Grand Hotel.

Monday, September 21: 10 a.m., coach visit to Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford (gentlemen only), tickets 5s.; 8 p.m., civic reception and dance, Royal Pavilion.

Tuesday, September 22: 10 a.m., civic welcome; paper, " Everyday Legal Problems of the Road Transport Operator," Mr. R. McDonald (Joynson-Hicks and Co.); 2.30 p.m., paper, " Experimental Work on Roads," Major F, G. Turner, B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E. (Ministry of Transport); 7.30 p.m., Conference banquet, Grand Hotel, tickets 10s. 6d.

Wednesday, September 23: 10 a.m., paper, " A User's Observations on Petrol, Oil and Steam Vehicles," Mr. W. H. Gaunt, 0.13.E., M.Inst.T. (J. Lyons and Co., Ltd.); 2.30 p.m., paper, " Statistical Analysis of Road Transport Operations," Mr. W. A. Winson (S.P.D., Ltd.); 8 p.m., dance, Grand Ifotel.

The Conference subscription is 5s.

(no charge for ladies). Application forms should be obtained from the general secretary, Commercial Motor Users Association, 50, Pall Mall, London, S.W.I.

Perjury Charge in Records Case.

Arising out of a journey-records prosecution, Mr. Hubert Brook, haulage contractor, Muslin Hall, Thongsbridge, was charged at Huddersfield, last Friday, with perjury. He was committed for trial, pleading not guilty and reserving his. defence.

The prosecution alleged that in May last, when he was convicted of failing to keep a record of journeys Which lie made on his vehicle, Mr. Brook denied carrying a load of cloth and visiting

B14

Healey House and Thongsbridge. According to the prosecution's allegations, the accused made these journeys with a loaded vehicle.

C.M.U.A. Solicitor Secures Costs Against Police.

A summons against a driver in the employ of a C.M.U.A. member, for failing to conform to traffic lights, was recently dismissed, and two guineas costs awarded against the police. The solicitor instructed by the Association pointed out that the police officer had, in his report, omitted any statement regarding two witnesses who had informed the officer that their evidence was in favour of the driver.

Official Orders in May.

May proved to be a fairly active month as regards the orders for motor vehicles given out by Government De partments. The Admiralty ordered Talbot ambulances and Marshall road rollers, and the War Department, Morris-Commercial tractor and lorry chassis, Leyland chassis with driver's cabs, vans from Rootes, Ltd., and the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., and Wallis and Steevens and Marshall road rollers.

The Air .Ministry gave a contract for Straussler tractors. The G.P.O. orders included Harrington bodies and MorrisCommercial vans. Finally, the Crown Agents for the Colonies gave out orders for chassis to Rootes, Ltd., Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., and Morris Export Industries, Ltd.

Transport Engineer Required.

An important haulage concern in the London area requires a chief engineer for its fleet, all comprised of goods vehicles. A good salary will be paid to a first-class man. Letters should be addressed " thief Engineer," care of the Editor. ROAD TRANSPORT CAFE INVESTIGATIONS.

Sensational week-end newspaper stories regarding happenings at refreshment house S used by night transport drivers, and on the road, may result in lists of recommended accommodation being drawn up by the owners' and men's associations.

Whilst there is no lack of well-conducted houses, if a driver be not accustomed to the • district, he is unable to differentiate between good and bad. Thorough investigations are now being made along various routes, with the object of ascertaining full details of conditions generally, and it is likely that some scheme will be evolved.

Mr. H. H. Lapsley, C.M.U.A. Manchester Area secretary, has already completed one section of the survey. The matter is also stated to be engaging the attention of the unions.

One suggestion is that it might he arranged for the employers to supply . drivers and attendants with vouchers that would' be exchangeable at any listed refreshment house. On rendering the account, the café proprietor would supply all relevant details.

Guard Rails on Goods Vehicles.

In the Draft Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, recently issued, provision has been made for the fitting of guard rails to goods vehicles. The Commercial Motor Users Association had made representations, urging that if this proviso comes into force the weight of such rails should not require to be included in the unladen weight for taxation or other statutory purposes. The Minister has promised to reconsider the matter before the next Finance Bill. It appears probable that some postponement of the operative dates will be made when the Regulations are finally approved.

GROCERS WANT FREEDOM IN TRANSPORT.

A report by its Parliamentary committee expressiag opposition to further restrictions on ancillary users and to the setting up of a national transport board was adopted by the annual conference of the National Federation of Grocers and Provision Dealers Associations, at Southport, last week.

Any tendency towards the re-establishment of a railway monopoly, it was stated, would be contrary to the in terests of trade and industry. The flexibility and adaptability of road transport should not be further hampered, but rather should be assisted. A proper period should be allowed for the results of the licensing system to make themselves apparent, before embarking upon new legislation. Traders demanded the right of choice of transport As foreshadowed last week, the Federation also deplored the great increase in mobile shops. It pressed the Government to see that they were subject to local regulations regarding shop hours, also to the weekly half-holiday.

"Good Samaritan" Licence Bid.

At Dundee, last week, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority heard an application which was stated to be the

first of its kind in the area. Mrs. Margaret Doig, trading as Mrs. Alfred Doig, coal merchant and contractor, Dundee, sought a licence for a vehicle to he used to help other contractors whose vehicles broke down.

The L.M.S. and L.N.E. Railway Companies objected.

Decision was reserved until July 10.

W.D. Orders More Marshals.

Following the delivery of 32 AEC. Marshal six-wheeled chassis, the War Department has placed a further contract with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for 90 vehicles of -the same type. The Marshal, as developed for military work, is powered by a fourcylindered petrol engine of 112-mm. bore and 130-mm. stroke, and develops 80 b.h.p, at 2,400 r.p.m. A fourspeed gearbox and an auxiliary box are provided, and the vehicle is capable of negotiating, with a normal load, a gradient of 1 in 4.5. Both rear axles are driven, each having a differential.

Lancs. Hauliers Busy: Coal Carriers Hard Pressed.

Better trade in Lancashire is reflected in the demands of hauliers for extra vehicles. Coal carriers, in particular, are working under pressure, and this happens to he a deoartment of transport with regard to which the railway opposition is unusually strenuous.

At a North-Western Area inquiry, last week,. Mr. J. C. Broadhead, of Bollington, Cheshire, testified to an increase of con/. carrying from 2,032 tons in 1934 to 3,495 tons in 1935. Mr. W. Bowker, coil carrier, of Manchester, showed an increase of .230 per cent. for one firm alone. Railway opposition caused the delay in both cases.

Mr. Broadhead was required by Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority,. to supply figures for 1936 to date. Decision was deferred in Mr. Bowker's case in order that Sir William might consider the figures in relation to the contention of the L.M.S. Railway Co. tilt the increase in business for only one firm justified a contract licence.

Speedy Fire Turn-outs.

The competition for the cup presented to the London Fire Brigade by the late Sir Edward Smith, D.L., J.P„ for the smartest average time of turnout during the year has resulted, this year, as follows :—Homerton Station, Watch A, 16.84 seconds ; Edgware Road Station, Watch B, 17.31 seconds, and Pageant's Wharf Station, Watch B, 17.66 seconds.

" Alternative Fuel" Trials in Switzerland.

The Societe Suisse pour l'Etude des Carburants is organizing a reliability trial of motor vehicles using "alternative fuels," to be held from Septem ber 8-18. There will be nine daily runs ranging from 77 to 145 miles, over some of the highest passes in Switzerland. On two of the runs, acceleration and braking tests will be carried out and records taken of fuel consumption.

Full particulars of the trial can be obtained from the Societe at 5, Bahnhot Plate., Berne. VEHICLES STRUCK OFF LICENCES.

The South Wales Licensing Authority has ordered deletions from the licences of four operators, as folloWs:— P. and P. Transport Co., Bridgend, two trailers not exceeding 11 ton each; Mr. Fred Preston, Cardiff, five vehicles; Messrs. R. W. Davies Bros., Swansea, one vehicle; and General Delivery (Swansea), Ltd,, -Swansea, one vehicle.

Notice of this action appears in " Applications and Decisions," South Wales Area, dated June 29.

Smokeless-fuel Development in U.S.A.

Col, W. A. Bristow, chairman and managing director of Low Temperature Carbonisation, Ltd,, has recently returned from America, where he ceneluded an agreement with a financial and engineering group for the development in America and Canada of the process for obtaining Coalite, petrol and fuel oil from coal by the low. temperature carbonisation method.

Freeing an Ancient Toll Bridge.

The Minister of Transport has made a grant from the Road Fund towards the cost, estimated at £12,000, of acquiring and freeing Bubwith Toll Bridge, over the River Derwent, on the SelbyBricllington road, about eight miles north-east of the former -town. The bridge is about 140 years old. It will be reconstru..ted and widened.

UNRESTRICTED B LICENCE: L.M.S. APPEAL ABANDONED.

It is understood that an important appeal by the L.M.S. Railway Co., raising a new issue, was abandoned, on Wednesday. The company lodged an appeal against e. the West Midland Licensing Authority's grant of an unrestricted B licence to Mr. Edward Andrews, 21, Farm Road, Redditch. It was to have been heard in Coventry next Thursday.

Insurance Economy and Licensing.

Having exercised an option to take Out C licences, instead of B licences, purely on account of the extra expense of insurance on vehicles carrying for hire or reward, E. Leach and Co., Ltd., a concern of builders' merchants, Newton Heath, Manchester, finds itself in a quandary. It has four vehicles on which it was entitled to have B licences. The company fook C licences for three machines, under the impression that B licences were at option at any time.

The mistake was apparent at a North-Western Area inquiry, in Manchester, when the company was treated as a newcomer on its application for all four vehicles to be transferred to B licences. The application was refused on the ground that the double onus of the Enston ruling would have to be discharged.

Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority, pointed out that the fact that these vehicles had been operated under C licences for a year might be evidence that they were not necessary in the B category. The letters of complaints from customers definitely implied, in one case, that there was a market elsewhere for transport.

Mr. Irvin Stott, secretary to the applicant concern, said it was unfair and an unjustifiable interference with business.

Oiler Reliability Proved.

In the course of a lecture in London on June 30, organized jointly by Simms Motor Units, Ltd., and the Polytechnic, some interesting facts regarding oilengined road vehicles were given. The lecturer was Mr. W. M. Hall, who is responsible for the maintenance of the oilers of London Transport's fleet.

There are now over 1,600 compression-ignition-engined buses in that fleet and the number is growing. Vehicles working in the central area are docked every 12,000 miles, whilst country-area buses run 15,000 miles before docking. Oil.engined vehicles have the cylinder heads removed on alternate occasions, i.e., half as often as petrol-engined machines.

As. regardc. failures, a breakdown is defined as an involuntary stop of five minutes or longer. An injector failure occurs on an average every 1,216,000 miles, injection pumps cause a failure every 473,000 miles, whilst fuel pipes am s responsible feir a stoppage at 165,000 miles. The figures in regard to petrol-engined buses are as follow:— Magneto, 76,000 miles ; e.arburetters, 92,040 miles ; plugs, 76,000 miles.

1$16 The drain upon a starter battery is shown by the fact that complete discharge of the cells can be caused by continuous starter operation for one minute.

Another item of interest revealed is the tendency for main-bearing housings to "spread." This is counteracted by drilling holes through the lateral webs, from one side of the crankcase to the other, and passing through long bolts, the tightening of which adds the necessary transverse stiffness.

Conciliation Secretary's Death.

The death occurred, last week, of Mr. P. W. Boyle, Nottingham district secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, and joint secretary of the East Midland Conciliation Board. He was 62 years of age.

New Kingston Service Depot.

A new service depot for commercial motors has recently been opened in Elton Road by Bennets of Kingston, the main distributors of Reo vehicles for Kingston and district. The depot is compactly built and has a capacity for about 15 lorries; it includes a workshop and stores.

New Maybach Appointment.

Mr. A. H. Cranmer, M.I.A.E., who for over eight years was technical director of Lagonda, Ltd., has now been appointed technical director of Maybach Gears, Ltd. Mr. Crammer was largely responsible for the design of the Lagonda car, in which, incidentally, the Maybach gearbox was standardized.

Police Allege Records "Faking."

Allegations were made at Doncaster Borough Court, on Monday, by a police patrol officer, to the effect that a 19year-old lorry driver, who appeared before the court, had made a statement in which it was alleged he said that he knew his driving records were not true, but that he had been instructed by his employer to see that he did not show more than 11 hours' work on them.

Mr. Frederick Charles Raper, of Doncaster, was fined a total of £3 for failing to keep records on April 17 and 20, and for driving for more than 11 hours in 24 hours on the latter date. His employer, Cawoods Garage, Ltd., Doncaster, was fined a total of £8 for failing to cause records to be kept, The police officer said that when he stopped the light lorry driven 'by Mr. Raper he noticed that the youth and a 17-year-old boy, acting as mate, both appeared to be tired.

It was alleged by the police that the driver had travelled approximately 96 miles on various journeys and had loaded and unloaded 20 tons, which included 2,600 bricks.

Mr. Raper denied that he had made the statements attributed to him.

Mr. Donald Bates, secretary of Cawoods Garage, Ltd., said that the concern had 10 vehicles, Every driver had strict instructions that he must ncit break the law. MOTORS FOR HORSES: " NEED " MUST BE PROVED.

At Aberdeen, last Friday, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority pointed out that the fact that an applicant was disposing of his horses was no reason why a licence for motor

vehicles should be granted. Messrs. W. French and Sons, Fraserburgh, applied for two extra vehicles to be used within 10 miles of that town, and it was stated that the firm were disposing of three horses and carts.

The Authority said that "need" would have to be proved. It was not sufficient to say that three horses were being replaced by two motors.

For the L.N.E. Railway Co., which objected, it was stated that the applicants had a number of short-term licences and were endeavouring to make one of these permanent.

The case was adjourned.

Is Central Road Board Desirable?

The question of the control and standardization of roads has been taken up by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. It has framed a memoranchnn urging the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to consider the desirability of setting up, a statutory central roads board, so far as possible immune from political pressure, to ensure a greater .degree of efficiency, economy and standardization in road construction, signalling, lighting, etc.

The memorandum, which has been circulated to other Chambers of Commerce, was discussed at a meeting of the Huddersfield Chamber, last Friday. It was decided to inform the Birmingham Chamber that, whilst the Huddersfield organization was sympathetic towards the principle of the standardization of roads and surfaces, it viewed with some fear the possible creation of another permanent Government department.

" Most Unsatisfactory " Act.

A barrister magistrate, Lord

Merthyr, made a devastating criticism of the Road Traffic Act, when, at a Pembrokeshire Court, he was adjudicating in a case in -Which a tradesman was summoned for exceeding the speed limit with a 12-cwt, van.

The defendant's solicitor asked that in order to avoid an endorsement, the magistrates should deal with the case under the section of the Road Traffie Act which admitted of " special circumstances " being pleaded in defence. The solicitor, however, admitted that he could not define " special circumstances."

The magistrates also confessed to being in a fog as to this provision. In giving judgment, Lord Merthyr said that they had not considered the case in " special circumstances." Ile added: " I don't think that there can be a more unsatisfactory Act of Parliament than this. I have never heard a satisfactory explanation of this particular section of the Act. It is most difficult and the sooner it is rectified, the better." . Defendant was fined .

and his licence was endorsed.

LIVERPOOL CHAMBER APPROVES CONCESSIONS.

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce transport committee favours exemption from the licensing system of the use, in certain circumstances, by a commercial traveller, of a vehicle which, but for some " adaptation," would not be regarded in law as a goods vehicle.

The road transport section has given special consideration to Article 63 of the revised Draft Motor Vehicles (Construction.and -Use) Regulations, and is unanimously of opinion that a rear-axle weight of 9 tons in the case of fourwheeled vehicles with pneumatic tyres should he allowed.

The section also registered the conclusion that any attempt to expedite the operation of Section 30 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act would be entirely contrary to the public interest and would constitute the cancellation of the concession permitting a rear-axle weight of 9 tons.

Johannesburg Requires 60 Buses.

Johannesburg City Council is inviting tenders .for the supply of 60 oil-engined double-deck bus chassis and a similar number of all-metal bodies for mounting on them: Tenders have to be delivered to the town clerk, Municipal Offices, Johannesburg, by noon on July 30. A copy of , the specifications and the general conditions of the tender may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1.

Local representation is essential, and the D.O.T. is prepared to furnish British manufacturers not represented in South Africa with the names of concerns which may be willing to cooperate with them in this matter.

Applications Succeed.

The Yorkshire Licensing Authority, at Wakefield, on Tuesday, heard applications by the L.N.E. Railway Co. for additional A-licence vehicles at certain bases in the West Riding.

Mr. E. Ould, opposing on •behalf of A.R.O. members, submitted that the railway company seemed to think that it was in a privileged position, different from that of the ordinary road haulier. In order to make out a case for an increase in his fleet, the haulier had to give full and detailed proof of many matters, upon which the railway company took the fullest opportunity of

cross-examining. It was his submission that the L.N.E.R. was not discharging the onus of producing sufficiently detailed evidence.

Mr. E. P. Merritt, for the railway company, denied ,that the railways claimed privilege and contended that he had tendered the strongest possible evidence confirming the need for the services sought, and that such services could be most properly given by vehicles of the company.

Applications in respect of bases at Barnsley. Dewsbury and Doncaster (all of which had been opposed) were granted, and a number of applications affecting other bases was adjourned.

Other L. N. E R applications are reported on page 689. AMERICAN EXPORTS RISE SHARPLY.

So far this year there has been a marked increase in the overseas demand for American commercial vehicles. The latest official returns are those for the three months ended March last., during which period 29,025 vans, lorries, buses and chassis, valued at 2,941,560, were exported from the United States, as compared with 22,170 units (£.2,321,720) a year• earlier.

The bulk of the vehicles (19,399) had a carrying capacity of 20-30 cwt.; 4,194 up to 20 cwt.; 3,923, 1i-2..) tons; and 913 over 2i tons, the remainder consisting of buses and used 'commercial vehicles.

Shipping Guide for Hauliers.

The following is the number. of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from June 26July 4 inclusive:—Docits: King George V. 6; Royal Albert, 9; 'Royal Victoria, 4; Surrey Commercial, 7; West India, 2; East India, 1; South West India, 3; Tilbury, 8; Tilbury Stage, 4; Millwall, 5; Royal, 2. Wr-tasvss:—Hays, 6; Middelton's, 1; Butlers's, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 3.

Regent's Canal, I. • New Cox-Atmos Company.

New arrangements have been .made in respect of the sales in the British Isles of the Cox-Atmos economizer, which, up to now, has been marketed by the County'Chemicai Co., Ltd., Birmingham. A separate company, has been formed, under the title of CoxAtmos Products, .Ltd., 40, Bradford Street, Birmingham, under the personal supervision of Mr. Arthur Cox, who is the inventor of the device. The County Chemical Co., Ltd., will continue to deal with overseas markets,

Objectors Must Comply With Regulations.

If objectors failed to comply with the regulations, they would not be heard, said the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, in a case at Dundee.

The matter arose out of an application by Messrs. Duguid, Mills and Cowper, contractors, 22, Rosebank Street, Dundee, for a renewal of their licence.

The and L.N.E. Railway Co.'s objected. Mr. R. W. Currie, for the applicants. pointed out that the L.M.S. objections were not signed by the objector, as they should have been, but were stamped with a rubber stamp bearing the name of a solicitor who acted for the company, this stamp being initialled. He also pointed out that the L.N.E.R. objections simply bore the facsimile of a signature.

The application was granted.

'Do Two Horses Equal a Tractor and Two Trailers?

Are two horses an equivalent offering for a 30-cwt, mechanical horse and two trailers? Sir William. Hart, North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, asked the question -wheri MessrS.. T. Williams and Son, Manchester, applied,

818 on Monday, for an A licence authorizing the mechanical horse.

The firm had disposed of two horses, leaving seven animals and 13 lorries. They were hoping that the change would so speed-up their deliveries as to dispense with a third horse.

The application was granted, and the applicants were warned that they must not increase their stud of horses, REMOVAL " TRANSFER " APPLICATION.

Application has been made to the Metropolitan Licensing Authority by Elloway and Co, 119, Sainsbury Road, London, N.W.6, for licences for seven vehicles (20 tons 3 cwt.) and three trailers (4 tons 19 cwt.) licensed to Green and Edwards, Ltd. The vehicles are used for furniture removals.