News of the Week
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PROGRESS OF ROAD-TRANSPORT FEDERATION
Tnominations to the Shadow ' HE Governing Body of the Nati(Mal Transport Federation are as follow :— Eamefltcle.—Lorci Perry of Stock Ila rd, K.B.E., LL.D. (chairman of the Conference) Major R. A. B. Smith, M.C. )deputy-chairman of tan Conference).
Road Haulage Asseelation.—Meaers. J. II. Turner, 0.B.E. (chairman of Shadow Connell), F. F. Fowler, D Richardson, B. 0. Tare or. Traders' Road Transport Association.—Colocel. A. ...Terrett (chairm a n of Shadow Council), Atesare. J. Janes Chris Smith, G. S. Viokary. Passenger Vehiele Operators' Asks:dation.— Messrs F. J. Speight (chairman of Shadow Council), H. H. Allen, R. Beveridge, J. J. (Ironic r.
The first meeting was held on January 26, when Major R. A. B. Smith, was elected chairman.
HAULAGE WORKERS' WAGE • CLAIM
ALMOST before the ink has dried on R.1-1.14 (the latest increases became effective on December 6) the unions representing the workers on the road-haulage side of the industry have submitted an application for an increase of 7s. 6d, per week for adults and 5s. per ,week for workers under 18. Efforts to obtain a revision of overtime rates are also being made. It is understood that these are for time-and-a-quarter in respect of what is now time-and-aneighth, and time-and-a-half where time and-a-quarter is paid. The applications were considered at a meeting of the Central Wages Board held on January 19, which was adjourned to February 3.'
STRAW FOR PAPER HELD UP BY TRANSPORT BLOCK
THE transport of straw from farms to the paper mills, where it is being used as a raw material in paper making, has again come to the front in Scotland, where, according to Border farmers, stocks are accumulating at an immense rate, It is said that a large tonnage of straw is awaiting transport in the south-eastern Scottish counties. Because of this block, which the strawholders believe to be due to certain transport restrictions, a plea has been Made to the Regional Transport Commissioner to ease the restrictions on road transport. According to these suppliers the alleged lack of transport is throwing the delivery time-table out of gear and, as a result, disturbing the working of the paper mills.
INVESTIGATE RATES INCREASES, SAYS LEEDS CHAMBER
ARESOLUTION suggesting the appointment of independent regional committees, with Government authority, to investigate recent increases in road haulage rates, was adopted by the Council of Leeds Chatnber of Commerce at its meeting last week. It was put forward by the Chamber's Road Transport Section and stressed that rates for all classes of .haulage should be maintained at a reasonable economic level, expressed alarm at " recent unjustifiable increases in road haulage rates, under the influence of the Government scheme," and asked the Minister of War Trans
pore " to appoint independent regional committees to investigate this matter, With a view to checking further rises and securing reductions where these are called for."
. The chairman of the Section, Mr. Stanley G. 'Hearn, managing director of Carvers, Ltd., the haulage, removals and 'storage contracting concern of 'Leeds, stated that since he spoke recently on this subject he had received further complaints as to haulage rates which were held to be excessive, He added that it was not in the best ,interests of operators, and it was detrimental to industry and trade generally, for rates to assume an artificially high level through a national emergency.
'Stating that high rates and the incidence of war taxation tended to cause extravagance in road-haulage operation, Mr. Hearn suggested that whilst it was easy to get rates increased in war-time, it would not be easy -to reduce them after extravagance in operation had crept in
NORTHERN LONDON A.R.O. A.G.M. AT LUTON THE a.g.m of the Northern Metro
. politan. Sub-area of A.R.O. will be held at the Luton Chamber of Commerce, George Street West, Luton, on February 9, at 2.80 p.m.
SAND AND BALLAST RATES IN SCOTLAND
UNDER the mgis of the S.J.C. (Scotland), representatives from the S.C.M.U,A. and the Scottish Carriers' and Haulage Contractors' Association recently met under the chairmanship of Mr. James Carmichael, Glasgow. They considered rates for sand and ballast on a tonnage basis and drew up a schedule which has been sent to both associations for consideration. The secretaries of the Associations dealing with quarrymen and washed sand and gravel merchants have been informed that a rates schedule will shortly be issued
COUNCILS OF ACTION IN PROCESS . OF FORMATION
IN the paragraph entitled " Government Scheme Has Split the 'Haulage Industry," published in last week's issue, it was stated that the meeting was convened by' members of the East, and West Midland Areas Hired Vehicle" Owners' Panels. That was incorrect. The gathering was called by the West Midland Road Transport Committee of Action, and that committee .desires it to be made clear that the proceedings were entirely divorced from any of the
associations. . . .
It is of interest to. note that, following the London meeting, similar councils of action are being formed, in . different areas. Three are actually in being -and others will soon reach the same stage. kis hoped that this movement to ensure equality of treatment for all members of the industry -will spread throughout the country.
OF IMPORTANCE TO ROAD TRANSPORT ENGINEERS
THE number of transport-operating and maintenance engineers desirous of joining the proposed Institute of Road Transport Engineers. is steadily
growing, and is now over 130. It should not be long before there will.be sufficient to form a good basis for the projected body. So hurry up if you be qualified and Wish to become a founder member.
ENGINEERING CONCERN CHANGES ITS NAME
WE are informed that the company formerly known ' as Warner Engineering Equipment, Ltd., has changed its name to Cuthbert Machine Tools, Ltd., the address being the same, namely; Farncombe Hill, dodalming, Surrey. It will be remembered that we have, on several occasions, described the very interesting and practical machine tools for the • boring of main bearings, etc., sold under the name of "Cuthbert."
The directors are Messrs. W. A. Cuthbert, J. Lovell Browne, and W. C. Warner. RETURN BUS-FARES BAN TO STAY
THE M.O.W.T. has declined to with1 draw the ban' on return bus fares Costing more than 10.1., but has authorized the Northern Regional Transport Commissioner • to make adjustments where these are considered necessary. The Commissioner has invited local authorities to submit instances to him where the ban on return fares is cons:idered to be inflicting hardship on bona-fide travellers. The ban on return fares costing more than 10d, came into operation last August and has aroused a storm of criticism throughout the Northern area, which is asserted to be the only district in which the ban is in force.
Last December representatives of local authorities in Durham and Northumberland interviewed Mr: P. J. NoelBaker, Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the M,O.W.T., on the subject, and demanded the withdrawal of the ban.
MR. F. G. SMITH TO SPEAK IN LEEDS ON GAS PRODUCERS February 8, Mr. F. G. Smith,
Director of Vehicle Maintenance in the M.O.W.T., will visit Leeds, to speak on the Government's gas-producer scheme in relation to goods vehicles. He will addreSs two meetings hi the People's Hall, Albion Street. The first, at 11.30 a.m., will be for goods-vehicle operators in the NorthEastern Region who have been selected to use gas producers. ,The second, at 2.30 p.m., will be for agents appointed to fit prodncers. For the benefit of operators, it is hoped to have a demonstration vehicle in the vicinity.
OIL ENGINE MUST BE WELL MAINTAINED, SAYS LECTURER
MEMBERS of the Leicester section of the Institute of the Motor Trade recently heard a lecture by Mr. G. Guest, of F. Perkins, Ltd., on the subject of " The Compression-ignition engine," the talk being illustrated with lantern slides.
The speaker, after describing modern versions of the oil engine and their applications, stressed the need for cleanliness in the servicing of the fuel system. He described the simplicity of general service operations, but pointed out that complete overhauls required special Ahipment. Emphasis was laid on the fact that as the replacement parts of an oil unit are more expensive than a petrol engine, faulty maintenance and neglect are more costly. With proper care the, engine has a considerably longer life, and in these Circumstances its running costs are attractive; the speaker gave figures to support this contention.
TRANSPORT _PIONEER'S TRIBUTE FROM EMPLOYEES
LAST week, at a meeting of directors, officials and employees of Barton Transport, Ltd., Mr. Thomas Henry Barton, chairman and managing director of the company, was presented with his portrait in oils, painted by Mr. Norman Hepple, R.A., to mark his employees' .appreciation of the honour conferred on him by the award of the O. b.E. In the .absence of Mr. J. H. Stirk, North Midland Regional Transport Commissioner, owing to illness,' the presentation was made by Lt.-Col. H. Bradwell, Deputy Commissioner, who paid a tribute to Mr. Barton's vision and courage. In this war, Bartons' gas buses had covered some 893,000 miles and had saved at least 162,000 gallons of fuel. At, the end of the 1914-18 War the company had only five or six buses, whereas to-day it had a fleet of more than 180 vehicles. In reply, Mr. Barton expressed his thanks and appreciation, and said that all hit employees were entitled to share the honour along with him.
OBITUARY
We regret to announce the death, on January 24, at the age of 73, of MR. F. A. B. WrT.Ls, vice-chairman of the British Haulage 'Go., Ltd., Bristol Industries, Ltd:, and a number of other 'ell-known concerns in the Bristol area.
WAR-TIME RATES FOR SAND AND GRAVEL HAULAGE
QUESTIONS have been raised in Yorkshire as to whether the national' • rates agreed between the Ministry of Aircraft Production and the industry's Standing Joint Committee, for the road haulage of sand and gravel in connection with the construction of aerodromes, should be applied to ordinary sand and gravel traffic. The Yorkshire Regional Road and Rail Committee has ruled that for such traffic the sand and gravel road rates previously approved by the committee shall continue to apply. In explanation of this ruling, it is emphasized that the rates agreed between' the S.J.C. and the Ministry of Aircraft Production are purely a wartime measure, devised entirely for work in connection with aerodrome construction., and making provision for special conditions of operation -which ,do net apply in the case of ordinary traffic. WARNING AGAINST APATHY OF C-LICENCE HOLDERS
MALGAMATION of road-transport organizationswas expected to be completed by March, said Mr. G. S. Vickary, at the annual meeting in Glasgow, last week, of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Area of the Scottish Commercial Motor Users Association (C-licence Holders Section).
Mr. R. L. Young spoke of the lack Of interest in their affairs shown by C-licence holders and suggested that this was clue to the fact that, at present, they were not subject to the Government control experienced by A and B holders as regards wages, licences, etc. He warned them that this might not be the position in the future, OPERATORS INVITED TO SOUTHEND MEETING
AN open meeting, to which all commercial-vehicle operators are invited, is being arranged by the Southend Sub-area of A.R.O., on Wednesday, February 16, at 2.30 p.m., at Dossett's Café, 777, London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea. The venue is opposite Chalkwell Park. The principal speaker will be Major Eric Long, T.D., Parliamentary Liaison Officer of the Association.
DEATH OF MANCHESTER MUNICIPAL-TRANSPORT OFFICER
APROMINENT figure in transport circles in the north-west, Mr. W. C. Whalley, rolling-stock superintendent of Manchester Corporation transport undertaking, died last week. Founder of the Waterloo and Crosby Motor Service in 1923, he was a member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers and an Associate Member of the Institute of Transport. He was appointed bus superintendent of Manchester's transport undertaking in 1929, and nine years later was made rollingstock superintendent.
SMALL HAULIERS" LED TO THE EDGE OF A PRECIPICE"
GREAT concern was expressed at a recent open meeting of Birmingham hauliers, called by Hauliers Mutual Federation in Birmingham, " at the monopolistic tendencies now sharply evident in goods road haulage."
Mr, J. Arnold Kirby (Leicester), vice-chairman of H.M.F., voiced the general doubt that the varied war-time Government control schemes imposed upon road transport were in fact, inspired solely by the need to save petrol, rubber and man-power. The present system of control had many defects, not the least being that it operated to take away any need for initiative-on the part of the staffs_of the cOntrolled undertakings. It also disturbed the morale and enthusiasm of the drivers. When the small men read, in pamphlets declared to be purely personal expressions of opinion, how it was suggested by people they had thought of as their own leaders that they were to be hamstrung and deprived of the goodwill of their businesses, it was no wonder they felt they had not only been led up the garden path but conducted Lo the edge of a precipice! Mr. J. A. Dunnage, A.M.Inst.T., said that, after reviewing the political and propaganda moves of the past 20 years, he felt it necessary to warn small hauliers that unless they bestirred themselves quickly they would .be facing " the biggest double-cross " in transport history.
Creation of a local branch of Hauliers' Mutual Federation was agreed upon, Mr. C. L. Andrews, of Andrews and Lambert, Ltd., being appointed provisional chairman.
MEETING OF DIESEL ENGINE USERS ASSOCIATION
A PAPER, entitled "William Dent Priestman and the Development of
the Oil Engine," will be presented for discussion at the Caxton Hall,Westminster, London, S.W.1, at 2.30 p.m., on February 10, by Mr, Harry Shoosmith, NI.Inst.C.E., and Mr. Philip D. Priestman, befote the Diesel Engine • Users Association. .. •
ASSOCIATION MERGER. VOTING. PROCEDURE
COME members of A.R.O. are not too L./happy at the arrangement by •which voting at the extraordinary meeting to be held during February, at which members will be asked to agree to the winding up of that body, will be conducted by proxies, many of whom will be representatives already on the National Council.
In the view of some, this procedure cancels the protective value of such a meeting, as it concerns the rights and• interests of individual memberS. It is believed to be more desirable to leave the control arid use of proxy votes to the members throughout the country.
Incidentally, the Scunthorpe Subarea of A.R.O. has resolved that its members be advised to direct their merger ballot proxies to such nominee or nominees as theit committee will later advise. TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITIONS' SUCCESS
DURING the 851 sessions of 17 tyre L./economy exhibitions held last year under the auspices of the M.O.S. and M.O.W.T., the total attendance was 73,150, averaging 86 per session and 4,303 per exhibition.
Plans are being made for holding further exhibitions of this type in cities and towns throughout the country. Amongst the venues selected are London, Shrewsbury, Leicester, Norwich, Chester, Middlesbrough, Brad-. ford, Carlisle, Dundee, Plymouth, Southampton, Swansea and Brighton.
That they are necessary is proved by the fact that of giant tyres submitted for replacement, even now only some 40 per cent, are suitable for retreading; yet, in the best-maintained fleets, 70 per cent, can be retreaded, A.E.C. DISTRIBUTORSHIP . APPOINTMENT FOR EIRE
DATING from January 1 last, Thomas Thompson and Sons, Ltd., 19-22, Lower Abbey Street, DublM, has been appointed distributor for Eire of the whole range of A.E.C. products. The company, which, for many years past, has been an A.E.C. Official spareparts stockist, will continue to hold a large consignment of parts. OIL FUEL.COUPONS MUST NOT BE TENDERED FOR PETROL DURING proceedings at Bradford City Police Court, last week, against a defendant who was stated to have obtained 30 gallons of petrol by tendering coupons issued for the supply of oil fuel, the prosecuting solicitor said he must blame the petroleum authorities for not indicating on the coupons whether they were to be used for supply of petrol or oil fuel.
Defendant was fined £5, including costs, for using coupons for a purpose other than that to which they related. It was stated that at the time of the offence he had two oil-engined lorries.