Goods Transport
Page 5
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by VAN, WAGON and TRACTOR.
Tramcar Obstructiveness.
The memorial of the Roads Improvement Association, in respect of congestion and obstruction due to L.C.C. tramcars, is now completed, and we understand that copies will be handed to the Press to-morrow (Friday).
1912 Parade.
Owners are reminded that the last date of entry without fine, for the C.M.U.A. parade of May next, is Monday the loth inst. Entry forms and full particulars may be obtained from the Secretary of the Association, at 89, Pall Mall, S.W. (the Royal Automobile Club), and there is no charge to members. Mr. G. W. Watson, who has been appointed sole inspecting engineer under the scheme, has already begun his duties.
Fodens for : "No. 13" not Unlucky.
With furthe.r reference to Messrs. Foden's announcement that they had been favoured by a fourteenth order from Joseph Rank, Ltd., we herewith illustrate " No. 13 " of this big steam motor tleet. Up to the end of 1910, Rank's possessed 10 steamers, all supplied by the El wo rth Works, Sandba.ch, but, dur:ng 1911 four additional fivetonners have either been ordered or delivered. This thirteenth vehick is in charge of driver W. Howes, who had No. 6 " for four years and took it over some 2-1,000 miles of road without mishap ; this older lorry in particular did much
hard and heavy work, during busy seasons, transporting as much as 135 ions a month. In spite of ita number, the vehicle shown has run without incident since early in 1910.
Where to Pull-up : Offers Wanted.
We shall give publicity, on this page each week until further notice, to all responsible offers of storage and allied accommodation for commercial motors. This important matter has been engaging our attention in detail for some weeks, and we revert to it on the first page . of the presentissue. We also direct attention to the additional letters on page 375. Drivers may be able to help us, from time to time, with advices and comment about good places. A scheme for the official recognition of suitable storage places is now before the C.M.U.A.
Baldoek.---First Garden City, Ltd.
Birmingham. T. C. Aveling and Co. (Birmingham), Ltd., 91-93, New Canal Street.
Bristol.—James Durnford and S011, Upland Road, Bedminster.
London.--James Bartle and Co., Western Ironworks, Lancaster Road, W.
We shall be pleased to add names of individuals, firms or companies with whose communications reasonable assurances of bona-fide intentions are supplied. Such names, arid others which may reach the Assoeiation direct, will be considered for official appointment. War-office Subventions, We learn from several users that the cheques from the War Office, in payment of the initial subsidy under the new subvention scheme, which payments were promised to take place " immediately," have not yet come to hand, and we also understand that the enrolment of drivers and other men is proceeding very slowly—if at all. Is this Treasury sleepiness again ? If so, there will be grave dissatisfaction on time part of the owners in question, and others who may have like experiences.
The Dundee Strike.
Again have motor wagons proved their value in connection with strike difficulties. At the carters' strike in Dundee, this form of transport fully demonstrated its ability to carry on the whole of the urgent portion of Dundee's transit service, and literally to force its way through all opposition. A local correspondent informs us that no motor vehicle has yet been held up. Re thinks that the harbour authorities should bring Dundee up to date by giving motor vehicles additional facilities for the removal of loads from the jute warehouses, in which class of work a pair-horse lorry can only take four loads of 12 bales each in a day, whereas a single motor lorry can deal with fully three times the number of bales.
Safeguarding the Proceeds of the Petrol Tax.
Elsewhere in this issue (page an) will befound a summary of the grants for road and bridge improvement which the Road Board has made to the end of December.
We desire to draw the parrcular attention of owners to the thoroughnoss with which the Board is setting its face against attempts on the part or certain local authorities to apply the proceeds of motorvehicle taxation to purposes of ordinary road maintenance. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the course of the debates on the Finance Bill in 1909, gave a specific pledge that the proceeds of motorvehicle taxation would be earmarked for road improvement. Subsequently, at the instance of the Commercial Motor Users Association, that allocation was extended to the improvement and strengthening of bridges. It is satisfactory to observe that the funds derived from the excess of the carriage tax and the proceeds of the petrol tax are well guarded.