Interview with Mr. E. R. Calthrop, M.Inst.C.E.
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Mr. Everard R, Calthrop, .senior in the firm of E. R. Calthrop and Partners, consulting engineers, of 3, Crosby Square, E.C., recently came back to London, as reported by us, from a long tour in Mexico. Though primarily abroad in connection with the railway branch of his profession, Mr. Calthrop, as might have been expected from the sole nominee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to the panel of judges in the R.A.C. Trials of September-October last, was naturally on the qui vice to note any openings for commercial Motors. One of the earliest and staunchest advocates of heavy motors, the writer well remembers Mr. Calthrop's valuable assistance in the drafting of the conditions for the first Liverpool trials, and the serious attention which he gave to the subject in the month of November, 1897. It was, therefore, in a reminiscent mood that the interview opened on Monday morning.
Anent the R.A.C. Report.
The first theme, after an exchange of greetings, was the much-discussed judges' report on the R.A.C. Trials. ' I have read the report, and am satisfied that it will prove very useful," remarked Mr. Calthrop, " although there are one or two matters which I should have liked to have seen treated somewhat differently." " Of course," we interjected, " you were not able to contribute to its compilation?" " No, much to my regret. Had it been possible to go
straight ahead with the work, during October, November and December last, as I personally desired to do, I should have been able to do my share, but unforeseen circumstances conspired to prevent this. Then, although I took a blank copy with me to New York, at the end of December, as well as the notes which I had made during the trials, and although I had every .intention to spend a week or more oh Oat work alone, a very severe attack of influenza, contracted in New York, which prostrated me, after my arrival in Mexico City, for upwards of four weeks, and necessitated -my going into the American 'Hospital, entirely put the writing beyond my powers. It was then too late to handle the matter. I feel that this explanation is due from me to my colleagues on the judges committee."
• The First Horseless City,
.BefOre proceeding to the real subject of our chat with Mr.
,Calthrop, that of prospects in -Mexico, enquiry was made as to his comparative impressions of New York and London traffic, and of any changes which he might have noted after his five-Months' absence.
." I have formed no special opinion as to the occurrence of
changes in London since the end of last year, because, so far; I have practically only been able to see the City between Liverpool Street anif this office. There are, certainly, a largernumber of cabs and omnibuses in service, and they appear to me to be magnificently handled, considering all the circumstances and difficulties of city traffic, but I should not like to attempt to establish comparisons. There is, however, one very remarkable feature of to-day's situation in New York, and that is the excess of motor over horse traffic in Fifth Avenue and other main thoroughfares. New York City, in my opinion, is well on the way to become a horse less city, in which event it will enormously benefit as regards the sanitary and economic conditions of the streets. There is a general consensus of opinion that the horses are best out of New York."
Conditions in Mexico.
Rail, motor, and horse have been equally turned to account by Mr. Calthrop during his lengthy sojourn in Mexico. Coming into contac: with some of the highest officials, and travelling over a vast area of the country, he had unusual opportunities of observing present conditions, and of becoming acquainted with the intentions of the Government as to future developments. From the wellpaved streets of Mexico City and its immediate environs, to mountain trails which only the astonishingly sure-footed ponies and pack mules of Mexico can traverse, he had experience of every kind of transportation across country, and knew. the • joys of bumping from -rock _-to -rock, by motor, on tracks with gradients: as steep as in -3, upon which
only a Mexican would think of venturing, and now he should, if any English-man were ever able, be in a position to touch the pulse of both the country and its people. •
" The roads, you ask? Mexico City alone,and a few of the larger towns, possess rather good roads, but these are being gradually extended, owing to the great influence of the Government officials and rich property owners who use motorcars. The Governors of the various States are fully alive to the advantages of the motorcar as a means of keeping in touch with the cities and towns away from the railways, and are paying great attention to improved road construction, and, in some cases, roads are being specially built for motoring, or are being improved to permit of greater speeds being attained with safety, but it will obviously be a matter of years—five, ten, or more, perhaps—before any considerable network of improved roads will be available. For the longer distances, of course, railways are alone commercially practicable."
Both Inclination and Money are There.
" Everything is. favourable to immediate and sustained business io motors, though the pleasure car has come to the front first of all. Wealthy Mexicans, of whom there are very many., are all good sportsmen, and, as the various competitions which have recently been inaugurated between Mexico City and Cuernaveda show, do not care how much money they spend, either on the vehicle or onits maintenance, in order to get into the front rank,. and no questions are asked if a set of tires is worn out in six weeks, or less. The motor enables them to get about as they never did before, and that is enough. You may take it from me that, both by inclination and means, the progressive and .receptive inhabitants of the principal Mexican cities will purchase commercial vehicles and tractors for mining, trade, and agricultural uses. Enterprise is considerable,. as you will ape preciate when I tell you that at least one restaurant in Mexico City runs motorbuses for the free Use of its customers, and conveys them from the city to a particular fashionable suburb, and back again after their meals. There arc, too, many vans and lorries in service, and a few motorcabs, hut the business has barely been started yet."
The Future.
" Railway-inspection cars are in immediate demand.• Next, I think, the Post OffiCe authorities Who are quite up• to date in their horsed vehicle equipment will purchase mailvans, and municipal authorities will invest in vehicles for their various requirements. Cohtemporanebusly, of course,general traders will place their Orders, hitt,. as You wiltrealise from .my earlier statements, sales _oan .be Made centres of population only for the: present. Of course, having regard to the example set by: owners of. cars, my .belief is . that a limited number if buyers will use their vans over surfaces which would not even be considered in this country, but instances of that kind cannot be very numerous, having regard to the necessity for the observance of economy with business vehicles. In the State of Texas, I travelled in a private car over virgin prairie land from Big Springs to Post City, a distance of over TOO miles, at over 20 miles an hour, but a regular service over the prairie has been , in existence for some months."
An Important Suggestion.
"I should like you to give publicity in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR' ICI a suggestion for the development of British trade, not only in Mexico, but in various other countries. Why should not the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders establish a number of trade information branches throughout the world? It has the funds, and the reports sent home by such representatives would, of course, be impartially and uniformly circulated. Taking the City of Mexico, with its population of 85o,00o people, and an annual increase of something like 35,000 a year, I am well satisfied that the expenditure of less than A.:i,000 per annum, to cover salaries, office, and travelling expenses, would bring a much greater return to the British industry. A British car is rarely to be seen, and yet the business already done in both sporting and commercial vehicles is really most remarkable, Consular information is seldom What it should be; and only a,specialist can really:belan intelligent'nfficer for this class of biAriess.