. WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all digioultios of transport at whatever paints arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over Telvich it riois."—Johti Beattie Crosier. •
The 48-hour Week.
The question of the 48-hour week for motor drivers and carmen in the employ of members of the.' constituent bodies forming the National Alliance of Road Transport Associations, the Incorporated National Union of Horse and Vehicle Owners, and the Federated Coal Merchants of Great Britain, the workers being members of the National Transport Workers Federation, was discussed at a conference in London on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, and the results of the conference were ordered to be withheld for publication until a fortnight had elapsed, so that they could be circulated to the constituent bodies for consideration and confirmation. We understand, however, that the .men's applications were all withdrawn with the exception of the demand for a. 48-hour week, slid that has been conceded, the actual working periods to be a matter of arrangement in the different localities. The 48-hour working week is to include all duties, and it will come into operation on 31st AI arch.
Transport Legislation. .
The decision of the Standing Joint Committee of Road Transport Associations on the proposal to form a '244" Legislation Committee is adverse to its acceptance, for whilst the united transport .bodies are, willing, as theyalways have been,. to take-part in beeasibOal" conference between all the motor bodies they are not prepared to commit their interests to a. separate-body with wide executive powers. -The Standing Jr-011A Committee represents the whole of comniercial road le transport grouped and closely allied together, and the feeling exists that the motor trade should be similarly grouped and united, and the private car users' institutions
The scheme for the projected Motor Legislation Committee, how everj would mean the swamping of certain important interests, simply by the use of large sums of motley to purchase representation on the committee, and it is felt that' this scheme is unsound and must lead to difficulties. The counter suggestion that promises to receive the greater amount of support is that of an occasional conference on general legislaMen Matters, at which every motor mid tranXport body shall be entitled to be represented. And, in effect, perhaps the same amount of benefit will he secured.
Trani Traffic Accidents.
Owing to collisions the L.C.C. last quarter had to pay 23418 in respect of accidents arising in connection with the tramways. Claims by the council brought ill 2175. In three actions Against the council the virdicts were in favour of 'the council, but in three others the council lost and had to pay 299 and costs.
To deal with any matter concerning read transport which may arise in the House of Commons, the Standing Joint Committee of Road Transport _Associations has appointed a sub committee whichshall have one representative from each of the nine constituent bodies, and which.sthall be available to meet at a few hours notice,
Dunlop Rubber Profits.
The annual report of the directors of the Dunlop Co. for the year ended 31st August, 1918, shows a net profit, after providing for interest on income, stock, commissions, management expenses, depreciation and excess profit duty for the years 1914, 1915 and 1916 of 2649,503, which compares with 2435,109, in the previous year, when excess profits were not allowed for. With the amount• brought into the accounts of 2103,456, there is available for distribution 2752,960. The dividends on preference shares having been met, the ordinary shares which have accrued for dividend during the 12 months have already received interim dividends totalling to 3s. 3d. per LI, share, the later issue of shares having received interim dividend at the rate of,ls. 6d. per share. A final dividend on the whole of the shares at the rate of 1s, 6d. per share is now proposed, the total dividend distribution being 2501950, whilst 2121,250 will be written off the expenses of new capital issues. The directors state that they have retained in the rubber estates and special companies for development, and as additional working capital a sum of approximately 2164,000.
The London County Council has expressed general agreement with the proposals,outlin,ed by the-Commissioner of -Police of the Metropolis of a uniform system of lighting road obstructions, subject to a reservation as to, the extent of lighting necessary in the case of lateral obstructions.
L.C.C. Wants Omnibuses.
The Highways Committee of the London County Council have recommended "that notice be given by public advertisement of the intention of the Council to consider atLits meeting on February 18, 1919, a proposal that it shall take the necessary measures for promoting, in the Session of Parliament of 1919; legislation to enable the Council to own omnibuses, and to run, in and in the vicinity of the County of London auxiliary omnibus services for the linking/ up of tramway dead-ends and for other specific purposes; and to defray out ef the county fund the cost and expense of so'doing.' The reasons which have influenced the committee include the increased coat of tramway construction under present conditions, and the (act that the provision and working of omnibuses by the Tramway Committee is a practical way of meeting the requirements of the public with the least possible delay, with which.
of course, those who are acquainted with the utility of omnibus services will readily agree. A further reason is the fact that the provision of omnibuses on trial routes is a necessity with districts which are being newly developed,the committee feeling that omnibuses can be used until the development of such districts reaches a stage. at which tramway facilities would be practicable. The committee do not desire to be restricted to the area of the County., of London, but they do not propose that the power to run omnibuses outside thp county should extend beyond the reasonable • requirenients of the public using the council's tramways..
Benevolent Fund Concert.
The many readers of this paper who are members of the Cycle and Motor Prades Benevolent Fend—and likewise all who ought to be connected with that wonderfully-helpful organi•mtion — will note with interest .that hollowing the successes achieved by London and Birmingham centres) the Man& ester centre committee are arranging a concert for 21st February at the Midland Hotel Theatre. Accomplished artists will appear, and a notable.social rally is expected. Mr. John Newton, the centre chairman, wants to see the centre membership rise from 1000 to 2000. Concert tickets (1s. and 2s.) can be obtained from Mr. S. Shirley, hon. sec., 269, Deansgate, Manchester.
Tractor Work in Nottingham shire.
It is a significant sign of the increasing practidal interest in tractor work, which has been taken up nowhere with greater energy than in the Midlands, that, in place of the customary county agricultural show in Nottinghamshire this year, it has now been determined that an exhibition shall be substituted, in which ploughing and tractor trials in the autumn will constitute primary features. A great amount of valuable data as to the relative, merits of dilferent appli ances has been collated by the Notts. authorities, as a result of protracted experiments. and in the light of improvements which are being continually effected, the projected trials are being designed as likely to conduce to an eminently practical purpose, appealing to manufacturers and agriculturists alike.
Spare Government Motors. As the Government is placing on the market spare motor vehicles, and it is desirable to atain motors for the tramways department, amongst other purposes for tower wagons, the Leyton Council has authorized the chairman of the Tramways Committee and the manager to purchase vehicles should opportunity serve.
Proofs of the high efficierigy of British magnetos are accureulatii.):daily. The magnetos used on the 'Napier Major engine when the latest aeroplane altitude record of 30.500 ft.-4nearly six miles— was established were British, made by the Britian Thomson Houston CO., Ltd.,. of Coventry.
Bridges Over the Trent.
For a long period the paucity of mean,' of communication for crossing the Trent, particularly in the upper reaches of the river in North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, in its course towards the Humber, ber, has been the cause' of the greatest inconvenience to users of roads. Bridges are few in number and at considerable distances apart, involving long. and irksome detours in reaching the banks of the Trent,on either side. For many years the matter has occupied the attention of the county lanthmities concerned, but, whilst all admit the inconvenience entailed by the present woeful lack of provision, little has been done to meet the deficiency. The information is now vouchsafed that the Road Board is to take the matter seriously in hand. In no part of the country, possibly, has there been greater neglect hitherto in regard to an important inland waterway.
The difficulty has been naturally one of a financial character, the consideration being emphasized at the last meeting of the Notts. County Council, when the gratifying intelligence was' forthcoming as to the Board's intention in the matter, the Highways Committee expressing the view thatrunless some really sound argument could be adduced in theinterests of agriculture, it would not be right to ask,th9 county authorities to incur the expenditure involved in constructing the new bridges. It seems almost incredible, however, -that through a conflict as to financial responsibility, such an obviously necessary provision should have been so ;long delayed.
Claims for Extraordinary Traffic.
The County Councils Association have decided' to' ask the Joint Roads Committee to receive a deputation concerning the manner in which claims in respect of damage caused by extraordinary traffic are being dealt with on behalf of the Government.
An Albion Double-banjo Axle.
It would have been thought that all the possible variations of design embodying the double basjo forged rear axle for a heavy vehicle had been tried, from the original Maudslay and including the main variations exemplified by the Wolseley, Karrier' Thornycroft, Pagefield, and Leyland. Apparently this is not the case' for yet one more has been devised by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. Its novelty is, we take it, proved by the fact that letters patent have been grunted to it„ and the specification has just been published, its number being 121,089.
Worm and wheel is the type of transmission embodied and the circular central portion of the solid forged axle is placed vertically, which admittedly is the best position, in order to resist the binding stresses imposed by the load which the axle has to bear. With the object of accommodating the worm and wheel without increasing the size of the casing to an inconvenient extent, the circular portion of the axle is thrown out of en bra with regard to the extended arms Nithin which, of course, are the live axle shafts. For an overtype v,orm the banjo sentre is above that of the axle. Where an under type is to be embodied the reverse arrangement is made, that is to say, the centre of the main circle is below that of the axle proper. It is obvious that this design lends itself 'admirably to machining and erecting operations, both aa regards the forged part of the axle itself, and also the cast casings, front and back, which act as covers for the gearing and retainers for the lubricant.
Apollo Plugs.
We have noticed that some of the allbrass sparking plugs manufactured by the Apollo Manufacturing Co., Apollo Works, Moseley Street, Birmingham, receive very rough usage at the hands of many drivers, and that many of them become damaged as the result of the use of an ill-fitting spanner. Instead of subjecting these brass plugs to such rough treatment it would be far better for the drivers to obtain from the manufacturers of the plug a proper box spanner which will be sent to any applicant on receipt of sixpence for postage; the name of the vehicle or tractor should be mentioned when making application.
Vizlok Locknuts.
The British Industrial" Safety First" Association formed under the nresidency of Lord Leverhulme is performing a national duty in safeguarding the Bi:tish worker against accidents. It must be borne in mind, that any device which offers a measure Of protection to the worker, also concurrently ensures the employer against loss. Take the case of any class of machinery subject to incessant vibration. The tendency of nuts in ordinary use to slack back or be shaken off has always been a source of accidents. The problem of producing a nut to eliminate these possibilities, however, has been solved by the introduction of the Vizlok locknut made by Vizlok, Ltd., 3, St. Bride's House, Salisbury Square, Lonlon, EX. Since its initial introduction, some time back, this self-locking nut has found increasing favour amongst engineers C26 generally. It provides an absolute and permanent lock despite continuous and intensified vibration. The little booklet recently issued by the company con talus much useful information, which should be of help to the ininitiated.
Buses for East Ham.
Following the example of other inonicipal tramway authorities, East Ham proposes to buy a number of motorbuses. At a meeting of the council in committee the manager of the tramways was., directed to obtain estimates for the supply of 12 motorbuses.
Brown Brothers, Ltd., of Great Eastern Street, London, B.C., inform us that they have just become selling agents for Fastnut washers. The merits of this locking device are so well known throughout the motor trade that comment as to their reliability and efficiency is needless.
We are informed that, owing io the expiration of the lease of the present premises occupied by Drake and Gorham, Ltd-; in Manchester, the company is removing to new premises at 29, Piccadilly, Manchester. Their telephone number, 3700, and the telegraphic address, "Accumulator, Manchester," will remain unchanged.
"Extraordinary Traffic" Case.
The following additional contributions from the leading members of the motoi industry have been officially collected by the Commercial Vehicle Section of the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers, Ltd., to help in the defence of the test action brought by the Weston-super-Mare U.D.C. against Messrs. H. Butt and Sons, which defence has been organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association :—Twenty-five pounds each The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd.; Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.; Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield), Ltd.; Commercial Cars, Ltd. ; Daimler Co. ; Dennis Bros., Ltd. ; Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd. ; Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd.; Star Engineering CO. Ltd. ;
Straker-Squire, Ltd.; J. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd. ; Tilling-Stevens, Ltd.; Walker Bros. (Wigan), Ltd. The action will shortly reach She appeal court, and, if lost there, will be taken to the House of Lords for a final decision. The important points of general interest Which must be settled include the binding decision as to whether the mere change from horse transport to motor transport is, in itself, a ground for extraordinary traffic action.
The Industrial Reconstruction Council.
A conference on "The Place of the Merchant in British Industry" will be hold under the auspices of the Industrial Reconstruction Council on Tuesday, 11th February, at 6 pm., in the hall of the Institute of Journalists, 2 and 4, Tudor Street, E.G. 4. The chair will be taken by Colonel Wilfred Ashley, M.P. and the opening address given by Sir Charles McLeod, chairman of the Imperial Commercial Association, after which will follow questions and discussion.
A New Grease Cup. A New Grease Cup.
T' here is nothing more persistent than the inherent tendency of a grease cup to lose its cap. Several methods of preventing this have been devised and carried into effect from time to time but that which is illustrated by the accompanying sketch has many points to recommend it. It will be observed that the cap i.e provided with a fairly substantial rim en its lower open edge' and this rim is notched et intervals. A. spring steel bridle, secured to the body of the cup is so disposed that with the grease cap in position the bridle can be swung over it, and it then engages,' as shown, with two of the notches in the rim. In'this position it
acts to prevent the grease cap from unscrewing, and its dimensions are such that until the bridle is actually swung from the vertical position, the cap canrmt leave the cup.
There are two minor features which are worthy of mention. These are that the design does not involve any drilling of the cap as is necessary in the case when an internal spring is em
ployed as safety device. There is therefore no hole formed through which the grease can leak. Further, direct passage from the cup to the bearing is not obstructed by internal fittings. The device is provisionally protected, and the patentee is F. Sedgwick, of Gathurst.
Prices Still Advancing.
Demobilization has not yet had much effect in the motor industry apparently, and work is still held up.
The Ilford surveyor has reported, with reference to the town ambulance, that he has heard from Messrs. Todd and Wright, Ltd.,. that they think they an .finish the ambulance lbody in two or three months, but decline to give a guarantee as to the date on which it may be finished. The firm also stated that, in yiew of the increased cost of materials and the advance in wages, an additional cost of 25 per cent. an the price quoted for the body will be charged.
At the East Ham Corporation, Messrs Edison Accumulators, Ltd., asked for at increase of 7i per cent. on the contract price of the electric dust vans, owing to increased cost of labour, materials, etc., and the Corporation has acquiesced.
The Return of the Gas Bag.
Since the restrictions were removed there has been a considerable increase in the number of flexible gas-containers to be seen on the roads, and generally vas producers are in a position to supply gas for use in commercial vehicles. The accompanying picture shows a capacious gas container fitted to a light van owned by Messrs. Stuart Bros., Limehurst, Ashton-under-Lyne, which is used for the collection of soiled cleaning cloths. In place of the solid, sides of the usual closed van wire netting is used. A very neat-looking vehicle is the result, while the weight is reduced considerably by this means.
Fire Engines for Leyton.
Leyton Council's Fire Brigade -Committee has had under consideration the question of purchasing motor pumping engines to replace the present horsedrawn engines. The committee has secured a permit from the Ministry of Munitions and had a quotation from
Messrs. Dennis/Bros., of Guildford, and suggests applying to the Local Government Board to sanction a loan of £3600 for the purchase of three motor engines.
As a consequence of a fire at the Birmingham premises of S. , Smith and Sons (M.A.)., Ltd., recently, the company have found it neceksary to secure
temporary offices in Birmingham, and the new address is 2, Great Western Buildings, 6, Livery Street, Birmingham.
The Austin Engineering College is doing very good work, and an informative booklet has just been issued dealing with it.
Local Proceedings.
York city engineer has been instructed to make inquiries as to a light motor wagon, East Ham Corporation Works Committee reports that a three-ton motor lorry will be required for work under the Road Board's schema.
Bath Corporation Surveying Cornmittee has asked the acting city surveyor to report on the subject of street watering by means of mechanical power.
Camberwell guardians have appointed a committee to obtain information as to types of motor ambulances.