Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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Oar readers will be informed by The Editor 04 alty fioirits connected with the construction or use of commercial moiors. Where a direct refily is desired, a stampei and addressed envelope should be closed: if a request for Privacy is not se tally made, any guery and answer may be _published.
The Calculation of "Ton-mileage" " S.T.P." (Northampton) [1287] writes :—" As a reader of your paper, I should be obliged for your advice upon the fol. lowing matters.
" (a) Is there any generally-accepted meaning of the term ton-mile,' or does each user apply his own interpretation? In other words, does the tonnage ' include vehicle and load, or load only ; and does the mileage ' refer to the mileage that the load is carried or to total mileage (loaded or empty)? It is obvious that, unless there is some such generallyaccepted interpretation, the costs per ton-mile which makers publish are of little use in making, comparisons. " (b) In running a trailer with a motor wagon, does the registration of the motor cover the trailer, or are both required to be registered? " (c) What number of persons are required (legally) to run a steam wagon, and what number, if a trailer is used with the wagon? (I know of several wagons in this district, which have three men in attendance; is this legally necessary ?)."
ANSWER—You will find a reference to the question of ton-miles on page 310 of our issue of the 23rd inst. The replies to your three questions are as follows :— (a) The term ton-mile is not exact unless prefaced by the word " net " or " gross." Where costs of conveying merchandise are under discussion, the term must be held to 'mean the "net ton-mile." The word "tonnage " should be held to refer to the useful load, but the word " mileage " refers to the total mileage of the vehicle, whether loaded or empty. Any costs per ton-mile which are published by makers will refer to the net ton-miles, but, if estimates, they may not make sufficient allowance for light loads, and may credit the vehicle with having a useful load all the time. If the total cost is divided by the net ton-miles, the expense while running empty is not ignored : it has its due effect upon the resulting figure.
(b) No separate registration of a trailer is necessary, but it must bear the same number as the motorcar which isdrawing it at any time.
(c) Only one person is legally necessary to drive a steam wagon, and no extra man is needed, provided the brake of the trailer can be applied from the wagon independently of the brakes of the motor, or if neither of the brakes upon themotorcar can be applied without bringing into action simultaneously the brake attached to the trailer.
rSeveral answers arc unavoidably held over orouvh -want of syree.]