WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at -whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over ?cilia it rtens."—JOhn Beattie Crozier. The
Road Transport Board.
In the House of Commons last week Mr. Alden asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministrvof Food whether the Road Transport "'Board is about to take over the whole of the road transport of the country, with a view to the better distribution of food ; and if he can make any statement as to the methods to be employed? Mr. Wardle : It is not proposed to take over the road transport of the country, but the Road Transport Board has been' appointed to take such measures as may be necessary to ensure the most economic use of road transport vehicles and their efficient allocation for meeting such requirements as may arise from time to time for the transport of food, munitions, and ether war-materials, and for the essential needs of the trade and industry of the country. Powers have been taken under a Defence of the Realm Regulation to enable the Bead Transport Board to carry out its functions.
British Motor Manufacturers;
The annual general meeting of the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers, Ltd., was held on Thursday, 23rd May. Mr. Manville, -who has been president of the Association since it was reorganized, was unable to stand for re-election, having taken up the important duties of president of the _Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom. In proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr. Manville referred in detail to the work done by the Association, emphasising its present utility to the industry and its. great possibilities of future usefulness. The balance-sheet and report were unanimously adopted. Mr. H. C. B. Underdown was elected president of the Association for the ensnipe. year.
Mr. Bernard Caillard was elected vicepresident for the ensuing year.
The Executive at present consists of the president, vice-president and ex-president, and of representatives of each section. The offices of chairman and vicechairman of the sections are at present filled as follow :—Section of Private Car Manufacturers : Chairman, Mr. E. Powell (Humber) • vice-chairman Mr. L. Walton (Vauxhall). CommercialVehiele Section : Chairman, Mr. H. C.B. Underdown (Commercial Cars); vicechairman, Mr. F. Churchill (J. and E. Hall). Motorcycle Section : Chairman, Mr. J. W. Stocks (Components); vicechairman, Mr. C. A. Hyde (B.S.A.). Accessories and Components Section : Chairman, Mr. Bernard Caillard (British Lighting and Ignition. Co.); vice-chairman, Mr. H. Johnson (Lucas).
A number of gpecial committees are also in being. These include an Overseas Trade Committee under the chairmanship. of Mr. Powell, and a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Underdown dealing with the formation of a research association.
Petrol for Taxicabs.
In the House of Commons last week, Major Hunt asked (1) whether, in view of the fact that the men formerly employed by the British Motor Cab Co. are now out of employment because this company closed down on account of not being allowed Is. a mile, he can see his way to allow these unemployed men to be employed by other cal) owners and the same amount of petrol allowed for their employment 'as that used by the British Motor Cab Co. before it closed down; (2) whether, -in view of the fact that the supply Of two gallons per week for a taxicab is only enough for four days, he will consider the advisability of supplying each licensed driver with petrol weekly instead of at present supplying it to the cab owners? The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Wardle): Motor spirit -licences for taxicabs ere issued only to the registered owners of vehicles after the vehicles have been certified to be taxicabs licensed, to ply for hire by the local licensing authorities, and a licence cannot be issued either to a licensed driver as such, or to a cab owner in respect of a driver's employment. The quantity allowed for taxicabs in the Metropolitan area is 60 gallons per month, or, approximately, 2 gallons per day, and not 2 gallons per week, as suggested by the hon. and gallant member. In view of the urgent necessity of conserving supplies of petrol, it is not. possible to increase this quantity.
Engineering Standards Association.
The Engineering Standards Committee, which, as is well known, was formed in 1901 by the leading engineering institutions, has now become incorporated under the Companies Acts, 19084917, the word Limited being omitted by licence of the Board of Trade. The committee, therefore, becomes now a corporate body with a legal entity, and is thus enabled to maintain its position in regard to its brand, which has been largely used in a number of the .British Standard Specifications. The wider use of the brand by manufacturers generally who are Working to the British standards should be of material advantage to the British engineering industry throughout the world. The good work that the committee, has done during the past 17 years, which is such a monument to its founder, the late Sir John Wolfe Barry, K.C.B., F.R.S:, and its acknowledged position in the engineering world, makes its incorporation a logical sequence in its development.
Committee of Reconstruction.
The Motor Industry Branch Committee_ of the Engineering Trades (New Industries) Committee of the Ministry of Reconstruction is now constituted as follows :—Chairman, Mr. H. C. B. Underdown ; yice-chairmaii, Mr. B. Caillard ; members, Mr. E. Powell, Mr. J. W. Stocks, Mr. L. Walton, Mr, E. M. C. Inatone, Mr. G. 'M. Young, Mr. C. A. Hyde, and Mr. H. M. Wyatt.
Glasgow Tyre Offices.
For the convenience of Shrewsbury and Challiner clients in Scotland the company has opened suitable offices at 68, Gordon Street, Glasgow, and has equipped local premises, namely, in Great Wellington Street (Paisley Road Toll) with a large hydraulic tyre press and plant for the fitting of solid tyres. These premises allow tor the accommodation of vehicles, and have every facility for carrying out the 'Work in the shortest possible time. To avoid disappointment and delay, in delivery to clients outside the dlasgow area, a suitable Stock of tyres will be kept at the new offices ready for despatch
at the shortest notice. All letters and communications should be addressed to the offices, 68, Gordon Street.
B.I.A.A. Presentation.
At the annual general meeting of the British Ignition Apparatus Association last week Mr. Ernest Garton, who has acted as hon, secretary of the association from its inception, was entertained at dinner by the members, and presented • on their behalf by the chairman, Mr. Peter F. Bennett, with a token of appreciation and thanks in the form of a very handsome grandfather's clock. W.D. Lorries as Freight Trains.
In the House of Commons last week, Colonel Gretton asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that motor lorries driven by Army drivers travel empty-by road from Scotland and the North of England to the South; and if arrangements will be made to avoid and end this waste of transport by loading these lorries with food and goods se. quired in the South? Mr. MacPherson: I am not aware that any motor lorries driven by Army drivers have travelled empty from Scotland and the North of England to the South. If my hou, and gallant friend is referring to lorries delivered by manufacturers it is the practice, whenever possible, to use such lorries for the conveyance of goods.
Mr. Graham Reece's SOn Missing.
We are extremely sorry to hear that Mr. J. Graham Reece. proprietor of j. Blake and Co., 20-22., Rodney Street, Liverpool, received information a few days ago to the effect that his son, Lieut. S. B. Reece, Royal Air Force, was missing, after taking part in an air attack ever the German lines. A misapprehension is abroad concerning his fate as the result of which Mr. Reece has received many letters of sympathy on the "death" of his son. We sincerely hope and trust that these may be ill-founded, and that Mr. Reece may receive speedy intimation of his son's well-being.
American electric vehicle ma`nufac'Liners, confronted, in common with others, with abnormal freight transportation congestion, have resorted to the Method of " self-delivery " (under their own, power) of their cars, both the lorry and passenger types.
Three-wheeled Electrics.
Somewhat recently there was introduced in America an electric tractor unit, designed to replace a team of horses, while uther ise employing existing truck equipmnnt, One of these units is a thee-wheeled model, propelled by the forward electric wheel, and is of a length about equal to a pair of •horses. The speed when loaded is approximately 50 per cent. Mater than that of a team of horses and about 100 pee cent. when running empty. This model is expected to accomplish results ordinarily achieved by two horse teams and drivers. The plan is to use line tractor in connection with two wagons, no change being made in wagon construction °they:than to remove the tongue and the whippletree, and. to substitute a suitable flexible connectiue which will enter into the couplingat either side of the electric tractor. It is understood that a number of these electric tractor installations are working very satisfactorily in practice in America.
German Transport.
The German Government is forming an association entitled, " Deutsche Staats Kraftwagengesellschaft " (German State Motor Vehicle Co.), in which the motor industry and various local civil authorities are invited to take an active part. The association wilt control the buying of raw material and accessories, and also provide vehicles for passenger-carrying as well as transport for the cartage of merchandise in Germany. The company will deal with traffic problems and difficulties, the potential shortage of vehicles after the war, and they will also place their vehicles at the disposal of the army authorities in case of need.
Transport Officers' Addresses.
Contractors who arrange contracts with the Ministty of Munitions have received a form (MC. 90) which gives the addresees and telephone numbers of the Area Transport Officers, who in many cases (so it is notified on the form) will be able to arrange for the conveyance of the material at a less cost than is possible under private arrangements, and can also in many cases arra7.nge to save
a special journey being made by the contractor's vehicle and with possibly an empty run home.
The addresses of the Area Transport Officers are as follow :—
Scotland (Glasgow), 39, El robank Crescent; 'phone, Central 9880. Newcastle-on-Tyne, Pearl Buildings, • Northumberland Street ; 'plane, Newcastle Central 3814.
lliiildlesbrough, Royal Exchange Build ings; 'phone, Middlesbrough 466. Liverpool, Pearl Buildings, St. John's Lane; 'phone, Liverpool lank 5174. Manchester, 70, Spring Gardens; 'phone, City 8450. Leeds, Quebec Chambers, Quebec Street ; 'phone, Central 5500.
Sheffield, Fosters Buildings; 'phone, Sheffield 1698.
Bradford, Royal Hotel, Room 14; 'phone, Bradford 3866, Ext. 8.
Birmingham, 111, New Street ; 'phone, Midland 2700.
Coventry, 44, Bayley Lane ; 'phone, Coventry 1361, Cardiff, Principality Buildings, Queen Street; 'phone, Cardiff 5252.
Bristol, 3, Unity Street, College Green 5. 'phone, Bristol 5090.
Austrian Army Vehicles.
The Austrian Motor industry is now taking active steps to deal with the question of discarded army, motor vehicles during and after the war. It is at the request of the Austrian Minister of Trade that members of the motor industry will place a scheme before him which will probably be on similar lines to the German scheme, viz., that a syndicate will be formed with a capital of approximately a million kronen to be representative of all motor manufacturers who will buy vehicles from the army authorities and allow each manufacturer of his own particular make of vehicle to repair and 'sell them to the public. In this way the scheme will do much to obviate the very important consideration of maintaining the reputation of the mamifacturer's mane, •which would probably suffer if the vehicles passed to the public without the manufacturers first having had the opportunity of overhauling the vehicle with a view to ascertaining whether it is suitable for further service in a civilian role.
Overturned Carrying Munitions.
In our issue for the 2nd May, on page 210, we illustrated a. Maudslay lorry which had overturned in the battle area in France. We statied that the vehicle had come to grief during the confusion of retreat in the early stages of the German offensive, whereas, as a matter of fact, the vehicle was proceeding up the line with a load of ammunition when all accident occurred, whilst passing a battery on the road, which resulted in the ttack rod snapping and the vehicle took the bank and overturned. We are in debted to the driver of the Maudslay for the correct facts.
Mr. R. L. Ferguson, of the Motor Branch of the 'Munitions Inland Transport, has been appointed chairman of the London Divisional Board of the Road. Transport Board.
The Board of Trade is asking tramway authorities to consider whether they can arrange for the establishment of parcel delivery service as an auxiliary to the tramway service.
Efficiency Competition.
Widespread interest attaches to the plan of the Packard Motor Car Co. to co-operate with the Highways Transport Committee of the Council ef National Defence by inviting Packard lorry owners to enter a three month's efficiency test from 1st.June. The $5000 in awards which they offer to promote greater motor truck efficiency will lsa
divided according to the following vehicle classification ;— Class A.-4 and 2-ton vehicles, owner's award, $1000; driver awards, $500, $100 and $75.
Class B.-3 and 4-ton vehicles; owner's award, $1000; driver awards, $500, $100 and $75.
Class 0.-5 and 6-ton vehicles; owner's award, $1000; driver awards, $500, $100 and $75.
Neither the age of the vehicle nor the line of business in which it is engaged is a handicap in the test. These two factors and many others are taken into consideration, so that all the vehicles will compete on an absolutely fair and impartial basis. Any lorry, no matter whether it hauls gravel, Ice-cream or coal, has an equal opportunity with every other lorry in its class, and so has its driver. The awards will be based an certified records over the period chosen.
Every vehicle entered will be working for Uncle Sam as well as for the owner. Every driver will be helping the country by operating the lorry in his charge more efficiently. Besides the freight cars that will be saved for urgent Government purposes, congestion at hundreds of shipping platforms will be cleared up and more tonnage of food and other necessaries moved.
Spares in Stock.
We have received a copy of an extremely comprehensive catalogue from Palmer's Garage and Engineering Works, 183-199, High Street, Tooting, well known as automobile and aeroplane engineers, detailing the huge number of five million accessories and spares of interest to motor vehicle users. Nuts, bolts, bushes, yoke ends, studs, pins, castellated nuts, set screws, steel screws, forgings, gear blanks, taps, steel stampings, castings; ball races, files and a hundred and one other divers essentials to meet commercial vehicle users requirements, are held in great variety, and can be supplied ex stock. The catalogue will be posted to anyone interested, and is -ertainly worthy of careful perusal; it should be kept for future,reference, for in these days of difficulty in securing small accessories and spares, it is very helpful to know where requirements are likely to be readily met.
Motorbus Queues.
In order to facilitate traffic, tb-si L.G.0,C. have decided to institute a rya.
tern of queues at 29 points on omnibus
routes. Inspectors will be present at certain places during the busiest hours of the day to supervise the arrangements and to see that the passengers are formed up in order. .
Women to Drive Trams.
At last the police are going to let women drive tramcars. Hitherto they have .persistently declined, despite repeated appeals of tram managers, bile now the manager a the Walthamstow Council tramways reports that the Commissioner of Police agrees to license women as drivers.
A chairman is being sought for by the Road Transport Board for the Divisional Board of the South Midland area..
The Bussing .motor concern recently invested a million marks in, the eighth German War Loan and the employees 132,000.
Local Proceedings.
Holborn Guardians are to purchase a motorcar.
East Ham Council has -purchased a second-hand Austin moeorear for £350, Forfarshire C.C. is to consider the purchase of a steam tractor for the Brechin district • Chester T.C. has accepted the tender of Messrs. Drake and Gorham, at £1438 12s. 6d., for an electric wagon, Tottenham U.D.C. has accepted the tender of Dennis Bros., Ltd., at £925, for a motor fire escape.
A committee of members of the Health and Electricity Committeesof WiLesden U.D.C. is to inquire into the ques tion of the collection of house refuse. • Glasgow Watch Committee has de. dined the offer of Greenock Corporation to purchase a motor first-aid vehicle for £300 from the Glasgow Corporation
Ilford U.D.C. has now item ted. an offer of Messrs. Todd and Wei,. lit 0; a Renault car, 20-30 h.p., for £250, 'and a further -offer to conetruct, an ambulance body for it for £180.
Southampton C.C., which has seven motor lorries, is purchasing two more. The vehicles, since the shortage of ra'hway trucks, have been of great service o the surveyor in, the transport of stor as required for road repairs.
At the Electricity Committee of the Glasgow Corporation the Engineer reported that he proposed to reduce the number of emergency Men employed at the various generating stations, and to enable him to do so it would be necessary to purchase two motorcars for the effective utilization of thereduced staff. He was empowered to purchase two second-hand petrol cars at a cost not exceeding £250 each.
Mr. W. Birtwistle, J.P, the wellknown Lancashire cotton manufacturer, has been elected a. vice-president of the North and East Lancashire C.M.H.A.
,Creditors of the Anglo-American Export Co., Ltd.' importers and exporters of German motorcars, etc., 134-137, Birkbeck Chambers, Holborn, W.C. (which is now being wound up under the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916), are required to send in particulars of their claims on or before 22nd June, to The Controller, M. C. R. Beeby, 66, Basinghall Street, B.C. 2.