WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The 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 which it runs. "—John Beattie Crosier.
Transport Workers Amalgamating.
An 7-mmortant, conference was held in London cm Wednesday of last week of delegates of 19 unions Of dock and transport workers to consider a scheme for the amalgamation of those unions. Most of them are affiliated to the Transport Workers' Federation, and the object of the projected amalgamation is that they may be enabled to act as one union in that Federation, and by strength of numbers to determine its policy.
The Transport Workers' Federation is composed of 34 anions with a total membership of about 400,000, 60MB. of the unions, however, • overlapping. It is expected • that the new amalgamation, which will be known as the Titansport and General Workers' Union, will have 500,000 members under the control of a national executive possessing power to call a strike. It, is proposed that it shall include virtually all workers in the transport industry except railway and seafaring men.
Area conferences and mass meetings of members opening at Manchester last Friday were organized in order that the scheme may he thoroughly explained to ithe members. A ballot will then he taken, and it is a, legal requirement that 50 per cent. of the members of a union must vote in the ballot for amalgamation, ratification depending upon a favourable majority of not less than 20 per cent of
those voting. • It is proposed that there shall be one national executive with a .president, general secretary and financial secretary, and there will be five national groups,
each having its own committee and its own secretary, these groups
covering respectively docks, waterways, clerical, road transport and general workers.
Tradesmen's Vehicles.
The annual Motorcycle Show is always of some interest to a certain section of motor vehicle users.
010 of which were fitted with a small box, which can be used for the conveyance of light packages.
A driver in the employ of Buck's Fleet Motors, Ltd., recently found upon the highway a car receipt note, the date of which is October 20th, the signatory being J. Allen. It, is now in our posses: sion and will be posted on to the actual owner if he can provide satisfactory evidence to show that it is his property.
The effect of the new regulation under the Finance Act of 1920 upon Owners of private motorcars is clearly set out in the current issue-of The Motor.
Lower Tax for Miniature Electric Trucks.
Under the Finance Act of 1920, electrically-propelled vehicles are !iable to a tax of £6 per annum and it has been urged upon the Ministry of 'transport that considerable hardship would be caused if this tax were imposed upon the small industrial electrically.prepeiled trucks which are used so much in factories, werkshipe, goods-yards and docks to transport goods and material a short distance, sometinies along the public highway from one factory to another, or; perhaps from the factory a short distance to the nearest railway goods-yard.
The annual mileage covered by these little trucks is very small, but, of course, the circumstances vary in every case. The Ministry of Transport has been approached by the Eleotiic Vehicle Committee, with assistance from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with a:view to some material reduction in the tax in the ease of such vehicles, and it is highly probable, from the•statement which has been issued by the Roads Department of the Ministry, that the proposal will receive favourable consideration, although the exact liability to taxation of a particular vehicle must depend upon the circumstances of the case.
, Dennis .Profits.
The. profits of -Dennis Bros., Ltd., for the past year are £111,500, as compared with L97,500 for the previous year. -With this increase ef profit, there is no difficulty in maintaining the dividend at 20 per cent., the rate paid for the preceding two veers. Theallocation to reserve is
reduced from £25,000 to £10,000, but the sum carried forward, viz., £.15,200, is £1,000 to the good.
The 1921 C.M.U.A. Parade.
The London parade of commercial motor vehicles ergartized by the C.M.U.A. will take place on Saturday, April 2nd, 1921, the location depending upon the number of entries. Parades will also be held next year in every C.M.1T.A. Division. The London parade i$ again
being limited to teams of s i x vehicles.
E x a rn.in.ations for drivers will be held both in London and in the Provinces, the latter all on the
• e evening during the last week in April. The questions will be sent down from London, and the completed papers will be returned to London f o r marking, in order to ensure uniformity. Oral examinations in the Provinces, w i 1.1 be discontinued. in future.
London Municipal Motors.
Two reports just issued by the Borough Councils of Marylebone ancl Lambeth prove the financial savings effected Since motor transport has been adopted in the collection of house refuse, etc.
The Marylehone report refers to the new methods adopted, and compares them with the old system. Figures supplied by the Borough accountant abew that lip to date the capital expenditure of the department has been under 244,000. This figure includes the purchase of the leases of wharves, 17 motor lorries, 23 barges, atugs, screening plant and £6,258 for motor street-sweeping machines and watering machines, and a v.acuuere gulley cleanser. At present-day prices the value of the plant and premises would be well over 250,000. It is eetimated that by doing its own Work without the intervention of contractors a saving of 230,000 has been effected, besides a saving of 231,000 recorded in street. cleansing by motor sweepers, which is.aleale with more fully in another. paragraph on Lillis page. The Lambeth Council report also records the economy of direct labour in some of the wards. The saving effected is put down at 22,835. In this case the refuse is sent away 'by rail. The Council has not -yet adopted motor transport generally, so that there are still possibilities for further ,saving. That great economies ought to be brought about in the -collection and disposal of London refuse is realized by moat of the borough councils, which have at the. moment a conference to discuss the pcssibilitiee of co-operation.
C.M.U.A. Divisional Engineer.
An innovation, of the CM U.A. North WesternDieision has been made by the appointment, of a divisional engineer to act as consultant in thio interests of members in this area. Mr. H. Draper, A..M.I.Mech.E., A.M.I.Auto.E., is the appointed engineer. -He will act: on behalf of Mr. Geo. W. Watson, M.I.M.E.; M.I.A.E., 50, Pall Mall, S.W., who is the chief consulting engineer for the C.M.U.A. of the U.K. The inspection and classification. of well-equipped repair depots nod report as to their suitability
of carrying out all repairs expeditiously and at reasonable charges, will be made throughout the division, and a list of. same compiled and supplied to members.
This is supplying a long-felt want of commercial motor users and will be of immense benefit, as members in the first place will be assured when taking their vehicles to an approved repairer that they are thoroughly equipped and cons
ent, to deal with same, and the account or charges will be reasonable.
10 Years' Mail-carrying Service.
It is interesting to note the remarkable distanees that can be covered by one single petrol-driven vehicle, in the space of a few years. • For example, the Leyland Royal Mail ,van, of which we reproduce a picture on this page, was delivered to the General Post Office, London, in Mardi, 1910, and has since been continually carrying mails from London to the various docks on the
South Coast. During the Period of its service it has covered something over 250,000 miles or about 68 miles per day. It is fitted with the old-type Levlend four-cylinder 25-30 h.p. engine, which has . been a marked stepping se:me in bringing the Leyland engine to its present state of efficiency.
Derelict Lorries from France.
The haulage and conveyance a many thousands -of lorries from France via Rich-be-rough to Slough, which continued from August, 1919, to April, 1920, did. much damage to the main roads. In Kent it is recorded that nearly 10,000 derelict lorries, .and 2.000 cars were towed or carried over 65 miles of main roads, and the towing chassis ma-dc 23,498 journeys. The total weight passing over the roads was approximately 128,500 tons. Moreover, as the county engineer reports, the railway strike undoubtedly caused many additional commercial vehicles to 'be placed permanently on the roadsThe cmmi'bus traffic for regular services between most of the towns and villages in the county, including those running out of London even as far as the coast, and motor coaeh .traffic is ever on the increase, The Djambi Oilfields.
-The Dutch Government has introduced a Bill to entrust the working of the big Djarnhi oilfields in the Dutch East Indiee, which have been the subject of so much controversy in and outside the DutchParliament and of rivalry between the twe big opposing oil groups of the world, to a company for which the Dutch East Indian Government will pre. vide half the capital and the Bataafsche Petroleum Co., of the Royal Shell group, the other half. The Bataafeehe Co'. is to be giventhe management of the new enterprise which is to be called the Netherlands Indian Oil Co., but under the control of a board of five members, three of whom will be nominated by the Dutch Minister of Colonies.
In payment for its management defies, the Bataafsche Co. will receive 10 per eent. of the net profit after 10 per cent. thereof has been placed to reserve, while the profit eventually distributed will be divided between the State and t•lie holders of the other half of the shares in proportions varying from 60 and 40 per cent. respectively to 70 and 30 per cent., the State thus receiving the giant'sshare. The capital will he 10,000,000 florin, a tenth of which is to be paid upon the establishment of the company.
Money-saving Motor. Sweepers.
The efficiency and economy of motor sweepers for street cleansing is brought out, in a report of the Maryleboile Borough Council, which states that a large amount of money has been saved. Between March, 1915, and March, 1920, the wages paid to sweepers have risen from 28s. 6d. to 61s. per week. For the five years prior to 1915 the wages paid to sweepers and for horse hire and repairs to sweeping machines were 279,000. For the five years ending1920 if the same staff had been employed with manual labour the cost would have amounted to £101,600; whereas, owing to the 'introduction of motor sweepers, etc„ the cost is 270,000, showing a clear saving to the ratepayers of 231,000, and, moreover, this on a capital expenditure of only 22,250.
Thornycroft's New Catalogue.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., have sent us a specimen copy of their newly issued catalogue of Thornycreft
motor vehiclea is an extremely informative and artistic production consisting of 48 pages, and containing a wealth of information regarding the 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton : models ,the company are now ma.king. Commencing with a. lengthy description of the -technical features of Thernycroft, chassis, with illustrations of the most important parts, each model is dealt With separately with every item of information that a prospective buyer is likely to require when in doubt as to the exact model or type of body best suited for his particular purpose.
A. most attractive feature of the catalogue is a series of illustrations', in colour, of different, typeelof vehicle.% and these are supplemented by views of each type of chassis and the raaey alternative types of' vehicle bodies which can be supplied. It is a most creditable production. Those contemplating the purchase of a motor vehicle would be well advised to apply for a, copy to 10, Grosvenor Place, S.W. 1, asking for catalogue No. 213.
Motors for Islington.
Islington Borough Council proposes to • improve its street cleansing methods by introducing motor transport. The Cleansing Committee states elia-t the present system of horses and manuak labour is slow, tedious and costly. It is satisfied that the work of gully cleansing would be more expeditiously carried out by a 5 ton Leyland steam-driven gully emptier of 1,000 gallons capacity, and which will cost £1,790, less 5 per cent. discount. The committee estimates that this machine will more than pay its cost in the first 12 months.
The committee concludes that street watering would be more efficiently carried out by 12 mechanically-driven vehicles, and it accordingly proposes ta arrange for demonstrations of likely machines. Meanwhile it suggests the immediate purchase of a 41 ton Halle ford motor \rater van, with an interchangeable body for house refuse collection, at a cost of £850, this price being considered by the committee "very reasonable." The cost of 13 other motor water vans is estimated at £29,000.
Road sweeping is now done by six .horse-drawn machine brooms at an
annual cost of £2,808. The cleansing superintendent declares that two'motor machines, at £650. each, will do all this work at an annual cost of £1,750.
Leicester's Projected Improvements.
Leicester, like several other of the older Midland towns, which have out growntheir original limits, suffers from the inconvenience -of possessing many torbuohe and narrow thoroughfares in its central areas. Users of motor vehicles will learn with satisfaction that the Corporationdetermined at its last meeting to promote a Bill in Parliament to obtain power for an ambitious scheme of street improvement. There was some attempt to curtail the scope of the ptioject, which, with the necessary acquisition of valuable properties, will entail a very formidable expeediture, but it was wisely determined net to circumscribe the plan which is destined to provide Leicester with central streets of cornmanding proportions. With the present congestion of traffic, the necessity for the scheme was largely -commented upon, on the ground of the greater facilities which may be afforded for tramway purposes, but against this it was suggested that there may come the time, and that not far remote, when rigid tramway lines were likely to be altogether abolished. Even so, the obvious contention was that with motor
Fuses supplantitf4 trams, the necessity for the improvements would be no less imperative, and the decision to proceed with the scheme upon its original lines will be generally approved, to the great credit of Leicester enterprise.
Lincoln's New Buses.
The two new buses on the up-hill circuit of the Lincoln corporation circuit carried 8,987 passengers during the first week's running, and the receipts were 101. On the electric car service 45,355 persons were carried, bringing in £311.
Sir John Francis Cleverton Member of Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Past-President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, has been appointed a member of the Advisory Council to the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research:
Traffic in Japan.
Recently published figures show that motor traffic in Japan is consistently in creasing from year to year in spite of the fact that the country roads are not altogether suitable for motor vehicles. Most of the vehicle in use are employed in and around the big towns but the general improvenient roads in the
country districts should still further facilitate .progress in this direction, For several years past the Japanese Govern ment, in order-to encourage the construo
tion of motor lorries, has given a bounty for each one constructed according to definite requirements. There axe, if anything, more vehicles used for. hire purposes than by priVate and it is impossible to obtain sefficient taxicabs to meet the requirements.
French Government's Policy with Regard to Petroleum.
The attitude of the French Government with regard to the policy to be adopted for the supply of petroleum to France has lately been the subject of much speeulation and affirmarbion. Recently it was announced in the Press that M. Laurent Eynac, Petrol Con-uni.s-. sione:, had laid before a meeting of the Cabinet, the broad lines of a Bill concerning a State 'monopoly of petroleum, which he proposed shortly to submit for the approval of the Government, 14, now appears, however, that M. Eynac simply began a. report of the various systems which might be adopted to regulate the impartation and distribu. thin in France of petroleum and petrol. When the report is finished, the Government will be called upon to make a decision, and until that three there can be no question of a monopoly. In any case, it is thought that even if Some Rum of monopoly is established, it will be strictly limited, probably being applied only tathe purchase and importation of petro
leum and petrol. ,
. The object of the -Government is thought tO be mainly a desire to retain
minimum of control over the country's petrol supply, in order that it may have a free hand should extraordinary circumstances arise,
A Tip for Corporations.
Had it not been for the motorbuses and locally owned meter chars-4-battes, the County Borough of Wallasey, a few evenings ago, would have been without any means of passenger transit. For several. }tiers the electric tramway services were suspended, and theatre-goers and others had either to indulge in a weary trudge home or board one of the several motor coaches which were immediately brought into service by C. F. Rymer, Ltd., and the New Brighton Motor Coach Co. For the Corporation buses, of which there are only six, there was, of course, some struggling. Commenting on the situation, Mr. Rymer declares that' the Tramways Department should have a record of the telephone numbers and full address of every char4-ba-nc.s owner, so that they can be pressed into service instantly. "The stoppage occurred at about 8.50 p.m., and snider a properly organized department every owner of public vehicles would have a telephone message at 8.55 asking them to turn their vehicles out in the service of the Corporation, and ,thus minimize loss and inconvenience."
The Onoto Crossley.
Two Crossley touring cars equipped with trade bodies resembling both in colour and• appearance post-office pillar boxes are now being run by the business representatives of the makers of the .Onoto fountain pen. The bonnets of the oars are painted yellow, the cab is black, and the round rear portion post-office 'red. On the roof, the capital letters forming the word Onoto are displayed, and pierced with a huge model of the famous pen. • The body was built by J. C. Clarke, of Shepherd's Bush, W. It is made of aluminium, and lined on the inside with match boarding. Six cupboards, each of which is divided into an upper and lower portion, are housed on each side, and one cupboard is placed at the back. The door opens behind the pillar box, a kick down step giving access to the interior of the body, which is lit electrically.
The car is sometimes out for three months at a time, and carries not only
the representatives and driver's luggage but also customer's stares and equipment, besides the usual spare parts. So far several thousand miles have been 'covered without any trouble whatever. For the first three weeks the car was without a starting handle, as this was lost, but the electric starter never failed, and the loss was not noticed. The petrol consumption of the car fully laden averages 12 miles to the gallon. Daily journeys of 80-100 miles are of common occurrence. Tyre troubles have been few, possibly awing to the low speed average intentionally maintained, and to the fact that oversize tyres are fitted to the vehicle.
Motorbuses in Cheshire.
An endeavour is being made to link up the out-district s of Birkenhead by motor omnibuses. The Tramways Committee has 'again been considering the terms and conditions suggested by the Cheshire County Othmail and the Wirral Rural District Council with regard to the running by the Corporation of the motor omnibuses outside the borough, and have decided to recommend to the Town Council that a payment of 10. per car mile of the motor omnibuses over the roads within the areas through which it is proposed to run be made.
The Crosville Motor Co., of Chester, now run a very useful service between Birkenhead and West Kirby, the furthermost point in the Wirral.
A Season's Record.'
The New Brighton Motor Coach Co. has succeeded in fostering ..a very good spirit with the men they employ. Mr. A. Kingham, a director of the company, has stated they had not dismissed a. than yet; they were hoping to keep every one of their employees on at fun wages during the winter. The directors, he said, thought hard, but. often the finest ideas came from the men. During the year there had not been a single accident, nor even paid compensation! for a lady's torn dress. It is intended -by the firm to provide a clubroom for the stuff, where social evenings could be arranged during the winter.
Liverpool Buses.
The latest returns of. the Liverpool Corporation motor omnibus services are again farfrom being satisfactory, and in the four weeks ending Nnvember 6th show a depreciation of no less than 53,000 passengers and 7,500 miles, compared with the correeponding Retied of last year. The figures are :—
Four weeks ending November 6th. Last year. Receipts 23,545 5s. 10d. 22,867 16s. 6ril.
Passengers 361,249 419,589 Mileage 45,900 53,403 During the same period the electric trams have yielded an increase of 28,784 Is. 2d., carried 29,514 passengers, and travelled 130,202 less miles.
The Corporation has now started a new 20--minute motorbus service in the Borou_gh of Bootle, which seems to be receiving good support.
Electric Costs.
According to a report of the Ilford surveyor, who introduced electric vehicles for refuse collection, the cost per day of an electric vehicle is 22 8s. made up as. fellows :—Capital charges, 15s. man, 14s. 3d.; supervision, 2s. 2d.; tyres, 2s. ; current, 5s.; oil and. grease, 4d.; acid, id.; garage rent, 4d.; new work to garage, 2d. ; insurance, .1a.; charging plant, 8d.; man charging, 2s. 9d.; lighting -garage, 4d.; battery renewals,
8d. ; in cide.n tais, 2s. 3d.
French Fuel Tests.
As the prevailing price of petrol in Franee'ia in the neighbourhood al 10s. per gallon, there is even, more need for economy in that country than over here. Fuel tests were recently carried out. by the Automobile Club, of Le Mans. No fewer than 80 different vehicles took part, and an extremely good consumption was put up by a four-cylinder Fiat lorry, which., averaged 14 m.p.g. on a mixture of 60 per cent. benzole and 40 per cent. paraffin. The vehicle was fitted with pneumatic tyres, and weighed 7,200 lb.
Steam or Petrol.
• Southwark Borough Council is about to carry out an experiment which will be watched very closely by all other authorities throughout the country using motor vehicles. The Works and Depot Committee is preposing the purchase of ao5 ton end-tipping steam wagon from Messrs. Atkinson and Co., of Preston, at a cost of, £1,430.
The wagon has been inspected by the chairinan of the committee and the borough engineer, who are of opinion that it is of a type suitable for the whole of the requirements of the council, and should be tested with a view to its ultimate adoption in substitution for the present petrol-driven vehicles belonging to the council. The Ministry of Transport has agreed to contribute oae-third of the cost of the machine. The results of the test will be instructive.
From Sunderland to South Shields.
The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Gateshead, notifies the South Shields Corporation that it is proposed
to institute regular omnibus services between South Shields, Harlan, and gwnderiand, and applies for the -permission of the Corporation to open forthwith the portions of the proposed service route within South Shields,
Local Proceedings.
Torquay Town Council is raising a loan of £3,370 for the -purchase of electric vehicles. • .
Audley (Staffs.) Urban District Council is borrowing £1,300 for the purchase of a steam wagon.
A scheme of motor transport is being drawn up by the surveyor of the Abersychan U.D.C.
Lambeth Borough Council proposes to purchase a Ford van from International Motors, Ltd., at a cost of £363.
Salford Corporation Tramways Committee proposes to borrow £14,000 for the purchase of meter omnibuses.
Hull Corporation is seeking a Provieional Order to enable it to run motor omnibuses within and without the city.
The Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge Urban Councils are to discuss the question of providing a joint motor fire. engine.
The question of purchasing a farther , steam motor wagon is being reported upon by the surveyor of the Whiston R.D.C.
The purchase of two motor pumps and a motor ambulance at, a total cost of £4,950, is being considered by the Coventry Corporation.
Walthaanstow Urban ,District Council is borrowing £5,025 from the Scottish Legal Life Assurance Society in order to purchase steam wagons.
Leicester Corporation's proposed Bill includes a. clause for extending the powers of the Corporation of providing motor cannibthsea within and beyond the city.
Leyton Urban District Council is borrowing £2,000 for the purchase of a transformer and switchboard -connections. for the motor dust van depot and charging station.
Lanibeth Borough Council is purchasing a motor disinfecting van to replace two horsed vehicles which are costing
£21 13s. 4d. per week to run. The motor, which will do the work of the two horsed vans, will only cost £10 14s. Bd. a week to run.