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WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of weattit will be slowed

8th December 1931
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Page 42, 8th December 1931 — WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of weattit will be slowed
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by all difficaities of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Seating Accommodation for Children in Public Vehicles.

The Minister of Transport states that he has in mind for consideration, in connection with any general revision or consolidation of recent regulations, the suggestion for the amendment of Reguletion No. 14 of the Equipment and Use Regulations (No. 2), so as to enable public-service vehicles of all classes to carry three children in the seating accommodation for two adults. This was the custom prior to the Act and was accepted by local authorities and insurance companies.

A New Haulage Association.

A scheme is on foot for the formation in the North of England of a transport association similar to those in operation in other parts of the country. Amongst the objects in view are the establishment of a central buying agency for the purchase of supplies, the opening of longdistance depots for dealing with outward and inward traffic, the standardization of rates and other matters of direct concern to haulage contractors. A private meeting was held a few days ago in Newcastle, when representatives of contractors owning over 300 vehicles attended. A committee has been formed to consider the constitution of the association, which will be dealt with at a later meeting.

Mr. R. Loughton, of Joynson, Loughton and Co., Newcastle, has been appointed chairman, and Mr. A. Ashurst, 14, Oxford Street, Newcastle,

honorary secretary. Members of the committee include the following:—

Messrs. H. G. Martin, J. Blaney, S. Forman, J. Lewins, R. Hill, R. Robson ahd T. Wakefield.

Bus-station Charge Dispute.

For the use of the bus station, Morecambe Corporation is to charge Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., a flat rate of £600 per year, from the date when the premises were first occupied. The corporation is to pay £100 per annum, this charge also to be retrospective.

The Ribble company has protested against the charge in respect of pass use, because it was compelled to operate from the station and there was, it is alleged, no agreement at the time, The company also considers that the charge of 1600 is excessive, but the corporation remains adamant.

Exhibitors at the Brussels Show.

The commercial-vehicle section of the 25th Brussels Salon, which opens tomorrow (December 9th), will this year be particularly important. American representation will be very small, as there la something in the nature of a "strike" amongst importers of American chassis, owing to the recent raising of Belgian custom duties. The lack of transatlantic exhibits will, however, be amply compensated for by an increased display of European vehieles. Amongst the makers of chassis, trailers, etc., the following will

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be showing :—Berliet, Bernard, Brossel, Bovy, Bussing, Citron, Ford, D.A.F. Trailers, Dasse, Delahaye, Delvenne, Depierre et Spitals, Federal, Fiat, Laffly, Latil, Liberty, Mercedes-Benz, Miesse, Minerva, Morris-Commercial, Pipe, Peugeot, Ransomes, Renault, Reo, Sewer, Studebaker, Truck and Tractor Appliances, Unic, Van Drop. To these may be added the usual Eat of Belgian coachbuilders specializing in industrial work.

British Chassis Required for Holland.

Au important firm of agents in Holland wishes to take up the sole distribution in that country of a British commercial vehicle. Letters addressed "Holland," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

Creordinated Services at Morecambe ?

Morecambe Corporation has obtained permission to run buses outside the borough, and application has been made to the Traffic Commissioners for their consent. A conference between representatives of Morecambe and Lancaster Corporations and Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., with regard to a proposal for co-ordinated services, has been postponed until the Commissioners have dealt with the Morecambe authority's application.

Tractor Exports: Big American Drop.

Some figures have lately come to hand which indicate the serious effect of the world-wide industrial depression on the overseas demand for American tractors. The return is summarized in the table below, which shows the exports of such machines from the United States during the nine months ended September last, as compared with the corresponding period of 1930.

It will be seen that the value of the shipments show a decline of £4,297,190, or about 37 per cent. It will be noted, too, that 15-32 b.h.p, machines continue to be the most widely used.

An International Road-rail Conference.

According to a report from Paris, a world-wide investigation into the intensive competition existing between railways and road-transport interests is to be undertaken by the International Chamber of Commerce. It is said that, during next month, an international committee of transport experts Will meet in the French capital, representatives attending from many important organizations. The plans adopted in different countries to regulate competition between various transport interests will be explained and the results of the conference will be transmitted to the Chamber's national committees throughout the world.

New Glasgow Bus Station.

The Lanarkshire Tramways Co. has established a city bus terminus known as the Blythswood bus station. It was intended that the company's busea previously using Holland Street, over which there has been much controversy, should be transferred to the new station.

The rights of the company to run buses into the heart of Glasgow have recently been questioned, and there is an appeal pending with the Ministry of Transport in the matter of a decision by the Traffic Commissioners, who fixed the terminus in Glasgow for the company's Rutherglen buses at Carlton Place, instead of Pitt Street.

Modernizing a Trolley-bus System.

Following the promise of the Northern Area Traffic Commissioners that protection would be afforded to the Tees-side Railless Traction Board, provided that it modernized its system within the next 12 months, the undertaking is to purchase eight 32-seater single-deck trolleybuses at a cost of £12,600. The new vehicles will replace 10 obsolete machines.

Another scheme before the hoard is to use the system as a feeder for Middlesbrough's trams and buses.

A Big Seller.

If all the copies of "The Motor Manual" that have been sold to motorists were laid end to end, the resulting trail would be over SO miles in length, or as far as from London to Southampton! Over three-quarters of a million copies have been sold to date and the figure is steadily growing. The latest edition of "The Motor Manual" is said to contain more practical information on motors and motoring than any other single book. Official Orders in October.

During October the War Department purchased Morris-Commercial, Crossley, Thornycroft and Leyland six-wheeled chassis, as well as Ransomes, Eagle and Tasker trailers. The Air Ministry gave an order to Chas. Roberts and Co., Ltd., for bodies and drivers' cabs for Crossley chassis, and the Crowli Agents for the Colonies bought a MorrisCommercial lorry. The G.P.O. orders included one for Morris-Commercial and Morris vans, one for Seammell and Nephew lorry bodies, and another for Morris-Commercial lorries.

Railway Bid to Regain Traffic.

Amongst a number of unopposed applications by the railways which has recently been allowed by the Railway Rates Tribunal was one for reduced rates for wool. During the inquiry it was stated that practically all the wool traffic was at present by road. The. railways had regained the cotton traffic, and they were hoping to regain that of wool by the introduction of a comprehensive scale of rates at a level comparable with the charges of road contractors.

Successful Bus Working at Todmorden.

In the past municipal year Todmorden's bus department, which for nine months was under corporationcontrol and for three months under joint municipal and railway control, showed a working surplus of £17,964, income having amounted to £53,655 and expenditure to £35,691. A sum of £80,400, received from the railway company, had to be added for a half share in the undertaking, in addition to an amount for interest, making a total of 149,161. After providing for income tax and capital expenditure, there is a balance of £46,867 to be carried to the reserve and renewals fund.

Piston Rings That Prevent Leakage.

The Clupet piston ring, made by the eews Petersen Piston Ring and Engineering Co., Ltd., West Heath Works, Mill Lane, London, N.W.6, is designed to counteract the deleterious effects of worn cylinder walls. It is made in the form of a double coil in which there is no gap at the joint, this being effectively bridged.

The ring is claimed to exertequal pressure at all points of its circumference, the double coil automatically adjusting itself to the contour of the cylinder wall and the bridge sealing any point at which oil might otherwise pass.

In cases of slight cylinder wear all the standard rings need not be replaced by Clupet models. It will suffice if only one be used at the base of the piston skirt, or in the lowest ring groove. The Clnpet rings range in price from 5s. each.

Death of a B.T.H. Sales Manager.

We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Edward Garton, who was sales manager at the Coventry works of the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd. Mr. Carton joined the company in 1897, but three years later he entered the service of the General Electric Co. in America. Upon returning to this country in 1902 he rejoined the British ThomsonHouston concern, taking up a position in the sales department, and in 1912 he was appointed to the position be held at the time of his death. Mr. Garton was chairman of the British Ignition Association, Ltd.

Salesman Required.

A good man with several years' experience and good connections throughout the British Isles, preferably one who has been acting as a sales manager and who could take on the sale of special vehicles, is required by a well-known concern in the London area. Letters addressed "Special Salesman," care of the Editor, will be forwarded. A Handbook on Vehicles and Engines.

Macmillan and Co., Ltd., St. Martin's Street, London, W.0.2, has recently published the fourth edition of "Motor Vehicles and Their Engines." The authors are Edward S. Fraser and Ralph B. Jones; this edition has been revised by Lee A. Dunbar. It is priced at 15s. and is a comprehensive work that is well illustrated and lucidly written. The pictures relate to American vehicles and certain of the technical terms employed are those standardized in the U.S.A.

Transport Association's 21st Anniversary.

Motor-haulage contractors from several of the towns surrounding Manchester attended the coming-of-age dinner of the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners Association, Manchester, on Saturday, November 28th. On its formation the Association was known'as the Oldham and District Horse and Motor Owners Association, and as its activities became more widespread the restricted local title was superseded. Mr. Joseph Garth, who in his time was one of the best-known hauliers in S.E. Lancashire, was the first president.

The principal speech at the celebration dinner was that of Mr. R. W. Royle, transport manager of the Cooperative Wholesale Society, who said the transport industry was the most heavily taxed industry in the world. He mentioned that the Commercial Motor Users Association had been asked to communicate to the Minister of Transport its views on the recommendations in the final report of the Royal Commission on Transport, with reference to the co-ordination and development of goods transport, an important suggestion being the licensing of hauliers. In the course of the speeches, honour was done to Mr. J. S. Howarth, who has been secretary of the Association since its formation.

By-law Proposal Abandoned.

As the result of the Ministry of Health questioning the wisdom of adopting a by-law regulating the conduct of persons waiting in any street to enter public-service vehicles, the watch committee of Morecambe Corporation is, for the present, to abandon the proposal. Only a few municipalities have, it is stated, put such a by-law into operation.

Big Weight Reduction in Marine Oil Engines.

A remarkable advance in marine engineering is illustrated by the engines of the new German bhttleship " Deutschland," a full technical description of which appears in the December issue of our associated journal, The Motor Ship.

This vessel is said to be the first motor battleship and has eight ninecylindered engines, each of which develops 7,100 b.h.p. at 450 r.p.m.; the total b.h.p. is 56,800. A gearbox converts the engine speed of 450 r.p.m. into

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a screw speed of 250 r.p.m., which is the normal rate of revolution for ordinary service. An important feature is the lightness of the main power units, which have been reduced in weight to 17.6 lb. per b.h.p., excluding the gearbox, propeller shafts, propeller, and air reservoirs.

Under the Washington Treaty, a water-displacement figure of 10,000 tons may not be exceeded and, in this connection, the lightness of the engines is of material advantage.

Scottish Road Expenditure Reduced. The Minister of Transport has arranged for a reduction in the commitment of the Road Fund, in Scotland, in respect of an estimated total expendi ture of approximately £700,000. Of the savings thus secured about £520,000 will prove of advantage to the Road Fund and the balance to that of the local authorities concerned.

In some cases it has been possible to

postpone work altogether. In other instances schemes have been curtailed, but care has been taken to ensure, so far as practicable, that the work carried out forms in itself ft useful improvement of the highways system.

Our special Parliamentary correspondent writes that among members of Parliament there is much criticism of the expenditure of large sums of money on some of the new roads in the remote Highlands.

New Garner Catalogue.

We have just received a copy of the latest Garner cataloguedealing with the complete range of models, several of which were exhibited at the Commercial Motor Show, and setting forth the variations which are available. This publication is prepared in a clear, concise and straightforward manner, each model being dealt with in two pages.

Brico Progress in Pictures.

A publication recently circulated by the British Piston Ring Co., Ltd., Holbrook Lane, Coventry, serves to give an excellent pictorial survey of the company's progress. It emphasizes the strides made by the concern since it was formed 20 years ago. It is a wellproduced publication, containing numerous illustrations which give a good idea of the equipment of the works.

Dennis's Progress and Prospects.

The annual general meeting of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., was held a few days ago, when Mr. N. P. Andrew, chairman of the company, presided. The chairman rea,le it clear that, were it not for the phenomenal results shown in previous periods, the past year's working would be regarded by every shareholder as completely satisfactory, for in a year of almost unprecedented depression the company—the working capital of which Is about £900,000—had earned a net profit of £135,000.

Sir Raymond Dennis, A.B.E., also spoke and, apart from reviewing the past year's activities' made mention of present and future developments. He dealt with the introduction of the sixcylinder single-deck and double-deck bus models and said that last year these products had jiast been launched. At that time the company executed its first order for nine buses of this type for Salford Corporation. These vehicles have been running ever since, doing an average mileage of

over 1,000, per week, and, added Sir Raymond, in the light of the corporation's experience, it has placed a further order for 18 similar double-deckers.

He went on to refer to• two new models which were recently shown at Olympia, one being a goods model for a pay-load of 3} tons and the other a 32-36-seater four-cylinder single-deck bus chassis.

With regard to the development of the heavy-oil engine, Sir Raymond said that the company is now sending out a number fitted in heavy goods-carrying vehicles and the experience gained in this service will be the basis of future development.

High-lift 71-ton Jack.

In connection with the reference in our issue dated November 24th we should mention that the S.E. 74-ton jack, which is made by the Service Equipment Co., Ltd., 30, Gordon Street, London, W.C.1, is mounted en four wheels. The front ones have roller hearings and can be supplied either inside or outside the frame. The rear tastors have ball and roller bearings. The maximum height is 201, ins.

Personal Pars.

Lord Plymouth, Parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Transport, has appointed Mr. S. S. Wilson to be his private secretary.

Mr. W. G. Salmon has joined the staff of Pass and Joyce, Ltd., and will be concerned primarily with the distribution of Austin commercial vehicles.

At a recent meeting of the transport committee of Wolverhampton Corporation, Alderman Mr. Alan Davies, j.P., was re-elected chairman of the committee, and Councillor Mr. M. Christopher was re-elected deputy chairman.

Sir Eric Geddes is to be the guest of honour at the annual Smithfield dinner of R. A. Lister and Co., Ltd., of Dursley, Glos., which will take place at the Café Royal to-morrow, December 9th. Mr. Percy Lister, the managing director, is to preside.

Pirelli, Ltd., has opened a new branch office at 218, Corporation Street, Birmingham, under the managership of Mr. Bernard Hunt. Mr. Hunt has been with the company for 10 years, and prior to taking over important duties at the head office was manager for Ireland.

Mr. H. Voyce' formerly well known as the sales and service manager in Yorkshire for the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., has, after a period with Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., at Sheffield, now returned to the A.E.C. concern. His headquarters are at the company's new depot at 14, Talbot Street, Nottingham, of which he is manager.

Mr. H. B. Phipps has been appointed chairman of the board of Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd. Mr. Phipps is an Englishman, with a life-long experience in the motor trade, during thdt greater part of which he has been ietimately connected with the development Of the'British and British Colonial markets. He was for 12 years export manager of the Hudson Motor Car Co., and, in 1925, joined the Chrysler Corporation. Since the formation of the Chrysler Export Corporation he has been vice-president.

Dundee's Profitable Buses.

On May 15th, 1931, which marks the completion of the municipal year in Dundee, the corporation was operating a fleet of 28 buses, and the report of the transport committee, which has recently been issued, shows that these vehicles were operated at a gross profit of £16,816. During the year revenue totalled £61,564, whilst working expenses amounted to £44,748, these figures on a per-bus-mile basis being 13.532d. and 9.835d. respectively. After meeting sinking fund, interest and other charges, amounting to £11,807, the surplus which is carried to the tramways net revenue account amounts to £5,509.

The buses are working on a route mileage of 20.23 and, during the 12 months, the vehicles covered an aggregate mileage of 1,091,903. The number of passengers carried was 9,047,910, the average number carried per bus-mile being 8.286; the average fare paid per pa esenger was 1.666d. The gross capital expenditure on the bus system e up to May last was £50,193.


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