Enemy Pars.
Page 16
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Culled from German and Austrian Journals which Came Into Our Hands, as well as from Other Sources. News of the Industry in Enemy Countries is of Current Interest to All Our Readers.
• The Benz Motor Co. has taken over the Hungarian Automobile Works, "Marta."
One of the motorbus services in Budapest has just been increased by the addition of two new electric Austro-Daimler buses. I
An order was recently given to the schools in Germany warning the children not to fire toy pistols in the streets lest they should unnerve the motor drivers.
The German Daimler Co. recently bought ground to the value of 100,000 marks from the town of Munich for the extension of their works at Untertfirkheim.
A German Journal Writes :— "Never has Germany had such an opportunity as at present to make new and to repair the present roads. With the hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war, Napoleon's example of building roads by prisoners might well be followed., ' Secret Processes.
In the after-war trade competition, Germany expects to make use of her chemical industry to a very great extent, and in order to retain for her own use the result of inventions, it is suggested that instead of patenting them, and thus making the device or chemical process public, she should ye-institute a system of secret patents.
Petrol Not Wanted.
Germany anticipates that after the war little or no petrol will be needed for her automobiles. It is expected that, in its stead, there will be a considerable increase in. the use of benzole, and it is stated that alcohol also is now very commonly used, whilst the design of many engines has been altered 'so as to render them suitable for using. either of these fuels.
Rubber Substitutes.
Practically all German tires are now stated to be made of synthetic rubber, the plans for making which have lately been placed on a commercial basis. Germans hope that after the war they will be able to sell this material at such,a low price as to displace rubber entirely. Their more optimistic writers are predicting for the rubber industry the same fate as that which befell the indigo industry .decades ago, when synthetic indigo was first brought out by the Germans and in a short time destroyed completely the trade in the natural Fast Indian product.
• A new road for motor vehicles is being built, by Russian prisoners of war, leading from Bavaria to the Tyrol. This part of the country is. very hilly, and in the district of Thiersee a tunnel of 100 metres had to be built.
One of the main roads in Bavaria is being rebuilt at a cost of 130,000 marks. The route is between Bamberg-Bayreuth, and as this is mostly used by motor vehicles special attention will be given to it.
The Kaiser has awarded one of the manyIron Crosses, this one being of the second class with a black and white ribbon, to GeneralDirector Dr. Von Rippel, "for cooperation in the delivery of war material." This gentleman is associated with the M.A.N. concern.
Are We To Have German Fords-?
Plans are on the way for the organization of 'several motormanufacturing corporations which intend to produce cars by the thousand, as it is done in America. By this means, not only do they expect in Germany to compete with American-made cars, but to become the chief source of supply for the European market.
Tire Tickets.
New regulations regarding the tire supply in Bavaria have been issued by the military authorities. Owners of cars, motor lorries, or vans have been ordered to give particulars of their tire requirements for both covers and inner tubes. Before new goods are sanctioned the old tires will have to be inspected and a permit given for their renewal!
Fostering Steel Tires.
What may be taken seriously as evidence of the shortage of rubber supplies in enemy countries is a report of the decision of the Council of the Associated German States to facilitate the use of steel-tired lorries and cars, if these were actually in Germany, or in territory occupied by that country's troops, by 30th December, 1915. New speed limits have been fixed for these steel-tired machines. For a motor lorry and trailer not weighing more than 5.5 tons (tare we presume) the speed is limited to 15 kilometres per hour in open country, and 12 in closely populated districts. For loads over that limit, the speed must not exceed 12 kilometres in open country and 8 kilometres in towns. Only one trailer must be hauled by a steel-tired wagon, and the speed in that case must not exceed 12 and 8 kilometres in country and town districts respectively.
Dr. Haberland, a director of Louis Teter Rubber Co., died recently. He was previously connected with the Metzeler Tyre Co.
The firm Gebriider Stoewer are supplying the German Government with a large number of 10 h.p. touring cars. These are being spedially fitted out for the removal of wounded troops.In some cases as many as two trailers are attached to each car.
For some time past all prices in German advertisements announcing articles which may be used for war purposes have had to be passed by censor. All quotations for similar articles to neutral countries are subject to the same regulations.
The following are a few of the names of German and Austrian heavy vehicles being used in their armies :--Podens, Stoewer, Vemag, M.A.N., Saurer, Nacke, Romos, Union, • B enz, N. S. U., Audi, N.A..G., Protos, Hansa-Lloyd, Adler, Bussing, Austro-Daimler, Ansbaeh, Presto, Loveley, Mathis, Breiaruabor, Apollo.
.Dr. Ludwig. Opel, a. director of the well-knownGerman firm of motor vehicle builders, has, we have heard, died from wounds received at Verdun. In our issue of 4th November in these notes we announced that Dr. Opel had received the Iron Cross. He was a lieutenant in a machine-gun section.
Motorbus Services hi Baden.
Before the war the State of Baden owned many omnibuses, which did service where the trains do not reach. At the beginning of the war many of these buses were taken by the military authorities., Buses which were on birder were also confiscated. The authorities have now voted 750,000 marks for the replacing of the above Vehicles, the services to be recornmencerd on a larger scale even than -before the war.
Mackensen on Motors.
General -Field Marshal von Mackensen, when recently asked his opinion as to the usefulness of commercial vehicles, • pointed ont that he attached very great importance to the quick movements possible for the transport of troops and bringing up ammunition, but in the campaign against Serbia the horse again came into his own for traction purposes. The usefulness of the horse is only exceeded by oxen. Photographs have appeared showing the condition of the Serbian roads, and teams of six and eight horses pulling along. motor vehicles prove the above statement.