WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The Wheels 0,t 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 Crozier.
Proper Use for the Road Fund.
The Motor Legislation Committee, the constituent bodies of which are the leading associations connected with the motor industry and the Automobile Association (the Royal Automobile Club Prefers to maintain its independence, but generally discusses important matters with the committee), has issued a memorandum in connection with a resolution which is to be brought before the House of Commons by Mr. Blundell. The resolution is to the effect that grants from the Road Board Fund should be allotted in respect of all roads, whether classified or unclassified, and, further, that the fund should be earmarked in future for the maintenance of existing roads only and not be applied to the construction of new roads or for any other purpose. The Motor Legislation Committee is, naturally, opposed to this resolution, because the Road Fund was created expressly for the purpose of assisting the construction, reconetruction and improvement of roads, being• derived almost entirely from the proceeds of the taxation of motor vehicles, the coming of which caused the demand for wider and safer roads and for new arteries of traffic.
Rubber Roads in America.
Although a number of experiments have been conducted in this country with rubber paving, chiefly in the form of blocks, it is only recently that this form of surfacing has been tried out in the United States, the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. having taken the initiative in this direction. The company have recently received permission from the Akron City Council to construct a section of road of rubber-block paving compounds, in order to determine the wearing effect of modern traffic upon the blocks themselves.
Goodyear rubber blocks resemble the Ordinary paving brick in size and shape, with the exception of a tongued and grooved formation on two sides, which enables the blocks to be joined. The bottom and wearing surfaces of the blocks are smooth. When laying the blocks, the ends of the grooved sides are dipped in hot tar compound, in order to form a watertight joint between adjacent blocks, these being then laid on a concrete base coated with tar.
Traffic Problems at Cardiff.
The annual report of the Chief Constable of Cardiff (Mr. J. A. Wilson), which was recently presented to the match committee, reviews the subject of street accidents in the city in the year 1924. The number of fatal accidents—i.e., 20—was the highest yet recorded in-the city in any year. There was also a substantial increase in the number of non-fatal street accidents.
The chief constable states that until more drastic legislation is introduced to govern street traffic, and until pedestrians have also realized that there is an obligation upon them to use all their faculties :Intelligently, street accidents would continue to increase. The report suggests that a firmer hold might be taken by the police upon vehicular C20 traffic if more men could be spared for this special purpose, and makes it clear that it should devolve upon the Government, or upon local authorities, to make regulations scheduling certain thoroughfares as one-way traffic highways. The value of such a regulation in Cardiff might be understood by its application to Quay, Church, Trinity and Wharton Streets.
• Drivers of motor vehicles, the report adds, have expressed appreciation of the provision of white-clad point-duty constables.
A New Karrier Director.
The successor to Mr. Albert Briggs, a director of Karrier Motors, Ltd., who recently died after a short illness, is Mr. H. W. Ilattersley, the sales manager of the company, who has been appointed to the board.
Saurer Agents in Lancashire..
We understand that Messrs. Crisp and Co., of 26, Bridge Street, Manchester, have recently been appointed sole agents for Saurer commercial vehicles for the whole of Lancashire, with the exception of Liverpool.
Refuse-collecting Experiments.
The borough engineer of Smethwick has carried out experiments with horses and motor vehicles for refuse collection, and it has been found that the cost of Huth work by the former method is Ss. 5id. per ton, and by the latter (using a 1-ton lorry) Ss. 10i.d. The engineer says that he considers that horse haulage should be continued for distances up to a mile or a mile and a half, and that motor vehicles should be used for greater distances. Further experiments are to be conducted before the corporation decides upon the method to be employed.
Control of Royal Show Traffic.
Regulations have been drawn up to control motor vehicles visiting Chester during the week of the Royal Agricultural Show. It has been recommended that traffic be directed along the following routes to the show ground :—Motorbuses and motor coaches : (a) Manchester traffic : Via Boughton, Grosvenor Park Road, Union Street, Vicars Lane, Little St. John Street, St. John Street, The Newgate, Pepper Street, Lower Bridge Street, Handbridge, Overleigh Road and Lathe Lane.
(b) Warrington traffic : Via Brook Street, George -Street, Upper Northgate Street, Water Tower Street, Nuns Road, Grosvenor Road and Lathe Lane.
(c) Birkenhead and Wirral traffic : Via Upper Northgate Street and join Warrington traffic route.
(d) Motorbus services from the general railway station and the Northgate station, the same as Warrington route.
(e) In each case the traffic from the Show to be directed to return over the same route as is assigned to the incoming traffic. Private ears, motor taxicabs and hackney carriages not to be confined to any special route, but to be advised to use the routes prescribed.
It is proposed that a bus fare of 6d. per passenger be charged from the general railway station or Northgate Station to the Show ground.
Motor Hirers' Association Meeting.
The annual general meeting of the Motor Hirers' Association is to be held at the Great Central Hotel, Marylebone Road, London, N.W., at 3.30 p.m., on March 12th. This is the first annual meeting of the Association to be held since it was formed as an independent body.
We are told that the Association has now successfully passed through its period of transition, -and with ,the new organization of control which is being recommended for adoption, the Association, coupled with its divisional sections in most provincial areas of England and Scotland, is now recognized as a national body for the protection of those engaged in the various branches of the motor hiring trade.
The membership of the Association now runs into many hundreds, and includes some of the largest and most representative companies throughout the country.
Intelligent Anticipation.
With reference to our tables of premiums for the insurance of commercial vehicles, passengers and loads, appearing in this issue, we believe (although we have at present no confirmation of our belief) that the tariff offices will, as from April 1st, reduce their rates for the insurance of Ford vans (set out in the first table on page 103) to f12 10s.
(instead of 10s.) in Class 2, that is, for vehicles operating in lowalities having populations of from 50,000 to 500,000, and to £10 10s. (instead of f12 12s.) in Class 3, that is, for vehicles operating in rural areas and small townships.
Salford's Bus Purchases.
Salford Corporation Tramways Committee has purchased two Karrier singledeck motorbuses at £1,157 each and one Leyland single-deck bus at /1,189.
At the present time the Salford tramway authorities use 16 omnibuses, of which six are double-deck and 10 singledeck vehicles. Fifteen of these are in regular daily service,. which leaves only one omnibus available for emergency re quirements. The tramways committee was advised that this margin of reserve was inadequate, and therefore decided that three additional motor-omnibuses were necessary to ensure the proper maintenance of the bus services.
Traffic ProNems in Manchester. At a forthcoming meeting of the Manchester Corporation, Mr. Dennison is to propose that in view of the growing perils of street traffic. the council should again appoint a traffic congestion special committee to consider one-way traffic schemes and other arrangements which may tend to minimise congestion and reduce the risks to pedestrians.
Concessionnaires for USL Batteries.
Messrs. Rex Transmission Co., 3, Portsmouth Street, London, W.C., advise us that they have been appointed sole concessionnaires in Great Britain and Ireland for ITSL batteries, and that they are handling this branch of their business from Pembroke Works, Pembroke Street, King's Cross, London, N.1.
The USL battery is very popular in America, and was introduced into this country in 1913, Nottingham's Road Transport Services.
It was to the gratification of those who have manifested continuous interest in the work of the Road Transport Department of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce that further progress in regard to that useful section of its operations was reported at the annual meeting held a few days ago.
The importance and usefulness of the Department were significantly exemplified during the last railway strike, when the staff worked at high pressure and rendered real service to members of the Chamber, as to the whole community, for not only were manufactured goods transported by road to London, to the principal ports and other distributing centres, but foodstuffs and raw materials
were brought into Nottingham and the surrounding districts by the same means under the supervision of the Department. • Many of the largest firms in the city and neighbourhood make use of the facilities provided by the Department, whilst the nightly " smalls " service to London continues to grow.
One of the principal objects in establishing the Department was to reduce the cost of road transport by the provi sion of 'Ads both on the outward and homeward journeys, and it is recorded that efforts in this direction have been attended by a large measure of success.
• A Novel Use for the Foulson.
The latest novel use to which a Fordsou tractor ha a been put is at Seattle, U.S.A., where the municipal engineer has apparently found it more economical to.transport the heavy steam road rollers in the manner shown in an accompanying picture than to allow them slowly to travel from place to place under their own • steam. The engineer has, therefore, had constructed a special trailer with unusually wide tyres, in order that the weight of 14 tons may be distributed in order that the roads shall not be damaged. In spite of the time occupied in mounting the road roller on to the trailer, a considerable saving of time is said to be effected by the use of the tractor, especially when the rollers have to be conveyed over long distances. Personae Pars.
Meeting Mr. Michael Terry the other . day, we learned that he is now engaged on the final arrangements in connection with his projected journey across part of North-west Australia this summer. All negotiations are now complete, and in a few days he may be able to tell what has finally been arranged.
We are glad to hear from Cal. W. E. Donoghue, C.B.E., M.I.C.E., MI, Mech.E., M.Iust.T., who was so iraportant a figure in mechanical transport before and during the war. He is located in Egypt at the present time. He is engaged upon some important work, reference to Which may be permitted when matters are much further advanced. He hopes to be able to return to England for a short time in July.
A letter from Mr. Edwin IL Judd apprises us of the fact that he has re signed his position as home sales man ager for the Sentinel Waggon. Works, Ltd., and will have left ShreWsbury by the time these lines appear in print. He . has not acquainted us of his intentions for the future, but a man with his experience, knowledge, business acumen and persona' charm is sure to he filling once again a high position In the cominercial side of the industry. .
We are glad to hear once again of Major A. T. Binney, 0.B.E., who was well known in connection with mechanical transport during the war. He has started in business, at Alexandria and Cairo, under the name of Biriney, Borg and Co. Major Binney had a very extensive practical motor-vehicle experience before the war ; be was among the early ones to join up, and received very rapid promotion, and, finally, was appointed to the staff of the North Force, Palestine Expeditionary • Force as D.A.D.S.T. In 1920 he was appointed Deputy Coin. of Disposals Board, Egypt, and acted as commissioner in 1922. Subsequently he was in the service of Messrs, Townsend,
American Exports.
. Figures just to hand show that during last year 27,351 commercial vehicles, valued at £4,033,470, were exported from the United States, as compared with 24,859 (±3,217,880) in 1923. It is interesting to note that the average value of the exported vehicles increased from just under £130 to slightly over 1147.
New A.E.C. Branches.
The Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., of Walthamstow, London, 1117, inform• us that they have recently acquired premises in Manchester and Glasgow for the purpose of giving service to A.B.C. users in these districts, and at the same time providing an opportunity for prospective buyers to inspect their products.
The Manchester headquarters are located in Holland Street, Butler Street, and Mr. A. Gammon is the representative in charge. The Glasgow depot, which will shortly be opened, is at 139, West George Street, and will be under the control of Mr, H. Tonathy, who has long been associated with the company's products in Scotland.
M. of T. Favours New Bus Service.
The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Chester-le-Street, one of the largest companies operating passenger motor vehicles in the North of England, who have for long been contemplating the inauguration of a direct through' motorbus service between Tyneside and Wearside, have at last achieved their object, the opposition lodged to the project by local authorities along the proposed route having been defeated, As the outcome of the decisions of the Ministry of Transport in favour of the company, after two inquiries held a few months ago, the company have now been able to push ahead with their enterprising. step, and the service has been corainenced. The new service has as its termini Gateshead and Sunderland, and the route is by way of Silksworth and Washington.
Kaye's Oilcan Carriers.
Kaye's oilcans, with their serrated joints and seamless steel bodies, are standard devices in the equipment of the motor vehicle, the garage and the .workshop. Given a good oilcan, it is only right and proper that it should be well cared for ; that, in the case of the lorry or motor coach, it should not be put loose into a tool boot or chest to be pounded by the jack or to be capsized and to pour its contents over spare parts and tools indiscriminately. He was a genius who first thought of carrying the oilcan in a holder secured to the dashboard under the bonnet, where it would be handy, yet quite out of the way, the oil kept nicely warmed and
the oilcan and its contents kept apart from everything else. For this method of carrying Joseph Kaye and Sons, Ltd., of Lock Works, Leeds, and 93, High Holborn, London, W.C.1, make a group of holders of different sizes to hold oilcans of from one-sixth of a pint to two pints in capacity, whilst the carriers are formed to present the handle of the oilcan either to the righthand or the left-hand. The carriers are made of pressed steel, carefully tinned, slotted to take the handle and the spout, bracketed for attachment by means of four wood screws and with a steel file° spring, which holds the oilcan, preventing rattle and loss. As an indication of the moderate price of these holders, the size for a one-pint oilcan is Sc. 3d. post free.
A New Foot Pump for Tyre Inflation.
Desmo, Ltd., Des= House, 31, Stafford Street, Birmingham, inform us that they are marketing a new design of footoperated pump for the present season, which possesses one or two interesting features. The pump is built on an entirely new principle, the eccentric shaft being quite a new departure, and in operation it moves the barrel forward to meet the thrust of the plunger.
There is a noteworthy absence of working and wearing parts in the design of the pump. The new accessory sells at 375. 6c1.
Ferodo in America.
In view of the very extensive use which is made of Ferodo friction fabrics for clutches and brakes on all types ofmotor vehicle in use on the European market, it will interest many of our readers to know that this fabric is how being manufactured in America. The Ferodo plant in America is located at
New Brunswick, New Jersey, and the same patented processes and exclusive chemical formulm that have contributed to the popularity of Ferodo in this and other countries will be used. The name of the company in the United States is Ferodo and Asbestos Incorporated.
Motorbus Accounting.
In a report to the Eastbourne Corporation on the institution of a complete and up-to-date system of stores and cost accounts for the motorbus undertaking, the general manager says that by his proposed system he is convinced that it will ensure a very close and accurate record of all store transactions and constitute a thorough check on the stores, whilst it will also enable the actual cost of the maintenance and running of every bus to be actually ascertained. At present only the total cost of repairs and running of the whole fleet is available, except as regards the consumption of petrol and oil by various buses.
A Check on Overloading.
In view of the great increase of heavy motor traffic and the damage alleged to be caused to main roads by the speed and weight of heavy vehicles, the Surrey County Council has decided to make use of an axle-weight ascertainer in order to secure the enforcement of the statutory limitation upon the weights of locomotives and heavy motorcars.
Prospects in Venezuela. According to a recent report from Venezuela there is a growing demand for "commercial motor vehicles in that South American Republic, due mainly to the large amount of new road construction work that has been carried through, or put in hand, during the past few years. The railway system is very limited, having regard to the size of the country, and it is considered that , motor transportation will open up vast territories of undeveloped land. At the present time American vehicles are being mainly used.
Ownership v. Hiring.
Although the majority of local authorities find that it is cheapqr to purchase their own vehicles to undertake municipal transport, the reverse is the case in the County of Leicester, for the county surveyor has found that the cost of haulage work is lower when undertaken by contract than by direct haulage, the average cost per ton by the former method being 3s. 51d. compared with 3s. 10/d. for the latter. The limited use is, of course, responsible for the disparity.
Careful details are kept of the performances of all vehicles—the council possesses 8 Sentinel steam wagons and 4 Maudslay petrol wagons—and costs which have been kept for each wagon show that the average cost per ton-mile of material transported has been reduced by nearly 2d. The average cost per tonmile for the Sentinel wagons is 8.19d., and for the Maudslay lorries 11.93d.
Complimenting a Bus Company.
The February meeting of the Tredegar Council was characterized by some complimentary references to the bus services run by the Valleys Motor Bus Co. in its area. It was stated that the inhabitants of the district were indebted to the company for the efficient services, especially as they were pioneers in the Use of passenger vehicles in the Tredegar district. The council, however, thought that certain cheaper stage fares might be brought into use, and that, perhaps, penny stages were possible. It was decided to approach the company
• on these points.
• Parking at Birkenhead.
The Birkenhead Corporation Markets Committee recently received a deputation from the West Lancashire and Cheshire Division of the Motor Trade Association with regard to the use of the Market Square as a parking place for motor vehicles. After having discussed the matter, the committee decided, in consideration of the undertaking made by the representatives of the Association, that the garages in the town would be open at all hours or the accommodation of heavy motor vehicles, and that a charge of 3s. pr vehicle would be made, to withdraw its permission for such vehicles to be parked in the Market Square.
A Successful Ackerman-steered Trailer. Dnring a recent visit to one of the transport depots of Messrs. Joseph May, carmen and contractors, whose head. offices are at Howland Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, W.1, we were interested to learn that this concern is employing a couple of trailers fitted with the special Ackerman steering used on the Letchworth trailer which is built by T. H. Dixon and Co., Ltd., of Letchworth, Herts.
The trouble formerly experienced with some trailers of the tracking type has been snaking, and at anything over very moderate speeds this snaking became so accentuated that drivers objected to taking vehicles fitted with these trailers out on the road. However, the Letchworth device has completely obviated the trouble, and since fitting this new steering, each of the two trailers in service has done something like 15,000 miles-without developing any fault of this description. We think it only fair to point out this particular feature of the Letchworth trailer so that it shall be absolved from the stigma under which the trackingtrailer has previously suffered, and we would certainly advise transport users who are considering the employment of these supplementary means for the carrying of extra loads to try out the Letchworth type, instead of condemning Ackerman-steered trailers as a class.
To Sell F. W.D's.
We learn that Mr. G. H. C. Burley has joined the sales staff of the FourWheel Drive Lorry Co, Ltd., and that he will be stationed at the offices of the company at 46, Charing Cross, London, S.W:l.
A Paper on Carburation.
A general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers is being held at 7 p.m. to-day. (Tuesday at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, London, W.C., when Mr. D. Finlayson will read a paper entitled "Carburation." The author will deal with the requirements of an ideal earburating system on internal-combustion engines, and refer to the fact that experiments show that the maximum power-mixture ratio is almost independent of engine speed and load, and, that the maximum economy-mixture ratio becomes, richer with a decreasing load. The value of atomization as an aid to vaporzation will be briefly dealt with, as well as methods of estimating carburetter effi ciency. „.
A paper entitled "Experiments on the Power and Efficiency of a High-speed Gas Engine" will be read by Mr. A. F. Burstall before the Wolverhampton and 1.■.Torth' of England centres of the Institution on March 17th and 25th respectively.
Bus Development in America.
It is stated that no fewer than 1,500 new motorbus services began operation in the United States during 1924. The number of buses purchased for domestic use was 5,400, costing, approximately, 30 million dollars.' It is estimated that the sales of motorbuses in the United States this year will be double those of 1924.
A Dual-purpose Dennis.
Dorcas II is the title • given to the special Dennis vehicle illustrated on this page, which is owned by the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and it has taken the place of Dorcas I, a machine of the same make, which was disposed of after many years of hard and useful service.
It is not strictly accurate to call the new vehicle a bus, for, although it is fitted with 25 seats, these are made to be detached, in order to enable the body to be used as a goods-carrying medium. Dual-purpose would, therefore, seem to be a more correct term to apply to the
vehicle. No side windows are fitted, their place being taken by canvas and talc screens, which are equally serviceable and less liable to damage.
The roof is of solid construction, and a wide rail which encloses a section at the rear enables 10 cwt. of luggage to be safely accommodated. Two seats are provided beside the driver, but the principal entrance to the body is at the rear,
where a double door facilitates the loading of goods, although only one-half is used when passengers are carried.
The chassis is a standard Dennis 21tonner, which includes in its design a 30 h.p. engine, a four-speed-and-reverse gearbox and a worm-driven rear axle. Pneumatic tyres are used on all wheels, their dimensions being 955 mm. by 155 mm., with twins at the rear, and a spare is conveniently carried in a bracket disposed at the rear of the body.
Protesting Against Increased Bus Fares.
Consequent upon a recent increase in the charge for the single journey on buses which ply for hire between Dormanstown and Redear, a meeting of residents in the first-named township was held, at which a "strorig resolution was , adopted requesting the Redcar Corpora, tion to purchase anumber of motorbuses in order to establish municipal passenger.transport services for the district. Figures were produced at the meeting showing, it is stated, that in other districts buses were bekig profitably run at a lower fare for a journey of a similar length and character. Support is being given to the resolution by the focal trades and labour council, which is a powerful body.
• Local Proceedings..
The Cardiff City Council is to purchase a motor lorry at an estimated cost of £450. • Birkenhdad Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted a tender for the supply of a small maorbus. Wimbledon Corporation Health Committee recommends the purchase of a 1-ton chassis for an ambulance.
Ilford Urban District Council has asked the surveyor to obtain quotations for the supply a a gully emptier.
Stoke-on-.Trent Corporation has pur'chased a Vulcan motor lorry for the cleansing department, at a cost of 1440. , .Leeds Corporation Health Committee has authorized the purchase of a motor sawn mower for Killingbeck Sanatorium. 'The cleansing committee of the Stokeon-Trent Corporation has decided to purchase seven 2-ton lorries for refuse collection.
Coulsdon Council Fire Brigade Corn Mateo recommends the purchaseof a Talbot motor ambulance at a cost of ..Dudley Corporation Streets Committee recommends the purchase of .a motor lorry from Harper, Sons and Bean, Ltd., for £395.
-'Birkenhead Corporation Gas Committee has decided to purchase an underground storage tank and a petrol pump at.a cost not exceeding /105.
_steeds Corporation has authorized the city engineer to purchase a second-hand petrol locomotive for work in connection with unemployment relief schemes.
,-Chesterfield Corporation Tramways Committee has purchased three 32-seater Bristol omnibuses at £1,255 each and three 20-seater Karrier buses at £970 each.
.s...Ilford Urban District Council has accepted the tender of F. G. Smith
.(Motors), Ltd., of £193 for a Carrimore trailer with winch for the electricity department.
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,at erthyr Corporation Motor Bus Corai'mittee has accepted the tender of the
Anglo-American Oil Co, Ltd., for the .supply of a 2,000 gallon petrol tank complete for £155.
Leeds Corporation Tramways Committee is to invite tenders for the supply of 12 chassis, six for use as 20-seater buses and six for taking bodies accommodating from 30 to 36 passengers. Leeds Corporation Tramways Committee is to invite tenders for the supply of st new crane wagon.
Merthyr Tydfil Corporation has purchased a 1-ton motor lorry from Messrs. John Lewis and Son, for £215.
Leeds Corporation Cleansing Committee has authorized' the purchase of a Lacre street sweeper at a cost of £525.
Birkenhead Corporation has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton motor vehicle at a cost of £250 for the gas department.
Oldham Corporation Tramways Committee has decided to invite tenders for the supply of four 30-seater motorbuses for the extension of services.
The Darlington Corporation has decided to augment its fire-fighting force by the purchase of an additional motor fireengine, and tenders are to be invited.
York Watch Committee has considered the question of the purchase of another ambulance, but decided that the present equipment meets its immediate requirements.
Birkenhead Corporation has accepted the tender of the Mersey Motor Co., Lid., for the supply of two motor ambulances at 1328 each and a motor disinfecting van at 1278.
The Corporations of Dudley and Stourbridge and other authorities in the locality propose the appointment of an advisory committee for the purpose of considering the terms upon which the authorities shall in future issue licences for omnibuses plying for hire within-the various districts over which they exercise control.
Motorbuses or Tramcars ?
The tramways committee of the Ilford Council hoe recently considered reports with regard to extending the tramways and the running of motorbus services on circular routes, in order to provide travelling facilities for residents at the Cranbrook and Beacontree housing estates, but has adjourned consideration of the mode of transport to be employed until further information is available.
A Dental Clinic for Bus Employees.
The committee of the London General Omnibus Co.'s Employees' Friendly Society has recently established a dental clinic in commodious quarters above the
Warren Street Underground Station. It is designed and equipped to give every facility for a wide range of dental surgery and treatment, and for the making and repair of artificial teeth. The whole of the equipment of the clinic follows approved standards in English dental science.
A Dual-purpose Police Vehicle.
In his annual report to the borough council the chief constable of Merthyr Tydfil states that the provision of a prison van and ambulance for policeforce use has proved a great convenience. The motorvan covered 502 miles in the year ended December 31st last, and ran on an average 18 miles to the gallon of petrol consumed. Over £7 was collected from its lease to private persons for use as an ambulance.
The report also states that road fund licences collected in the area during the year amounted to £12,592.