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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

11th April 1918, Page 4
11th April 1918
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Page 4, 11th April 1918 — WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"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 Crozier.

Further Petrol Economy.

A renewed appeal for public co-operation has been made by the Economy Section of the Petroleum Executive. It is pointed out that the demands of the fighting services for petrol are daily becoming, greater, The public are invited in the appeal not to hire motorcars nor to use taxicabs when they can walk or avail themselves of public means of conveyance. While taxicabs must, be available for business and other necessary purposes, no able-bodied than nor woman, it is asserted, should use one in the absence of physical incapacity or other absolute necessity. It is also pointed out that the use of taxicabs for selfish amusement is the cause of much ill-feeling as well as of waste.

Steam Wagon Water Supplies.

The Water Committee of Birmingham C.C. report that the practice of conveying goods for long distances by mechanical road traction is being rapidly ex tended, and necessitates the provision of special means for obtaining supplies of water en route. To meet the requirement the Committee have arranged, in co-operation with the Watch Committee, for appliances for filling boilers from the street hydrants to be deposited at 14 fire stations and 7 police stations in the neighbourhood of main roads, to be available on the production of vouchers obtainable beforehand at a charge of 9d. each. The scheme is now in operation.

National Metal and Chemical Bank.

The National Metal and Chemical Bank, Ltd., has been registered as a " private" company, with a neminal capital of £1,000,000 in 100,000 shares of

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L10 each. The objects, as defined by the Memorandum of Association, are (inter alia) to carry on in the United Kingdom and any part of the world the business of banking in all its branches, to prospect, examine, explore and work properties, mines and sights, and to carry on business as metal dealers, brokers, consulting engineers, contractors, carriers, etc. Power is taken to establish, maintain and work lines of aerial conveyances. The, registered office is at 70, Lombard Street, E.C.

The Road Transport Board.

Personnel of the Advisory Committee. The President of the Board of Trade has approved the personnel of the Oentral Advisory Committee of the Road Transport Board. In addition to the names already given in Tax CoalmenCIAL MOTOR on 21st March last of Major Nigel 0. Walker (chairman), Mr. John Allen, 0.B.E., Mr. Walter Wolsey, Junr., and Mr. F. G. Bristow, those of Mr. G. A. Dutfield (National Federation

of Commercial Road Transport Associations), Mr. N. F. Wentv,orth (Hayes Wharf Cartage Co., Ltd.), and Mr. R. H. Griffith (connected with distribution in London) are given.

• New Accessory Depot.

Northern readers will ho interested to know that S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., the well-known accessories house, have (as from 1st March last) opened a depot at 12, Jackson's Row, Deansgate, Manchester. The firm will be represented by Mr. J. E. Feay. To meet the convenience of their clients, the firm propose to carry at this depot adequate stocks of all their specialities and to make this the centre for the distribution throughout Lancashire and Yorkshire.

British Magneto Industry.

At the recent meeting of the Edinburgh Rotary Club an address was given on the remarkable development of the British magneto industry by Mr. Peter F. Bennett (of Thomson-Bennett Magnetos, Ltd., Birmingham), chairman of the British Ignition Apparatus Association, who explained that at the outbreak of war Britain was dependent on Germany and America for practically all the raw material used in magneto construction. He said that the manufacturers in this country were now producing better magnetos than the Germans. The Government Departments had become fully alive to the situation, and by cooperation the manufacturers had been able to make developments which he hoped would enable them to compete successfully With all rivals after the war. The capital invested in the British magneto industry was approximately one million pounds, and it gave employment to 6000 people, not including those engaged in subsidiary trades. When the day of reconstruction came British magnetos would not be found wanting. At any rate, the theory of Bosch infallibility had been definitely exploded for all time.

For Austin Users.

The Austin Motor Co., Ltd., Long. bridge Works, Northfield, Birmingham, have recently issued a new handbook for their 2-3-ton commercial chassis, with the sole object of providing owners or drivers of-this particular type of vehicle with such advice as will help them to secure the best possible' efficiency together with the maximum length of life from the vehicle. The contents are particularly well put together, and the "dont's" and "reminders" included khould be taken to heart by the driver. Lubrication—enc of the most vital points to watch earefully—is treated at some length.

London "Safety First" Council.

The President of the Local Government Board (the Rt. Hon. W. Hayes Fisher, M.P.), has consented to become a vice-peesident of the London "Safety First" Council.

The first of the series of local propaganda meetings will be held at the Lewisham Town Hall, Catford, S.E., on 12th April, at 8 p.m. The chair will be taken by the Mayor of Lewisham (Alderman A. Hume Michell, J.P.)' and Mr, H. E. Blain joint hon, secretary of the London `` Safety First" Council, will deliver an address, illustrated by lantern slides. Mr. W. Joynson-Hicks, M.P., will also speak.

Bosch Dividend.

Notice of intended dividend is given with respect to the Bosch Magneto Co., Ltd., 5, Philpot Lane, E.C. Proofs must be lodged on or before 12th April, with the Official Receiver and Provisional Liquidator (Mr. FL E. Burgess), 33, Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn, W.C. 2.

Bulky Loads and Body Design.

With the object, of increasing the load capacity of two motor lorries in their possession, J. Stall and Sons, Hohne Mill, Keighley, have designed special bodies of which the principal feature is the extended canopy over the

driver's seat. The canopy is the full

width of the vehicle, arid extends to a point over the front axle, being supported by a couple of stays jointed to the extreme end of the frame. The vehicle illustrated, a 2-ton Thornycroft, has been in use almost five years, and during that time has run 20,000 miles per year, serving a district of 30 miles radius. Though these vehicles often carry such bulky loads as that seen in the picture, their work includes a fair proportion of loads of solid rolls of paper, which is one of the most compact which can be provided.

It is interesting to note that the senior partner of the firm was the owner of the first, motorcar to come into the district, and it is still in his possession.

Making of a Lorry Tyre.

One of the numerous concerns who are being kept busy with Government orders for lorry tyres is the Avon. India Rubber Co., Ltd., and the illustration, takeu recently at their works at Melksham, shows the initial process in the making of a solid tyae. On the right is a small three-roller, building-up calender, to which rubber that has received the usual treatment of washing and mixing with the vulcanizing compound is fed in a soft and plastic condition. The steam-heated rollers of the calendar can be set to any required adjustment, and roll out the rubber to a strip of even thickness and of a width suitable for the size of tyre under way Previously, the welded steel band, which is, of course, shaped very accurately to size, has been prepared by the insertion of a layer of very hard vulcanizing rubber in the channels, and over this is placed the junction rubber, and the band thus prepared to receive the tread is attached to a revolving chuck. From the calendring machine the staip of Sheet rubber is led over a roller which is maintained in firm contact with the band by means of a sliding adjustment on the chuck mounting, the strip being thus pressed into place as the band is revolved.. The first layer is rolled upon the junction, rubber, and the others, up to an average number of 30, one over the other. The work of the girl opera tor on the left is a curious example of the necessity of personal attention even with a perfected machine, for she has • constantly to watch the tread as it accumulates, and to prick the air bubbles which almost inevitably occur as each layer is wound "on, and which, if left, would inevitably prove a source of weakness to the tyre. When the band has

received its correct thickness of tread, it is removed from the chuck and trimmed by hand. Vulcanizing is then carried out in closed iron moulds. Big Steel Industry Amal.gamation.

The United Steel Co.s, Ltd., has just been registered with a nominal capital of £7,680,000 in £1 shares (1,330,000 original pref. and 6,350,000 ordinary), to acquire all or any of the preference and ordinary shares of Steel, Peech and Tozer, Ltd. Samuel Fox and Cu., Ltd., 'the Frodingharn Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., the Appleby Iron Co., Ltd. the Co., Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., and the Bother Vale Collieries, Ltd., to enter into an agreement with the Imperial and Foreign Corporation? Ltd., and to take over the business of iron and stael manufacturers, mine owners and colliery proprietors carried on by the above companies. Also to earey on (inter alia) the business of manufacturers of and dealers in coke and other products of the carbonization of coal, manufacturers of coal briquettes and patent fuel, chemical manufacturers, electrical engineers, shipbuilders, armour plate manefacturers, etc. The profits available for distribution are (subject to the articles of association and to any rights which may be created an an increase of capital) to be applied first in paying a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at 6 per cent, per enntun on the original preference shares, and the balance is to go to the ordinary shares. In a winding up, the surplus assets are to be applied firstly in repaying the original preference capital; secondly in paying to the holders of the original preference shares an amount equal to the difference (if any) between the total dividends paid on tile same shares and 6 per cent, per annum on the capital paid up thereon to the date of repayment.

Take Note.

Owing to the showrooms and offices of Gaston, Williams and Wigmore, Ltd., at Alexandra House, Kingsway, W.C., being required by the Government for purposes of national importance, tern

porary premises have been, secured at 212-214, Great Portland Street, W. 1. The company will -be installed at the new address on and after 4th April.

Absorption of Horizontal Shocks. •

In our issue of 13th September, 1917, when describing the Balls 5-ton chassis, we fully described the provision which had been made in connection with both the front ad rear axles for absorbing horizontal shocks, a system which we described as being an advance on current practice. The publication of the facts in connection with the springing of the Halls chassis has created a good deal. of interest and, we believe, has set many people thinking along the lines of absorbing the horizontal component of the shock stresses on the wheels.

The Trott Automobile Co., of Detroit, has been experimenting recently along the same lines, and has assembled an experimental set of its chassis springs and is sending a car equipped with them over a considerable journey so that the new spring suspension may be tested. It is estimated that a 7-in. gulley or hole in the road will give a 36-in, wheel a shock, of which the horizontal component will be equal to about 80 per cent, of the total. The ordinary type of springing makes no attempt to cushion these horizontal shocks, and yet it has to be admitted that they do a great amount of damage to vital parts of the vehicle.

In the Trott springing suspension system, an additional quarter-elliptical spring is inserted, acting as a shock member and absorbing the horizontal component of the shock stresses on the wheels. It will be seen that each rear spring, illustrated in the upper pair of diagrams, is pivoted at both ends, and when the vehicle is standing on a. level road the shock spring may be disconnected and the axle will then have no tendency to move either backward or forward, whilst when the axle is moved in either direction, there is no tendency for the frame to rise or fall. Thus, so far as vertical springing is concerned, there is no material change in principle or construction_

The shock springs normally are practically unloaded, being just under sufficient tension to give them the correct set. When the axle is moved back several inches as a result of a horizontal shock, the bell crank which couples the forward end of the rear spring and the end of the shock spring is pulled back with the spripg and axle and in its turn, depresses the quarter-elliptical shock spring which absorbs the horizontal stress. Obviously, the further back the axle is driven the stronger becomes the shock spring. The rear axle horizontal movement is taken care of by a longer slip universal joint on the propeller shaft.

At the front axle the same principle of construction is Used as in the tear, whilst the front axle connections do not interfere in any way with the cross steering used on many types of commercial vehicles.

In order to hold the axles horizontally irrespective of their movement, cross shelis are employed which hold the springs on both sides of the vehicle in alignment so that deflection of the springs on both eides is equal. When one wheel strikes an inequality in the road, the shock spring on the other side also does its part in relieving the blow, thus eliminating one-sided stresses on the chassis frame which, it is agreed, have a detrimental influence.

Russia's Future Economic Position.

The latest issue of " Russia " (No. 4, Vol. 2), a journal devoted to the extension of Anglo-Russian trade and interests is just published. Among the articles contained in the present issue the one entitled "Russia and Ourselves," by Sir George Buchanan, His Majesty's Ambassador in Petrograd?. will command particular attention. The Ambassador takes the long view of the Russian situation and makes a strong plea for prace. tical sympathy and aetive economic Cooperation with Russia in her hour of trial. This plea is discussed in detail in the leading article urging an "Allied Economic Relief Expeditidn to Russia," as the most elective means of checking German commercial penetration. Other articles, such as "Russian Commercial Legislatios; _Revolution or Evolution," "Turkestan and Its Possibilities," " Platinum Resources of Russia," etc., contain a good deal of information which is often overlooked in estimating the prospects of that distracted country, but which gives to a thoughtful student cause for sane optimism.

To Stop Waste.

The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., of Akron; Ohio, has produced a propagandist motion picture play, entitled "Over the-Roads to War." This is intended to demonstrate the importance of rubber in the war and to prevent waste. The film shows the simple errors in driving that cause the waste of enough rubber yearly to equip 100,000 fighting motorcars, and has been endorsed by the Government, for its contribution to national thrift.

Recent Registrations.

A. and H. Ltd., with a capital of £3000 in £1 ;hares, to be manufacturers of and dealers in motor vehicles and ;Ixeessorie.s, engines, aircraft, motor boats, submarines, torpedoes, munitions, tools, etc. Registered office is at 38, grange Road, Willesden Green, N.W. General Pneumatic Appliances, Ltd., with a capital of £30,000 in £1 shares, to be manufacturers, installers and users of, agents for and dealers in pneumatic and

electric tools and machinery and engineering accessories, shipwrights, millwrights, shipbuilders, wheelwrights, etc., and to enter into an agreement with the Imperial. Co., Ltd. Registered office is al, 14, New Burlington Street, W. 1.

Turnbuckles. Ltd., with a capital of £3000, to be manufacturers of, agents for and dealers in motor and other vehicles and accessories, internal combustion, electrical and other engines, aircraft, motor boats, submarines, torpedoee, cycles, arms, munitions, • tools, etc. Registered office ;s1 at 85a, Basinghall Street, E.G.

Billings and Spencer Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., with a capital of £15,000 in £1 shares, to take over from E. P. Barma and J. R. Cullen the rights conferrer] on them by an agreement with the Billings and Spencer Co., of Harford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in wrenches, machine tools, etc. Mackinnon and Thomas, Ltd., with a capital of £3000 in £1 shares, to be manufacturers of and dealers in motor vehicles, internal-combustion, steam, electrical, gas ahd other engines, aircraft, motor beats, submarines, torpedoes, motor and other cycles, munitions, tools, etc. Registered office is at Lorne Gardens, Regent's Park, N. 8.

Dennis War Savings.

The War Savings Association formed by the employees of Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, commenced operations ori 4th November, 1917, and up to date an amount of £5341 has been subscribed. .During "Business Men's Week" the total collections were £812, and it is hoped that by the end of the year a total of £10,000 will be reached. The forego, lug results have been greatly assisted by the management of Dennis Bros. contributing the sum of 6d. to each certificate purchased. This contribution has been very much appreciated by those concerned.

Helpful Manuals.

In these strenuous times, when the user is unable to rely upon outside help to effect overhauls and repairs, it is often necessary to carry out some sort of improvisation in order to carry on until such work can be efficiently repaired. Such jobs are usually beyond the range of knowledge possessed by an amateur, and in this respect it is_both useful and helpful to know that a text hook is published with a view to aiding such men to carry out their own repairs. The book in question is "Motor Repair Work," pablished by Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, E.C. 1., price is. 3d. net. A second edition of this informative manual has just been published. It contains many clear illustrations which, combined with the aid of the text, render it easily understood, by the lay reader.

Temple Press Ltd. have .9.1s2 recently

issued the third edition of "The Rook of the Ford." As is well known, this book endeavours to explain in simple and terse language how Ford owners can get the best out of their vehicles. It treats the construction of the Ford from starting handle to tail lamp, and explains in readily-understood language all detailed components embodied in the design. It is profusely illustrated from cover to cover, and sells at 2s. net.

Local Proceedings.

Derby T.C.' is to spend £187 on purchasing a Ford motor ambulance.

Dingley (Yorks) U.D.C. is to purchase two steam wagons for the gas department.

Holywell (Flint) R.D.C. is to consider the advisability of procuring a steam tractor.

The East Ham Ambulance Fund has presented the Corporation with a motor ambulance.

The Borough Surveyor of Bury St. Edmunds is to report to the T.C. upon obtaining a steam wagon.

The question of introducing electric traction vehicles is under consideration by the Dundee Cleansing Department.

Ilford U.D.C. has accepted the tender of the AvosIndiarubber Co., at £47 10s. for tyres far the Council's fire-engines.

The L.G.B. has agreed to sanction a loan to be raised by the Aldershot U.D.C. for the purchase of a motor fireengine.

Croydon T.C. is to purchase for the Farm Department a Mann• steam tractor with four-furrow plough and cultivator. The estimated cost is £800.

Chelmsford Corporation is threatening legal proceedings against the National Steam Car Co., Ltd., if the nuisance of thick black smoke from the works chim neys is not abated.

Leeds Corporation has arranged a municipal parcels delivery service, the charges varying from 2id. for a parcel under 7 lb., and 6d. when over 28 lb., and not excesIding 56 lb.

Ilford U.D.C. proposes to purchase froth. the General -Vehicle Co. two elec tric lorries fitted with Ironclad-Exid -batteries 44 cells, electrically tipped, with timber bodies lined with steel, for £2578 The Ministry of Munitions definitely refuses to give the Ilford U.D.C. a permit for the purchase of .a. Ford ambulance, and it is therefore proposed to get a second-hand chassis or ambulance, if possible.

The Ministry of Munitions cannot grant priority to enable the Leyton U.D,C. to purchase two electric dust vans; but the Council is again appealing. for a ptiority certificate in view of the need of the vehicles.


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