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Another Collector of Steamers
AN unusual hobby is that of Mr. Sydney Sutton, who, with his brother, Mr. Charles Sutton, controls W. C. Sutton and Sons, haulage and threshing contractors of Beckermet, West Cumberland; it is the collection of old steam tractors.
His "collector's piece," which is valued at over £1,000, is Anne, which was made by Garrett and Sons, Ltd., Leiston, in 1920. His latest acquisition, however, is Edwina, born in 1908 at the works of Robey and Co., Ltd., Lincoln, which was retired in 1945. This agricultural model was able to travel 25 miles to Beckermet under its own steam in two days.
Mr. Sutton is varied in his tastes, but Mr. A. B. Fuller, chairman and managing director of Taskers of Andover (1932), Ltd., is specializing in Tasker machines and, as mentioned in his letter published on December 10, 1954, he has traced Tasker engines as far back as 1860, although the last Was made as recently as 1926.
U.S. Road Tax Proposals
APPROVAL of the new heavy taxation on motor vehicle users in America, particularly those in the commercial-vehicle field, has been given by the House of Representatives' Public Works Committee. Details of the original figures were given in The Commercial Motor dated July 29, but there have been a few modifications.
The tax on oil fuel is to be 5 cents per gallon instead of 6 cents and the tax on retreaded tyres is to be levied on the weight of the new tread rubber alone, instead of on the whole tyre.
On the other hand, the total receipts from the taxes are likely to be greater by some $700m., for the reason that the tax on tyres is to be spread to those used On the smaller commercial vehicles and to all which are retreaded. The Bill now calls for $48,500m. (approximately £17,500m.) to be spent over 12 years. Roughly a third of this amount would have to be supplied from state funds, the remainder being federal money, To drive home to the public the idea of what commercial vehicles have to bear at present in the way of taxation, a typical articulated vehicle with a large container body was plastered over with dollar bills and driven around the streets of Washington. It carried nearly 4,480 of these notes, but no room could be found for the further 868 to represent the total tax for the year.
Hydraulic Lifting Cab for Accessibility
THE Mack rising cab for forward-control vehicles I is of particular interest. There have been various schemes in which cabs hinge over or are split for hinging to the front. In the " Verti-Lift," the cab is raised by a hydraulic ram, pumping being by hand or electric motor.
The lifting gear is mounted in a narrow channelsteel frame, situated behind the cab, with the ram in its centre, and the lift is sufficient to give full exposure to the front of the chassis, the engine and all its accessories. What is more, no connections of any kind have to be broken.
What the Butler Didn't See!
A RAPID and practical reply to the refusal by the " Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider an expanded road programme was announced recently by the Roads Campaign Council, 15 Dartmouth Street, London, SW.!.
It takes the form of a penny-in-the-slot peep-show machine, which has been installed in the Council's travelling exhibition. This shows a one-minute film of traffic jams throughout Britain, entitled "What the Butler Didn't See."
In announcing this development, a spokesman for the Council said that anybody who travelled around the country was amazed by Mr. Butler's refusal to review the Ministry of Transport's road plans until he thought the economy could bear the strain of an extra road programme. Actually, it is the almost perpetual jam on British roads which is one of the reasons why our economy is in difficulties today.
Acid Test for Presence of Mind
WHAT would you do if strong acid suddenly " sprayed over your clothing and body? This was the terrifying predicament in which a driver, Mr. C. Forbes, of Runcorn, Cheshire, found himself at Warrington last week. He had been delivering a load of the acid from his tanker and when the opera tion was over returned to his seat. For some reason acid was suddenly blown from the storage receptacle over and into the cab.
Fortunately he kept his head and, leaping out, ran some distance to the Mersey, into which he dived, thus probably saving his life and even escaping setious injury, for after treatment for some burns on his arms and head, he was discharged from hospital the same day.
Up to the Minute
THERE was a timely touch of irony at the opening of the Roads Campaign Council exhibition at Newport, Mon, last week. Lord Raglan, who performed the ceremony, arrived 10 min. after the appointed time—his car had been delayed in a traffic jam waiting to cross the only bridge over the river in the town. At least the incident provided Lord Raglan with more material for his speech, though he may not have wished it.