Passing Comments
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WHILE chatting with Mr. C. Morton Lomax, managing director of Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., regarding the introduction of the new Surrey-Dodge range of chassis, he mentioned that he was entertaining to luncheon all the works foremen. Such an act improves mutual understanding between administration and production staffs.
ITALY has commenced a campaign to remove tram ways from its streets. They are already banished from the central zone of Rome and most of the other Italian cities, and on the outskirts they are remaining only until buses can be provided to replace them. Apparently, trolley-buses have not been considered. THE new Guy 2-ton chassis, which was announced last week, .commences its career in auspicious circumstances, because it is the joint product of two well-known engineers, Captain J. S. Irving, who designed the famous "Golden Arrow," and Mr. C. K. Edwards, the chief engineer of the company.
IN modern motor-vehicle factories having a large output, it is essential to keep the closest possible check upon costs, and as an example of what present-day methods of accountancy can accomplish in this direction, Sir Herbert Austin, K.B.E., recently stated that, at his works, the cost of every process effected daily is known early next morning. THE chairman of the South Wales Traffic Commis sioners, Mr. A. T. James, K.C., is one of the most popular in the whole country, and is held in high esteem by all operators. It is probable that there have been fewer appeals against his decisions than against those of any other Commissioner. "In South Wales, they have the finest Commissioners in the world," a well-known coach operator said to us, the other day, going off the map somewhat in his admiration.
ANOTHER chairman of Commissioners who is greatly respected by most operators is MajorGeneral Sir Reginald Ford, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., who, incidentally, in conjunction with his clerk, Mr. C. Tilden Smith, has, it is thought, given closer attention to the contract-carriage problem than practically any other Commissioner. He is also notable for the assistance that he gives to small operators who are in difficulties.
AN advertisement which appeared lately in our associated journal The Motor has caught the eye of " S.T.R." It refers to the performance of a touring car which has been in the hands of its present owner for nine years and in that period has covered 27,000 miles, an average of 3,000 miles per annum, less than 60 per week. The question naturally arises : is this car owner out for a record? At the very least the operating costs should present some interesting features. ACCORDING to a report, one of the railway com panies ran to London 36 long-distance trains in connection with the Rugby League Final, which was held on May 6. It is interesting to remember that, when a coach operator applies to the Traffic Commissioners for excursion licences for such an event, the railways often endeavour to have the number of vehicles to be used on the service limited to one or two.
A. STRONG reminder of the fundamental difference
between air and road transport is afforded by a framed map of the British Isles which lies fiat upon the table in the Clubhouse at Heston Airport. A hole is drilled through this map in the position occupied by Heston, and a weighted cord, passed through it, is used as a ready means for indicating the route from Heston to any destination. "As the crow flies" is the direction taken by air transport.
DESPITE recent financial burdens imposed upon oil engines, the popularity of this type of prime mover for conversiou work shows no abatement. One of the features of Vehicles so altered is, quite commonly, their age at the time of the change. The high gear ratios of old-type lorries are well suited to oil engines, but the fact that so many owners will purchase expensive new units for chassis valued at about i75 is a genuine tribute to British workmanship. Such faith must be the outcome of sterling service. '